Are you still enjoying your favorite meals?

If not, you are not alone. As many as 14 million Americans over age 55 have trouble smelling and over 200,000 people visit doctors each year for smell and taste problems.

Changes in the ability to smell and taste can be caused by a simple cold or upper respiratory infection, but they may also be among the first signs of neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, as well as a result of head trauma.

Smell and taste disorders affect a person's ability to enjoy food and drink and may result in decreased appetite, weight loss, and too much added sugar and salt in the diet. In severe cases they may lead to depression. Smell and taste problems can also interfere with personal safety, limiting the ability to notice smoke and potentially harmful chemicals and gases.

Navigating Smell and Taste Disorders by Ronald DeVere, MD, and Marjorie Calvert is the inaugural book in the AAN's new Neurology Now Books™ series. Inspired by Neurology Now®, the AAN's leading neurologic patient information magazine, Neurology Now Books combine the expertise of a neurologist with other related experts, and patients and caregivers. In addition, the book includes 36 patient-tested recipes and additional tips that will help you reconnect with the pleasure of food.

"Navigating Smell and Taste Disorders is written especially for patients and their families," said DeVere. "It is very user friendly in discussing basic anatomy, causes of taste and smell dysfunction, prognosis, and treatment. The sections on suggested changes in food preparation and recipe examples are a plus in improving the quality of life for many of these patients."

Available from all major booksellers. Buy your copy now!