Richmond Leader

• Chronic sinusitis affects 28.9 million American adults, or 11% of the adult population. 
• For sinus patients, early intervention not only enhances their immediate quality of life but also provides lasting relief and reduces long-term healthcare costs.
• Experts recommend that patients consult a healthcare provider if sinusitis symptoms persist for more than 10 days.

The loss of taste and smell are two of the most noticeable symptoms that can come from chronic sinusitis. According to Dr. John Ditto of Richmond Breathe Free, the earlier chronic sinusitis is treated, the better the chance a patient has to avoid prolonged symptoms.

“There's a subset of chronic sinusitis patients that have nasal polyps, and that causes nasal obstruction, then they are not able to breathe through their nose,” Dr. Ditto told the Richmond Leader. “This can affect the senses of smell and taste. The earlier that we can arrest the progression of chronic sinusitis, then we can decrease some of the long-term complications, including formation of polyps and significant chronic disease. We recommend early management versus waiting until the situation is severe.”

Physical symptoms of chronic sinusitis can include nasal inflammation, a runny nose, postnasal drainage, congestion, pain or swelling in the face, headaches, loss of smell and taste, a sore throat, bad breath, or fatigue, according to Mayo Clinic.

Conditions that can affect someone’s sense of taste and smell include nasal and sinus problems, such as allergies, sinusitis or nasal polyps. Other conditions include the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, certain medications, and dental problems.

People who lose the ability to smell and taste frequently experience decreased appetite and poor nutrition and may be more likely to experience depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some might use excess salt or sugar on food to try to make its taste stronger, which can make problems with diabetes or high blood sugar worse. Fortunately, if the loss of taste and smell is due to a sinus infection or other nasal issue, treating the infection will restore the senses of taste and smell.

If a patient’s sense of smell and/or taste don’t improve after treating sinus issues, a doctor may recommend smell training therapy. One of these strategies would consist of smelling four different scents for about 10 to 20 seconds twice a day for at least three months.

According to Richmond Breathe Free's website, Dr. John Ditto earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, where he was recognized for his research. He then received specialized training in ear, nose, and throat disorders at the University of Michigan's Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.