Navigating Loss of Smell in Naperville, IL
How Loss of Smell Signals Parkinson's Disease
"I think your dad is showing signs of Parkinson's disease" is a sentence no child wants to hear. But when Kate's mom told her that Dad was having trouble sleeping, tremors and difficulty moving, she knew it was time to investigate. Kate had been her 78-year-old dad's caregiver for a few years but hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary until now. Mom had decided to make a family favorite for dinner—her famous chicken noodle soup. Although Dad enjoyed his meal, he commented that it just didn't smell as good as it used to. He also mentioned that his favorite restaurants must have lost their ability to cook because their food doesn't smell like normal.
Is Anosmia a Common Symptom?
Kate is worried about her dad, so she looks into loss of smell and if it's connected to Parkinson's. As she suspected, anosmia is a sign of Parkinson's disease. It's also associated with certain medications, nasal polyps and nerve damage, but Kate is sure that Dad's loss of smell is due to Parkinson's. She learns that while anosmia is an under-recognized symptom, it's a common early sign of the degenerative condition.
Loss of Smell Is More Than Just an Inconvenience
Compared to the other symptoms of Parkinson's (tremors, trouble sleeping and dizziness), Kate assumes that loss of smell won't bother Dad too much. But she quickly finds that an inability to smell food or experience the fresh scent of a flower bouquet is more than just an inconvenience. It's taken a toll on Dad's mood, as he feels he can no longer enjoy his favorite meals as he once could. Kate is also concerned that his lack of smell can be dangerous—he may not be able to smell smoke if there's ever a fire in the kitchen. To help Dad cope, Kate makes sure to lend a listening ear whenever he feels especially sad about his anosmia.
Ideas for Managing Loss of Smell & Parkinson's
Much to Kate's dismay, Dad's doctor says there isn't much he can do to recover Dad's sense of smell. It seems that Parkinson's medications don't help with loss of smell and instead focus on the most overtly uncomfortable symptoms. However, the doctor does give some hints about how to properly manage the condition. Kate plans to implement the following recommendations:
- Minimizing Spices: Over-seasoning food isn't a good way to improve the smell for someone with Parkinson's. No matter how many spices are sprinkled into the patient's meals, it isn't likely they'll be able to smell or taste normally.
- Careful Cooking: Kate is being much more vigilant whenever Dad cooks. She encourages him to check food regularly and make sure it isn't burning. He tries to remember to set alarms every few minutes so he doesn't forget to check.
- Fire Safety: Kate's parents' house has some new fire safety measures! They've replaced outdated smoke detectors and ensured all their current units are in proper working condition.
Helping Naperville Families Navigate Parkinson's
Dealing with Parkinson's and loss of smell hasn't been easy for Kate's dad, but with the help of his family, he's managing well. When Dad needs extra assistance, Kate and her mom call their local BrightStar Care branch for support. The Naperville, IL team is skilled in a variety of services, from personal care to skilled nursing. Dad loves building relationships with his new caregivers and gets excited to tell them stories of his years in the military. Whenever local families need assistance, BrightStar Care is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
- Parkinson's- Loss of Smell US
- Parkinson's UK
- WebMD