Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Sense of smell question....
Barry Irby
I have noticed my sense of smell has diminished. Seems to be about half of what it used to be. Then I realized I am guilty of picking up my spray gun with lacquer or a rattle can of lacquer and giving something a quick coat without a mask or fans or whatever. Have I coated my receptors or worse?
Re: Sense of smell question....
johnv
Covid affects smell in a large percentage of those infected, even without any other apparent symptoms. be sure to rule this out. Personal experience
Over how long?
David Weaver
I'm 44. I've noticed over the last 25 years, my sense of smell has slowly gotten less acute, and quite often, I can't smell what my wife smells (but she also has a seemingly bionic nose for some reason).
The kids smell more than I do, too, and I haven't had much exposure to solvents, etc.
The sense of smell is still there, but subtle things like flowers where the smell isn't particularly sharp, I have to get a whole lot closer to be able to notice them.
(this is much different than loss of smell like covid - like total loss by some accounts, or inability to smell or use smell or recognize smells (dementia)). I recall seeing before that prolonged low mood can result in loss of smell, along with neurological conditions (alzheimers, dementia, parkinson's...).
If it's abrupt, it's probably worth seeing your pdoc or ENT.
Reminds me of a joke ...
Clint Searl
...about the lady who went to the doctor about a problem with flatulency.
Re: Over how long?
Barry Irby
I'm 72 and this has been creeping up on me for a long time. Something triggered me the other day, somebody smelled something I should gave noticed and I did not smell a thing.
I am fully vaccinated for Covid but apparently that's not necessarily 100%
Re: Reminds me of a joke ...
Barry Irby
Pretty sure my flatulence don't stink. An my hearing aid batteries are good.
Re: Over how long?
David Weaver
I doubt it's covid - I googled earlier because I've never checked on my loss of smell. I don't always have the highest mood (no surprise) and when it's rotten enough, I do lose some sense of smell, but apparently 44 isn't typical for age-related decline.
(over 60 according to google). I have read before that loss of smell and ability to discern is associated with neuro stuff. My experience is the same as yours. When we go to the floral garden here and the smells are a little more subtle, the wife and kids walk in the room and say "wow, smell that!" and I don't smell it.
If there's something that you really have a distaste for, I'll bet it'll calibrate you back. If mustard, ketchup or anything similar (or really any fragrant vinegar) is even in small amounts at a distance, I can still be repulsed by it. Try something small like that to ease your mind.
My sister (she'd kill me if she read that I posted anything about her publicly) lost her taste and smell with covid, but got it back. It was quick and absolutely complete according to her (she never got very ill - I'm guessing it's very strange to eat and drink things without taste or smell, though).
Re: Sense of smell question....
JL
Were you ever a smoker? Smoking will damage your sense of smell. Aging also affects the sense of smell. Exposure to harsh chemicals (methylene chloride, methyl methacrylate, trichloroethylene, etc.) can also damage the sense of smell.
Re: Sense of smell question....
Jesse Cloud
Another of old age's small indignities. When smell goes, taste is not far behind.
That's it!
Re: Sense of smell question....
Barry Irby
I am 99% sure I have not had covid. If I have it's reduced itself to the status of the perfect disease. One you can't tell you have and has not effects on you.
I think the sense of smell thing is just the passage of time and aging. I notice I like more spice and salt and whatever to make things taste good. Eyes are declining slowly glasses are getting stronger. Aging is Ok because it's better than the alternative.
Re: Sense of smell question....
John Veerkamp
Amen, the adventure just gets more challenging.
Re: Taste snd Smell
Hank Knigh
Most of the sense of taste is smell. The tongue only senses sweet, salty, sour and bitter. All the rest, the nuances of flavor, come from the sense of smell. The sense of smell often deteriorates with age. Not so much the tongue’s sensory ability. That’s why many elderly people load their tea with sugar and cover their French fries with salt - because they can still taste those flavors.
Re: Taste snd Smell
William Duffield
You missed one (recently discovered) taste: umami, which is found in meat broth and monosodium glutamate (MSG or Accent).
Re: Taste snd Smell
Hank Knight
Ha! Learned something. Thanks, William!
Sense of smell, age
John K Jordan
Other senses decline with age, for example sensitivity to light - things get dimmer and dimmer. Ever notice how little kids cringe and cover their eyes when the light is turned on? Good reason to have very bright lights in the shop.
Sense of smell is apparently supposed to decline with age. But I'm 71 and can't see that mine is worse than others. But my wife's sense of smell is outstanding. (that can be good or bad!) Maybe that's why she is such an amazing cook, always experimenting with subtle flavors when concocting new recipes.
On the other end of the spectrum our youngest son, 37, has not been able to smell things since he was born, as far as we can tell. One danger in that is the inability to detect things like spoiled milk.
JKJ
Re: Sense of smell, age
John Veerkamp
I have a long time friend who never could smell. He must be hyper aware about the survival advantage of smell. Natural gas has an oderant added for safety for instance.
Re: Sense of smell, age
Yonak
My wife has a very poor sense of smell .. to my advantage. I can wear the same shirt for three days in a row without complaint.
Re: Taste snd Smell
Yonak
Yes. Only recently have these taste buds been implanted on the tongue. 