9. Changes in Taste and Smell: The Sensory Shift After Mild Head Injury
In some cases, a concussion can impact the senses, particularly taste and smell. These changes might be subtle, such as a slightly altered taste, or more pronounced, like a complete loss of smell. While these symptoms might not be as immediately noticeable as others, they can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life and are important to acknowledge and address.
Changes in taste after a concussion can range from a diminished sense of taste to a complete loss of it, a condition known as ageusia. Food might taste bland, or familiar foods might start to taste different.
Alternatively, some individuals might experience a metallic or foul taste in their mouth. This distorted sense of taste can lead to a lack of appetite and subsequent weight loss.
Similarly, changes in smell can occur after a concussion. These changes can present as a reduced sense of smell, known as hyposmia, or a complete loss of smell, termed anosmia. Some individuals might also experience changes where certain smells are perceived as different or unpleasant, a condition known as parosmia.
The impact of these changes can be substantial, affecting not only the enjoyment of food but also potentially posing safety risks, such as not being able to smell smoke or spoiled food. If you notice these changes following a concussion, it’s essential to bring them to your healthcare provider’s attention. Various therapeutic strategies can help cope with these sensory changes, and in many cases, these symptoms improve with time as the brain heals. (9)
