Loss of Smell, Taste in Covid-19: A Common Coronavirus Symptom; Prevention Tips

 Why do people experience loss of smell and taste in coronavirus?

 It has been commonly found that some infected persons with novel coronavirus experience a temporary loss of smell. Also known as anosmia, loss of smell is a neurological symptom and an early indicator of COVID-19. 

Harvard Medical School researchers believe that the olfactory cell types in the upper nasal cavity are highly vulnerable to infection by the coronavirus (also known as SARS-CoV-2). 

Surprisingly and luckily, sensory neurons that are responsible for the transmission of the sense of smell to the brain are not affected.

Researchers noted that the sense of smell in Covid-19 patients was different from other respiratory viruses. Coronavirus causes an over-reaction of the immune system by affecting the nervous system.

The loss of smell loss is not typical of coronavirus alone. It happens in sinus infection, common cold, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

It is still a mystery as there is no conclusive evidence to trace the actual reason why people lose smell and taste in coronavirus. The loss of smell and taste is one of the most common Covid-19 symptoms.

Scientific American has published a detailed article analyzing the problem though. Here are a few excerpts from the article.

How does the virus attack the sense of smell? Research is coming out fast, and we have access to early reports, often via preprint servers that have not yet passed the peer review process and should be interpreted with caution (as is the case with many of the studies discussed above). Mechanistic studies indicate what factors are relevant to hyposmia and anosmia. Most scientists agree that SARS-CoV-2, like the earlier known SARS-CoV, uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to gain entry to cells via binding with spike protein. SARS-CoV-2 additionally appears to need TMPRSS2, a protease, to help prime the spike protein in the process of gaining entry to cells and a few other proteins. This means that cells must express all of these proteins for the virus to be able to infiltrate them and hijack their machinery to replicate.

Scientists are still conducting research to find the actual reason why the loss of smell, taste happens in coronavirus.

Coronavirus Symptoms

• Loss of smell, taste
• Fever
• Body ache, fatigue, and shivering
• cough, cold, chest congestion
• breathlessness

How To Prevent Covid-19 Infection

• Stay hydrated. 
• Wear a mask.
• Social distancing
• Wash your hands with soap water thoroughly
• Use a hand sanitizer. Do not forget to massage with coconut oil later, as excessive use of sanitizers might cause skin rashes, itching, and dryness. Check the video below from Dr. Mandeep Kaur on hand sanitizers versus washing with soap.
• Keep your lungs healthy. Exercise your lungs with deep breaths. This will also help reduce stress and anxiety. This is my favorite morning meditation.

Here's what doctors say about wearing mask. Video courtesy: Dr. Mandeep Kaur 

How To stay safe during Coronavirus Detection

Stay hydrated. Coconut water is an elixir and helps nourish the body

Eat balanced, nutritious meals

Wear a mask

Keep a check on oxygen levels

Keep a potli ready and smell it frequently - add ajwain (carom seeds), small/green cardamom, lavang, karpur). This might help keep your oxygen from dropping. But check with your doctor if you experience breathlessness. 

Take multivitamins in food. Eat a good diet full of nutrition. Avoid refined flours and sugars because they will spike the problem. Instead, reach out for foods that give your body nourishment and strength to fight infection and become a victor over it. 

Take medical help and seek assistance when covid-19 symptoms show up or you test positive.

Do not forget to do breathing exercises. This is my favorite way to exercise my lungs and reduce stress simultaneously. This has been a habit for decades. 

Is COVID-19 vaccine effective against the coronavirus?

There is a lot of confusion surroundings covid-19 vaccine. Is the vaccine effective against coronavirus?

Statistics reveal that COVID-19 vaccine could save your life or prevent you from serious illness from COVID-19. Additionally, if you have had a vaccine shot, it will lower your chances of getting infected yourself as well as spreading the infection. 

Many of you are still wondering if you should get vaccinated against coronavirus. 

You should get vaccinated at ny cost. This includes even if you had COVID-19 infection because there is not much research on how a COVID-19 infection protects one from its variants. 

What are the common COVID-19 Vaccine side effects?

While some people do not experience any adverse events to vaccination, others might show some side effects. This includes fever, fatigue, body ache, headache, severe pain at the injection site. Some might even experience chills, diarrhea, and nausea. 

What should you eat during a COVID-19 infection?

Drink plenty of water to remove mucus from your system. Here's what research says on keeping yourself hydrated during coronavirus.

Patients of coronavirus must have plenty of water, as that will keep their mucous membranes moist which can further lower the chances of cold and flu. If they do not sense thirst that much, then they can prepare soup for them or have coconut water, milk, green tea, and even some homemade fruit juice will be helpful. There is currently no evidence of COVID‐19 virus survival in sewage or drinking water.

Water helps oxygenate your cells, which can compete better if they get enough oxygen. Additionally, water helps transmit nutrients to different parts of the body and helps maintain the body temperature. Simultaneously, different organs are able to work to their best potential in a properly hydrated body while reducing the risk of infection.  

Avoid fatty foods, starches, and high carb diet. Say no to meat. You can eat egg, which is actually good for its protein content and gives you an instant protein punch.

Switch to a protein-rich diet.

Some medical practitioners advise avoiding all-white products, including rice, sugar, and milk, adding that you may take golden milk instead. However, I have come across some who hold a different opinion.

Eat protein-rich meals, including legumes, lentils, egg.

Avoid saturated fat, butter, red meat, palm oil, full-fat dairy products. 

Drink lemon water with jaggery at regular intervals.

Remain physically active.

Consume a high-fiber diet. Reduce salt and sugar intake.

Include vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium in your diet.

Take a vitamin D supplement .

Mix 1/4 tsp of turmeric in warm water and add a dash of black pepper for an immunity boost. Curcumin in turmeric is a potential immunity enhancer and builder.

What is the role of Zinc in immunity building?

Zinc is one of the most essential minerals that play a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. Besides, zinc is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Research finds that Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of infections, oxidative stress, and generation of inflammatory cytokines. Does zinc speed up healing?

As a micronutrient, Zinc helps regulate every phase of wound healing, membrane repair, inflammation and immune defence.

It is equally good for your skin and helps fight acne, psoriasis, 

ulcers, and eczema.

Magneisum for immunity?

Magnesium is an important electrolyte needed by the body to shield itself against pathogens and viral infections. It plays an important role in strengthening T cells (body's natural killer cells)  and  energizing cells, without which the body cannot function properly.  The mineral helps hemoglobin in blood deliver oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Black beans, whole grains and dark chocolate are rich in magnesium.