Traumatic brain injuries are a common cause of death and permanent disability worldwide. Many survivors of traumatic brain injuries face serious complications that last the rest of their lives. In one study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, medical researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine considered brain injuries and their impact on the body’s sense of smell. The study found evidence that traumatic brain injuries can decrease the sense of smell in people who incur two or more substantial head traumas.
Medical researchers examined data on almost 6,000 adults receiving multiple head traumas between 2011 to 2013. The assessment focused on whether the participants experienced a substantially decreased sense of smell. In total, participants who incurred head injuries were more likely to report reductions in their ability to smell. Those people who incurred multiple moderate or severe head injuries were more likely to lose their sense of smell altogether. Approximately a third of patients studied had a history of head injuries or traumatic brain injuries. 24% of patients with head injuries reported a loss of smell, but only 20% of patients who did not incur head injuries reported the same.
Discoveries of this kind support the link between head injuries and difficulty with smell, particularly among people who encountered multiple previous head injuries. Based on new data, individuals with a history of head injuries, particularly two or more moderate or substantial injuries, were at greater odds of encountering smell loss.
Researchers also found that people who incurred traumatic brain injuries were much more likely to report their own smell dysfunction or challenges with their sense of smell. People with substantial injuries were also more apt to report anosmia, or the full loss of smell.
Obtain the Assistance of an Experienced Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has incurred a traumatic brain injury in an accident, it can be difficult to decide how to best proceed. One of the best steps that you can take in such a situation is to contact an experienced accident attorney. Contact House Law Office today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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