嗅觉丧失会影响生活的很多方面。没有良好的嗅觉，食物可能变得索然无味。可能会难以区分食物。
丧失部分嗅觉称之为嗅觉减退。丧失全部嗅觉称之为嗅觉缺失症。丧失嗅觉可能是短期或长期的，取决于具体病因。
即使是失去部分嗅觉也会导致对饮食失去兴趣。不进食就会导致减重、营养不良甚或是抑郁。
嗅觉可以警告人们存在的危险（例如烟雾或变质的食物）。
感冒引起的鼻塞是短暂丧失部分嗅觉的常见原因。鼻息肉或鼻内肿胀可导致嗅觉丧失。衰老也可能导致嗅觉丧失，尤其是在 60 岁以后。
由感冒、过敏或鼻窦感染引起的嗅觉丧失一般会在几天或几周后自行消退。如果未消退，请与医生约诊，以排除较为严重的医疗状况。
嗅觉丧失有时可以治疗，具体取决于病因。例如，抗生素可以治疗细菌感染。此外，或许也可能清除造成鼻内堵塞的物质。但有时候，嗅觉丧失可能伴随一生。
显示参考文献
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Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/zh-hans/symptoms/loss-of-smell/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050804