Anosmia is defined as the inability to smell all odors. It can be a result of a genetic variation, which can lead to the inability to smell androstenone due to polymorphisms in the OR7D4 gene. 

Anosmia (genetic related)

Dysosmia is when olfactory perception is altered but not completely absent. Some symptoms of dysosmia can be when smell is distorted, such as smelling burning paper instead of baby powder. Symptoms could also involve phantom olfaction, or smelling something when there is no olfactory stimulus present. 

Dysosmia

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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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