What Is the Smell & Taste Loss, Facial Pain Clinic?
The Smell & Taste Loss, Facial Pain Clinic is a specialised diagnostic and therapeutic service designed to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients experiencing olfactory dysfunction (smell loss), gustatory dysfunction (taste loss), post-nasal drip, runny nose, and complex facial pain conditions. Using advanced diagnostic tools including nasal endoscopy, high-resolution CT imaging, diagnostic olfactometry, and specialist assessment protocols, Mr Acharya identifies the underlying causes of sensory and pain disorders whether post-viral, post-traumatic, age-related, medication-induced, or structurally related and develops personalised treatment plans combining medical management, innovative procedural interventions such as Clarifix cryotherapy, olfactory retraining, and surgical solutions when appropriate. This comprehensive approach addresses not only the symptoms but the root causes, helping patients regain their senses and restore comfort, nutritional intake, safety awareness, and emotional wellbeing.
Conditions & Symptoms Treated at the Smell & Taste Loss, Facial Pain Clinic
Mr Vikas Acharya uses advanced diagnostic techniques and specialist management protocols to treat a comprehensive range of olfactory, gustatory, rhinological, and facial pain conditions, including:
Post-Viral Smell Loss (Anosmia) Comprehensive evaluation and treatment of loss of sense of smell following viral upper respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza, and common cold viruses, using diagnostic olfactometry, advanced imaging, and evidence-based rehabilitation protocols including olfactory retraining therapy.
Post-Traumatic Smell and Taste Loss Specialist assessment and management of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction following head trauma, nasal injury, or post-surgical complications, with targeted treatment to promote sensory recovery.
Age-Related Olfactory Decline Evaluation of age-related smell loss and implementation of interventions to maintain and enhance olfactory function and nutritional intake in older adults.
Medication-Induced Taste and Smell Dysfunction Identification of pharmaceutical causes of taste and smell disturbance, with specialist consultation regarding medication alternatives and symptom management strategies.
Taste Dysfunction and Hypogeusia Comprehensive assessment of reduced or abnormal taste sensation, including evaluation of underlying gustatory nerve function and identification of reversible causes such as nutritional deficiency or medication effects.
Conductive and Sensorineural Olfactory Loss Specialist differentiation and targeted treatment of smell loss caused by nasal obstruction (conductive) versus nerve damage or central causes (sensorineural).
Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Smell Loss Advanced management of persistent sinus inflammation resulting in olfactory dysfunction, using both medical optimisation and surgical intervention to restore both sinus health and sense of smell.
Nasal Obstruction and Smell Impairment Comprehensive evaluation of breathing difficulties and nasal congestion affecting smell perception, with surgical correction including septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or endoscopic sinus surgery when indicated.
Runny Nose and Post-Nasal Drip Specialist assessment and targeted treatment of excessive nasal secretions and post-nasal drainage, including innovative Clarifix cryotherapy to provide long-lasting relief without medications.
Clarifix Cryotherapy for Rhinitis Advanced minimally invasive cryotherapy procedure targeting posterior nasal nerves to reduce excessive nasal secretions and post-nasal drip associated with allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, and vasomotor rhinitis, providing durable symptom relief.
Midfacial and Orofacial Pain Comprehensive evaluation of facial pain including midface pain, trigeminal neuralgia referral patterns, post-traumatic facial pain, and post-operative pain syndromes using specialist examination and advanced imaging.
Headaches and Facial Pressure Assessment of headaches and facial pressure complaints to differentiate sinus-related causes from primary headache disorders, cervicogenic pain, or temporomandibular disorders, with appropriate management recommendations.
Neuropathic Facial Pain Evaluation and management of nerve-related facial pain conditions, including post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuropathy, and post-surgical pain syndromes, with specialist referral and collaborative management when appropriate.
Atypical Facial Pain Comprehensive assessment of unexplained facial pain and discomfort affecting quality of life, with systematic evaluation to identify underlying causes and implement targeted treatment strategies.
Pain Associated with Sinonasal Disease Management of facial pain, pressure, and discomfort caused by sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and polyp-related disease, with treatment addressing both structural pathology and pain symptoms.
Hyposmia and Qualitative Smell Disorders Specialist treatment of reduced smell sensation and distorted smell perception (parosmia, phantosmia), including diagnostic olfactometry, imaging, and evidence-based rehabilitation programmes.
Diagnostic & Treatment Approaches
Advanced Diagnostic Tools & Assessments
- Flexible Nasal Endoscopy
- High-Resolution CT and MRI Imaging
- Diagnostic Olfactometry (Smell Testing)
- Taste Threshold Assessment
- Allergy Testing and Immunological Evaluation
- Specialist Neurological Examination
- Medication Review and Optimisation
- Nutritional Status Assessment
- Imaging-Guided Diagnosis
Treatment & Management Options
- Olfactory Retraining Therapy
- Gustatory Rehabilitation Programmes
- Nasal Saline Irrigation and Topical Therapies
- Intranasal Corticosteroids and Antihistamines
- Systemic Medication Optimisation
- Nutritional Supplementation and Counselling
- Clarifix Cryotherapy for Rhinitis and Post-Nasal Drip
- Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
- Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction
- Surgical Management of Nasal Obstruction
- Multidisciplinary Collaborative Care for Complex Pain
- Specialist Pain Referral and Liaison
- Post-Operative Recovery and Rehabilitation Protocols
Why Choose Mr Vikas Acharya for Smell & Taste Loss, Facial Pain Clinic ?
