Loss of sense of smell and taste became for many a well-known corona symptom. For most, this was short-lived and senses returned when they recovered. But several experienced that their sense of smell never returned or was greatly impaired after the disease. Scientists have long tried to find the answer to why this happens. Damage to the nose or brain? A central question is whether it is due to the virus damaging areas of the brain that process smell information, damaging sensory cells in the nose – or a combination of both. Now American researchers may have found the answer, according to The Guardian. The explanation may be that those who lost their sense of smell after corona disease still have an ongoing immune reaction that destroys cells in the nose, writes The Guardian. Doctors have analyzed nasal tissue from corona patients. They saw that patients with long-term smell problems had inflammatory immune cells in the nasal mucosa. This can destroy very central sensory nerve cells in the nose, cells that pick up smells. They found this unusual immune response only in patients who had lost their sense of smell over a period of several months, according to the paper. The immune response continued even though the patients no longer had any proven corona disease. This may indicate that the process that destroys “smell cells” continued after the viral infection was over. May apply to 15 million people The researchers at three American universities studied tissue samples from a total of 24 corona patients, where nine of the patients had lost their sense of smell for at least four months. The researchers saw that the patients who had experienced a long-term loss of smell also had significantly fewer sensory neurons that process smell, according to The Guardian. BLIND TEST: Many seek help, such as smell testing, after losing their sense of smell after corona disease. Photo: John Leicester / AP At least 5 percent of those who lose their sense of smell during corona disease have not regained their sense of smell quickly or completely after they recovered, according to the medical journal BMJ. Worldwide, this amounts to approximately 15 million people, according to a report from July this year. – One of the biggest mysteries – Loss of the sense of smell has been one of the biggest mysteries, and these findings may help give us an answer together with other previous findings, says Danny Altmann, professor of immunology at Imperial College in London. Several have had to seek help after having problems with their sense of smell after corona disease. The hospital in Gjøvik is one of the few places in Norway with a special offer for this patient group.
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Lost your sense of smell after corona? Now researchers may have found out why – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
