HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Altered Sense Of Smell?

I have recently begun noticing a sweet smell. I ve checked my surroundings and cannot find a source. It seams to be a chemical smell. Those around me do not smell it. I can barely eat,it is so offensive to me. I experienced a heightened sense of smell after surgery about twenty years ago. It went away after several days.
Wed, 8 Oct 2014
Report Abuse
ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.

It seems that you are experiencing parosmia which means the perception of offensive smell when others can't perceive it.

There can be two main causes of parosmia, one being neurological for which it is recommended that you see a neurologist and undergo an evaluation for this. You may need an MRI of the brain and possibly need to undergo the pensilvenia smell test which will assess you for different types of smell.

The second cause being local pathologies within the nose such as allergies in the ethmoidal sinus or AFRS (allergic fungal rhinosinusitis) which also leads to altered smell. It is recommended that you visit an ENT specialist to have this evaluated as well. You may require nasal endoscopy also.

Based on what is identified you may require medications such as antiallergic medications, oral steroids, decongestants or steroid nasal sprays, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and multivitamin/antioxidant supplementation.

The surgery may have indirectly lead to the current parosmia is there was some nerve injury at that time. It may have lead to some abnormal report over time and may be presenting now with the symptoms.

Hope this helps. Do let me know if you have any other questions.
I find this answer helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Altered Sense Of Smell?

Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM. It seems that you are experiencing parosmia which means the perception of offensive smell when others can t perceive it. There can be two main causes of parosmia, one being neurological for which it is recommended that you see a neurologist and undergo an evaluation for this. You may need an MRI of the brain and possibly need to undergo the pensilvenia smell test which will assess you for different types of smell. The second cause being local pathologies within the nose such as allergies in the ethmoidal sinus or AFRS (allergic fungal rhinosinusitis) which also leads to altered smell. It is recommended that you visit an ENT specialist to have this evaluated as well. You may require nasal endoscopy also. Based on what is identified you may require medications such as antiallergic medications, oral steroids, decongestants or steroid nasal sprays, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and multivitamin/antioxidant supplementation. The surgery may have indirectly lead to the current parosmia is there was some nerve injury at that time. It may have lead to some abnormal report over time and may be presenting now with the symptoms. Hope this helps. Do let me know if you have any other questions.