Is losing sense of smell a normal part of aging?
Ask the doctor
Q. I just turned 68. I have recently noticed that I am losing some sense of smell. Is this expected at my age?
A. Our sense of smell tends to diminish later in life. Part of that is natural. But sometimes, a loss of smell is a symptom of another condition.
If the loss of smell came on rather suddenly and is not getting better, it's somewhat less likely the cause is just from aging. Loss of smell is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection, and it can also occur with other viral upper respiratory infections. It's best to contact your doctor. He or she may refer you for a formal smell test.
During the test, you sniff several odors at varying concentrations. You check a box when you can smell one. The doctor or technician performing the test notes the odor and the concentration.
Don't rely on testing your own smell sense at home. Determining if your loss of smell is due only to aging requires a medical evaluation.
Your doctor will want to be sure your nasal passages are not blocked. Nasal polyps and sinus problems can reduce smell. There are other possibilities, such as an irritated or damaged olfactory nerve. This is the nerve that sends smell signals from your nose to your brain.
Depending on results of your examination, your doctor may be able to advise treatment to improve your sense of smell.
Image: © Kathrin Ziegler/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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