Some people are facing an issue of loss of sense of smell. This issue is known as parosmia. People are caught up in this issue after facing the pandemic of COVID-19. The post is going to discuss new treatment that is good news for those who are suffering from this issue. We will discuss how this procedure is making a big addition to bringing back the sense of smell for those who have spent a critical time after COVID-19.
Parosmia: When Sense of Smells Turn Upside Down
Parosmia has been a critical issue for doctors. People like to smell the adors. People like to smell garlic or coffee but they feel irritation when they don’t. This progress will prove beneficial for the people who are affected by sense of smell issues.
Jefferson Health’s Game-Changing Solution
At Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, Dr. Adam Zoga & his team have come up with something amazing – the stellate ganglion block. This quick 10-minute outpatient fix is usually used for chronic pain. This process targets the nerves in the neck that send signals to the head, neck, arms, and upper chest.
Stellate Ganglion Block
Understanding how the stellate ganglion block works is important. It’s a simple procedure – a shot of numbing medicine right into the stellate ganglion, found at the base of your neck. They use images to hit the bullseye and make the injection as effective as possible.
Good News: Results That Speak Louder Than Numbers
The outcomes of the stellate ganglion block are pretty amazing. Out of 37 patients, 22 said their smell got better just one week after the procedure. Even better, 18 of them felt way better after a month. A second shot, given to 26 patients after six weeks, showed even more improvement for those already feeling the positive effects.
Real-Life Impact: More Than Just Numbers
Dr. Zoga shares stories of how this procedure changed lives. Imagine a mom unable to give her kid a bath because the soap’s smell was too much. Or people losing weight because food wasn’t enjoyable anymore. These stories underline how a messed-up sense of smell can mess with your daily life.
Peeking into Research: University of Trieste’s 3-Year Study
Shifting gears a bit, let’s check out a study from the University of Trieste, Italy. This study looks at what happens to your taste and smell three years after having COVID-19. Covering 88 people over three years, it shows that taste recovers faster than smell, and by year three, there’s not much difference between those who had COVID and those who didn’t.
The Journey to Healing: Three Years After COVID
This study suggests that over three years, things get better. If you’re under 50 when you get COVID, you’re less likely to have long-term problems with taste or smell. This is good news for those worried that they might be stuck with these sensory problems forever.
Seeing Inside: CT-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block
Now, back to new treatments. Researchers are looking for a way to use images to guide them in restoring the sense of smell. The CT-guided stellate ganglion block talked about at the Radiological Society of North America’s meeting, is all about helping those with post-COVID parosmia. It’s quick, takes less than 10 minutes, and doesn’t need sedation, offering a potential fix for those still struggling with smell issues.
Success Stories: Almost 100% Better Smell
Dr. Adam C. Zoga’s team found that the CT-guided stellate ganglion block doesn’t just help with parosmia, it also gets rid of phantosmia for some folks. Phantosmia is when you smell things that aren’t really there. Nearly 100% improvement in this condition shows how this procedure could be a game-changer.
Patient-Focused: Low Risks, Big Benefits
Worried about the procedure being safe? Dr. Zoga says it’s all good. The CT-guided stellate ganglion block might sound fancy, but it’s safe when done by trained folks. Sure, you might have a droopy eyelid and some vision loss for about 10 minutes, but these effects clear up fast.
A Brighter Tomorrow for Long-COVID Fighters
In a nutshell, the journey to bring back the sense of smell for long-COVID warriors is filled with new ideas, strength, and hope. The stellate ganglion block stands out as a sign of progress, offering real relief for those dealing with parosmia. As more research happens, and treatments like CT-guided interventions show potential, the future looks hopeful for folks on the path to getting their sense of smell back after the challenges of COVID-19.
You might also like to visit: Rainbow Bridge Tragedy: NY Governor Assures No Terror Threat in Fatal US-Canada Border Blast
