What is parosmia and why everything around suddenly starts to stink

Anosmia, that is, a complete loss of the ability to smell, is one of the most characteristic COVID-19 and anosmia: A review based on up-to-date knowledge of the symptoms of covid. But the sense of smell can play with a person and other evil jokes. Parosmia Parosmia as the New Covid-19 Symptom is one of them.

What is parosmia

Parosmia is a distorted perception of odors by Parosmia and Neurological Disorders: A Neglected Association. For example, roses are blooming around you, and you feel the amber of burnt rubber. Or others enjoy the aroma of barbecue, and it seems to you that it smells distinctly of rotten meat. But it also happens the other way around: people with parosmia are lucky, and they are pursued by Covid-19 parosmia: ‘Public toilets smell nice to me now’ pleasant smells instead of unpleasant ones.

Sometimes parosmia is confused with another state - phantasmia Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations?, that is, olfactory hallucinations. But these are fundamentally different things. If during phantasm the brain invents a non-existent (phantom) smell, then during parosmia it distorts the actually existing one. The brain, for some reason, cannot correctly process the information that comes from the olfactory receptors that have captured the molecules of the odorous substance.

Where does parosmia come from

Parosmia is usually a consequence of Parosmia of recent severe respiratory Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations? infections. Certain viruses or bacteria are thought to damage the olfactory neurons that are found inside the nasal mucosa.

The task of these neurons is to recognize the molecules of odoriferous substances and report the finding to the brain. But due to damage caused by viruses or bacteria, these nerve cells can first fail completely (this is how anosmia occurs), and then, when recovering, begin to work incorrectly. As a result, having caught something smelling, the olfactory neurons tell the brain about a completely different smell.

Parosmia is a good signal in this case: it is evidence of It Smells Disgusting! Parosmia and Phantosmia, that the body recovers from illness.

However, Parosmia has other, non-infectious causes of Parosmia.

1. Traumatic brain injury

Trauma can damage the parts of the brain that are responsible for recognizing odors. More often this leads to a loss of smell, but sometimes a person is faced with obsessive olfactory distortions.

2. Smoking or inhaling certain chemicals

Including urban smog and car exhaust. Chemicals can also cause olfactory neurons to "go crazy" and start sending false information about surrounding scents to the brain.

3. Some neurological disorders

Loss or distortion of the sense of smell can be early symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. As well as other types of dementia and conditions in which brain cells are gradually destroyed.

4. Side effects of cancer treatment

Radiation and chemotherapy sometimes lead to parosmia.

5. Tumors

Benign and malignant tumors of the sinus cavities and olfactory bulbs in them, as well as the frontal cortex of the brain, are another possible cause of parosmia, albeit rare. Much more often, neoplasms in these areas cause phantasm.

Is parosmia dangerous

By itself, not, because parosmia is not an independent disease, but a symptom of some kind of failure in the processing and transmission of olfactory signals.

The disgusting smells that the world has suddenly filled with will also not be able to harm, but they are capable of causing indirect damage. For example:

The person will lose their appetite. If familiar foods start to smell like rotten, persuading yourself to eat at least a bite can be problematic.
Weight will be reduced. This is a consequence of a lost appetite.
Due to olfactory distortions, a person runs the risk of not smelling burning or gas and reacting to danger with a delay.

Therefore, it is advisable to get rid of parosmia, or at least try to do it.

How to treat parosmia

To begin with, you should consult with a therapist or neurologist. It is important to find out the reasons due to which everything around began to stink, and to exclude the most dangerous diagnoses or start treatment.

Unfortunately, there is no clear and effective way to get rid of parosmia. But the doctor can suggest therapy options that might work.

For example, if parosmia is caused by environmental factors or lifestyle factors such as breathing polluted air, smoking, or taking medication, a doctor will advise you on how to get rid of these triggers.

Parosmia that occurs after respiratory infections usually goes away on its own within a maximum of Postinfectious olfactory loss: A retrospective study on 791 patients 2-3 years.

So maybe you just need to wait. But if all else fails, the doctor will suggest Parosmia:

Use a nose clip to prevent odor molecules from entering the nose and causing unpleasant distortion. It is necessary to put on such a clamp only during an attack of parosmia.
Avoid places and dishes with strong odors. There is data from It Smells Disgusting! Parosmia and Phantosmia, which is enhanced by the inhalation of aromas of fried food, especially meat, but also onions, garlic, eggs, coffee and chocolate. If the distortion of odors interferes with a normal diet, it is recommended to switch to food with a neutral taste and aroma: rice, noodles, natural yoghurts, toast, stewed vegetables, protein shakes without flavors.
Take supplements. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that vitamins or minerals are more effective than placebos, but they do help some people.
Do Lost or changed sense of smell olfactory gymnastics every day. This requires Smell Training to take four pungent-smelling substances, such as minced garlic, ginger, lemon and cinnamon essential oils. And then thoughtfully sniff each one for at least 20 seconds, trying as colorfully as possible to represent objects that have the appropriate smell: juicy lemon, apple pie with cinnamon, a clove of garlic. Such exercises, if performed regularly, can restore the correct functioning of the olfactory neurons.

Sometimes, if parosmia strongly poisons life, but it is impossible to get rid of it, it is recommended to surgically remove some parts of the nasal mucosa. But this is an extreme measure.