I lost my sense of taste and smell due to Covid three years ago – can I do anything to help regain them? I am a 71-year-old type one diabetic woman.
W. Bruno, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Dr Martin Scurr replies: Losing or partially losing the sense of taste and smell (known as anosmia) is a common legacy of Covid.
It occurs because all human cells have a protein on the surface, called the ACE2 receptor, used by the Covid-19 virus to gain entry – in the case of the SARS-CoV-2, those in the nasal airway, mouth, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract and the endothelium (cells that line all blood vessels). These receptors are also found in cells that control taste and smell.
How well your body recovers from Covid depends on a number of factors, mainly the quality of your own immune responses. This can be influenced by your genes, and whether or not you have any other adverse factors including insulin resistance (as seen in diabetes).
Covid-19 antigen tests. How well your body recovers from Covid depends on a number of factors, mainly the quality of your own immune responses, writes Dr Martin Scurr
The vast majority of people who lose their sense of smell and taste recover it almost completely within three months; it will persist for up to 12 months for fewer than 5 per cent of people. When it lasts for much longer, as in your case, your symptoms are classed as long-Covid.
I wonder if antihistamines may help in your case.
Histamines are chemicals produced by mast cells as part of the body’s immune response. It’s thought that mast cells may play a role in long-Covid – and that antihistamines (such as fexofenadine and famotidine, both available over the counter) may reduce inflammation that’s causing loss of taste and smell by blocking the histamine receptors.
Studies have shown that when people with long-Covid and anosmia were treated with both drugs over two to four months, they experienced a 72 per cent improvement in their symptoms. I’d ask your GP if a trial of these two antihistamines might help, as three years is a very long time to still be suffering.
My husband is nearly 80, has always been fit and healthy but suffers badly from diverticulitis. He loses a lot of blood from his back passage when he has an attack – on one occasion needing a transfusion. Is this level of blood loss common?
Jacqui Chambers, Raydon, Ipswich.
Dr Martin Scurr replies: Diverticulitis is where small pouches, or diverticulae, that form in the colon become infected or inflamed. The pouches are often blamed on a low-fibre diet, but ageing is another factor.
Mostly, diverticulae don’t cause problems, though it’s not uncommon to have recurrent infections as little bits of food become trapped in the pouches.
This can lead to severe and long-lasting pain in the lower left abdomen, accompanied by high fever, nausea and changes in bowel habit. Sometimes diverticulae can become ulcerated, which can lead to bleeding. But it’s rare for someone to experience this type of complication so frequently – your letter says it has happened to your husband six times.
Repeated bleeding will lead to anaemia, making your husband tired, but, in itself, diverticulitis is not a sinister diagnosis.
All the patients I’ve seen with this level of recurrent rectal bleeding from diverticular disease have been advised to have surgery to remove the affected section of the colon to avoid chronic anaemia and reduce the risk of infection and sepsis.
I’d suggest your husband asks about being referred to a colorectal surgeon.
IN MY VIEW: Sugar should only be a rare treat
The best New Year resolution anybody could make is to cut out sugar.
I know, only last week I was saying a little bit of what you fancy does you good (this followed research that found sweet treats in the company of friends and family and a happy atmosphere reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease).
But my point is that sugar should be like champagne – enjoyed in small amounts on special occasions as a genuine treat.
The fact is, sugar has no more nutrient value then alcohol – and it’s being harnessed by the food industry for profit, driving a crisis of obesity and ill health.
The cavalry is coming, in the form of GLP 1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Virtually everyone I know who’s on these drugs has told me they now have no interest in alcohol (aka liquid sugar) and have lost their cravings for sugary foods, too.
I’m not, of course, advocating for Ozempic for all – but I am urging you all to try to give up sugar, or at least cut your intake. Starting tomorrow. Happy New Year!