Consultant ENT Surgeon with Advanced Training: Consultant-level expertise in otology and general ENT with advanced post-CCT fellowship training in rhinology and facial plastic surgery, providing comprehensive aural assessment and specialist care.
Specialist Rhinologist with Sub-Specialised Interest: Consultant-level expertise specifically focused on olfactory dysfunction, gustatory loss, and facial pain with advanced post-CCT fellowship training in rhinology and facial plastic surgery at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals.
Advanced Diagnostic Expertise: Access to state-of-the-art diagnostic olfactometry, high-resolution imaging, flexible endoscopy, and specialist assessment protocols enabling precise identification of underlying causes of smell, taste, and pain disorders.
Comprehensive Cause Identification: Systematic evaluation to differentiate post-viral, post-traumatic, age-related, medication-induced, and structural causes of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction, enabling targeted, evidence-based treatment.
Innovative Treatment Options: Access to advanced therapies including Clarifix cryotherapy, olfactory retraining programmes, and minimally invasive procedures alongside traditional surgical approaches, ensuring personalised treatment selection.
Evidence-Based Olfactory Rehabilitation: Implementation of proven olfactory retraining therapy protocols and gustatory rehabilitation programmes to promote sensory recovery and neuroplasticity.
Facial Pain Specialist Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of complex facial pain, headaches, and pressure complaints with capability to identify underlying sinus, structural, neurological, or systemic causes and implement appropriate management.
Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Active involvement in complex multi-disciplinary teams at UCLH including facial function clinic and joint medical-surgical rhinology team, enabling access to specialist input for complicated cases.
Patient-Centred Approach: Compassionate, thorough assessment tailored to individual circumstances, concerns, and treatment preferences with transparent communication in plain language.
Bushey, Hertfordshire Excellence: Convenient access to world-class specialist care with modern hospital facilities and research-informed clinical practice.
Holistic Management Philosophy: Balanced approach combining diagnostic clarification, medical optimisation, innovative procedures, surgical intervention when appropriate, and long-term rehabilitation to achieve optimal outcomes.
Educational Commitment: Masters in Medical Education with dedication to evidence-based practice, continuous professional development, and implementation of latest research advances in olfactory and gustatory science.
Continuous Support and Follow-up: Dedicated team providing comprehensive care from initial specialist evaluation through diagnosis, treatment implementation, and long-term monitoring to ensure sustained improvement and quality of life restoration.
Book Your Appointment with Mr Vikas Acharya
Smell and taste are essential to quality of life, enjoyment of food, safety awareness, and emotional wellbeing. Facial pain can significantly impact daily functioning and mental health. If you’re experiencing smell loss, taste dysfunction, persistent runny nose, post-nasal drip, or facial pain that’s affecting your quality of life, specialist evaluation is the first step toward understanding and managing your condition.
Mr Acharya has the privilege and pleasure to consult people privately as either a self paying or insurance based patient. Please note that there may be additional costs and fees charged by the clinic/hospital he consults in for any test, investigation or treatment during your appointment, which is unrelated to his practice or fees and may not be included in your cover.
Contact Mr Vikas Acharya’s Bushey, Hertfordshire practice to schedule your specialist clinic appointment. Discover how advanced diagnostic assessment and personalised treatment planning can help restore your senses, provide lasting relief from post-nasal drip and rhinitis symptoms through innovative Clarifix cryotherapy, address your facial pain concerns, and restore your quality of life with confidence and peace of mind.
Don’t let smell loss, taste dysfunction, or facial pain limit your enjoyment of life. Seek specialist care today and take the first step toward sensory restoration and lasting relief.
Your family’s journey to better ear, nose, and throat health starts here.
Treatment Details
Ideal for individuals experiencing smell loss, taste dysfunction, runny nose, post-nasal drip, and facial pain requiring specialist evaluation and targeted management.
Expert specialist care for smell loss, taste loss, and facial pain by Mr Vikas Acharya, an advanced fellowship-trained Consultant Rhinologist and ENT Surgeon in Bushey, Hertfordshire, specialising in comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and innovative treatment of olfactory dysfunction, gustatory loss, post-nasal drip, runny nose management including Clarifix cryotherapy, and complex facial pain disorders to restore sensory wellbeing, improve quality of life, and provide lasting relief.
Duration
30 minutes
Schedule
Monday–Saturday, 9 AM – 6 PM
Investment
Variable (tailored to your condition)
Better Hearing, Breathing & Living Start Here
Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your concerns with no obligation. Your journey to self-understanding starts here.
