Q My smell disorder has lasted for two years. Is it worth starting treatment even now?
A It is still meaningful to start treatment for a smell disorder that has lasted more than two years. Complete recovery may be difficult, but maintaining the remaining sense of smell and preventing further deterioration are realistic goals. There are reported cases of partial recovery even years later when olfactory training and mucosal care are continued consistently.
Detailed Answer
For chronic smell disorders (over 2 years), here are realistic expectations when starting treatment.
Setting realistic goals:
- Aim for partial recovery or maintenance of function rather than complete recovery
- Improvement in the smell threshold (beginning to smell odors more strongly) is the first sign
- The ability to identify odors often returns before the ability to discriminate between odors
Value of starting treatment:
- There is evidence that olfactory training can stimulate neural plasticity even in the chronic phase
- Improving the nasal mucosal environment maximizes the function of the remaining olfactory receptors
- Preventing deterioration: if smoking, chronic rhinitis, or fine-dust exposure continues, there is a risk of further damage
- Improvement of quality-of-life symptoms (loss of appetite, difficulty detecting safety hazards)
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, instead of promising a complete cure to patients with chronic smell disorders, we honestly explain realistic expectations and the treatment direction. Continuing to manage it consistently without giving up is the best approach.
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