Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell After Recovering From Cold?
Two yrs. ago I had a head cold after the cold was gone I could not smell or taste food I do have a polyp,just had a biopsy of it came back negative . I can smell bad things,gas,bad breath,poop but not good things. I know if I’m eating something sweet or sour or spiced.if I had the polyp removed would it help? I am 85yrs old
It is the polyp that is responsible for your altered or decreased sense of smell.
Surgical intervention is actually an option that is to be considered in the following conditions: 1) When all the medical treatment modalities fail 2) Severe airway obstruction 3) Recurrent respiratory infections attributable to congestion caused by polyp.
If you are suffering from any of the above, you can discuss the surgical care options with an ENT specialist. But, if only altered smell sense is your complaint, it is better not to go for surgery owing to your age and co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension) if any.
Nasal decongestant and topical steroid sprays would do the job by reducing the size of polyp and mucosal congestion.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards, Dr. Pallavi.m
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What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell After Recovering From Cold?
Hello, It is the polyp that is responsible for your altered or decreased sense of smell. Surgical intervention is actually an option that is to be considered in the following conditions: 1) When all the medical treatment modalities fail 2) Severe airway obstruction 3) Recurrent respiratory infections attributable to congestion caused by polyp. If you are suffering from any of the above, you can discuss the surgical care options with an ENT specialist. But, if only altered smell sense is your complaint, it is better not to go for surgery owing to your age and co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension) if any. Nasal decongestant and topical steroid sprays would do the job by reducing the size of polyp and mucosal congestion. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pallavi.m