Search Results for: influenza

Runny nose/rhinorrhea refers to fluid discharge from the nose. Runny nose can be attended with sneezing in many cases. This may occur due to various reasons. First and the most important reason behind it is allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis refers to a set of nasal symptoms and also some eye-related symptoms resulting from an over-reaction of the immune system to inhaled allergens like dust mites, pollen, molds, pet dander, etc. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose, itchy, watery and red eyes. Secondly, runny nose and sneezing may also result from dry air exposure and pollution. Other causes include cold and flu. Common cold indicates a viral infection of the nose and the throat that occurs due to infection by rhinoviruses though other viruses like adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus may also be the cause. It causes thin nasal discharge initially (in later stages, the discharge tends to get thick and yellow or green), sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, body aches and low grade fever. Flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza virus. It results in runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. Other symptoms are stuffy nose, cough, headache, tiredness, fever and muscle aches. Another cause behind runny nose and sneezing can be non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis). In this condition, there is inflammation inside the nose and the symptoms are just like that of allergic rhinitis but here allergies are not the reason as in case of allergic rhinitis. Some of the known triggers behind non-allergic rhinitis are cold air, air pollution, spicy food, stress, use of certain medicines (for example aspirin, ibuprofen) and perfumes. Another cause can be sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses i.e. air-filled spaces in the skull). Besides the above, it may result from COVID–19 (an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus). Depending on the cause behind runny nose and sneezing, some other symptoms may also attend like stuffy nose, cough, itchy, watery, red eyes, post nasal discharge or PND which refers to dripping of discharge from the back of the nose into the throat, headache, tiredness and fever.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathic mode of treatment carries a great scope to manage cases of runny nose with sneezing. Homeopathic medicines work on correcting the underlying cause behind it to bring wonderful results. These are natural remedies that treat this condition with zero side effects. Along with runny nose and sneezing, they also help to manage any associated symptoms like itching in the nose, itchy and watery red eyes, reduced sense of smell, headache, post nasal discharge and cough. Homeopathic medicines for treating such cases are selected based on the characteristic symptoms in every individual case. So, it is advised to take any homeopathic medicine under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor and avoid self–medication in any case. In severe cases, in cases attended with high fever and when this complaint arises from serious causes like COVID – 19, it is advised to take help from conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations to help such cases.

Homeopathic Medicines For Runny Nose And Sneezing

1. Natrum Mur – Top Recommended Medicine

Natrum Mur is the topmost homeopathic medicine for managing cases of runny nose and sneezing. In some cases needing it, there may be alteration between runny nose and nasal blockage. The sneezing episodes get worse in the morning on rising up along with watery discharge from the nose. There is irritation in the nose and watery discharge from the eyes. Headache can attend it in some cases. Loss of smell and taste may be there along with the above complaints. There may be cough from a tickling sensation in the throat pit.

2. Arsenic Album – For Runny Nose And Sneezing With Burning In Nose

Arsenic Album is the other prominently indicated medicine to help cases of sneezing and runny nose. In cases needing this medicine, the discharge causes burning sensation in the nose. The nasal discharge causes irritation on the upper lip. There is itching in the nose. The nasal complaints get worse in open air. There is relief in complaints by staying indoors. The nose feels blocked with fluent nasal discharge. Weakness may be felt along with the above complaints. Besides, there may be hoarseness of voice.

3. Allium Cepa – For Runny Nose, Sneezing And Eye Watering

This medicine is of great help in managing cases of runny nose, sneezing along with watery discharge from the eyes. Burning sensation is felt from the nasal discharge in the nostrils and upper lip. Headache can attend runny nose.  A lump sensation is felt at the root of the nose. The nose feels blocked. There may be hoarseness of voice and coughing. Along with the above, itching is felt in the eyes. Burning sensation in the eyes with an urge to rub the eyes can also be felt. The eyes become red.

4. Sabadilla – For Runny Nose Sneezing And Forehead Pain

Sabadilla is a well-indicated medicine for cases of runny nose, sneezing attended with pain in the forehead. Itching or tickling occurs in the nostrils with an urge to rub the nose. The nose feels stuffed. Sneezing is quite intense. Sneezing is followed by watering in the eyes. Eyes become red. Runny nose gets worse from the smell of strong odors. There is nasal stuffiness of one or the other nostril.

