Anosmia – Loss of Smell

Anosmia from Head Injury - Loss of Smell and Taste

A common development after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the loss of smell and taste, a condition known as Anosmia From Head Injury. Yet, often the loss of smell is overlooked by doctors who do not test for this condition or ask patients questions about this loss.

Our Brain Injury Attorneys understand the importance and significance of Anosmia symptoms and will help victims obtain proper legal compensation

Our personal injury attorneys know that the ability to taste and smell can be lost or impaired after a head injury or traumatic brain injury. Mild, moderate, or severe brain injury can cause a loss of smell. Most individuals have never contemplated what life would be like without their sense of smell. The New York Brain Injury Attorneys at the Brain Injury Law Firm® understand the significant role that your senses of smell and taste have on your personal safety and in your enjoyment of everyday life.

What is Anosmia?

Anosmia is the loss or impairment of the sense of smell.

Can traumatic brain injury cause anosmia?

Head trauma, brain trauma, traumatic brain damage and traumatic brain injury are common causes of the loss of taste and the loss of smell. The term “post traumatic anosmia” is often used to describe the loss or impairment of olfactory functions as a result of head injury and brain injury.

New York brain injury attorneys Michael Kaplen and Shana De Caro concentrate their practice on representing victims of traumatic brain damage. They understand the dramatic negative consequences that the loss of smell and taste can have on your safety,  eating,  your personal hygiene,  work, and  relations with others.  With over 40 years of experience, allow them to put their skill and knowledge of traumatic brain injury to work for  you.

TBI is the leading cause of posttraumatic anosmia

Some common brain and head injuries that can lead to the development of the loss of smell and the loss of taste include:

• Skull fractures
• Facial fractures
• Concussions
• Diffuse Axonal Injury
• Shearing injuries to the olfactory nerve fibers at the level of the cribiform plate

It is important to understand that the loss of smell can take place following all types of head and brain injuries. Loss of smell can occur following mild brain injury as well as moderate and severe brain injury.

Are there tests to determine anosmia symptoms?

In addition to standard examinations of the nose and nasal cavity, MRI tests are often conducted to determine any apparent anosmia symptoms. Additionally, olfactory testing is conducted to determine the presence, type and degree of impairment caused by damage to the olfactory nerves.

While there are many assessment tools that are available, each has advantages and disadvantages. Some tests try to distinguish whether an individual can identify a specific odor, and others try to identify the lowest threshold at which an individual can identify an odor.

The most widely used test for the diagnosis of anosmia is the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). This test uses 40 scratch and sniff items to determine if an individual can correctly identify specific odors. Scores are compared to different patient groups based upon age and sex. The smell test results are then scored as follows: (1) normosmia, (2) mild microsmia. (3) moderate microsmia, (4) severe microsmia, and (5) anosmia. The reliability and validity of this test as an objective determination of traumatic loss of smell has been widely established.

We are New York brain injury lawyers who understand that your loss of smell and loss of taste as a result of a traumatic brain injury or a head injury will have a severe affect upon your life.

Risks Associated with the loss of smell and taste (Anosmia):

Safety risks:

• Inability to detect spoiled or rotten food
• Inability to detect gas leaks
• Inability to detect toxic fumes or chemicals
• Inability to distinguish dangerous liquids and poisons from common liquids

Other health risks:

• Increased use of salts
• Increased use of sugar
• Excessive weight loss or malnutrition due to loss of interest in food
• Excessive weight gain due to overeating to compensate for lack of taste

Social and Psychological Risks:

• Depression
• Personality changes
• Mood changes
• Loss of interest in leisure activities
• Changes in personal relationships

Are there lawyers that we can call for head injury and brain injury resulting in the loss of smell (anosmia)?

The Brain Injury Law Firm® of De Caro & Kaplen, LLP are experienced in representing individuals and their families for the traumatic brain injuries that can occur, including the loss of smell and taste.

Our New York based head injury lawyers have successfully handled cases of anosmia from head injury as a result of car accidents, truck, bus, and train collisions, work place accidents, construction site accidents, dangerous, and defective premises.

Contact our head injury lawyers for a no obligation consultation

Our head injury lawyers will review the facts of your accident and the traumatic brain injuries sustained without charge or obligation. If they can assist you, they will provide legal representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they are only owed an attorney fee, at the conclusion of the case, and only if they are successful.

Contact them toll free at 1 (866) 272-4652 to discuss brain damage and brain injury including loss of smell and loss of taste caused to you or your loved one as a result of an accident.