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| ==Causes== | | ==Causes== |
| A temporary loss of smell can be caused by a stuffy [[nose]] or infection. In contrast, a permanent loss of smell may be caused by death of [[olfactory receptor neuron]]s in the nose, or by [[brain injury]] in which there is damage to the [[olfactory nerve]] or damage to brain areas that process smell (see [[olfactory system]]). The lack of the sense of smell at birth, usually due to genetic factors, is referred as ''congenital anosmia.'' Anosmia may very occasionally be an early sign of degenerative brain diseases such as [[Parkinson's disease]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]]. Another specific cause of permanent loss could be from damage to olfactory receptor neurons due to use of certain types of [[nasal spray]], i.e. those that cause vasoconstriction of the nasal microcirculation. To avoid such damage and subsequent risk of loss of smell from vasoconstricting nasal sprays, they should be used for only a short amount of time and only when absolutely necessary. Non-vasoconstricting sprays, such as those used to treat allergy related congestion are safe to use for extended periods of time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coldcure.com/anosmia/anosmia.html|title=www.coldcure.com/anosmia/anosmia.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
| | ===Common Causes== |
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| *Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., [[sinusitis]] or the [[common cold]])<ref name="Doty2001">{{cite journal
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| | author=Doty RL, Mishra A
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| | title=Influences of nasal obstruction, rhinitis, and rhinosinusitis on the ability to smell
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| | journal=Laryngoscope
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| | volume=111
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| | pages=409–23
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| | year=2001 }}</ref>
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| *[[Nasal polyps]]
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| *[[tobacco smoking|Smoking]]
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| *Head trauma, damage to the [[ethmoid bone]]<ref name="Doty1997">{{cite journal
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| | author=Doty RL, Yousem DM, Pham LT, Kreshak AA, Lee WW
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| | title=Olfactory dysfunction in patients with head trauma
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| | journal=Arch Neurol
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| | volume=54
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| | pages=1131–1140
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| | year=1997 }}</ref>
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| *[[Dementia with Lewy bodies]]
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| *[[Parkinson's Disease]]<!--
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| --><ref name="Doty1988">{{cite journal
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| | author=Doty RL, Deems D, Stellar S
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| | title=Olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: A general deficit unrelated to neurologic signs, disease stage, or disease duration
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| | journal=Neurology
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| | volume=38
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| | pages=1237–44
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| | year=1988 }}</ref>
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| *[[Alzheimer's Disease]]<!--
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| --><ref name="Murphy1988">{{cite journal
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| | author=Murphy C
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| | title=Loss of olfactory function in dementing disease
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| | journal=Physiology & Behavior
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| | volume=66
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| | pages=177–182
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| | year=1999 }}</ref>
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| *Toxins (especially [[acrylate]]s, [[methacrylate]]s<ref name="Schwartz">{{cite journal
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| | author=Schwartz B, Doty RL, Frye RE, Monroe C, Barker S
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| | title=Olfactory function in chemical workers exposed to acrylate and methacrylate vapors
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| | journal=Am J Pub Health
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| | volume=79
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| | pages=613–618
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| | year=1989 }}</ref> and [[cadmium]]<ref name="Rose1992">{{cite journal
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| | author=Rose CS, Heywood PG, Costanzo RM
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| | title=Olfactory impairment after chronic occupational cadmium exposure
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| | journal=Journal of Occupational Medicine
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| | volume=34
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| | pages=600–605
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| | year=1992 }}</ref><ref name="Rydzewski1998">{{cite journal
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| | author=Rydzewski B, Sulkowski W, Miarzynaska M
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| | year=1998
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| | title=Olfactory disorders induced by cadmium exposure: A clinical study
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| | journal=Int J Occ Med Env Health
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| | volume=11
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| | pages=235–245 }}</ref>)
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| *Old age<ref name="">{{cite journal
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| | author=Doty RL, Shaman P, Applebaum SL, Giberson R, Sikorsky L, Rosenberg L
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| | title=Smell identification ability: Changes with age
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| | journal=Science
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| | volume=226
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| | pages=1441–1443
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| | year=1984 }}</ref>
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| *[[Kallmann syndrome]]
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| *[[Laryngectomy]] with permanent [[tracheostomy]]
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| *Esthesioneuroblastoma is an exceedingly rare cancerous tumor that originates in or near the [[olfactory nerve]]. Symptoms are anosmia (loss of sense of smell) often accompanied by chronic [[sinusitis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic748.htm|title=www.emedicine.com/med/topic748.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref>
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| *[[Cystic Fibrosis]]
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| *[[Zinc#Zinc deficiency|Zinc deficiency]]
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| *[[Cadmium Poisoning]]
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| *[[Holoprosencephaly]]
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| *[[Allergies]] | | *[[Allergies]] |
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| Anosmia can also be caused by nasal polyps. These polyps are found in people with allergies, histories of sinusitis & family history. Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis often develop nasal polyps.
| | *[[Common cold]] |
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| | *[[Infection]] |
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| | *[[Nasal polyp]] |
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| | *[[Old age]] |
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| | *[[Sinusitis]] |
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| | *[[Stuffy nose]] |
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| | *[[Trauma]] |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
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