Anosmia (Smell Loss) Treatment in Houston
Losing your sense of smell can profoundly impact your quality of life. Anosmia affects not only your ability to enjoy food and fragrances but also your ability to detect dangers like smoke or gas leaks. If you’re struggling with anosmia, expert treatment is available.
Dr. Arjuna Kuperan, a fellowship-trained nose and sinus surgeon, specializes in diagnosing and treating anosmia with cutting-edge medical and surgical techniques. At Houston Advanced Nose & Sinus, we aim to help you breathe better now and regain your sense of smell.
Contact Dr. Kuperan For Anosmia Treatment
What is Anosmia?
Anosmia is the medical term for a complete loss of smell, while hyposmia is a partial loss. Depending on its underlying cause, this condition can develop gradually or suddenly and may be temporary or permanent. With smell loss, time is a critical factor because the sooner treatment is initiated, the more likely the sense of smell is to return.
Your sense of smell plays a crucial role in daily experiences, influencing taste, memory, and even emotional well-being. Anosmia is often associated with taste loss (dysgeusia). We must have a normal sense of smell to have sophisticated taste beyond the basic tastes of salty, bitter, sweet, or sour.
For many, anosmia can lead to reduced appetite, weight loss, or even depression. The good news is that some patients will spontaneously recover their sense of smell without any intervention. However, for other patients, treatments with oral or topical steroids and olfactory training may be necessary to restore smell function. Seeking specialized care is essential for identifying the cause and exploring treatment options.
What Causes Anosmia?
Understanding the root cause of anosmia is the first step toward effective treatment. Causes generally fall into two categories:
Neural Smell Loss (Damage to olfactory nerve)
Neural anosmia is from a defective or damaged olfactory nerve. This type of smell loss may be congenital, meaning you were born with it, which happens to approximately 1 in 10,000 people.2 It can also occur after a head injury, a severe infection, or as a result of a sinus or skull base tumor.
Conductive Smell Loss (Blocked nasal airways)
Conductive anosmia is more common, accounting for approximately 70% of smell loss cases.3 This type of anosmia occurs when there is something blocking the nasal airways and odor molecules are not able to penetrate. This type is generally treatable. Common causes include:
- Chronic sinus infections
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
- Severe allergies or chronic rhinitis
- Upper respiratory infections
How is Anosmia Diagnosed?
Early diagnosis provides the best chance at restoring your smell. Dr. Kuperan utilizes a thorough, state-of-the-art diagnostic process to determine the cause of anosmia. During your evaluation, he may perform:
- Comprehensive Nasal Examination: Dr. Kuperan assesses the nasal passages for obstructions or inflammation using advanced endoscopy.
- Olfactory Testing: Specialized tests measure the ability to detect and identify different scents.
- Imaging Studies: CT or MRI scans may be used to detect structural issues, tumors, or nerve damage.
Experiencing a loss of smell?
Anosmia Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of anosmia. Many cases improve with targeted therapies and medical intervention. As a fellowship-trained sinus specialist, Dr. Kuperan has extensive expertise in advanced surgical procedures to treat anosmia.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Balloon Sinuplasty
A non-surgical technique that helps open blocked sinuses, improving airflow and reducing inflammation that may contribute to anosmia.
Nasal Polyp Removal
A procedure that removes growths obstructing the nasal passages, which can restore the ability to detect smells.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
A minimally invasive procedure that clears sinus blockages, improves drainage, and enhances airflow, helping patients regain their sense of smell.
Advanced Surgical Solutions
Anterior Skull Base Tumor Resection
Removes tumors affecting the olfactory nerve, helping restore smell function when feasible.
Advanced Sinus Surgery
Recommended for patients with severe sinus disease or other complications that impact olfactory function, addressing structural issues to improve breathing and smell perception.
Medications & Olfactory Training
- Nasal corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Antihistamines for allergy-related anosmia
- Olfactory training therapy to retrain smell receptors
- Vitamin A nasal drops (investigational for post-viral anosmia)
Regardless of the cause, Dr. Kuperan provides tailored treatment plans designed to maximize the chances of regaining your sense of smell.
Why Choose Dr. Arjuna Kuperan for Anosmia Treatment?
Expertise You Can Trust
Dr. Arjuna Kuperan is a fellowship-trained nose and sinus surgeon specializing in olfactory disorders. His expertise in advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques has made him one of Texas’s leading sinus and skull base surgeons. As an innovator in minimally invasive treatments, Dr. Kuperan provides the highest level of care to patients experiencing anosmia.
Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Kuperan believes in a patient-first approach, offering personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s condition and goals. He utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical techniques to provide precise, effective care. His commitment extends beyond treatment, as he is dedicated to helping patients regain not only their ability to breathe but also their sense of smell, improving their overall quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anosmia
How is anosmia diagnosed?
Dr. Kuperan will typically perform a thorough medical history and physical examination, including assessing your nasal passages. Additional tests, such as imaging studies or smell tests (olfactory testing), may be conducted to determine the cause and severity of anosmia.
Can anosmia be temporary?
Yes, anosmia can be temporary, especially when caused by factors like colds or allergies. The sense of smell often returns once the underlying condition resolves.
How can I prevent loss of smell?
Anosmia is not always avoidable. However, preventive measures include practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of respiratory infections, avoiding excessive use of nasal decongestant sprays, and seeking prompt medical attention for any persistent nasal symptoms.
When should I see a doctor for loss of smell?
You should consider consulting an experienced sinus specialist if you experience sudden or persistent loss of smell without an obvious cause, if smell loss is affecting your quality of life, or if it is associated with other concerning symptoms such as nasal congestion, pain, or vision changes.
CONTACT US FOR ANOSMIA TREATMENT IN HOUSTON
If you are struggling with smell loss, we can help. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely you are to regain your sense or smell. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to smell loss or sinus issues, and that’s why we take care to make an accurate diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan for each patient. Contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Experiencing Persistent Smell Loss? It’s Time to See an ENT...References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Coronavirus. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html Accessed August 2, 2024.
2 Cleveland Clinic. Smell Loss. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21859-anosmia-loss-of-sense-of-smell Accessed February 8, 2023
3 Li X, Lui F. The National Center for Biotechnology Information. Anosmia. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482152/ Accessed May 8, 2020.
4 Hummel T, Rissom K, Reden J, Hähner A, Weidenbecher M, Hüttenbrink KB. Effects of olfactory training in patients with olfactory loss. Laryngoscope. 2009 Mar;119(3):496-9. doi: 10.1002/lary.20101.
Dr. Arjuna Kuerpan has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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