One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 loss of smell during illness. This loss of smell, which is more intense and different from that of a common flu or a cold, has not improved even after months in some cases.

Currently, many people are facing the problem of permanent loss of smell after COVID-19. Imagine being sick and suddenly losing your sense of smell… Fortunately, research has come to the point where it can answer what causes this problem.

Defeated as our bodies ‘fight’

The results of the study, which was conducted with 24 different people, including 9 people who experienced permanent loss of smell after COVID-19, were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Olfactory epithelial samples were taken from the people participating in the study. Research tissues showed that our body loses its sense of smell while ‘fighting’.

In the olfactory epithelial samples taken from the nose, it plays an active role in the body’s fight against infection. Large amounts of T cells detected. However, the presence of T cells damages olfactory epithelial cells in the region. So much so that the researchers found that the inflammatory process still continues, even in tissues where SARS-CoV-2 was not detected.

Tissues from participants who lost their sense of smell while the number of olfactory neurons is lowerThe researchers also noted that some neurons could continue to heal themselves even after T-cell bombardment. According to the research team, this is a positive finding.

Loss of smell may not recur for months or even years, but there is hope for a cure.

Neurobiologist Bradley Goldstein from the research team explained his goals for the study “After these people became infected with SARS-CoV-2 why you will experience permanent loss of smell for months, years. we need to understand it betterWhile speaking, he emphasizes that the data obtained also reveal hope for treatment for people facing this situation.

Goldstein also said:Modulating the abnormal immune response or repair processes in the nose of these patients can improve the sense of smell. at least partially hope you can help“he says. So it is still too early to talk about the existence of a permanent solution that will completely restore the senses…

The research team also referred to ‘lung COVID’ and extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and “brain fog” that makes it hard to concentrate states that there may be a similar reason behind the situation causing symptoms such as: Further research on this topic is needed and further clarification is needed.