Anosmia means loss of sense of smell. It is usually caused by nasal condition and rarely by brain injury. As the nose is in direct contact with the external environment, it is exposed to the many microorganisms and pollutants present in the atmosphere. Due to the increase in environmental pollution and the busy lifestyles of today, rhinitis and sinusitis are common disease in the present era. Improper management of this stage leads to sinusitis, which may later lead to chronic sinusitis. All these disease have a common symptom as anosmia.

In ayurvedic scriptures, anosmia is termed as grahananasha.

Causes

• Upper respiratory tract infection (sinusitis or the common cold)

• Nasal polyps

• Hypothyroidism

• Head trauma

• Zinc deficiency

• Asthma or Allergy

Precautions

Taking the smell of strong perfumes, exposure to the dust and fumes, pollens, towards the substances regarding which person is allergic are to be avoided in anosmia. Repeated infections are to be reduced. Cold water head bath, exposure to breeze is to be avoided.

If you experience a loss of smell that you can’t attribute to a cold or allergy or which doesn’t get better after a week or two, tell your doctor. Your doctor can take a look inside your nose with a special instrument to see if a polyp or growth is impairing your ability to smell or if an infection is present.

Ayurvedic Management

Nasya –Nasya is the chief procedure to drain doshas from head. The main treatment for accumulated doshas in such cases is Shodhana Nasya. Hence, Pradhamana Nasya, which is the best among all the Shodhana Nasya, was selected according to Acharya Charaka and has also advised a combination of Trikatu and Triphala Churna for Pradhamana Nasya. Nasal drops treatment with Anu Taila and Shadbindu taila is very useful in case of Vata Dosha increase.

Dhoomapana – herbal smoking is useful in Kapha dosha increase, leading to excess phlegm collection.

Vamana – vomiting therapy is useful in excess of Kapha Dosha increase.

Ayurveda believes in cleansing the body and pacifying the tridoshas from the roots by using unique treatment modalities such as sodhana (eliminative), shamana (palliative), and sthanika chikitsa (local treatment).

Anosmia in Covid-19

Studies suggest it better predicts covid-19 than other well-known symptoms such as fever and cough, but the underlying mechanisms for loss of smell in patients with COVID-19 have been unclear.

BY.

Purav Jayesh Trivedi

Subscribe to us on Whatsapp for future updates