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What Causes Loss Of Sense Of Smell, Dull Headache And Fatigue?
Question: I will say that I have previously used this service.
In January I had inflamed tissue in my nose and very very dry nose as well. I got post nasal drip into my ears which filled. Doctor proscribed nasal steroids and decongestants. Soon my throat was still sore but when I went into certain buildings I had pain in my nose. This was also at hojme but not outside. It was accompanied by a headache. Family doctor did not believe me and insisted it was sinus pressure. I had no congestion or normal sinus pain or pressure. X rays were negative. After 7 weeks where I could not work (pain was near unbearable at work - like icepicks inside my nose - I did the most stupid thing I have ever done: my Asian wife suggested a remedy from "home" smoking lotus leaves. This knocked out my sense of smell for mild odors and decreased for all odors. Prettty sure it burned my mucosa if not sinuses etc. All this in 10 minutes. I am a 54 year old mechanical engineer. Now it have the consequences. Aside from lack of smell (this is 11 weeks later) I feel like the mucosa is either gone or changed because it is hard to breathe through my nose. Feels like tissue with thicker than before and in left side like I is sticking together preventing air flow and causing discomfort. As well, if in anywhere other than at home or outside my left nostril hurts all the time. It feels like the mucosa has turned to saran wrap to be honest.
Is it is possible I had just a very dry nose and membranes that were irritated initially? I should mention I was a heavy smoker, drank 5 cups of coffee per day, humidity in home less than 15 percent (tested it later)? Guessing the decongestants did not help my membranes.
Is there anything I can do for the lack of smell? I have stopped smoking two weeks now finally. I can smell mild odors such as grass up close but not far away.
Is there anything that can be done to allow me to breathe through my nose decently. I have an ENT but he described conditions in my nose as similar to rhinitis. When I have a shower now I no longer get that nice feeling of steam through my nose and sinuses. It feels like just more congestion. No sensation of fluid. It is possible this will be permanent and damage has occurred to cause this?
In January I had inflamed tissue in my nose and very very dry nose as well. I got post nasal drip into my ears which filled. Doctor proscribed nasal steroids and decongestants. Soon my throat was still sore but when I went into certain buildings I had pain in my nose. This was also at hojme but not outside. It was accompanied by a headache. Family doctor did not believe me and insisted it was sinus pressure. I had no congestion or normal sinus pain or pressure. X rays were negative. After 7 weeks where I could not work (pain was near unbearable at work - like icepicks inside my nose - I did the most stupid thing I have ever done: my Asian wife suggested a remedy from "home" smoking lotus leaves. This knocked out my sense of smell for mild odors and decreased for all odors. Prettty sure it burned my mucosa if not sinuses etc. All this in 10 minutes. I am a 54 year old mechanical engineer. Now it have the consequences. Aside from lack of smell (this is 11 weeks later) I feel like the mucosa is either gone or changed because it is hard to breathe through my nose. Feels like tissue with thicker than before and in left side like I is sticking together preventing air flow and causing discomfort. As well, if in anywhere other than at home or outside my left nostril hurts all the time. It feels like the mucosa has turned to saran wrap to be honest.
Is it is possible I had just a very dry nose and membranes that were irritated initially? I should mention I was a heavy smoker, drank 5 cups of coffee per day, humidity in home less than 15 percent (tested it later)? Guessing the decongestants did not help my membranes.
Is there anything I can do for the lack of smell? I have stopped smoking two weeks now finally. I can smell mild odors such as grass up close but not far away.
Is there anything that can be done to allow me to breathe through my nose decently. I have an ENT but he described conditions in my nose as similar to rhinitis. When I have a shower now I no longer get that nice feeling of steam through my nose and sinuses. It feels like just more congestion. No sensation of fluid. It is possible this will be permanent and damage has occurred to cause this?
Brief Answer:
You should get back your smell.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
In my opinion, your symptoms point to some kind of allergy. It causes nose and sinuses mucosa swelling and gives all other symptoms. As the swelling is chronic, it does not get better even for a while. This explains all your symptoms.
From the other hand, lack of smell can be explained by TEMPORAL nasal nerves injury due to mentioned smoking. Luckily, nose nerves are able to regenerate. It just takes a lot of time. And swelling does not help with that at all. But sooner or later you should get back your smell (it can take up to a year!).
For now, I suggest you to consult allergologist and have allergy tests done. You should also start some anti allergic medicines as well as swelling reducing nasal drops.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
You should get back your smell.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
In my opinion, your symptoms point to some kind of allergy. It causes nose and sinuses mucosa swelling and gives all other symptoms. As the swelling is chronic, it does not get better even for a while. This explains all your symptoms.
