How to Improve Your Sense of Taste and Smell After COVID-19
COVID-19 can cause changes to your sense of taste and smell, with 20% of people experiencing alterations and another 20% experiencing prolonged changes lasting several weeks to months. However, there is good news: roughly 95% of people can expect improvement in their taste and smell within a year. There are various therapies that may help with this, but the most effective one according to research is called olfactory retraining.
What is Olfactory Retraining?
Olfactory retraining involves smelling specific substances in order to challenge the nerves involved in taste and smell, which can heal and regrow (a process known as neural regeneration). The substances that are recommended for this therapy are clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rose. It is recommended to smell these substances for 15 seconds, twice a day, for several weeks or months. This therapy has been associated with significant improvements in the ability to taste and smell.
Resources for Olfactory Retraining
One resource that can be helpful for olfactory retraining is the website absent.org. This is a non-profit group that provides smell training tools and support for patients.
Conclusion
Olfactory retraining is a effective therapy for improving your sense of taste and smell after COVID-19. By smelling specific substances for a set period of time each day, you can help your nerves regenerate and improve your ability to taste and smell. Resources such as absent.org can provide additional support and tools for this process.
FAQs:
What percentage of people with COVID-19 experience changes in their sense of taste and smell?
Approximately 20% of people with COVID-19 experience some alteration of their sense of taste and smell, and about another 20% come down with a prolonged version of this that can last for several weeks to several months.
Is it normal for taste and smell to be affected by COVID-19?
Yes, it is normal for taste and smell to be affected by COVID-19. These changes can be temporary and usually improve over time.
Can the sense of taste and smell be fully recovered after COVID-19?
According to research, roughly 95% of people can expect improvement in their sense of taste and smell within a year of experiencing changes due to COVID-19. With the help of therapies such as olfactory retraining, the recovery of these senses can be sped up even more.
What is olfactory retraining?
Olfactory retraining is a therapy that involves smelling specific substances in order to challenge the nerves involved in taste and smell, which can heal and regrow (a process known as neural regeneration). The substances that are recommended for this therapy are clove, lemon, eucalyptus, and rose. It is recommended to smell these substances for 15 seconds, twice a day, for several weeks or months. This therapy has been associated with significant improvements in the ability to taste and smell.
Are there any resources available for olfactory retraining?
Yes, there are resources available for olfactory retraining. One resource that can be helpful is the website absent.org, which is a non-profit group that provides smell training tools and support for patients.
