What are common types of smell disorders?

Clifford W. Bassett, MD

Allergy & Immunology

Here are some common types of smell disorders:

Unable to smell, at all: anosmia
Incorrect sense of smell, not as it should: dysosmia
Less smell than normal: hyposmia
Sensation of smell is "worse" than it is: parosmia

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Nose Disorders

Your nose plays a very important part in maintaining your health. As you breathe it filters out the bad stuff in the air like dust and germs. It also moistens the air as you breathe so that your lungs stay hydrated and healthy. You can be miserable if your nose is injured or irritated, whatever the cause. Nose disorders can range from a simple nosebleed or a runny nose that can be treated at home to more serious disorders such as nasal polyps (growths) or a deviated septum (a twist in the wall that separates the two sides of your nose) that may require surgery. Whatever the cause of your nose problem, it's important to know that you can usually be helped by seeing an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.

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