Can Taste And Smell Disorders Be Treated?
About Taste and Smell • How Common Are Taste And Smell Disorders? Over two million Americans complain of smell and taste problems, and over one-quarter million visit a physician for this problem each year. Twenty-five percent of the population over age fifty-five have an age associated smell and taste impairment, and are often not aware of this problem. In the elderly, these disorders can lead to unexplained weight loss, depression and poor appetite. • Can Taste And Smell Disorders Be Serious? People with a faulty sense of smell and taste can be deprived of an early warning system that we all take for granted. Poisonous fumes, leaking gas, and spoiled foods can interfere with our health and safety if not recognized. Increased salt and sugar intake to improve palatability of food can aggravate high blood pressure and diabetes. Some professions require a keen sense of smell, such as chef or a firefighter. Therefore, disorders of smell and taste in these professions can lead to job loss a
