- An important distinction when diagnosing an olfactory disorder is ruling out other possible causes such as sinonasal diseases, post-infectious disorder and post-traumatic disorder. 
- If the patient experienced symptoms of olfactory dysfunction suddenly, after an illness or trauma, then it is most likely a result of a post-traumatic disorder or post-URTI (post-upper respiratory tract infection).

Diagnosis of olfactory dysfunction

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This is a condition in which a person lacks the ability to smell. It is also sometimes referred to as odor blindness. 

Anosmia

Boesveldt, S., Postma, E.M., Boak, D., Welge-Luessen, A., Schöpf, V., Mainland, J.D., Ngai, J., & Duffy, V.B. (2017). Anosmia - A Clinical Review. Chemical Senses, 42 (7), 513-523. http://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjx025

Anosmia - A Clinical Review

Anosmia library

Types of olfactory dysfunction 

Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction is difficult to measure, because olfactory testing is not part of general health exams. Therefore, clinicians often rely on their patients to self-report olfactory dysfunction in order to better estimate prevalence. 

Prevalence of olfactory dysfunction

Some of the challenges people with olfactory dysfunction face: 
- cooking
- decreased appetite
- maintaining personal hygiene
- feeling less safe
- lack of enjoyment with food

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