The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many unexpected challenges and changes in our lives. One of the lesser-known effects of the virus is a condition called parosmia, which has been reported by many individuals during or after their battle with COVID-19. Parosmia is a distorted sense of smell, where familiar scents are perceived as unpleasant or even repulsive. This phenomenon has caused many to experience an ammonia-like smell on their food, leaving them confused and concerned about its duration and possible causes.
What is Parosmia?
Parosmia is a condition that alters the perception of smells, making them seem different from what they actually are. It is a type of olfactory dysfunction, which refers to any impairment in the sense of smell. Parosmia can be temporary or permanent and can occur due to various reasons, such as head injuries, nasal polyps, and viral infections. However, it has been seen that parosmia is more commonly experienced during or after a viral infection, such as COVID-19.
How Long Does Parosmia Last?
The duration of parosmia varies from person to person and depends on the underlying cause. In the case of COVID-19, parosmia can last for weeks, months, or even longer. Some individuals have reported experiencing parosmia for up to a year after recovering from the virus. However, there have been cases where parosmia has resolved within a few weeks or months. The duration of parosmia also depends on the severity of the viral infection and the individual's overall health and immune system.
Why the Ammonia Smell on Food?
One of the most common complaints among individuals with parosmia is the presence of an ammonia-like smell on their food. This can be unsettling and even lead to a loss of appetite. The reason behind this is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the damage caused by the virus to the olfactory nerves responsible for the sense of smell. When these nerves are damaged, they can send incorrect signals to the brain, causing a distorted perception of smells.
Another possible explanation for the ammonia smell on food could be the regrowth of olfactory nerve cells. As the body fights off the virus, the damaged olfactory nerves can regenerate, leading to a mix of old and new nerve cells. This can result in a range of distorted smells, one of which could be the ammonia-like smell on food.
Managing Parosmia
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for parosmia. However, there are some steps that individuals can take to cope with this condition. Firstly, it is essential to give the sense of smell some time to recover. As the olfactory nerves heal, the distorted smells may gradually improve. It is also helpful to avoid strong or unpleasant odors that could trigger the distorted perception of smells. Some individuals have found relief by using nasal saline rinses and smell training, where individuals try to identify and focus on different scents to help the olfactory nerves recover.
Utah University website: Kristine Smith, MD, a rhinologist and assistant professor in the Division of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at U of U Health, recommends lifestyle modifications to her patients to help improve their quality of life, such as:
Eating simple or bland meals: The more complex the aroma, the more likely it seems to trigger parosmia.
Eating food cold or at room temperature: Steam is what carries that sense of smell to your nose, which can trigger parosmia.
“Parosmia can be very disruptive to a person’s life, but don’t lose hope,” Smith says. “It does seem to get better for the vast majority of people over time.”
Smith advises those who are experiencing a loss of smell following COVID-19 infection to be seen for their symptoms. “Often people who aren’t experiencing this condition don’t understand the severity of symptoms that comes with parosmia,” she says. “Having the chance to talk about it with a specialist can validate what a patient is experiencing.
In conclusion, parosmia is a common but lesser-known condition however it's probably your body telling you not to eat certain foods by trying to put you off them. The ammonia-like smell on food is one of the most commonly reported symptoms and as you can imagine very off putting. So don't dash back to the supermarket with your pickled onions complaining about poor quality foods. While there is no specific treatment for parosmia, it is essential to give the sense of smell time to recover and to take necessary precautions to manage it. As we continue to navigate through it is crucial to raise awareness about parosmia and provide support to those experiencing it. Trust your body and spirit...take care. DC
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