Loss of sense of taste and smell

Have you lost your sense of smell or your sense of taste? Do you want your senses back? Have it examined and treated by our specialists at CPH Privathospital.

Approximately every 10th Dane struggles with reduced sense of smell and about 1 in 100 have no sense of smell at all. In most cases, these people cannot taste anything either.

Reduced sense of smell/taste can be enormously inhibiting and contribute to reduced quality of life and frustration. At CPH Privathospital, our consultant doctors offer examination and investigation of your lost sense of smell. If we can find a cause, we can often initiate treatment to regain the sense of smell and give you back both your mood and your joy of life.

Sense of taste

We have five basic tastes in the sense of taste:  sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. The sense of taste is located in sensory cells in the mucous membrane of the tongue and taste signals are sent from here to the brain. 

Sense of smell

If you have a normal sense of smell, you can register many millions of different scents. The sense of smell is located high up in the nasal mucous membranes in sensory cells that send the perceived smell signals to the brain. 

The sense of smell and taste work together around the sensory experience, so disturbances in the sense of smell can affect the sense of taste. There can be many causes of lost sense of smell. 

Causes of lost sense of smell:

• Irritation/inflammation and swelling in the nasal mucous membranes – can be caused by allergy or can occur after influenza/prolonged cold – read more here: nasal congestion and nasal allergy.
  
• Chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.
  
• Head trauma/concussion can affect the olfactory nerves which are sensitive to pressure and swelling
  
• Inhalation of locally irritating substances in the environment
  
• Medicine – several types of medicine can reduce the sense of smell or change the smell experience
  
• After surgery – occurs rarely after neurosurgical procedures or nasal operations

Examination of lost sense of smell

At CPH Privathospital, our consultant specialists offer examination and investigation of your loss of sense of smell. If we can find a cause, we can often initiate treatment to restore your sense of smell. 

The examination includes:

• Comprehensive medical history/history taking in connection with the loss of sense of smell
  
• Thorough examination of the nose and nasopharynx with endoscope by a consultant in ear, nose and throat diseases
  
• Allergy skin prick test/blood tests

Supplementary examinations may include:

• CT scan and/or MRI scan
  
• Possible assessment by allergologist or neurologist
  
• Conclusion and targeted initiation of possible treatment

Same doctor and rapid treatment

Whether the symptoms have arisen acutely or are of a more prolonged nature, you should be seen by a consultant in ear, nose and throat. Our consultant specialists are ready to help you, so you can quickly receive the correct diagnosis, whether you are a private patient, have health insurance or are referred through the public waiting time guarantee.

All examinations can take place at CPH Privathospital, and you therefore have the same experienced consultant specialist throughout the entire pathway.