Do you also smell smells that aren't there? Let's talk about Phantosmia!

Have you ever had the experience of smelling a smell that isn't really there, for no apparent reason? Maybe it's the smell of burnt rubber, rotten food, or for some people, it's a nice scent like perfume. This is what we medically call `Phantosmia`, which is when we smell smells that aren't really there. Although this is a bit of a strange experience, there's nothing to be afraid of, let's talk about it in detail.

What exactly is Phantosmia?

Simply put, phantosmia is the perception of smells that are not actually there. Another name for this is "olfactory hallucinations." These smells can be felt in just one nostril, or in both nostrils. Sometimes these smells can be felt constantly, while other times they can be infrequent.

Imagine, you are in the living room at home, nothing is burning, no one is smoking a cigarette, but you suddenly smell burnt tobacco. That's what this is. Most of the time, this is not serious, and it will get better on its own after a while. However, very rarely , this can be a symptom of a serious illness such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, or a brain tumor. That's why it's important to be aware of this.

How common is this condition?

Phantosmia is actually not that common. Between 10% and 20% of diseases that affect our olfactory system, that is, the sense of smell, are reported as Phantosmia. This means that it does not happen to everyone.

What are the symptoms of these "missing smells"?

The smell experienced by phantosmia can vary from person to person. For some people, it may be a pleasant smell, like the smell of freshly baked cake. But for many, it can be an unpleasant smell . Here are a few examples:

• The smell of burning rubber
• The smell of garbage
• The smell of spoiled food
• The smell of burnt bread
• The smell of tobacco smoke
• The smell of a chemical
• A metallic smell
• A stale, musty smell.

Sometimes, you may notice a strange, unfamiliar smell that you have never smelled before. This smell may be persistent, or it may come and go.

Why do we smell these strange smells? What are the reasons?

There could be a number of reasons for this. Let's look at the main contributing factors.

Common causes:

• Colds: When you get the common cold, your nose becomes blocked and the cells that sense smell can be affected.
• Sinus infections: This condition can also be caused by infections in the air cavities (sinuses) around the nose.
• Upper respiratory infections: Other infections involving the throat and nose.
• Allergies:Some people can also experience nasal problems due to allergies to things like dust and pollen, leading to phantosmia.
• Nasal polyps: Small growths inside the nose can block the sense of smell.
• Migraines: Some people with migraines may experience these unusual smells before or during the headache.
• Taking certain medications: This can also occur as a side effect of some medications you are taking.
• Exposure to toxic chemicals: Exposure to toxic chemicals like lead and mercury is also a cause.
• Teeth and gum problems: It can also be caused by things like gum disease and dry mouth.
• Smoking: This risk is also higher for people who smoke.
• After COVID-19 infection: Many people have reported experiencing these changes in their sense of smell, including loss of smell, even after recovering from COVID.

Rare but concerning causes:

These are a bit serious, but remember that they are not common .

• Parkinson's disease
• Brain tumor
• Stroke
• Head trauma
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer's disease
• Neuroblastoma (a type of cancer that most often occurs in young children)

The most important thing is to find out exactly what is causing these symptoms if you have them. For this, it is essential to seek medical advice.

How does a doctor detect this?

When you go to see a doctor, he or she will first try to find out what is causing your bad breath. Only by finding the cause can you treat it properly.

The doctor will examine your nose, ears, head, and neck. In addition, they will ask you questions about these symptoms:

• What smells do you smell?
• How long has this smell been there?
• Do you feel it in one nostril or both?

Questions like these can help the doctor get a better idea of ​​your condition.

What kind of tests do you do?

Sometimes, further tests may be needed to determine the exact cause. Here are some of the tests that may be done:

• Nasal endoscopy: This is when a doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (called an endoscope, which has a small camera and light) into your nose to examine your nasal passages and sinus cavities. This can help check for any problems inside your nose.
• Imaging tests:These include CT scans and MRI scans. These types of scans take pictures of areas inside the head, such as the brain, to see if there are any abnormalities.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): This is a painless, safe test that measures the electrical activity of your brain. It can help detect any brain-related conditions, such as epilepsy.

What are the treatments for this?

The treatment for phantosmia depends on the underlying cause .

• If this is caused by things like a cold, allergies, or sinus infection, the smell will stop once the underlying condition is cured.
• However, if phantosmia is caused by a neurological (i.e. brain-related) condition, treatment is a bit more complicated. Even then, treatment varies depending on the exact cause. For example, someone with epilepsy may need medication or surgery. Someone with a brain tumor may need chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Once the doctor finds the underlying cause of your condition, he or she will prescribe appropriate treatment.

Are there things you can do at home?

Yes, some people with phantosmia can find relief with these things they can do at home:

• Nasal irrigation: Use a neti pot or saline solution from a pharmacy to rinse your nasal passages. This will help flush out any debris and clear the passages.
• Nasal sprays: You can use a nasal spray containing oxymetazoline to relieve nasal congestion. These are available over the counter at pharmacies. However, it is not recommended to use these sprays continuously , and it is best to consult a doctor if you are using them for more than a few days.

Can this be prevented?

Because phantosmia is often a symptom of another condition, it is difficult to completely prevent phantosmia if the underlying condition cannot be prevented. However, once you know what causes phantosmia, you can take steps to reduce your risk.

How to reduce the risk?

These things can help reduce the risk of developing phantosmia:

• If you smoke, stop.
• If you suspect that this condition is caused by a medication you are taking, talk to your doctor about it and see if you can switch to another medication.
• If you have allergies, control them.
• Seek treatment promptly if you develop a cold or other infection.
• If you have problems with your teeth or gums, get them treated.
• Wash your hands often and stay clean. This reduces the risk of infection.

Will this situation go away? How long will it last?

Most of the time, phantosmia is temporary . It can go away on its own in a few weeks. However, if it is caused by a neurological issue, the symptoms may last a little longer. If you continue to experience these strange smells for more than a few weeks, you should definitely see a doctor.

How long this lasts varies from person to person. If it's due to something like a cold or infection, it will go away once the illness is over. But if it's a problem with the nervous system, these symptoms can last for years.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have been experiencing these strange smells for more than three weeks , you should definitely talk to a doctor. In most cases, phantosmia will go away once the underlying condition is treated. But if not, it's important to find the cause.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you or someone you know has phantosmia, it may be helpful to ask your doctor these questions:

• Why do I smell these strange smells?
• How long will this last?
• Do I need to be treated for another underlying condition?
• What are some ways I can reduce these symptoms?
• Do I need to see an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) or another specialist?

What is the difference between Phantosmia and Parosmia?

Both of these are issues related to the sense of smell.

• Phantosmia is the sensation of smelling something that is not actually there.
• Parosmia is the distortion of a normal smell, causing it to be perceived differently. For example, instead of smelling coffee, you might smell something like burnt rubber.

The causes of both conditions are very similar. Treatment for both phantosmia and parosmia depends on the underlying cause.

Is this a mental illness?

No, phantosmia is not primarily a mental illness. However, phantosmia can occasionally be seen as a symptom of certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia . But it is very rare.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, phantosmia is the perception of smells that aren't actually there. It's often associated with common conditions like colds, allergies, and sinus infections. But, rarely, it can be a sign of a serious brain condition like epilepsy, stroke, or Alzheimer's disease.

If you have been experiencing bad breath for more than a few weeks, don't ignore it and see a doctor. Your doctor can determine what's causing it and recommend the best treatment. Don't worry, most of the time it's treatable!

` Phantosmia, missing smell, sense of smell, olfactory disorders, nasal diseases, smell distortions, olfactory hallucinations