5. Aconite – For Runny Nose, Sneezing From Sudden Exposure To Cold Air

Aconite is a leading medicine for managing runny nose and sneezing that occurs from sudden exposure to cold air. There is discharge of hot water from the nose. The nose is red and swollen. Pain is felt at the root of the nose. Runny nose is accompanied by headache. Sensitivity to smell is present along with above complaints.

6. Gelsemium – For Runny Nose, Sneezing With Weakness

This medicine can be used when runny nose, sneezing is attended with weakness. Nasal discharge causes redness and soreness of the edges of nostrils. Sneezing is worse in the morning where this medicine is required. Tingling sensation is felt in the nose. Fullness is felt at the root of the nose. There may be dull headache and fever along with the above complaints.

7. Arsenic Iodatum – For Thin, Burning Watery Nasal Discharge With Sneezing

This medicine works well when there is dripping of thin, burning, watery discharge from the nose along with sneezing. The burning discharge causes redness of the upper lip. There is irritation in the nose that causes a constant urge to sneeze. Along with the above, post nasal discharge (dripping of fluid from back of the nose into the throat) may be present sometimes.

8. Euphrasia – For Runny Nose, Sneezing And Watery Red Eyes

Euphrasia is a highly valuable medicine for managing cases of runny nose, sneezing and watery, red eyes. Watering from the eyes causes marked burning in the eyes. A gritty sand-like sensation in the eyes can also be felt. Heat and sensitivity is also felt in the nose. Cough with expectoration may attend it in the morning. The nose may feel blocked at night.

Fatigue refers to feeling exhausted and tired. Some people may experience tiredness along with muscle pain. This may happen due to various reasons. It could be a part of aging, lack of proper sleep, dehydration, mineral deficiencies and low vitamin levels of certain vitamins like vitamin D. While in others, it could be arising from an underlying medical condition. The most important medical conditions include fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Fibromyalgia refers to pain in different body parts (specific tender points where the slightest pressure leads to pain) along with general tiredness, and fatigue for more than three months without any known cause. Besides, there may be problems in sleep and memory, along with depression. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) refers to a condition in which there occurs persistent feeling of tiredness both physically and mentally for at least 6 months, hindering routine activities without any underlying medical condition. Along with tiredness, other symptoms that may be observed include poor memory, sleep issues, poor concentration, joint or muscle pain, mood swings and depressed feelings. It is also known by other names such as myalgic encephalomyelitis and systemic exertional intolerance disease (SEID). It can also occur in cases of influenza, hypothyroidism and myositis.

Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. This can cause body aches and tiredness along with its other main symptoms of runny/stuffy nose, sore throat and fever. Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid in which the thyroid gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormones.  Hypothyroidism can result in fatigue and muscle pain along with its other important signs and symptoms including weight gain, sensitivity to cold (cold intolerance), constipation, puffy face and hands, dry thin hair, sleepiness and heavy menses in females.

Myositis means inflammation of the muscles that may arise from various reasons like an injury, infection and autoimmune (autoimmune means the destruction of body’s own healthy tissues by the immune cells out of a misdirected response) conditions and can cause muscle pain, muscle weakness along with tiredness.

Another reason for fatigue could be Lyme’s disease which is a bacterial infection caused by bacterium Borrelia and spreads by ticks. The last reason could be polymyalgia rheumatica. This refers to an inflammatory disorder resulting in pain and stiffness of the muscles and mainly affects the shoulders, hips, neck and arms. It could be accompanied with general symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss and mild fever.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy can be of great help in managing fatigue along with muscle pain. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that bring improvement in these cases by working to treat the root cause behind it. Once root cause is treated, there occurs excellent relief in fatigue with muscle pain. Along with these, any attending symptoms like memory issues, poor concentration and focus issues, sleep issues, depression feelings if present can also be well managed with these medicines. The most suitable homeopathic medicine for cases of fatigue with muscle pain is selected as per the characteristic symptoms in every individual case. Hence it is advised to get your case evaluated by a homeopathic physician for the right prescription. In no case, self-medication should be done.

