Diseases

Smell Disorders

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People who experience smell disorders experience either a loss in their ability to smell or changes in the way they perceive odors. Hyposmia is when the ability to detect odor is reduced. Anosmia is when a person can't detect odor at all.

SYMPTOMS

Aging.
Sinus and other upper respiratory infections.
Smoking.
Growths in the nasal cavities.
Head injury.
Hormonal disturbances.
Dental problems.
Exposure to certain chemicals, such as insecticides and solvents.

CAUSES

Smell disorders have many causes including illness such as upper respiratory infection, injury, polyps in the nasal cavities, sinus infections, hormonal disturbances, dental problems, exposure to certain chemicals such as insecticides and solvents, some medicines, and radiation due to head and neck cancers.