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Loss of Smell, Taste Rivals Stroke Impact
17 Jun
Summary
- Smell and taste disorders are as devastating as stroke or Parkinson's.
- One in five people are affected by these sensory disorders.
- Experts call for better recognition and research into treatments.
Losing the ability to smell or taste is a devastating condition, comparable in its impact to serious neurological disorders like stroke or Parkinson's disease. Research indicates that these sensory impairments can lead to significant emotional, social, and psychological suffering, affecting a person's quality of life profoundly.
The study, led by the University of East Anglia, analyzed previous research comparing the effects of smell and taste disorders to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Patients with anosmia and ageusia reported high rates of depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal, with everyday activities like eating becoming purely functional.
Experts emphasize that these disorders, which affect as many as one in five people, have long been under-recognized and under-researched by medicine. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the prevalence of these symptoms, but the problem predates the virus. There is an urgent need for better recognition, investment in specialized clinics, and increased research into effective treatments to address this genuine health and wellbeing issue.
