Tasting and smelling problem?

Question

i saw this program on the t.v. and it said a lady cannot smell or taste i would like to know what went wriont in the body that made her can taste ot smell?

Answer 1

The three major causes of olfactory (scent-sensing) failure (dysfunction) are: head injury, infections of the upper-respiratory tract, and sino-nasal disease.

Since the sense of taste is acutely linked to the sense of smell, the fact that she may have had a birth defect or other cranial injury, may have jeopardized her ability to taste.  

Also, in some instances, removal of certain organs (the salivary glands for example) can lead to loss of the sense of taste.

It would all depend on what was wrong, and since there's too little information to render a proper answer, the best I can offer is "I don't rightly know."

Sorry.

Answer 2

Smoking cigarettes causes that problem

Answer 3

Loss of taste and smell can sometimes be caused by a head injury

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch097/ch...

Answer 4

Scientists have found that the sense of smell is most accurate between the ages of 30 and 60 years. It begins to decline after age 60, and a large proportion of elderly persons lose their smelling ability. Women of all ages are generally more accurate than men in identifying odors.

Some people are born with a poor sense of smell or taste. Upper respiratory infections are blamed for some losses, and injury to the head can also cause smell or taste problems.

Loss of smell and taste may result from polyps in the nasal or sinus cavities, hormonal disturbances, or dental problems. They can also be caused by prolonged exposure to certain chemicals such as insecticides and by some medicines.

Tobacco smoking is the most concentrated form of pollution that most people will ever be exposed to. It impairs the ability to identify odors and diminishes the sense of taste. Quitting smoking improves the smell function.

Radiation therapy patients with cancers of the head and neck later complain of lost smell and taste. These senses can also be lost in the course of some diseases of the nervous system.

Patients who have lost their larynx or "voice box" commonly complain of poor ability to smell and taste. Laryngectomy patients can use a special "bypass" tube to breathe through the nose again. The enhanced air flow through the nose helps smell and taste sensation to be re-established.

Some very good sources.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/problemswiths...

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/problemswitht...

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smelltas...

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smelltas...

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec06/ch...