Losing sense of smell is as bad as Parkinson’s or a stroke, study finds
Losing the sense of smell can affect quality of life as severely as diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s and kidney failure, a study has found.
People with smell or taste disorders lose the simple pleasure of smelling their morning coffee or tasting a home-cooked meal.
Although this loss of smell and taste may be considered a mere inconvenience, life can quickly become bleak, as patients report levels of misery comparable to some of the most serious chronic diseases.
One in five people is affected by a smell or taste disorder. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the impact of loss of smell and taste, known as anosmia and taste buds, a common symptom affecting millions of people infected with the virus.
A new study Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have found that eliminating these senses can be debilitating.
Lead researcher Professor Carl Philpott, from Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, said: “We found that smell and taste disorders consistently cause significant emotional, social and psychological suffering, often competing with conditions routinely thought to be life-altering.
“Patients described a lack of pleasure in eating, difficulty socializing, increased concern for personal safety, such as not being able to smell smoke or gas, and an uncomfortable feeling of emotional numbness.
“Perhaps most concerning, rates of depression and social withdrawal have been repeatedly found to be high in people with loss of smell and taste.”
For the study published in the journal Clinic Ear Nose ThroatResearchers analyzed dozens of studies comparing quality of life scores for smell and taste disorders to a wide range of chronic diseases, including diabetes, stroke, heart failure, asthma, and cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
Researchers found that there were 455 patients with smell and taste disorders, and most of them suffered from depression. One in five people had moderate, severe or extreme depression.
The study also found that for many patients, eating ceases to be one of life’s pleasures and becomes a purely functional act.
“Smell explains much of what people perceive as taste,” Prof Philpott said. “So when this is lost, food can feel bland, metallic, or even off-putting. Some people lose weight due to a lack of appetite, while others gain weight in pursuit of stronger or sweeter tastes.”
Despite these profound effects, smell and taste disorders have historically been left aside.
Prof Philpott added: “The problem is that doctors reassure patients that the problem is minor or temporary, even if symptoms persist for years. Specialist services remain scarce and access to treatment remains limited.”
