Have you ever had this happen to you? The smell of your morning coffee suddenly smells like garbage, or it smells like cigarette smoke in an empty place. This sudden change or distortion in your sense of smell is a very disturbing experience. Today we are talking about this condition, which is known in medical science as `Dysosmia`.
Simply put, what is Dysosmia?
Dysosmia is a change or distortion in your sense of smell. It can come in two main forms. See the table below to understand these two types.
| Type | What happens with this? |
|---|---|
| Parosmia | A familiar smell is perceived as altered and distorted. Often, a good smell can be perceived as an unpleasant, bad smell. Imagine if your favorite coffee suddenly smells like gasoline. |
| Phantosmia | You can smell a smell that is not actually there. This is also called an "olfactory hallucination." For example, you can smell something rotten, cigarette smoke, or a chemical like ammonia when it is not there. |
Are there any other problems with your sense of smell?
Yes, in addition to `Dysosmia`, there are several other problems related to the sense of smell.
- Anosmia: Complete loss of the sense of smell.
- Hyposmia: Decreased ability to smell.
The most important thing is that there is a very close connection between our sense of smell and our sense of taste. Therefore, when there is a problem with the sense of smell, there is a high chance that the sense of taste will also change. Problems related to the sense of taste are `Ageusia` (loss of the sense of taste), `Dysgeusia` (distortion of taste) and `Hypogeusia` (reduced sense of taste).
Is there a connection between COVID-19 and this situation?
Yes, absolutely. Many people have developed this condition after contracting the COVID-19 virus. You may have experienced it too. Some people who have contracted COVID-19 have reported that they smell familiar foods, drinks, and perfumes, but they also smell things like rotten eggs, rotten meat, and burnt toast. While this can be very uncomfortable, it is usually temporary.
How long does this Dysosmia condition last?
This varies from person to person. Some people get better in a week or two, while others may take several months. Most of the time, this is not a permanent condition. However, in rare, severe cases, it can be permanent. How long it lasts depends entirely on the underlying cause. For example, some people who get this condition due to COVID-19 get better in about three weeks, while others may take months.
What are the common causes of dysosmia?
There is not just one reason why your sense of smell is distorted, but a number of factors can contribute to it. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Cause | A short description |
|---|---|
| Viral infections | Viruses like herpes, and especially COVID-19 . |
| Sinus infection (Sinusitis) | Bacterial or viral infections of the nasal cavity. |
| Nasal Polyps | Noncancerous growths that form inside the nose. |
| Head injuries | Head injuries, brain damage, or brain tumors. |
| Diseases of the nervous system | Diseases that affect the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease. |
| Smoking | Smoking damages the olfactory cells. |
| Some medications | Some medications for cholesterol and high blood pressure (e.g. Lipitor®, Norvasc®). |
| Cancer treatment | Radiation therapy and chemotherapy. |
What are the treatments for this?
Most of the time, dysosmia resolves on its own without any treatment. However, in cases where it does not, treatment depends on the underlying cause.
- If the cause is a sinus infection , your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
- If the cause is nasal polyps , they will need to be removed surgically.
Additionally, some experts recommend "Smell Retraining Therapy" (SRT). This involves inhaling four strong scents, such as lemon, clove, rose, and eucalyptus, for about a minute several times a day for several months. It is believed that this retrains the brain to recognize smells correctly. You can learn more about this by asking your doctor.
When should we see a doctor?
This is the most important thing. If this change in sense of smell lasts for more than a week or two , you should definitely see a doctor. Because, as we discussed above, this can be a symptom of another serious illness. Therefore, it is wise to see a doctor and find the exact cause and treat it.
Take-Home Message
- Dysosmia is a change in your sense of smell. You may smell familiar things strangely (Parosmia) or smell something that isn't there (Phantosmia).
- This can be caused by a number of factors, including COVID-19, sinus infections, head injuries, smoking, and some medications.
- This condition often resolves on its own, but if it persists for more than a week or two, it is important to see your doctor to determine the exact cause.
- Treatments such as `Smell Retraining Therapy` may provide relief. Talk to your doctor about this.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න