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Recovering from a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
A guide for patients and carers
Smell and taste
When you smell or taste something, nerve cells are stimulated in your mouth and nose; this in turn transmits messages to your brain where specific smells and tastes are recognised. After a subarachnoid haemorrhage these nerve pathways can become altered or damaged which can affect on the intensity of flavours and smells.
People often complain that flavours are too strong or too bland and occasionally people lose their sense of smell. This can be a temporary problem due to swelling, which will correct itself over time. More extensive damage can occur following surgery and this can make the problem more permanent. It can help to keep a note of what tastes and smells you can’t detect and you may find that you enjoy eating some foods that you didn’t like before.
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Contents
- Introduction
- Recovery following a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
- What do the main parts of the brain do?
- Tiredness and restlessness
- Headaches
- Unusual sensations
- Loss of movement and/or feeling
- Senses
- Sight
- Smell and taste
- Speech
- Memory
- Feelings and worries
- Emotions
- For friends and family
- Getting back to normal
- Further reading
