Neck Injection May Improve Sense of Smell for COVID Patients

Neck Injection May Improve Sense of Smell for COVID Patients – A new procedure called stellate ganglion block may offer hope for COVID-19 patients who have lost their sense of smell. The procedure involves injecting anesthetic into a bundle of nerves in the neck that is thought to play a role in smell perception.

Early research suggests that stellate ganglion block can be effective in restoring smell to patients who have lost it due to COVID-19. In a small study, 22 out of 37 patients who underwent the procedure reported an improvement in their smell perception. Of these 22 patients, 18 reported a significant improvement after one month.

The procedure is still being studied, and more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness and safety. However, the early results are promising and suggest that stellate ganglion block may be a valuable treatment option for COVID-19 patients who have lost their sense of smell.

Here are some of the benefits of stellate ganglion block for COVID-19 patients who have lost their sense of smell:

  • It is a non-invasive procedure that does not require surgery.
  • It is relatively painless and has few side effects.
  • It can be effective in restoring smell to patients who have lost it due to COVID-19.

If you are a COVID-19 patient who has lost your sense of smell, you may want to talk to your doctor about stellate ganglion block. It is still an experimental procedure, but it may offer a way to restore your smell and improve your quality of life.

Recent Research Findings

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant portion of survivors continues to grapple with lingering symptoms, including a persistent loss of smell. Among these long-term effects, parosmia, or a distorted sense of smell, has emerged as a prevalent feature of chronic COVID-19 infections. Many individuals affected by this condition describe experiencing altered or impaired smells, which can severely disrupt their daily lives.

Early in the pandemic, changes in taste and smell were recognized as a hallmark sign of coronavirus infection. A study conducted in the United Kingdom, presented on November 20 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, revealed that over 43% of those who reported losing their sense of smell in March 2020 continued to experience parosmia six months later.

Despite extensive research efforts, medical professionals have encountered challenges in understanding the underlying cause of parosmia following a viral infection, let alone devising an effective treatment. However, a recent study from Jefferson Health in Philadelphia has shed light on a promising therapeutic approach for parosmia patients.

The study investigated the efficacy of stellate ganglion block, a procedure that involves injecting anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a cluster of nerves located in the neck that transmits signals to the head, neck, arms, and upper chest. Stellate ganglion block has been used for decades to alleviate chronic pain.

Among 37 individuals at Jefferson Health who underwent the procedure and subsequently followed up with physicians a week later, 22 reported an improvement in their scent distortion. Moreover, 18 out of 22 individuals experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms after one month. To further enhance the treatment’s effectiveness, 26 individuals received a second injection on the opposite side of their neck at least six weeks after the initial injection. Notably, most patients who observed an improvement after the first treatment reported even better results following the second injection, while the injections had no noticeable impact on those who showed no change after the first session.

For individuals whose parosmia had severely impacted their physical and emotional well-being, the treatment has proven transformative. Dr. Adam Zoga, co-author of the study, remarked, “The treatment has been life-changing for people whose parosmia was having a major negative impact on their physical and emotional health.” He cited examples of patients who were unable to bathe their children due to the unpleasantness of soap scents or had lost a significant amount of weight due to the loss of appetite associated with parosmia.

Unlike some medical professionals who employ anesthetics for stellate ganglion block, Dr. Zoga’s team utilizes a combination of corticosteroids, short-acting and long-acting medications, and other joint injection agents commonly used for nerve blocks.

While the procedure requires technical expertise due to the stellate ganglion’s proximity to two major blood arteries that supply blood to and from the brain, Dr. Zoga emphasized its overall safety when performed by a qualified individual. The most common side effect associated with the injection is temporary drooping eyelids, dilated pupils, and mild visual impairment, which typically resolve within 10 minutes.

Dr. Zoga concluded by sharing the remarkable recovery of his first parosmia patient, whose symptoms completely resolved within a few weeks. “The patient is still completely relieved after 18 months apart,” Dr. Zoga affirmed, highlighting the potential of stellate ganglion block as a promising treatment option for parosmia patients.

Signs of Loss of Smell in COVID-19 Patients

Loss of smell, also known as anosmia, is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 infection. It is estimated that up to 80% of people with COVID-19 will experience some degree of loss of smell at some point during their illness.

Symptoms of loss of smell:

  • Total loss of smell: This is the most common type of loss of smell associated with COVID-19. People with total loss of smell may not be able to smell anything at all, even strong or pungent smells.

  • Partial loss of smell: This is less common than total loss of smell. People with partial loss of smell may only be able to smell certain things, or they may find that smells are weaker than they used to be.

  • Distorted sense of smell: This is a less common than total or partial loss of smell. People with a distorted sense of smell may find that things smell different than they used to, or they may have phantom smells (smells that aren’t really there).

How loss of smell can affect your life:

Loss of smell can have a significant impact on your daily life. It can make it difficult to enjoy food, because you can’t taste it properly. It can also make it difficult to avoid hazards, such as gas leaks or spoiled food.

How long loss of smell lasts:

In most cases, loss of smell will improve gradually over time. However, in some cases, it can take several weeks or months for smell to return to normal. In rare cases, loss of smell can be permanent.

How to Know your Sense of Smell has Improved

Here are some things you can do to assess whether your sense of smell has improved after COVID-19:

  1. Smell familiar scents: Take a sniff of familiar scents, such as coffee, vanilla, or citrus fruits. If you can recognize the smells, it’s a good sign that your sense of smell is improving.
  1. Try different smells: Try smelling a variety of different smells, both familiar and unfamiliar. If you can recognize more smells than you could before, it’s a sign that your sense of smell is improving.

  2. Keep a smell journal: Keep a journal of what you can smell and how strong the smells are. This can help you track your progress over time.

  3. Compare smells to memories: Try comparing the smells you can smell now to the way you remember them smelling before you had COVID-19. If the smells seem closer to the way you remember them, it’s a sign that your sense of smell is improving.

  4. Ask others if they can smell things: Ask friends or family members if they can smell things that you can’t. If they can, it’s a sign that your sense of smell may be impaired.

  5. See a doctor: If you’re concerned about your sense of smell, or if it’s not improving, see your doctor. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions and may be able to offer additional treatment options.

Here are some additional tips for improving your sense of smell after COVID-19:

  • Smell training: There is evidence that smell training can help to improve your sense of smell after COVID-19. This involves smelling a variety of different scents for a few minutes each day for several weeks.
  • Zinc supplements: Some studies have shown that zinc supplements may help to improve your sense of smell after COVID-19.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids may also help to improve your sense of smell after COVID-19.
  • Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke: Smoking and secondhand smoke can damage your olfactory nerves and make it harder to smell.
  • Get enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and may also help to improve your sense of smell.
  • Manage stress: Stress can also affect your sense of smell. Managing stress through exercise, relaxation techniques, or therapy may help to improve your sense of smell.

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