Although the nose is not clogged, lost in a Corona-infection often both smell and sense of taste. About 85 percent of the Covid-19 Patients complain of these symptoms.
While experts are still puzzling over the loss of the sense of smell, there are, at least for the Dysosmia a medical explanation.
Riechverlust from a medical point of view explained
As the President of the ENT Association, Dr. Dirk Heinrich, explains in a press release, be skin this Riechverlust namely a degradation of the riechsch glue, even olfactory epithelium called, due.
The false perception of odors, called Olfactory hallucinations can also be this way.
“We have about 30 million olfactory cells, which renew themselves constantly,” explains the Director of the research Institute for applied otolaryngology, Dr. Jan Löhler in the message.
Be settled on a just a few square centimetres, the area to the top of the nose shells at the base of the skull.
Recording of the smells on the riechsch glue skin
“The sensory cells called the olfactory epithelium, which occur at an end of the fine sensory hairs with the outside world”, the expert continues.
At the other end they are connected via a nerve Fort set directly with the brain.
Between the sensory cell and the Hirnride, where the sensory impressions arrive, is the so-called Bulbus olfactorius. This special part of the brain is for the Transfer of the perception of Odor is responsible.
The further information processing of the odors is then continued in other Parts of the brain.
Important cells of the riechsch glue skin damaged
In the case of a Corona infection, it would be according to the experts now to the meaning of turbidity, since the Virus would infest them for the sense of smell important cells of the riechsch glue skin as well as in the Bulbus olfactorius, and damage.
“Through this receptor failure, occurs in Covid-to-interference 19 patients primary the described Smell”, white Löhler.
Although an infection may also have other, Central parts of the brain are affected, whether skin, this damage to the riechsch glue according to the expert, the main responsible for the Dysosmia.
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Odours are only perceived in part,
The Occurrence of Olfactory hallucinations, one of which is in connection with Covid-19 also is often reported to be in the same way explain.
“The person can distinguish about 10,000 of fragrances. In the case of all naturally occurring scents are specific scent mixtures with characteristic Leitdüften,” says Löher.
If the injured riechsch glue skin recovers only partially back, can you may only share of complex smells and to the brain.
So it can happen that a complex fragrance, for example, only the unpleasant-rated shares are perceived to be. The pleasant smell is now felt to be so disturbing.
Important note: The information in this article contains only General information. For the diagnosis of a health problem we recommend visiting by trained and recognised Physicians.
Source
- German professional Association of ear, nose and throat doctors e. V. (2020): Hyposmie at COVID-19: olfactory dysfunction ENT-to explain medically, retrieved on 30.04.2020 https://hno-aerzte.de/presse.php?article=42
Cornelia Bertram
*The article “Coronavirus: Why smell many Corona-Infected, nothing more?” is published by FitForFun. Contact with the executives here.