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What Causes Taste And Smell Disorders Post Sinus Infection?

Posted on Mon, 19 Oct 2015

Question: I had a cold / sinus infection 10 weeks ago. I've been on numerous antibiotics, steroid nasal sprays and prednisone. Once my cold cleared up after a couple of weeks my sense of smell and taste did not return. I have began to notice a slight improvement over the last few weeks in that I often get slight odours from a distance and I can taste some things better than others. I can smell everything and anything if it's up close to my nose. I have also noticed that some days my sense of smell/ taste is better than others. Is this a positive sign that my smell and taste will return? I understand that it may take some time but does this suggest that the nerves are regenerating? Is there any chance that the virus could still cause further damage or is any improvement I make from here on in here to stay? Is it normal that some days I may taste or smell something but the next day it can be gone. Ie is it normal for the recovery process to be choppy rather than linear? I guess my main question is whether my signs are all positive signs to eventual recovery?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you will recover.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. The loss of smell and taste is a common symptom with colds and viral infections.

2. Recovery is usually complete in about three months following the illness.

3. The infection is unlikely to cause any further damage after ten weeks. Most of the damage is in teh first couple of weeks followed by a gradual recovery period. It is a good sign that you can smell and taste now. Smell contributes to flavour. The recovery process is not always linear.

4. If you have had a CT Scan, upload some images. If you have any endoscopy images or nasal clinical examination notes,upload them here.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 minutes later)

I did have a cat scan and it only showed signs of inflammation and mucous. I also had an endoscopy but according to the ENT that appeared all normal. Given I am nearly at the 3month mark should I be closer to recovery or could it still take a while longer. Should I be concerned that if I'm not better in 3 months (which is only about 2 weeks away) that I will not fully recover? I don't care if it is going to take six months but through your experience are you confident that given my progress it will recover.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, your prognosis is good.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Since your investigations are within normal limits, recovery should be expected.

2. Though no one can predict either complete recovery or the speed of recovery, the fact that you can smell is a good indication.

3. Most cases recover in about three months while some take a year, after which further recovery is unlikely.

4. In your case full recovery should be expected.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)

Thank you so much for your help. I have one last question. I have read a lot about people getting parosmia (ie distorted smells). I don't seem to get that whatsoever. Everything I can smell is completely accurate. I just can't smell it from a great distance at this stage. Is this a better or worse sign for me as far as recovery?

Thanks again.

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A decreased but intact sense of smell is likely to be transient.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, a decreased but intact sense of smell is likely to be transient and recover well.

2. Parosmia can occur due to many reasons besides infections and is more difficult to treat as the options are limited.

3. Parosmia indicates a more severe damage to the olfactory pathways. It is a good sign of you do not have parosmia.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Thank you so much for your help. You have made me feel so much more confident in my recovery and I realise I must be patient. I may have good days and bad days but the virus is no longer doing any further damage and any progress from now on is positive. Thanks again. xxxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (10 hours later)

Hi Dr Bhatti,

I just remembered one more thing I wanted to ask. Every now and then I feel a tingling sensation high up in the roof of my nose. Could this possibly be the nerves regenerating or perhaps I am just imagining it. Anyway just thought I'd ask.

Thank you once again for all your assistance. You have made me feel so much more confident in my recovery.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes. It is a sign of healing.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes. It is a sign of healing.

2. This is similar to the sensations felt when any wound in the body heals.

3. For example, the tendency to scratch and dislodge the scabs on a healing skin wound.

Wishing you good health.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (48 minutes later)

What wonderful news. Once again thanks so much.

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thank You.

Detailed Answer:
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 hours later)

Hi Dr Bhatti,

Sorry to bother you again. I have been doing 'smell therapy' as I have read it can help in the regeneration of the nerves. Does it matter if I am using the same things to smell up close everyday or should I continue to change the things I am smelling so I am training my brain in many different odours?

