Innovative Treatment Offers Hope for Restoring Sense of Smell in Long COVID Patients

Innovative Treatment Offers Hope for Restoring Sense of Smell in Long COVID Patients 

A groundbreaking study suggests a new treatment may effectively restore normal taste and smell sensations in long COVID patients who haven't responded to conventional therapies.

Loss or alterations in taste and smell often accompany COVID-19, affecting nearly half of those infected. While these symptoms typically dissipate within weeks, some individuals, especially those with long COVID, endure persistent distortions in smell and taste, significantly impacting their quality of life.

Dr. Adam Zoga, a study author and musculoskeletal radiology professor at Jefferson Health, highlighted the prevalent issue of post-COVID parosmia, emphasizing its impact on patients' food preferences and enjoyment.

The study, presented at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting, targeted a nerve cluster in the neck, the stellate ganglion, through a procedure known as a "stellate ganglion block." This method, often utilized for conditions like PTSD and certain headaches, represents a novel attempt to address long COVID symptoms.

Researchers monitored 54 individuals resistant to standard treatments for parosmia, following up with 37 participants. Remarkably, 22 reported improved symptoms a week after treatment, with substantial additional enhancements reported a month later. Three months post-treatment, a 49% average symptom improvement was observed, with 86% of responders showing further progress after a second injection.

While these results are promising, the study has yet to undergo peer review. Experts view this treatment approach optimistically, acknowledging its potential to alleviate persistent olfactory issues post-COVID.

Dr. Nathan Goodyear, an integrative medicine practitioner, highlights the therapy's rapid response in addressing olfactory dysfunction, a persistent long-term symptom that diminishes quality of life in some COVID survivors.

However, the study underscores limitations, including the procedure's applicability to only 80% of individuals due to variations in ganglion presence. Despite these constraints, Dr. Zoga remains optimistic, emphasizing the injection's effectiveness in contrast to previously ineffective treatments.

Managing long COVID involves various measures, including healthy lifestyle habits, rest, and joining support networks. Additionally, adopting anti-inflammatory diets may potentially mitigate symptoms associated with long COVID, given the role of inflammation in these conditions.