Smell lost in a cold: what to do?

Sometimes the course of a cold in a person is accompanied by a lack of perception of smells, and even taste sensations. This problem requires consultation of a specialist, otolaryngologist. A medical examination and recommendations will help as soon as possible to eliminate the unpleasant consequences of rhinitis.

What are the types of violation of the sense of smell doctors

Before prescribing a regimen of medical procedures and drugs, the doctor must determine to which of the known types of violations the lack of smell perception in the patient comes. Medicine distinguishes this disorder into the following types:

1. Hyposomy (when the sense of smell is partially preserved, the patient weakly recognizes aromas that are not pronounced sharply).
2. Hypersomy (when the sense of smell is present, but in an acute form).
3. Kakosmia (the violation does not go near respiratory diseases, a rare type of disorder when the patient smells normal).
4. Anosmia (when the sense of smell is completely absent, often occurs against the background of infection, or as a result of a stroke).

The absence or distortion of the sense of smell in humans is the cause of disruption in the form of a depressed state, increased irritability, and similar manifestations.

For what reasons does the sense of smell disappear with a runny nose and what should I do?

The main cause of the loss of smell is the inflamed and swollen nasal mucosa. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed during the period of a cold, infection of the body with infectious viruses, as a manifestation of an allergic reaction, rhinitis, sinusitis and other diseases of the nose, when there is a functional violation of the normal state of the mucous membrane. Ignoring the instructions for use of nasal drops can also cause a loss of smell.

Usually lost during the runny nose sense of smell returns to the person within a few days after recovery, in the recovery period. It should be remembered that panic and nervousness can inhibit the recovery of the body after an illness. If during this time the taste and smell did not return, you should undergo a diagnostic examination in a medical institution.

The traditional method of treating problems with smell

The treatment regimen is determined by the doctor otolaryngologist after determining the diagnosis. As a rule, it includes general and local therapy. When the sense of smell has not returned after a runny nose, treatment procedures begin with the elimination of the causes of difficulty in nasal breathing. If the swelling of the nasal mucosa persists, prescribe the so-called vasoconstrictor drops (for example, the same naphthyzine or the like). The nasal cavity is washed with the most common saline solutions, protargolum (collarol) is instilled - silver solutions.

Surgical intervention is indicated when constant nasal congestion and severe swelling of the mucosa are the result of an anatomical defect (in this case we are talking about polyps, adenoids). As practice shows, the common cold in this case only exacerbates the chronically ongoing process.

Immunocorrection, which is part of the treatment regimen, is designed to eliminate the possibility of a relapse of the disease. These are homeopathic remedies, echinacea preparations, imudon, kagocel and the like.

In some cases, the patient is given novocaine blockade or injections of a suspension of hydrocortisone in the form of endonasal injections.The intake of drugs with valerian, motherwort, bromine is prescribed.

Physiotherapeutic procedures also give good results in the treatment of lack of smell. Practice the appointment of laser therapy, magnetotherapy, UHF, ultraviolet radiation, inhalation, electrophoresis.

The listed medications and procedures quite effectively eliminate the causes of impaired sense of smell.

Folk methods in the struggle for the return of smell

Alternative to official medicine are always folk recipes based on medicinal herbs and the properties of natural foods. The following treatment methods are practiced for smell dysfunction.

"Horseradish" instillation
Juice is squeezed out of freshly grated horseradish root. Dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10. The resulting solution is instilled into each nasal passage, 2 drops, twice a day. A positive result occurs on the third day of use. If this concentration of juice causes burning of the nasal mucosa, the recipe should not be used.

Inhalation
The medicinal mixture for inhalation can be based on boiled potatoes, essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, fir, basil), herbal infusions of anti-inflammatory effects (calendula, chamomile, pine buds).

Hot vapors are inhaled by the nose for 5 to 7 minutes. In home procedures, a kitchen pan or a special device for inhalation is used, a nebulizer sold in pharmacies. The device has the advantage of having different nozzles for carrying out the procedure, which deliver the steam exactly to the destination without loss in transit.

Infusions of medicinal raw materials are preliminarily prepared at the rate of 1 tablespoon of chopped herbs per glass of boiling water. The infusion time is from 20 to 40 minutes. For inhalation, a filtered solution is used.

Essential oils are added to hot water immediately before the procedure in the amount of 5-7 drops per recommended portion of water.

Inhalation with lemon and essential oils
A glass of boiling water should take 10 drops of fresh lemon juice and 3 drops of essential oil. Breathe over the pan or nebulizer with sharp breaths. The interval between procedures is at least 24 hours.

Camphor and Menthol Nasal Drops
The therapeutic effect consists in a very pungent odor that has a beneficial effect on the stimulation of a weakened sense of smell. The composition is prepared immediately before use and consists of equal parts of menthol and camphor oils. Instill 3 drops in each nasal passage twice a day. The duration of treatment is 7 days, with the onset of improvement, drops are stopped.

To restore the sense of smell, you can use the pungent smell of other products: garlic, onions, vinegar, ammonia, coffee beans.

Nasal lavage with iodine-saline solution
Use sea salt in a proportion of 10 grams per 100 ml of water, stir and add iodine in an amount of 4 drops. The solution is mixed well until smooth. Twice a day, each nostril is washed with 1 ml of solution. Injected into the nasal passages with a 2 ml disposable syringe.

Beetroot - Honey Drops
Fresh beet juice is mixed with half a teaspoon of quality honey. Instill 3 times a day, 2 to 5 drops in each nasal passage. The tool can be used to treat a runny nose in children.

Balm "Asterisk"
A well-known Vietnamese remedy slightly lubricates the nose, frontal and maxillary sinuses, nose wings. The mucous membrane of the nose is not recommended to be lubricated. The procedure is repeated for no more than 5 days.

Turuns soaked with a medicinal product

Turundas are prepared from a sterile bandage in the form of small twisted wicks. Abundantly lubricated with a therapeutic compound, the “wick” is placed for 5-15 minutes deep in the nasal passages. At this time, breathing occurs through the mouth. Usually the procedure is performed before bedtime. As a medical composition use:

• Natural honey of liquid consistency (for children mixed with an equal amount of butter).
• Propolis aqueous solution.
• Aloe juice with water in an arbitrary ratio (so as not to burn).
• Kalanchoe juice diluted in half with water.

When observing an allergic reaction, stop using the medication. To relieve allergy symptoms, suprastin or another similar medicine is recommended.

An integrated approach to the restoration of smell

Systemic treatment often gives a quicker positive result than individual procedures. The complex of measures for the treatment of anosmia and hyposomy due to colds is as follows:

• Burying cabbage juice.
• Massage movements in the area of ​​the paranasal sinuses, nose bridge and nose wings.
• Coniferous aromatherapy (30 minutes daily).
• Inhalation of the smell of smoldering wormwood.
• Tension and relaxation in the nasal passages.
• Swimming.
• Departure to the resort.
• Breathe the air of coniferous forest, sea, water bodies with a high iodine content.
• Peace for the nervous system.

To overcome the disease, the use of one drug is often not enough. It is necessary to help the body in eliminating factors predisposing to it. The application of the above methods and means is aimed at solving this problem.

Video: how to restore your sense of smell