Playing these sports could cost you the ability to taste and smell

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Playing rugby or football may cost you your sense of taste and smell, according to new research.

Repeated bangs on the head can leave you senseless - in more ways than one, warn scientists.

Those who receive multiple injuries - or one severe one - are most at risk, the study found.

Sometimes, they are left with a damaged olfactory nerve, which connects the nose to the brain.

It is responsible for smell - which provides 95 percent of our taste. The effects are potentially life-changing

Corresponding author Dr. Andrea Schneider, of the University of Pennsylvania, said: "There should be consideration of objective psychophysical olfactory assessment in patients with a head injury.

"This is particularly important because poor olfaction has previously been associated with multiple negative health outcomes."

The findings are based on almost 6,000 adults in the US, more than a quarter of whom had a history of head injury.

The latter group was significantly more likely to report loss of smell and to have been diagnosed with anosmia, the clinical term.

Those with two or more prior head injuries and more severe ones were more susceptible.

Dr. Schneider said traumatic brain injury has previously been linked to loss of smell over a short period but the long-term effects were less clear.

She said: "Findings of this cohort study provide evidence supporting the association between head injury and olfactory dysfunction, particularly among individuals who experienced multiple prior head injuries and among individuals with a more severe head injury."

More than 200,000 people in Britain suffer from anosmia. Almost a third are triggered by head injuries.

Our perception of flavor is largely due to the nerves and parts of the brain involved in smell.

Taste buds identify if food or drink is sweet, sour, bitter or salty - but most information comes from the smell.

Dr. Schneider said: "There should be consideration of objective olfactory assessment in patients with head injury.

"This is particularly important because poor olfaction has previously been associated
with negative health outcomes."

Our sense of smell is triggered when microscopic particles released by substances are breathed in.

Cells in the nose then send a signal via the olfactory nerve to receptors in the brain in an area known as the olfactory bulb. These receptors give us our sense of taste.

If the olfactory nerve is damaged by a head injury there is no treatment. Nerves do regrow in about 40 percent of cases, although this can take up to three years.

Dr. Schneider said: "Participants with a history of any head injury and with a greater
number of prior head injuries were more likely to have both subjective and objective olfactory dysfunction."

Losing taste and smell can lead to depression - because all food becomes bland. It is also dangerous. Sufferers can't smell a gas leak or taste if food is off.

Added Dr. Schneider: "In this cohort study, findings provide strong inferential sup-
port for the association between head injury and olfactory dysfunction, particularly in individuals who experienced multiple prior head injuries or individuals with more
severe head injury.

"Findings also suggest important clinical considerations for the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic olfactory loss; that individuals with remote prior head
injury are at risk but are unlikely to be aware of their deficits."

The study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery follows recent research showing blows to the head can cause long-lasting memory problems.

One in seven people who suffer concussions also has developmental issues. They are also prone to developing anxiety and lower satisfaction with life.

It has implications for participants in contact sports and bike riders. Helmets reduce the risk of skull injuries - but cannot prevent them completely.

Mounting evidence of the potential dangers of head contact has led to increased awareness in football, boxing and rugby.

Under 12s have been banned from heading footballs in training in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Restrictions have also been placed on under-18s.