Abstract
The sense of smell is important. This became especially clear to patients
with infection-related olfactory loss during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We
react, for example, to the body odors of other humans. The sense of smell
warns us of danger, and it allows us to perceive flavors when eating and
drinking. In essence, this means quality of life. Therefore, anosmia must be
taken seriously. Although olfactory receptor neurons are characterized by
regenerative capacity, anosmia is relatively common with about 5 %
of anosmic people in the general population. Olfactory disorders are
classified according to their causes (e. g., infections of the upper
respiratory tract, traumatic brain injury, chronic rhinosinusitis, age) with
the resulting different therapeutic options and prognoses. Thorough history
taking is therefore important. A wide variety of tools are available for
diagnosis, ranging from short screening tests and detailed multidimensional
test procedures to electrophysiological and imaging methods. Thus,
quantitative olfactory disorders are easily assessable and traceable. For
qualitative olfactory disorders such as parosmia, however, no objectifying
diagnostic procedures are currently available. Therapeutic options for
olfactory disorders are limited. Nevertheless, there are effective options
consisting of olfactory training as well as various additive drug therapies.
The consultation and the competent discussion with the patients are of major
importance.
Key words
smell - nose - chemosensation - anosmia
