Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the smell of your favorite food or your favorite flower suddenly changed, perhaps to a very unpleasant, bad smell? Some people have such strange experiences. Today we are going to talk about a condition called parosmia, which affects our sense of smell. This may seem a bit complicated, but let's keep it simple.
What is Parosmia?
Simply put, parosmia is a distortion of your sense of smell. It's not that you can't smell the smells around you at all, but the smells you do smell are "perverted." For example, the sweet smell of a freshly baked cake can be very unpleasant, like a rotten smell, to someone with parosmia.
Some people may confuse this condition with anosmia. However, anosmia is the complete loss of the sense of smell. We have seen both parosmia and anosmia as common symptoms of COVID-19, as well as dysgeusia and ageusia.
How common is this condition?
Parosmia is not as uncommon as you might think. The number of reports of this condition has increased significantly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2007 study found that about 3.9% of adults will experience parosmia at some point in their lives. However, another 2021 study found that between 40% and 75% of people with COVID-19 develop parosmia.
Furthermore, parosmia usually begins to appear in people with COVID-19 about three months after infection. Therefore, parosmia is also considered a common symptom of "Long COVID" .
What are the symptoms of parosmia?
Symptoms of parosmia can vary from person to person. For some people, it may be very mild and only last a short time. For others, it may be severe and last a long time. Often, these symptoms begin to appear after recovering from an infection.
A person with parosmia may experience the following:
- Some smells in the environment are difficult to identify.
- A bad, unpleasant smell, especially when you're near food. Imagine, instead of the smell of chicken curry you used to love, you now smell like burnt rubber!
- Scents that were once considered very pleasant (e.g. soap, shampoo, floral scents) now feel like harsh, unpleasant smells that are unbearable.
Imagine, the jasmine-scented body lotion that you used to love before, but after you got better with a fever, it started to smell like stale oil. You also got tired of eating, because almost every dish had an unpleasant smell. This is the nature of parosmia.
Why do we develop parosmia? What are the causes?
There are various causes of parosmia. Let's take a look at what they are:
- (COVID-19): This has been the leading cause of parosmia recently.
- Acute Sinusitis: Infections of the nose and sinuses.
- Head Trauma: Something like a blow to the head.
- Nasal Polyps: Small fleshy growths that form inside the nose.
- Common Cold.
- Influenza (fever) `(Influenza/Flu)`.
- Certain medications: Some medications you take can also be a cause of this.
- Chronic Dry Mouth/Xerostomia.
- Smoking.
- Chemical Exposure: People who work in some factories may be at risk.
- Cancer Treatments: Things like chemotherapy.
- Temporal Lobe Seizures.
- Brain tumors (this is a little rare) `(Brain Tumors)`.
Is parosmia contagious?
No, parosmia itself is not contagious. However, some infections that cause parosmia (e.g., COVID-19, colds, flu) can be contagious. Therefore, to reduce your risk, it is important to stay away from people who are sick and practice good hygiene (such as washing your hands).
How to diagnose parosmia? (What is the test?)
If you have this kind of smell change, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. Usually, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (Otolaryngologist/ENT) treats these conditions.
The doctor will ask you about your health history. This includes recent infections, medications you are currently taking, and your lifestyle (such as whether you smoke). Then, they will ask you to smell different things and ask you to describe what they smell like. This is the most basic test.
Sometimes, the doctor may order some other tests. For example:
- Imaging tests: Such as an MRI or a CT scan of the sinuses.
- Sinus tissue biopsy: A small piece of tissue is taken from the nose and examined.
These tests will help your doctor determine the underlying cause of your parosmia, which will help determine the best treatment for you.
How to cure parosmia? (What are the treatments?)
Treatment for parosmia depends on the cause. Most people eventually regain their sense of smell, either completely or partially. However, a very small number of people may never fully recover their sense of smell.
Removing things that are causing impact
If your parosmia is caused by environmental factors — such as smoking, certain medications, or exposure to chemicals — your sense of smell is more likely to return once you avoid those things. However, don't stop taking any medications without medical advice.
Medicines
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve your parosmia symptoms. This is still being researched, but some studies have shown that these medications may help restore your sense of smell:
- ` (Phenytoin)`
- ` (Clonazepam)`
- ` (Topiramate)`
- ` (Valproic Acid)`
Olfactory Training Therapy
This is also called "scent training." It involves inhaling different scents (e.g., four recognizable scents such as rose, lemon, clove, and eucalyptus) deeply for a few seconds. This should be done twice a day for several months. Your doctor will tell you if this is a treatment that is right for you. This is something you can do at home.
Surgery for parosmia
If your parosmia is caused by something like nasal polyps or a brain tumor, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Sometimes, a surgeon can remove damaged olfactory receptors in your nose and restore your sense of smell. But this is a very complex surgery, and the risks may outweigh the benefits. So, be sure to explore all your options before choosing a treatment.
Can parosmia be prevented?
Parosmia is often caused by an accident, a virus, or other factor beyond our control, so it cannot be completely prevented. However, if the cause of parosmia is environmental factors (such as smoking or exposure to chemicals), avoiding those factors may reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
To reduce the risk of bacterial and viral parosmia, it is important to wash your hands frequently and follow relevant health recommendations (e.g., the CDC recommendations in the United States).
How long can parosmia last after contracting `(COVID-19)`?
Parosmia is one of the most common symptoms of "Long COVID." One study found that people with COVID-19-related parosmia only started to regain their sense of smell 14 to 16 months after infection. So, it takes a while.
Can parosmia be permanent?
Yes, in some cases, parosmia can be permanent. This means that the sense of smell may not fully return to normal. However, most people recover completely. It is best to ask your doctor for more information about your condition.
Current research suggests that COVID-19-related parosmia is temporary, but symptoms may persist for a year or more.
When should I see a doctor?
If you ever notice any changes in your sense of smell, or even a loss of smell, be sure to see a doctor. Your doctor can determine why you have parosmia and whether you need treatment for an underlying condition.
Parosmia is a distorted sense of smell. Things that used to smell good now smell bad to people with parosmia. Parosmia can be caused by a variety of things, including infections, medications, and accidents. Although it can't always be prevented, it's often temporary. Parosmia can be a symptom of a variety of medical conditions, so it's important to seek medical advice.
Take-Home Message
- Parosmia is when your sense of smell is distorted, making good smells smell bad.
- This can be caused by a number of factors, including various infections (COVID-19), head injuries, certain medications, and smoking.
- Parosmia itself is not contagious, but some of the infections that cause it can be.
- Most of the time, this is temporary and will improve over time. However, for some people, it can last for a long time and, rarely, become permanent.
- "Olfactory Training Therapy" is a simple, effective treatment method that can be done at home.
- If you notice any changes in your sense of smell, don't hesitate to see a doctor for advice. That way, you can find the cause and start treatment if necessary.
So, if you have had this experience, don't be ashamed or afraid of it. The most important thing is to seek medical advice.
` parosmia, smell distortion, sense of smell, COVID-19, olfactory system, loss of smell, smell training
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