Ohio woman’s sense of taste and smell return 2 years later thanks to new Cleveland Clinic treatment

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Image this – your sense of scent is gone and all your favourite meals check like rubbish. As terrible because it sounds it’s the grim actuality for thousands and thousands of individuals with lengthy hauler COVID-19 signs.

54-year-old Jennifer Henderson used to like going out to dinner along with her husband. She cherished cooking and attempting new recipes, however her love for meals went out the window two years in the past after she contracted COVID-19.

“We simply wanna see if there’s any change in any respect and this could be actually early so we’ll simply you already know, scent it first,” a Cleveland Clinic medical supplier informed Henderson following her therapy. “See in the event you might scent it.”

“I can scent it!” Henderson cried.

Earlier than receiving this therapy on the Cleveland Clinic, Henderson mentioned bananas tasted like steel and garlic tasted like gasoline.

“It’s higher,” Henderson exclaimed instantly after her first therapy. “It’s higher! I don’t style like chemical substances anymore. Thanks!”

Determined for reduction Henderson began scouring the web. She heard a couple of widespread ache administration therapy that was getting used to assist covid lengthy haulers restore their sense of style and scent. Then she discovered Cleveland Clinic anesthesiologist and ache medication specialist Dr. Jijun Xu.

“We have been form of capable of do a easy intervention we use generally for persistent ache administration specifically stellate ganglion block to assist enhance or get the affected person style and scent again,” mentioned Dr. Xu.

Dr. Xu has handled 2,000 sufferers with this therapy up to now. He mentioned the process is simple and really low threat. Some sufferers like Henderson, see outcomes instantly however for others, it could actually take a number of days and even weeks.

“I might say I’ve possibly round 50% of my sufferers have fast and speedy response to this block and was capable of not less than restore a few of their scent or style perform,” mentioned Dr. Xu.

Henderson has had two extra SGB injections since. She mentioned her senses are virtually solely again to regular.

“We nonetheless don’t know the way it works however it is a hope for some sufferers with long-term COVID signs and we’re right here attempting to assist those that have to get their style or scent again, and we’re nonetheless working to see the way it works and attempt to optimize the approach and strategy to be able to serve extra sufferers,” mentioned Dr. Xu.

In case you are affected by a lack of scent or a distorted sense of style because of COVID-19, you possibly can contact Cleveland Clinic’s Recuperate Clinic for extra data on this therapy at 216-444-6503.

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