The Dangers and Safety Precautions Related to the Olfactory Dysfunction Anosmia :: Medicine Medicinal Medical Essays

The Dangers and Safety Precautions Related to the Olfactory Dysfunction Anosmia Imagine the smell of some freshly baked cookies hot out of the oven, or the clean smell of a brand new car's interior. Have you ever thought what it might be like to never smell these scents again? What if you could not smell your dinner burning on the stove or the fact that the baby needs a diaper change? The National Institutes of Health in 1979 found that around 200,000 people consult their doctors every year for the decreased or total loss of smell (Crawford and Sounder, 95). The disorder is anosmia, the loss of the sense of smell, usually from a sinus infection or a nasal obstruction, which lasts only temporarily. Anosmia is also known as a permanent condition commonly resulting from a head injury or disease, such as airopic rhinitis or chronic rhititus associated with granulomatous disease, which destroys either the olfactory nerve. This smell disorder can also be caused by psychological factors, such as a specific fear of a particular smell (Mosby, 94). Of then five senses, smell seems to be the least appreciated (Gillyatt, 97). Society always gives attention to the senses that appear most necessary: sight and hearing. Touch and taste appear more important because it is obvious that without them life becomes more challenging (Gillyatt, 97). Humans are microsmatic, which means that the sense of smell is not necessary for survival like with animals (Goldstein, 99). The sense of smell can protect people and therefore is important. Smell also makes things enjoyable (Gillyatt, 97). For instance, when eating a favorite food the taste is much more flavorful when feeling healthy opposed to being congested. Humans can recognize as many as 10,000 different scents, compared to the sense of taste , which is limited to four basic categories: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter (Gillyatt, 97). The sense of smell is very important, but taken for granted. Everyone should be aware of anosmia because as people age the disorder becomes more and more common . Approximately fifty percent of people over 65 years of age have experienced a decrease in smell (Schiffman, 94). It is apparent that the weakening of the sense of smell is age related (Cain and Stevens, 86). Anosmia is a disorder that needs to be taken seriously. The permanent loss of smell can be hazardous to ones health if not dealt with properly.