Homeopathic Medicines For Fatigue With Muscle Pain

1. Gelsemium – Top Recommended Medicine

Gelsemium tops the list of homeopathic medicines to manage fatigue along with muscle pain. In cases needing it, there occurs pain in the muscles attended with soreness (sensitivity to touch). Pain is most marked in the muscles of the limbs (i.e. arms and legs). The limbs feel heavy and tired. The muscles also feel weak. The muscles of the back and the neck may also be painful. There is a general feeling of exhaustion and tiredness along with the above complaints. There is excessive drowsiness and dullness. Along with the above symptoms, there is exhaustion of the mind, poor concentration and focus in doing any work. Gelsemium is a well-indicated medicine for fatigue that occurs during influenza and even after recovering from this illness.

2. Rhus Tox – For Muscle Pain, Stiffness And Tiredness

Rhus Tox is a highly effective medicine for managing muscle pain, stiffness and tiredness. There is intense weakness in the entire body. It is attended with a constant desire to lie down or sit due to weakness. Persons needing it feel so weak as if they have not taken enough sleep. They do not feel like rising up in the morning due to weakness. They suffer from muscle pain, especially in the neck region, back, shoulders, arms and thighs. The muscles are also sore to touch and stiff. Soreness and stiffness get better from exercise. The nature of the muscle pain can be shooting, tearing or stitching type. The pains get worse at night time. Rhus Tox is a prominently indicated medicine when there is muscle pain from overuse or overstraining of the muscles.

3. Arnica – With Marked Soreness (Pain On Touch) Of Muscles

Arnica is the next very beneficial medicine to manage muscle pain and fatigue. Persons needing this medicine have pain in the muscles along with excessive soreness which means pain on touch. It feels as if the sufferer has been beaten up. The soreness gets worse after overexertion. Pain is most marked in the back and limbs. All the limbs feel heavy. The bed on which the person lies down feels very hard. There is marked weakness all over the body in general along with pains. The pain makes the sufferer lie down. Along with this, there is sleepiness. Arnica is also well indicated for managing sore painful muscles in cases of influenza.

4. Bryonia – For Muscle Pain Worse From Little Movement

It is a useful medicine for muscle pain that gets worse from the slightest movement and better from rest. Pain is more prominent in the muscles of the neck and lower back. Lower back pain gets worse from stooping, sitting and standing. The affected muscles feel hard. The neck and back muscles also feel stiff. Due to stiffness in the back, the person stands and walks in a stooped posture. Weakness and tiredness is present which gets worse from walking.

5. Lactic Acid – For Pain, Soreness Of Muscles Of Back, Chest And Limbs

Lactic Acid is indicated when there is pain and soreness (pain on touch) of muscles especially those in the back, chest and limbs. Along with this, there is fatigue and tired feeling over the entire body. There is difficulty in standing from weakness. Pain is felt in the limbs while walking. The whole body trembles while walking, along with weakness.

6. Magnesia Phos – For Muscle Pains And Cramps

This medicine is highly suitable for muscle pains and cramps. The pains keep shifting from one body part to another where this medicine is required. The pain gets worse at night. They get better by resting. The nature of pain varies and can be cutting, shooting, stitching or stabbing type.  The pain is accompanied with excessive tiredness and sweating.

7. Arsenic Album – For Intense Fatigue With Anxiety and restlessness

This medicine is useful when there is intense fatigue. Person needing this medicine wants to lie down all the time due to weakness. Slightest exertion and even walking and standing results in marked exhaustion in them. Anxiety and restlessness may be felt along with the other complaints. Piercing sort of pain is felt in muscles. The limbs also feel weak, tired with a need to lie down.

Chest congestion refers to accumulation of excessive mucus in the bronchi (airways that lead from trachea to lungs) and the lungs. This results from an overproduction of mucus when mucus membranes get irritated and inflamed from a viral or bacterial infection. Production of excessive mucus is the body’s way to expel the infectious agent from the body. In some cases, chest congestion can be attended with breathing difficulty. Other accompanying symptoms can be cough, mucus expectoration (that varies in color and can have offensive smell), chest pain, wheezing (a whistling sound from the chest occurring during breathing usually deep breathing), chest tightness, fatigue (tiredness) and fever.

Chest congestion with breathing difficulty can result from different reasons. First among these is cold and flu. Flu and cold are respiratory infections that are usually caused by virus. Flu occurs when a person is infected with influenza virus. Cold occurs from different virus infections, for example rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus.

