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What Causes Altered Sense Of Smell When Diagnosed With Sinus Tachycardia?

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Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: hello

i have prior afib and some sinus tachycardia. every so often i get a smell of something burning. like today. nothing is burning so what is causing the air to smell like something like smoke or burning papers
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Explore for possible vascular epilepsy, etc

Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read your question and understand your concern.
I would like to know more about this feeling: how much does it last? Is it associated with headache.
In my opinion the most probable diagnosis is a type of partial epilepsy of the temporal lobe. Based on your past history this may be caused by an old thrombus in the brain asymptomatic at the event causing epilepsy. But there are also other causes of this disorder like a brain tumor, etc. This is a common complication in atrial fibrillation.
Another less probable cause is migraine with aura but the bed smell usually is followed by headache. You don't refer headache.
If I were your doctor I would strongly recommend a consult with a neurologist coupled with an EEG and a brain MRI to exlude epilepsy and its cause.
Regarding the cardiac arhythmia further exploration is needed to rule out recurrent atrial fibrillation , its potential detectable causes and to find out the risk of cardioembolic events. I recommend you to consult a cardiologist and perform some exams such as :ambulatory ECG monitoring,cardiac ultrasound, thyroid and renal function test , chest x ray etc.
In your situation I would recommend to consider the possibility of anticoagulation therapy.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need!
Greetings Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (18 minutes later)
thank you. no headaches. this only occurs every few months and usually lasts hours not days.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Still insist to explore neurological disorders.

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thank you for the information! Facing your symptomatology I still insist to recommend a neurologist consult and the above mentioned exams.
Migraine may be associated with just only the aurea (like smell disorders). We can't rule it out right now. We need to explore all possibilities.
If you have additional information please let me know.
Best wishes! Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Altered Sense Of Smell When Diagnosed With Sinus Tachycardia?

Brief Answer: Explore for possible vascular epilepsy, etc Detailed Answer: Hello! I read your question and understand your concern. I would like to know more about this feeling: how much does it last? Is it associated with headache. In my opinion the most probable diagnosis is a type of partial epilepsy of the temporal lobe. Based on your past history this may be caused by an old thrombus in the brain asymptomatic at the event causing epilepsy. But there are also other causes of this disorder like a brain tumor, etc. This is a common complication in atrial fibrillation. Another less probable cause is migraine with aura but the bed smell usually is followed by headache. You don't refer headache. If I were your doctor I would strongly recommend a consult with a neurologist coupled with an EEG and a brain MRI to exlude epilepsy and its cause. Regarding the cardiac arhythmia further exploration is needed to rule out recurrent atrial fibrillation , its potential detectable causes and to find out the risk of cardioembolic events. I recommend you to consult a cardiologist and perform some exams such as :ambulatory ECG monitoring,cardiac ultrasound, thyroid and renal function test , chest x ray etc. In your situation I would recommend to consider the possibility of anticoagulation therapy. Hope to have been helpful! Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings Dr. Iliri