Guidelines for Recovering Sense of Smell and Taste Post-COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many survivors have reported extended losses of taste and smell. To address this issue, neurologist and neurophysiologist Alexander Budik has proposed several methods for recovery based on current understanding and clinical practice.
- Olfactory Training: Budik recommends a common approach where patients repeatedly and deliberately sniff a set of specific odors, such as rose, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove, twice daily. The goal is to stimulate and retrain the olfactory nerves, improving smell function over time.
- Patience and Time: Budik emphasizes the importance of patience, as recovery can be gradual. Many patients see improvement over weeks to months as the sensory nerves regenerate or recover from inflammation.
- Avoiding Irritants: Patients are advised to avoid exposure to smoke, strong chemicals, or pollutants that might further irritate or damage the nasal mucosa.
- Medical Evaluation: If loss of taste and smell persists beyond several weeks or worsens, consultation with an ear-nose-throat specialist or neurologist is recommended to rule out other causes and consider additional therapies.
Budik also suggests using vitamin A nasal drops and consuming omega-3 for a week as potential aids for the recovery of smell and taste. However, it's important to note that these suggestions are not confirmed by scientific research or studies at this time.
The disruption of saliva composition by COVID-19 may cause taste substances to break down too quickly, preventing them from reaching taste receptors. Additionally, another theory suggests that the taste receptors themselves may be damaged due to the virus.
Special exercises involving strong odors may benefit those who have long-lasting taste and smell impairments. Budik advises his patients to undergo an 'olfactory training' involving exposure to strong smells like cloves, garlic, cardamom, and cinnamon for 20 seconds several times a day.
It's essential to remember that while these methods can help many COVID-19 survivors regain their senses of taste and smell, recovery times and experiences can vary greatly from person to person. If symptoms persist or worsen, it's crucial to seek medical advice.
- Alexander Budik, a neurologist and neurophysiologist, proposes the use of vitamin A nasal drops and omega-3 consumption as potential supplementary aids for recovering taste and smell, despite these suggestions not being backed by scientific evidence yet.
- In line with managing long-lasting taste and smell impairments, Budik proposes that survivors partake in 'special exercises involving strong odors', such as cloves, garlic, cardamom, and cinnamon, for 20 seconds several times a day, as part of the olfactory training process.