Other causes of chest congestion include asthma and bronchitis. Asthma refers to a respiratory condition in which there is narrowing of airways along with swelling and production of mucus in excess. It results in breathing difficulty, wheezing sound from the chest and coughing. Bronchitis indicates inflamed lining of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. Chest congestion with breathing difficulty can also arise from allergies like, dust allergy and pollen allergy.

Another reason can be pneumonia (the inflamed air sacs of lungs with fluid build-up resulting from an infection). Further reasons include emphysema (a condition resulting from damage of the air sacs of the lungs) and bronchiectasis (permanent widening and thickening of the bronchial tubes of the lungs that allow bacteria and mucus to get accumulated in lungs). Apart from respiratory illnesses, heart complaints can also result in chest congestion along with breathing difficulty. For example, in some cases, congested chest and difficult breathing might be symptoms of a heart attack which is a medical emergency that needs urgent medical help from conventional mode of treatment.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy can be very helpful for managing cases of chest congestion with breathing difficulty. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from naturally occurring substances that can be very beneficial for such cases. Homeopathic medicines work on the root cause of the health issue to bring excellent results. They help to reduce the intensity and frequency of this complaint gradually. Along with this complaint, they can manage other accompanying signs and symptoms like cough, wheezing, expectoration and chest pain. These medicines are very safe to use without any side-effects. It is advised to take any homeopathic medicine under supervision of a homeopathic physician. Self – medication should not be done in any case. Homeopathy is recommended for cases of mild to moderate intensity. In cases having severe intensity of this complaint and when it arises from some serious cause like pneumonia, heart issues, homeopathy is not recommended and an immediate help from the conventional mode of treatment should be taken as homeopathy has a limitation in helping such severe and serious cases.

Homeopathic Medicines For Chest Congestion With Breathing Difficulty

 1. Arsenic Album – Top Grade Medicine

Arsenic Album is a top recommended medicine to manage cases of chest congestion with breathing difficulty. In cases needing it, the chest feels constricted. Wheezing (whistling sound from chest) is also felt. The chest oppression and breathing difficulty gets worse at night on lying down. It is attended with marked anxiety and restlessness. There is cough also. Along with this, frothy expectoration also occurs. At times thick yellow, grey or green expectoration is observed varying from case to case. Sometimes, vomiting also occurs soon after consuming any food or drink. Burning sensation is felt in the chest along with above complaints. One feels a load on the upper chest. It is one of the best medicines for managing asthma and bronchitis cases. A general weakness is well marked along with above signs and symptoms.

2. Hepar Sulph – With Thick Yellow Expectoration

This medicine is very effective when there is thick yellow expectoration with congested chest and difficult breathing. The phlegm expectorated has bad smell. Difficulty in breathing is worse when lying on the left side.  Tightness is felt in the chest. There is marked rattling cough. It gets worse from exposure to cold air and consuming cold drinks. Cough gets better by wrapping up warmly. A sensation of dust is felt in the throat.  Wheezing is also there along with above symptoms.

3. Antimonium Tart – With Rattling Cough And Excessive Mucus In Chest

Antimonium Tart is the best choice of medicine when there is rattling cough with excessive build-up of mucus in the chest. In cases requiring this medicine, the lungs seem to be full of mucus but only a small quantity is expectorated. The expectorated phlegm is very thick and white. There is difficulty in breathing. Cough gets worse after eating. Pain in the chest may occur with these symptoms. Cough and breathing difficulty is relieved by lying on the right hand side. Breathing also gets better by burping. Antimonium Tart is the most prominent medicine for managing bronchitis cases.

4. Ipecac – With Chest Constriction Worse From Least Movement

Ipecac is a well-indicated medicine when there is a constricted feeling in the chest which gets worse from the least movement. This feeling is accompanied with difficult breathing. There is gasping for air and the sufferer rushes to open a window for breathing. There is suffocative cough. It is attended with nausea and vomiting. There is vomiting of white mucus. In some cases, ropy mucus is expectorated. Cough occurs after a meal. While coughing, pain is felt in the abdomen, chest and the head.

5. Silicea – With Chest Pain On Deep Breathing

Silicea is useful when there is chest pain on deep breathing along with chest congestion and breathing difficulty. A stitching pain is felt in the chest in cases needing this medicine. Tight feeling is felt around the chest. There is cough with thick and yellow lumpy phlegm expectoration having an offensive smell. The phlegm may also be like pus and sometimes blood-stained. Cough gets worse on lying down. It is also bad while talking, and from taking cold drinks. Difficulty in breathing is worse when lying on the back and also when walking fast.

