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Conditions and Diseases > Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Forum > Concussion: loss of smell & taste
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Q: Concussion: loss of smell & taste
asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 13th, 2007
what are the effects/consequences of each of the following: smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana? will any/all of these inhibit my recovery of smell? and if so in what specific way and in relation to what specific quantities. In the month since my concussion I have abstained from all of these until now. Thanks for your time, I dont want to be without smell (and in a way taste) forever!


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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD
replied on February 23rd, 2007
Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Answer A2379
Smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for developing the following diseases: mouth cancer, pharyngeal cancer, lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease and atherosclerotic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases (heart attack and brain insult).
Smoking marijuana has the same bad consequences as smoking cigarettes, plus the drug can make a person susceptible for abusing heavier drugs like heroin, cocaine, etc.
Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for developing the following diseases: esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, chronic esophagitis and gastritis, peptic ulcer, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic myocardiopathy, alcoholic neuropathy and alcoholic psychoses.
Loss of smell and taste is probably due to some brain damage during the injury. Chances for recovery depend more upon the severity of brain damage than smoking cigarettes/marijuana and drinking alcohol. Using cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol won’t inhibit the recovery directly.... but may indirectly inhibit recover so these substances are not recommended in the next 6 months (if at all).



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