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Intermittent Difficulty In Smelling, Tasting. Suspected Sinus Issues And Was Treated. Partially Effective. What Is The Cause?
I am 69 years old and on and off most of my life, I have had some intermittant difficulty in smelling and tasting. I can tast the basics of salty, bitter, sweet and sour when these difficulties occur but for the last six or eight months, this situation has persisted continually. My internist gave me an antibiotic thinking it was perhaps a sinus condition and it helped partially for a short time. I don't have a cold and can breathe through my nose easily without congestion. Do you have any ideas what could be causing this? I do take a number of meds for cholesterol, htn and heart condition!
Tue, 10 Dec 2013
User's Response
HI
Thank for asking to HCM
I can understand your worry, the tissues which made for sensation of smell and test that must have been effected by the swelling and this swelling could be allergic in nature this could be the first possibility can be taken under consideration, and I would advise for long acting anti-histamine and the Livocetirizine would be drug of choice and if it does not come around with this then steroid can be tried "Prednisone" 10 mg for seven days in tapering manner can be taken, if you are diabetic then have word with your doctor for steroid and do not take it without proper advise, hope you will better with this have nice day.
Thank for asking to HCM
I can understand your worry, the tissues which made for sensation of smell and test that must have been effected by the swelling and this swelling could be allergic in nature this could be the first possibility can be taken under consideration, and I would advise for long acting anti-histamine and the Livocetirizine would be drug of choice and if it does not come around with this then steroid can be tried "Prednisone" 10 mg for seven days in tapering manner can be taken, if you are diabetic then have word with your doctor for steroid and do not take it without proper advise, hope you will better with this have nice day.
I find this answer helpful
Hello
Welcome in H.C.M.
I have gone through your query regarding off and on loss of smell and taste perception by you for quite long and as such you are not having any nasal obstruction and discharge.
Here I would like to tell you that sensory structure for perception of smell is located at the uppermost portion of nasal cavity. So any pathological condition leading to-
a- Obstruction to airway at upper part of nasal cavity.(Sinusitis & ethmoidal polyp)
b- Excessive dryness in nasal cavity.
c- Atrophy of olfactory mucosa (Atrophic Rhinitis).
d-Diseases of olfactory bulb.
e- Diseases of olfactory cortex of brain.
f- Neuropathy due to diabetese, Vitamin def ,renal failure etc.
Therefore to make a proper diagnosis and plan for treatment you are advice for-
1- C.T.Scan of paranasal sinuses.
2- Blood sugar (F & PP).
Beside this a thorough examination of nose to rule out any local pathology of nose will help to reach to a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Regards.
Welcome in H.C.M.
I have gone through your query regarding off and on loss of smell and taste perception by you for quite long and as such you are not having any nasal obstruction and discharge.
Here I would like to tell you that sensory structure for perception of smell is located at the uppermost portion of nasal cavity. So any pathological condition leading to-
a- Obstruction to airway at upper part of nasal cavity.(Sinusitis & ethmoidal polyp)
b- Excessive dryness in nasal cavity.
c- Atrophy of olfactory mucosa (Atrophic Rhinitis).
d-Diseases of olfactory bulb.
e- Diseases of olfactory cortex of brain.
f- Neuropathy due to diabetese, Vitamin def ,renal failure etc.
Therefore to make a proper diagnosis and plan for treatment you are advice for-
1- C.T.Scan of paranasal sinuses.
2- Blood sugar (F & PP).
Beside this a thorough examination of nose to rule out any local pathology of nose will help to reach to a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Regards.
I find this answer helpful
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