Loss of Smell
A reduced or lost sense of smell can affect more than just how you experience food or scents. It can alter your sense of taste, make meals less enjoyable, and affect your appetite. It may also impact safety, making it harder to detect smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food.
At Mile High ENT, we understand the significant impact loss of smell can have on your quality of life. Our board-certified ENT specialist, Dr. Sarmad Sabour, evaluates the underlying cause of your loss of smell and develops personalized care plans to improve your day-to-day comfort.
Complete our online form or call us at 303-487-0834 to schedule a consultation today.
What Is the Loss of Smell?
Loss of smell occurs when odor signals are unable to reach the smell receptors in the nose or when the nerves responsible for transmitting those signals are affected. It can be partial (hyposmia) or complete (anosmia), and may develop suddenly or gradually.
Your sense of smell plays an important role in everyday life. It allows you to:
Fully experience the flavor of food, since smell and taste are closely connected
Detect potential hazards such as smoke or gas leaks
Engage with your environment, as scents are closely tied to memory and emotional response
Take our 60-second Sinus Relief Score quiz to see what might be causing your loss of smell.
How Smell Works (Why It Can Be Affected)
Your sense of smell depends on a combination of airflow, specialized receptor cells, and nerve signals working together.
When you breathe in, odor molecules travel through the nasal passages and reach receptor cells located high within the nasal cavity. These cells convert signals into messages sent to the brain, where smells are identified and interpreted.
This process can be disrupted in several ways:
Blocked nasal passages prevent odor molecules from reaching the receptors
Inflammation or swelling limits airflow and reduces access to smell receptors
Nerve disruption interferes with how signals are transmitted to the brain
Since this system relies on both airflow and nerve function, even minor changes in the nasal passages or sinuses can affect your ability to smell.
Our Approach to Restoring Loss of Smell
At Mile High ENT, care begins with identifying whether smell loss is related to airflow obstruction, inflammation, or another underlying issue. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Sabour develops a personalized treatment plan focused on restoring smell function and improving overall nasal and sinus health.
Our approach includes:
The goal is to address the cause of smell loss, restore nasal and sinus function, and improve day-to-day comfort.
What Causes Loss of Smell
Loss of smell can occur for a variety of reasons, depending on whether airflow to the smell receptors is blocked or the nerves responsible for smell are affected.
Common causes include:
Conditions such as colds, allergies, sinus infections, or nasal polyps can limit airflow to the smell receptors. As congestion improves, the sense of smell often returns.
Head injuries, viral infections (including COVID-19), or exposure to certain medications or environmental toxins can disrupt the transmission of smell signals.
In some cases, loss of smell may be associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
Some medications, including specific antibiotics or decongestants, may temporarily alter the sense of smell.
Is Loss of Smell Permanent?
Loss of smell is not always permanent. In many cases, it improves once the underlying cause, such as congestion or inflammation, is treated.
However, recovery can vary depending on the cause. When smell loss is related to nerve involvement or long-standing inflammation, improvement may take longer and, in some cases, may not fully return.
An evaluation can help determine the cause of your symptoms, the expected level of recovery, and appropriate treatment options to restore your sense of smell.
When to Seek Evaluation for Loss of Smell
You should consider an evaluation if you notice changes in your sense of smell that affect your daily life.
This may include:
Sudden or ongoing loss of smell
Symptoms lasting more than a few weeks without improvement
Loss of smell along with nasal congestion or sinus pressure
Changes in taste that affect appetite or enjoyment of food
Early evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and guide treatment, improving the chances of recovery and preventing symptoms from becoming long-term.
Diagnosis of Loss of Smell
At Mile High ENT, we begin by reviewing how your sense of smell has changed over time and what symptoms you have been experiencing. Our diagnostic process may include:
An in-office examination of your nose and sinuses to assess airflow, inflammation, or obstruction
Smell identification testing to evaluate your sense of smell
Imaging, such as a CT scan, to detect structural issues or sinus disease
This thorough evaluation helps us design a targeted treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause and improves your sense of smell.
Treatment Options We Offer to Treat Loss of Smell
Treatment for loss of smell depends on the underlying cause. At Mile High ENT, care focuses on improving airflow, reducing inflammation, and addressing contributing conditions.
Addressing Underlying Conditions
If allergies, sinus infections, or chronic inflammation are contributing to smell loss, treating these conditions can often help restore function. In some cases, when structural issues such as nasal polyps or sinus blockage are present, we may recommend procedures such as nasal polyp removal or endoscopic sinus surgery to improve airflow and access to smell receptors.
Steroid Nasal Sprays
When inflammation is limiting your sense of smell, steroid nasal sprays can reduce swelling in the nasal passages and improve airflow.
Treatment is always tailored to your specific condition, with a focus on restoring smell and improving overall nasal and sinus function.
Restore Your Sense of Smell & Improve Daily Comfort
If you have noticed changes in your sense of smell, an evaluation can help determine the cause and guide the next steps.
At Mile High ENT, we focus on identifying the underlying issue and creating a treatment plan that supports recovery and long-term nasal health.
To schedule a consultation at Mile High ENT, please call us at 303-487-0834 or fill out our online appointment request form.