Why Can Your Sense of Smell Come and Go With Nasal Polyps?
One day, you can smell your morning coffee without a problem. A few days later, the same coffee barely has an aroma. Then your sense of smell seems to return, only to fade again.
This back-and-forth can be confusing. If nasal polyps are involved, however, fluctuating smell may make sense. Polyps are associated with inflammation in the nose and sinuses, and the degree of swelling and blockage can change over time. Inflammation may also affect the tissues responsible for detecting odors, even when nasal breathing does not noticeably change.
At Scottsdale Sinus & Allergy Center, an ENT evaluation can help determine whether nasal polyps are contributing to changes in smell or whether another nasal or sinus condition may be responsible.
Why Does Smell Sometimes Return?
Nasal polyps do not necessarily affect nasal airflow to the same degree every day. Inflammation around the polyps can increase or decrease, changing how much space is available for air to move through the nose.
When swelling is lower, air may reach the upper part of the nasal cavity more easily. Odor molecules can then reach the smell receptors, and you may notice that scents seem stronger again.
When inflammation increases, swelling may restrict airflow toward the smell receptors, making odors harder to detect. Inflammation may also affect the olfactory epithelium, the specialized tissue responsible for detecting scents.
Because both airflow and inflammation can change over time, your sense of smell may fluctuate even when nasal congestion does not noticeably worsen.
This can create the frustrating experience of being able to smell normally one day and barely smell anything the next.
What Can Make Nasal Symptoms Flare?
Several factors can influence nasal inflammation. Allergens, respiratory infections, changes in the underlying sinus condition, and other sources of irritation may cause symptoms to become more noticeable.
For someone with nasal polyps, a flare may bring back congestion, pressure, drainage, or difficulty breathing through the nose. A weaker sense of smell may appear at the same time.
The pattern is not necessarily predictable. You might notice your smell improves when your congestion settles and declines again when your nasal symptoms return.
That does not mean the polyps have disappeared and reappeared overnight. The surrounding inflammation and swelling may simply be changing.
Why Does Food Taste Different When Your Smell Changes?
A fluctuating sense of smell can make eating surprisingly inconsistent.
Your tongue detects basic tastes, but your sense of smell contributes significantly to the flavor you experience. When fewer aromas reach the smell receptors, foods can seem bland or less distinctive.
You might notice that:
- Your favorite foods suddenly seem less flavorful.
- Coffee, wine, spices, or other strong aromas are harder to detect.
- You have trouble identifying familiar smells.
- Food seems more flavorful again when your sense of smell improves.
- Your perception of taste seems to change even though your tongue feels normal.
If these changes repeatedly occur alongside nasal congestion or other sinus symptoms, it may be worth having the cause evaluated.
Does Fluctuating Smell Mean Your Polyps Are Getting Worse?
Not necessarily.
A temporary improvement does not mean the underlying condition has resolved, just as a temporary decline does not automatically mean that the polyps have suddenly grown.
Symptoms can change as inflammation, nasal airflow, and the function of smell-sensing tissue change.
What matters is the overall pattern.
If your sense of smell repeatedly disappears and returns, particularly when accompanied by congestion, drainage, facial pressure, or difficulty breathing through your nose, an ENT can assess what may be driving those changes.
Persistent or recurring symptoms deserve attention even if they are not present every day.
What Other Symptoms Can Occur With Nasal Polyps?
Smell changes are often noticed because they affect something people use every day, but nasal polyps can be associated with other symptoms as well.
Depending on the size and location of the polyps and the degree of surrounding inflammation, you may experience symptoms that warrant ENT care, including:
- Nasal congestion or obstruction
- Difficulty breathing through your nose
- Postnasal drainage
- A runny nose
- Facial pressure or discomfort
- Reduced perception of flavor
- Headaches
- Snoring or disrupted sleep associated with nasal obstruction
The symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people have relatively small polyps with few noticeable effects, while others develop more significant nasal and sinus problems.
Not every symptom on this list is necessarily caused by nasal polyps. Other nasal, sinus, and medical conditions can produce similar symptoms.
Can Treating Nasal Polyps Improve Your Sense of Smell?
It may.
When reduced smell is related to inflammation or obstruction associated with nasal polyps, treatment directed at the underlying nasal and sinus condition may improve the ability to smell.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the symptoms. Medications, such as intranasal corticosteroids, may be used to reduce inflammation. Other treatment options may be considered when symptoms continue despite appropriate medical management.
An ENT can determine whether polyps are contributing to the problem and discuss which options may be appropriate based on your symptoms, examination findings, and medical history.
Even after treatment begins, smell may not return immediately. Inflamed nasal tissue can take time to improve, and the degree of smell recovery varies between individuals.
Some patients may experience partial improvement, while others may continue to have reduced smell despite treatment. Nasal polyps and associated inflammation can also recur, making ongoing management important for some patients.
When Should You Have Changes in Smell Evaluated?
You do not need to wait until you completely lose your sense of smell before seeking care.
Consider an ENT evaluation if your smell repeatedly comes and goes or if changes in smell occur with persistent nasal symptoms.
It is especially worth discussing when you experience difficulty breathing through your nose, recurring sinus symptoms, ongoing drainage, or congestion that does not seem to fully resolve.
Sudden or unexplained loss of smell should also be medically evaluated, especially when it occurs without nasal congestion or an obvious respiratory illness.
If smell loss occurs alongside sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, a severe headache, or other new neurological symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.
An evaluation can also help identify other possible causes of smell loss. Nasal polyps are not the only condition that can affect your ability to detect odors. Viral infections, certain medications, head injuries, and other medical conditions may also contribute.
Identifying the underlying cause is important when determining which treatment or management approach may be appropriate.
When Your Sense of Smell Keeps Changing, You Deserve an Answer
Having your sense of smell disappear and return can leave you wondering whether something is wrong or whether you should simply wait for it to come back again.
Nasal polyps may contribute to fluctuating smell because inflammation, nasal airflow, and the function of smell-sensing tissue can change over time. However, recurring smell changes can also have other causes.
An ENT evaluation can help identify possible contributing factors and determine whether additional testing or treatment may be appropriate.
Book an appointment with Scottsdale Sinus & Allergy Center to explore what may be affecting your sense of smell and discuss treatment and management options based on your individual needs.
Prepare for Allergies in Spring 2022
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The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Results may vary: Treatment outcomes and health experiences may differ based on individual medical history, condition severity, and response to care.
Emergency Notice: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.