POKLES ČICHOVÝCH A CHUŤOVÝCH FUNKCÍ A KVALITA ŽIVOTA U NORMÁLNĚ STÁRNOUCÍCH OSOB

Olfactory and gustatory functions exhibit over the course of normal aging a marked decline that often goes unnoticed. This decline can be assessed with psychophysical methods of olfactory and gustatory testing. Investigations of the decrease in chemosensory dysfunction during normal aging have significance for prediction of cognitive decline, diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, but also with regard to quality of life. The consequences for the quality of life include mainly occurrence of depression, decline of self-assessed quality of life in general and assessments of general health, mental health, physical and social functioning in particular, but also changes in dietary habits and an increased risk of household accidents, with potential implications for health status. The aim of this review is to introduce methods of assessment of smell and taste functions, the nature of their decline in normally aging persons, associations with cognitive decline and emotional status, consequences for quality of life and ways of coping with olfactory and gustatory changes.