From the other hand, lack of smell can be explained by TEMPORAL nasal nerves injury due to mentioned smoking. Luckily, nose nerves are able to regenerate. It just takes a lot of time. And swelling does not help with that at all. But sooner or later you should get back your smell (it can take up to a year!).
For now, I suggest you to consult allergologist and have allergy tests done. You should also start some anti allergic medicines as well as swelling reducing nasal drops.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you! I have been near suicidal with anxiety that I had ruined my life with the smoking of those leaves. That is no exaggeration. I notice that my nose feels very very dry inside and I do not "feel" moisture in the shower anymore (previously that nice feeling of steam in the nose and sinuses) - just feels like congestion. Could this be because any nerves in the mucosa have been damaged?
Also I notice that I can smell everything up close. It is the mild odors such as grass, trees, that I cannot smell more than a few inches away other than a faint smell. Can you tell me why this might be?
I did not stop smoking until a couple of weeks ago. Does smoking slow the regeneration of tissue in my nose?
Sorry about all the questions....just very upsetting to me.
Also I notice that I can smell everything up close. It is the mild odors such as grass, trees, that I cannot smell more than a few inches away other than a faint smell. Can you tell me why this might be?
I did not stop smoking until a couple of weeks ago. Does smoking slow the regeneration of tissue in my nose?
Sorry about all the questions....just very upsetting to me.
Brief Answer:
This is due to nerves destruction.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, this is due to nerves destruction. Not just those resposible for the smell but all of them (including nerves responsible for other sensations).
To smell something, the chemical substances must "dissolve" in the fluid which covers the mucosa. When its dry, this process is disturbed. So only from the close distance, where the amount of smell substance is much higher, you can smell something.
Smoking impedes blood circulation in the mucosa. So it slows the regeneration for sure.
This is due to nerves destruction.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, this is due to nerves destruction. Not just those resposible for the smell but all of them (including nerves responsible for other sensations).
To smell something, the chemical substances must "dissolve" in the fluid which covers the mucosa. When its dry, this process is disturbed. So only from the close distance, where the amount of smell substance is much higher, you can smell something.
Smoking impedes blood circulation in the mucosa. So it slows the regeneration for sure.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor: I didn't ask if there was something I can do for the smell and also for the sensation of not getting enough air to have a decent breath through my nose.
Also have you had any patients who have been through something like this? If so how did it turn out for them.
Also have you had any patients who have been through something like this? If so how did it turn out for them.
Brief Answer:
We can not stimulate nerves to regenerate.
Detailed Answer:
You can try to moisturize the nose mucosa. And try some swelling reducing nasal drops like ephedrine or xylomethasoline.
Unfortunately we do not know how to stimulate nerves regeneration.
I did have some patients with such issues and usually theirs smell did come back. It just took long time (even a year).
We can not stimulate nerves to regenerate.
Detailed Answer:
You can try to moisturize the nose mucosa. And try some swelling reducing nasal drops like ephedrine or xylomethasoline.
Unfortunately we do not know how to stimulate nerves regeneration.
I did have some patients with such issues and usually theirs smell did come back. It just took long time (even a year).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Do we know if the nerves will regenerate? What are some of the factors if we know them?
Also on the difficulty breathing....is it possible there is still some swelling in my nose or is it more likely that due to the dryness I just perceive I cannot get a breath as they is more resistance?
Also on the difficulty breathing....is it possible there is still some swelling in my nose or is it more likely that due to the dryness I just perceive I cannot get a breath as they is more resistance?
Brief Answer:
We do not know if the nerves do regenerate property.
Detailed Answer:
As long as I have just a sketchy description and can not examine you, its hard to determine the exact reason of the nose swelling and breathing problem. This seems to be beyond this service. Laryngologist can answer this questions.
Unfortunately, nerves are still kind of secret. So we do not know if the regeneration process is fine or not. The sign indicating the regeneration process is its function coming back (smell in this case).
We do not know if the nerves do regenerate property.
Detailed Answer:
As long as I have just a sketchy description and can not examine you, its hard to determine the exact reason of the nose swelling and breathing problem. This seems to be beyond this service. Laryngologist can answer this questions.
Unfortunately, nerves are still kind of secret. So we do not know if the regeneration process is fine or not. The sign indicating the regeneration process is its function coming back (smell in this case).
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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