A breakthrough study by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has shown that nasal surgery can restore a patient’s sense of smell in those suffering from long Covid. The procedure, called functional septorhinoplasty, involves correcting blocked nasal passages to reactivate the sense of smell and improve its function.
Researchers believe around 50,000 to 100,000 people in Britain are affected by persistent smell loss due to Covid-19. A 27-year-old patient in the UCLH study experienced a significant improvement in their sense of smell after undergoing the surgery.
The study’s co-leader, Professor Peter Andrews, stated that increasing nasal airflow can lead to reactivation of the sense of smell and subsequent improvements. The findings suggest hope for those struggling with persistent smell loss, offering a potential treatment option.
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Source: https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/hope-long-covid-sufferers-regain-sense-smell