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How to bring back your sense of smell and taste after covid: 6 simple tips
Many people who have recovered from a new infection suffer from a temporary loss of taste and smell. And someone cannot return them for a very long time. What to do about it?
With COVID-19, odors disappear for 4-5 days, and the food tastes the same. According to statistics, such consequences occur in 70% of patients. It would seem that if your favorite food has no taste, this can be used to switch to a healthy diet, for the good: instead of high-calorie cakes, there are diet breads, and coffee should be replaced with a healthy sour fruit drink. But, alas, this is only possible in theory. We are used to enjoying (and not insignificant) food and pleasant aromas. And then the whole world becomes insipid! Patients begin to try different foods in the hope of regaining the sensitivity of their organs. How can you help the body? We understand the material.
“The loss of perception, according to some reports, suggests that there has been a partial damage to the brain tissues responsible for sensitivity to tastes and smells,” says psychotherapist, candidate of medical sciences Lada Butrina. – On average, by the third week after disappearance, for the majority, everything returns to its usual state. But for some, it takes up to 4 months to recover, and a small minority after the coronavirus cannot restore their taste buds at all. It depends on the degree of brain damage and the characteristics of each person.
The Internet is replete with different methods. To say unequivocally what exactly will give a 100% result, and what will not, alas, is not possible. While not all questions are answered, time must pass when the evidence base is collected and clinical trials are conducted. We list popular tips, but be warned that you should first consult your doctor.
Do breathing exercises. Yes, some doctors advise to exercise, and this is correct, but this does not apply to the return of smell and smell. Although, no doubt, adequate physical activity after the “crown” is useful.
Exercise your brain. Your task is to wake up the cells that are responsible for recognizing smells, tastes and create a certain feedback. Remember what you love most: the scent of your perfume, a certain kind of smoked sausage, dried fish, fried potatoes, cappuccino. Do you remember? Now imagine how it smells, just imagine the smell, and then bring a cup of coffee and remember the taste of the dish. This will wake up the cells responsible for recognizing smells and tastes.
Turn on associative links. Think back to your favorite childhood meal. For example, mom’s pies with potatoes. And then – the smell of nature and freshness: how the sea or meadow smells after rain. Turn on your favorite music (preferably classical or instrumental without words), bake or buy a similar product and remember how and in what setting you ate it, take a bite and imagine this taste.
Introduce yourself as a sommelier. Let the partner, who while away the time in isolation with you, blindfold you and offer to taste different drinks: juices, tea, coffee, fruit drink, milk. The main thing is that all this is at the same temperature. Try to guess what you will drink, then remove the bandage and take a sip knowing what you are drinking. Believe me, this will not only help you regain your taste faster, but will also become your favorite game in the post-period as well.
Rinse your mouth. There are some seasonings with a distinct flavor. For example, cinnamon, star anise, cloves. Dissolve a pinch of one of these spices in water and rinse your mouth. This will also help bring your senses back.
See your doctor. For some, the taste and smell do not return even after 3-4 months, in this case it is worth contacting a neurologist who, with the help of drug therapy, will help you restore what was lost.