I am Dr. Atul Kumar Nimawat. Firstly, it’s important to understand that the nerves responsible for taste and smell are different. You mentioned a loss of smell, which can occur due to various causes. These include:
1. Nasal and Sinus Conditions
2. Neurological or Sensorineural Causes
3. Infectious Causes
4. Toxins and Drugs
5. Congenital Causes
Identifying the exact cause requires a detailed history and thorough clinical examination.
If the olfactory receptors (responsible for smell) are affected but not permanently damaged, they may regenerate within 4 to 6 weeks, although this largely depends on the underlying pathology. However, if the olfactory nerve is compromised due to trauma or congenital conditions, recovery is usually not possible.
Next Steps
I recommend consulting your nearest ENT specialist for a detailed history and thorough examination to help determine the underlying cause.