6. Pulsatilla – With Yellowish Green Expectoration

This medicine is of great use when there is yellowish green expectoration. The expectoration is worse in the morning. In cases needing it, there is chest congestion and breathing difficulty along with the above complaint. Breathing difficulty worsens when lying on the left side. The person needing it feels worsening of the complaint in a warm room and has a desire for fresh open air to get relief.

7. Bryonia – With Chest Pain

This medicine is indicated for cough, breathing difficulty, chest congestion along with chest pain. The chest pain gets worse from movement, coughing and deep breathing. The person needing it holds the chest when coughing. Chest pain gets better by applying pressure. Breathing difficulty is worse after eating or drinking any thing. Person has to sit up due to difficulty in breathing. Expectoration like lumps of jelly may occur along with the above symptoms.

Anosmia is a condition in which a person loses his/her sense of smell. Smell is one of the five senses a human being possesses. The odor molecules in the air surrounding us enter our nostrils, and are detected by the olfactory receptors. These receptors send a signal to the brain center via a nerve where the smell is identified, this is how we identify different smells and odors.

Loss of smell makes a person unable to perceive pleasant odors (like fragrances) and also sense danger situations that can be detected by smell (like gas leakage or smoke). Our sense of smell also plays a significant role in how food tastes, and so anosmia can also lead to a loss of taste (ageusia) and lack of interest in eating.

A person may suffer from partial or total loss of smell (conditions known as hyposmia and anosmia respectively). Loss of smell can be present since birth, in such a case a child is born without any sense of smell. Anosmia may be temporary or permanent depending upon the cause behind it.

Homeopathic Treatment Of Anosmia

Homeopathy offers natural and effective treatment for anosmia. These medicines are suitable to treat anosmia in people of all age groups. Since these medicines are made of natural substances, they treat the condition in a safe, effective manner. They treat the root cause of anosmia to bring about excellent recovery.

Homeopathic Medicines for Anosmia

The top indicated homeopathic medicines for anosmia include Natrum Mur, Silicea, Pulsatilla, Calcarea carb, Kali Bichromicum and Lemna Minor. 

1. Natrum Mur – For Anosmia With Nasal Allergies

Natrum Mur is an effective homeopathic medicine for anosmia where there are nasal allergies present. The guiding features to use Natrum Mur include loss of smell along with other nasal discharges and dryness in nostrils. In a few cases, nasal discharges (that look like egg white) may be present. Other features include nose blockage that makes breathing difficult, and violent sneezing (especially during the morning). A very specific squirming sensation of a worm crawling in nostrils may be present with the symptoms mentioned.

2. Silicea – For Anosmia Linked With Chronic Cold

Silicea is a well-indicated homeopathic remedy for anosmia where the person suffers from chronic cold. The people needing Silicea have a history of yellowish, chronic, offensive, fetid nasal discharges prior loss of smell. For using Silicea, the symptoms that may be present along with a loss of smell include a burning sensation in nostrils, dryness in nostrils and the presence of hard crusts in the nostrils. In some cases, soreness and itching in the nostrils may also be present.

3. Pulsatilla – For Loss Of Smell With Loss Of Taste

Pulsatilla is an effective medicine for anosmia attended with loss of taste. In some cases, the person may experience loss of appetite. Other attending features include thick greenish nasal discharges and sneezing, especially during sleep. The symptoms tend to worsen indoors and are better in the open air. In some cases, itching in nostrils during the evening time may also be present. Stoppage of the nose in the evening while going to bed is another symptom that may be noted.

4. Calcarea Carb – For Anosmia And Nasal Blockage

This medicine offers great help when there is loss of smell and nasal blockage. Nasal blockage makes breathing through nose difficult especially at night. There may also occur nasal dryness while in some cases yellow colored nasal discharge flows. It also offers best help when loss of smell is linked with nasal polyps.

5. Kali Bichromicum – For Anosmia with Sinusitis

Kali Bichromicum is a natural homeopathic medicine for anosmia that is linked with sinusitis. The main symptoms that indicate the need for Kali Bichromicum include constant stuffiness in the nose, stringy/sticky nasal discharge and fullness at the root of the nose. A sinus headache also appears along with nasal symptoms. Other accompanying symptoms include a tickling sensation in the nostrils and postnasal discharge of mucus.

