Brief Answer:
different possible causes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The loss of taste and smell would be linked because the sense of smell affects the sense of taste.

Loss of sense of smell is called anosmia. If it is decreased and not gone completely it is called hyposmia. Ageusia- loss of ability to taste, hypogeusia - decreased ability to taste.

There are different possible causes.
(1)Anything blocking the pathway eg- rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passage)- this can be due to infection (the cold or flu or sinus infection) or allergies or a mass eg a polyp or other growth in the nostril

(2)anything that affects the nerves in the brain that control smell and taste eg Multiple sclerosis, head trauma, bleed, infection, mass in the brain

(3)sense of smell and taste decrease with age

(4)endocrine or hormone conditions can also have an effect eg low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), diabetes, conditions of the adrenal glands

(5)side effect of medication or toxins eg smoking, alcohol, intranasal zinc products eg zicam nasal gel

(6)conditions such as parkinsons, dementia, schizophrenia

(7)oral hygiene or dentures can affect sense of taste

(8)trauma

(9)oral candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth or tongue)- can also affect taste

(10)decreased intake/use of zinc, copper or nickel can also affect taste


To find the exact cause, you may need to be seen by your doctor for assessment. Though in many cases, physical examination and history is enough, some persons need imaging eg CT or MRI brain. Bloods may also be needed to check hormone levels if this is thought to be a problem eg thyroid hormone

Exact treatment depends on the cause but you can try the following: (1) use a saline lavage for the nasal passages
(2)oral decongestants/antihistamine combination if there is any nasal blockage at all eg zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
(3)nasal steroid sprays can also sometimes help eg rhinocort, nasocort, nasonex, flonase

Some persons lose their sense of smell after a cough/flu. It has been found that re training can sometimes help. This is called postinfectious olfactory (smell) loss.
Retraining involves using 4 known odors and smelling them twice daily

(4)Oral hygiene care can also help as well

(5)look at any medication that may be contributing to the problem

(6)treating any infection with antibiotics or anti fungal (if it is a fungal infection)

If there is no improvement with the use of the decongestants/anti histamines, nasal sprays or infection (if present) or any of the methods mentioned, then you would need to be seen by your doctor for an in depth check up.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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