ANOSMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Anosmia is a medical term referring to the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. It is derived from the Greek words "anos" meaning "without" and "osmē" meaning "smell." Anosmia can be acquired or congenital, meaning it can result from various factors, such as trauma, aging, infection, exposure to chemicals, or being born without the ability to smell.
This condition can have significant impacts on an individual's quality of life, as the sense of smell plays a crucial role in detecting odors, identifying flavors, and warning of potential dangers like fire or spoiled food. Anosmia can also lead to a diminished sense of taste as smell and taste are closely connected.
Symptoms of anosmia include the inability to detect or recognize smells, a decreased ability to enjoy food, and a reduced perception of flavor. Additionally, some people with anosmia may experience a distorted sense of smell, perceiving certain odors differently or even smelling unpleasant phantom smells.
Diagnosis of anosmia typically involves medical history evaluation, physical examination, and, in some cases, specialized tests such as olfactory testing or nasal endoscopy. Treatment options for anosmia are limited and primarily depend on the underlying cause. In cases where the loss of smell is caused by reversible factors like nasal congestion, treatments may focus on relieving the obstruction. However, some individuals may find benefit from olfactory training exercises aimed at stimulating the remaining olfactory receptors and potentially improving smell identification. It is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and guidance in managing anosmia.
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A loss of the sense of smell. It may be essential or true, due to lesion of the olfactory nerve; mechanical or respiratory, due to obstruction of the nasal fossae; reflex, due to disease in some other part or organ; functional, without any apparent causal lesion.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANOSMIA
- znosmia
- snosmia
- wnosmia
- qnosmia
- abosmia
- amosmia
- ajosmia
- ahosmia
- anismia
- anksmia
- anlsmia
- anpsmia
- an0smia
- an9smia
- anoamia
- anozmia
- anoxmia
- anodmia
- anoemia
- cnosmia
Etymology of ANOSMIA
The word "anosmia" originates from the Greek words "an-" meaning "without" and "osmē" meaning "smell". So, "anosmia" literally translates to "without smell".
Similar spelling words for ANOSMIA
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