 6.Lemna Minor – Homeopathic Cure for Anosmia with Nasal Polyps

Lemna Minor is an important homeopathic medicine for anosmia in cases of nasal polyps. The person requiring this remedy experience loss of smell, obstruction in nostrils, and frequent sneezing attacks. The other symptoms include a thick, viscid or excessive purulent (pus-like) discharge from the nose. The nasal symptoms tend to get worse in damp surroundings and rainy weather.

7. Hepar Sulph – For Loss Of Smell Associated With Cold Or Sinus Infection

This medicine can be used when there is loss of smell along with cold or sinus infection. A characteristic symptom present is sneezing and nasal blockage when inhaling cold air. Discharge occurs from the nose which is thick and sometimes blood stained. At times there occur dripping of mucus from back of nose into throat. The mucus is often blood stained. Pain in bony part of nose may also be felt.

8. Phosphorus – For Loss Of Smell And Alternate Nasal Discharge And Blockage

This medicine is useful when a person complains of loss of smell and an alteration between nasal discharge and blockage. It can be attended with frequent sneezing. Sometimes there is painful dryness in the nose. The nasal discharge may dry into a crust form and stick to the nostrils. The nose may be sore to touch.

Symptoms Attending Anosmia

Depending on the cause behind anosmia, a person shows symptoms like nasal discharge, post nasal drip, sneezing and nasal blockage.

Persons having anosmia may also have loss of taste

Complete loss of smell may make it difficult to sense a dangerous circumstance and take measures to stop it, for example if there is gas leakage from cylinder or fire, a person suffering from anosmia may be unable to sense it and seek help.

Sometimes loss of smell may lead to depression.

Causes Of Anosmia

The reasons behind anosmia are variable. Anosmia may arise due to swelling in the nose, blockage in the nose that hinders odors reaching the top of nose or due to damage to brain /olfactory nerve (that sends signal of smell from nose to brain) /olfactory receptors.  However, in approximately 20 per cent of the cases, anosmia has no cause (a condition known as idiopathic anosmia). The causes of anosmia are summed below:

Causes related to nasal irritation or congestion:

1. Sinusitis (acute or chronic) –Inflammation of the lining of paranasal sinuses.

2. Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) – Nasal allergy where inhalation of allergens like dust mites, pollen leads to symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itching in nose or eyes, watering from nose.

3. Common cold – viral infection of upper respiratory tract

4. Influenza – viral infection of respiratory tract caused by influenza virus

5. Non – allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis – In this condition, symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis appear, but without any known cause.

6. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) – An infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus

Causes related to blockage / obstruction of nasal passage:

1. Nasal polyps – soft, non-cancerous growths in lining of nasal passage or paranasal sinuses.

2. Tumours in nose

3. DNS (deviated nasal septum) –  displacement of thin wall separating right and left nasal passage to one side.

Causes related to damage to brain or nerve

1. Ageing

2. Parkinson’s Disease – A nervous system disorder characterized by hand tremors, slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, impaired posture and balance

3. Alzheimer’s Ddisease – A neurological disorder that leads to decline in memory, forgetfulness and problems with thinking, reasoning and communication

4. Brain tumours

5. Multiple sclerosis – A disease in which there occurs damage to myelin sheath of nerve cells which impairs communication between brain and the rest of the body parts

6. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), diabetes, head/brain injury, epilepsy (tendency to get fits)

7. Chemical exposure that causes burns inside nose, certain medicines (like antibiotics, antihistamines)
8. Zinc deficiency, poor nutrition

9. Smoking, alcohol misuse

10. In some cases a baby is born with anosmia, then condition is called congenital anosmia.

Anosmia linked with COVID-19

Loss of smell is one of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19 but the mechanism behind it is unknown. It is also one of the earliest and most common symptoms reported in COVID-19. This symptom is more prominent predictive factor for COVID-19. Researches are still trying to find the underlying mechanism behind it. Certain research has found that COVID-19 does not cause permanent anosmia.

Diagnosis

A doctor can diagnose anosmia based on symptoms provided by patient and examining the nose.

Depending on the case details the doctor may recommend some tests:

1. CT scan of brain or MRI of brain

2. X-ray of skull

3. Nasal endoscopy to view inside of nose.