Losing your sense of smell

The human body doesn't work as well as it once did as you start to get older. Among the problems facing senior citizens is full or partial loss of the senses of taste and smell. Among people over the age of 65, about half will suffer some deterioration of these senses. By the age of 80, three-fourths of the population will have lost the ability to detect certain odors. Before you resign yourself to your fate, however, it may be a good idea to check with an ear, nose and throat specialist to see if there's an external cause for your condition. Reactions to certain medications or environmental factors can affect your sense of smell. A thorough examination should reveal whether there's an available solution to your condition.