Diminished Sense of Smell
Throughout my life, I’ve noticed that my olfactory abilities have never been particularly sharp, even prior to the pandemic. At just 18 years old, I find it curious. My nasal passages aren't blocked, yet I struggle to detect most scents unless they are incredibly potent or I’m very close to the source. Does anyone have insights on what might be causing this and suggestions for improvement? For context, I’m a male, 18 years old, standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds.
Answers (1)
6/23/2025, 6:20:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
A diminished sense of smell, especially if you've noticed it throughout your life, can be due to a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental influences, or even health conditions. It's great that your nasal passages are clear, as this rules out some common factors like nasal congestion or infections. Here’s how to understand and possibly improve your situation.
Explanation
-
Possible Causes:
- Genetics: Some people naturally have a less sensitive sense of smell. This might be due to inherited traits.
- Environmental Factors: Exposure to certain pollutants or chemicals can affect your olfactory senses over time.
- Medical Conditions: Conditions like allergies, sinus issues, or even certain neurological conditions can impair smell but may not always present with obvious symptoms.
- Age: While you're still young, it's worth noting that sensory functions can change as we age.
-
Importance of Smell: The sense of smell plays a significant role in taste and can affect appetite and enjoyment of food. A diminished sense can sometimes lead to nutritional concerns if food isn't as appealing.
Next Steps
-
Keep a Smell Diary: Track what scents you can detect and any variations you notice. This might include food, perfumes, or natural scents. This can help identify specific scents you struggle with and is valuable information for understanding your olfactory ability over time.
-
Enhance Exposure: Try to consciously expose yourself to various scents while attempting to focus on detecting them. Start with stronger scents (e.g., citrus fruits, spices) and gradually include milder ones.
-
Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly zinc and vitamin A, which are important for overall sensory health. Staying hydrated can also support your body's sensory functions.
-
Avoid Triggers: If you suspect certain environments or chemicals might be affecting your smell, try to minimize exposure to those.
-
Stay Mindful: Consider practicing mindfulness or concentration techniques that can help you tune into your senses and improve sensory awareness.
-
Consult Resources: There are online resources and organizations that focus on olfactory training and exercises. Engaging with these communities can provide additional strategies and supportive insights.
If you notice any significant changes or new symptoms, it’s a good idea to take a step further, but for now, focusing on the points above could be beneficial. Let me know if you need more information or specific resources!
Related Questions
Prolonged Exposure to Magnets: A Query about Safety
Hello everyone, I’m a 26-year-old male and I have a question regarding my work habits. I habitually carried a magnet attached to my hard hat to pick up metal shavings and manage wiring diagrams. Given that these magnets are positioned close to my head, I’m wondering about the safety implications. Are there any research findings related to long-term exposure and potential harm? I can't help but notice that when I carried the magnets, I experienced more intense headaches, though it coincided with the hot summer months, leading me to think dehydration might have played a role. I also do not have any medical implants or serious injuries, apart from a previously torn ACL. I'm intrigued about the matter, particularly since my current magnets are quite weak, and I'm considering upgrading to more powerful ones.
Struggling to Increase My Weight
At 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, I’m a 17-year-old male who has been grappling with weight gain for the past year and a half. Despite my efforts, I’ve only managed to add 10 pounds during that time. My daily caloric intake sits between 1,500 to 2,000 calories, yet I find it challenging to consume more than that without feeling nauseous. I work out regularly, hitting the gym approximately three to four times each week, and I also engage in a lot of basketball. Despite my dedication, I feel like my strategies for gaining weight simply aren't effective. What would be the most straightforward and quickest way for me to pack on some extra pounds?
Should I Be Concerned?
Greetings everyone. I’m a 22-year-old woman seeking some guidance. For as long as I can recall, I have noticed these "lumps" on my scalp. They generally match my skin tone and appear stable, showing no signs of growth or change in size. Their height ranges from approximately 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch, if measured generously. I’m curious to know if these should raise any red flags for me. Thank you for your input!
Inquiry About Childhood Chiropractic Experience
Hello Reddit! I’m reaching out to seek insights regarding an experience from my adolescent years, roughly between the ages of 12 and 14. I’m currently 25 years old (female). To give you a bit of context, I encountered a troubling incident while bending down to access my locker; suddenly, my neck locked in a position to the side, rendering it completely immobile. The pain was unbearable. In response, my father thought it best to take me to a chiropractor, which seemed to provide some relief, yet I continued to endure significant pain and noticed an unusual odor that lingered for nearly a week. Unfortunately, this episode recurred a few months later, and I underwent the same routine; once again, I experienced that odd smell and extreme discomfort. Since those two occurrences, I have faced similar issues on only a couple of occasions, during which I opted for hospital care instead of chiropractic treatment. The medical professionals provided muscle relaxants, which effectively alleviated my pain without any bizarre lingering odor. Since those formative experiences, I have been left with a constant discomfort in my right shoulder, which feels strained frequently, and I find that my head tends to tilt towards one side. What could have caused this neck locking issue during my youth, and could my decision to visit a chiropractor instead of a physician have led to ongoing complications? I'm eager to understand what happened during those situations!
Frustration Over Medical Error: My Child's X-Rays Were of the Wrong Foot
[Patient: A healthy 2.5-year-old boy, average height and weight] I could really use some support right now. A couple of days ago, my toddler injured his foot while playing on a slide at the park. Since then, he hasn't been able to walk without pain or put weight on that foot, only managing to take a few steps at best. We visited his pediatrician, who performed an examination and concluded that the issue was with his left foot. She requested x-rays for that specific foot. After the x-rays were taken, the results indicated no fractures, merely suggesting a soft tissue injury that would require rest. However, after watching him struggle to move today, I've realized that he's actually favoring his left foot, while it’s his right foot that he's avoiding! They took x-rays of the wrong foot! 🤦♀️ As a parent, I feel absolutely devastated that this error occurred. I find myself overwhelmed with guilt for putting him through unnecessary radiation exposure. They captured around eight pictures of a foot that isn’t injured at all. The financial aspect—having spent $600 on those x-rays—feels secondary to the worry about the radiation and the continued uncertainty regarding whether there’s an actual injury. I'm feeling extremely upset and incompetent as a mother. Maybe someone could help me understand the radiation risk better? I’m really struggling with this situation.