Thanks

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Aromatherapy should be fine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Aromatherapy should be fine.

2. You should vary the smells. This change of input will stimulate the olfactory receptors and help track the healing.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Hi dr Bhatti

One last question. Is it common to be able to taste some things really well but other things I can't taste at all? I just get worried that those tastes will never return.

Thanks again. I will leave you alone after this.

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These senses are interlinked.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The same process (such as the viral infection and inflammation) has altered your sense of smell and taste.

2. The combination of smell and taste affects the flavour of the food and hence you are experiencing these differences. The tongue differentiates basic tastes (such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter) and the smell forms a major input for the actual taste.

3. Hence as the sense of smell recovers, so will the sense of taste.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Hi dr Bhatti,

What I meant in my previous question was that I can pick up flavours now of many foods but can't pick up the flavours of others. Ie I find that I can pick up the taste and flavours of some foods perfectly but others I can't get the flavours whatsoever. Is this common on the road to recovery?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Smell has a larger contribution to flavour.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, this does indicate recovery and is common.

2. This flavour us mainly driven by smell.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Thanks again for your assistance.

Can you suggest anything else that I could do to assist in my recovery or is it important now to just try not to stress and be patient and given I have a decreased sense of smell which is not distorted hopefully everything will heal itself and recover in time?

thanks

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your current treatment and recovery is fine.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Your recovery seems imminent.

2. your current treatment is fine and your recovery is on track.

3. Do not stress and be patient.

4. You should recover well.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)

Thank u for all your help.

I feel like my smell is improving better than my taste/flavour is. Is this common? Ie will my smell need to improve more before my taste/flavour improves.

Thks so much

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, that is true.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, since the major part of flavour is composed of smell, it has to improve first followed by better flavour.

2. This is a common experience.

Wishing you an early recovery.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (31 hours later)

Hi Dr Bhatti,

I thought I would use up my final query.

Is it a normal part of the recovery that I would get flavours/taste from some food items close to 100% but other food items I cannot taste/ get flavour very much whatsoever? ie last night I could taste the flavour of custard close to 100% but could not taste/ get the flavour of the meat I ate very much whatsoever.

Thanks
xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is normal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. The tongue has maximum sensitivity for bitterness ans sweet tastes.

2. Hence it is normal to have variation in taste sensitivity to various foods.

3. In addition is the decreased smell at present which is recovering. This form a major part of the flavour perceived.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (40 hours later)

Hi Dr Bhatti,

Everyday my sense of smell appears to be improving. I'm smelling quite a lot of new things from a distance now as I walk through food places and freshly lawned grass, perfumes, car exhaust fumes etc. I'm still not showing much improvement taste wise though. From your experience is this normal?

Thanks

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is normal during recovery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. It is encouraging to hear that there is a gradual and sustained improvement every day.

2. This means that full recovery is likely soon.

3. It is normal for the taste recovery to follow the improvement in the sense of smell.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

So as long as my sense of smell seems to be improving I should not be concerned that some food I still do not get any taste/ flavour from whatsoever?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no cause for concern now.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

1. Yes, I would suggest that you avoid giving too much attention to day to day recovery.

2. Neural recovery is slow and unpredictable. Keep a longer time frame in mind.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (13 hours later)

Thank you Dr Bhatti,

You have been so nice to me and answered all my questions even when I have repeated the same question. I can't thank you enough for your help.

I am just so scared but I know that I must now be patient and given my progress pray that I will recover fully in time.

Thks

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

There is no cause for worry. Mastoiditis is very a very common condition and can be cured.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Hi Dr Bhatti,

I'm not sure if your previous answer was for me or not? I don't think my symptoms suggest that I have Mastoiditis but if it is and if I am cured and can smell and taste again after soon that sounds good to me.

Thanks again

xxx

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
That was another patients answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

That was another patients follow up answer.

Kindly ignore the last one.

Regards.

:)

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj