The Nose Knows: Smell Disorders

By Amy Campbell Some of my favorite smells are a Christmas tree, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, and freshly cut pumpkins at Halloween — I can't imagine not being able to smell these delightful things. But according to the National Institutes of Health, between 1% and 2% of people in North America say they have a smell disorder. About 25% of men age 60–69 and 11% of women in this same age range have difficulty being able to smell. Not being able to smell, either somewhat or at all, can be dangerous, as our noses alert us to smells that can signal danger, such as a fire, a gas leak, or spoiled food. It can also be a sign of a serious medical problem. How our sense of smell works We have special cells in our noses called olfactory sensory neurons. These cells are connected to the brain, and when they're stimulated by something, like popcorn popping at the movie theater, the neurons send a message to the brain, which identifies the smell. Smells reach these sensory neurons through our nostrils and also through our the roof of our throats. When we eat, scents are released that reach the sensory neurons. This is why taste is so closely connected to our sense of smell. Think of when you have a cold or allergies and your nose is all stuffed up: you can't smell much of anything, and the food that you eat seems to have no flavor. Or it tastes like paste. We also have nerve endings in our eyes, nose, mouth, and throat that can detect more irritating smells, li...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs