4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JULY 15 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Sense of Smell,
Taste Likely Gone
for Good
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an
86-year-old male who unfortunately
lost my sense of smell and, to a large
degree, my sense of taste as a result
of taking fl uticasone propionate na-
sal spray (50 mcg, one spray in each
nostril once a day). This drug was
prescribed by my doctor. After fi nd-
ing out that I could not smell fresh
coffee even when I put my face over
the open container and sniffed, I
knew I had a problem.
I mentioned this to another doctor
(the prescribing doctor had trans-
ferred), and he casually mentioned
that that happens and that it could
take a year to come back. Well,
the year has come and gone, and I
haven’t regained my sense of smell.
The literature that accompanies this
drug does mention that a possible
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19)
You’re wise to let your Arian skepti-
cism question a former adversary’s re-
quest to let bygones be bygones. Time
will tell if they are trying to pull the
wool over the Lamb’s eyes.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Con-
gratulations. Your hard work soon
pays off with some well-deserved rec-
ognition. Meanwhile, that important
personal relationship needs more at-
tention from you.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Th at
new person in your life seems trust-
worthy, but don’t turn him or her into
a confi dant just yet. Remember: Th e
secret you don’t reveal is the one you
won’t lose sleep over.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your
kindness makes a diff erence in some-
side effect is the loss of the senses of
smell and taste. But this comes only
after reading through more than fi ve
columns of small prin.
It may not seem like a big deal to
be unable to smell the coffee, but I
am also unable to smell natural gas,
and living in a house with a furnace,
hot water heater, clothes dryer and
cooktop stove all powered by natu-
ral gas, it becomes a serious prob-
lem. I am hoping that you can give
me some advice as to how I can re-
store my senses of smell and taste.
-- T.K.
ANSWER: I certainly found the
warning that fl uticasone, like other
nasal steroids, can cause altera-
tions in taste and smell. However,
I couldn’t fi nd in the published lit-
erature a case of someone losing his
or her sense of smell entirely from
nasal steroids. Some blood pressure
medicines have been known to do
it, as can nutritional defi ciencies, tu-
mors and Sjogren’s syndrome. Ex-
posure to some chemicals can cause
temporary loss of smell. Alzheim-
er’s and Parkinson’s diseases some-
times cause loss of sense of smell.
Anytime the sense of smell is
lost, most people notice a dramatic
loss of taste as well: This may be
because the aromas of food are the
most important contributor to fl avor.
Unfortunately, after a year it is
likely the loss will be permanent,
and I don’t know of any way to
bring it back. When researching
your question, I found many refer-
ences to studies that looked at fl uti-
casone as a treatment for loss of
sense of smell, which gives further
evidence to the unfortunate and un-
usual apparent cause in your case.
It worries me that your new doctor
was so casual about this loss: It IS a
big issue, and it sounds like he may
not have evaluated you for other
possible causes.
DR. ROACH WRITES: I got
some good advice about my column
on improving patient-physician
communication. One tip I received,
and one which I often recommend
for my patients, is to make a list of
the important questions you want to
ask your doctor. Another is to bring
someone with you. Finally, doc-
tors can help by providing not only
verbal advice, but written advice as
well. This isn’t always necessary or
even possible, but often it can really
improve the patient’s understand-
ing.
one’s life. But by week’s end, a touch of
Cancerian envy could create a prob-
lem with a colleague. Take care to
keep it under control.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) A new
spurt of energy sends you roaring
back into that challenging work situ-
ation. But be careful not to overdo it,
or your sizzle could fi zzle before your
task is completed.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Your practical sense helps you see
the logic of being a bit more fl exible
with a workplace colleague. But you
still have a ways to go before there’s a
true meeting of the minds.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A surprise situation could cause
you to spend more money than you
feel you can aff ord. But careful budget
adjustments will help. Your fi scal pic-
ture soon brightens.
SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem-
ber 21) Th at decision you made might
still have its detractors, but your sup-
porters are growing. Meanwhile, your
personal life takes on some welcome
new developments.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Matters of the mind
intrigue the sage Sagittarian through
week’s end. By then, you should feel
more than ready to make room for
pursuits of the heart.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Th e canny Capricorn can
off er good counsel to others. But how
about taking some advice yourself
from a close friend or family member
who is able and ready to help?
AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru-
ary 18) A new workplace opportunity
off ers a variety of challenges that you
might fi nd intriguing. Best advice:
Take things one step at a time so that
you don’t feel overwhelmed.
PISCES (February 19 to March
20) A bid to revive a relationship that
ended on a bitter note needs to be
carefully thought out before you can
even begin to consider plunging into
a new emotional commitment.
Siuslaw N ews
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