If you don’t smell shampoo and soap in the shower, it may be time to make an appointment with a neurologist.
Anosmia, or loss of the sense of smell, has been linked to dementia and may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson’s disease.
This symptom can appear years, even a decade, before a person receives a dementia diagnosis.
Loss of smell does not necessarily mean dementia, and there are more common reasons for a decreased sense, such as the common cold, flu, sinus infections, allergies and Covid.
Dementia is neurodegenerative, meaning it causes ongoing brain atrophy over time.
And because our sense of smell and other senses are wired into the brain, the area that governs smell can be permanently damaged.
About three percent of Americans over age 40 lack a sense of smell, but exact numbers are difficult to come by due to a lack of research.
Additionally, like dementia, the chances of experiencing a loss of the sense of smell increase exponentially with age.
A lack of sense of smell could be an early sign of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. As the brain atrophies due to the neurodegenerative disorder, the area of the brain that dictates our sense of smell deteriorates.
About four percent of people ages 40 to 49 experience olfactory dysfunction, while the rate rises to 10 percent among people ages 50 to 59.
In the 60 to 69 age group, 13 percent lack the sense of smell, and the prevalence increases to 25 percent among people aged 70 to 79.
By the age of 80 or older, nearly 39 percent of people are affected by this condition.
Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, MD, neurologist and medical director of the sleep center at Sentara RMH Medical Center, saying: ‘An increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease has been identified in subjects with olfactory dysfunction.
“Odor identification has been identified as a useful screening tool that predicts conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease dementia.”
A 2023 study They followed more than 2,400 participants for an average of nearly eight years, tracking their sense of smell and its relationship to dementia.
Anosmia, or complete loss of smell, was found to be associated with a nearly three-fold increased risk of developing dementia.
Hyposmia, which refers to a reduced sense of smell, was linked to a 1.76- to 1.85-fold increased risk of dementia.
Additionally, people who reported severe olfactory dysfunction were also at increased risk, and those who reported very poor olfactory function showed a 2.56 times higher risk of developing dementia.
Dr. Meredith Bock, MD, board-certified neurologist and medical director at Remo Health, said, “The neurodegeneration process that causes dementia can also affect sensation and sensory processing related to smell, making it difficult for people to recognize familiar smells.” . like your favorite shampoo or body wash.
If this problem is concerning, especially in an older adult, it’s a good idea to seek professional help from a doctor, Dr. Bock said. Once at the doctor’s office, they may order cognitive tests to see if neurological impairment could be causing the lack of smell.
Dr. Bock added: “Unfortunately, if the loss of smell and taste is due to a neurodegenerative disorder, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, it does not return.”