Heightened sense of smell: causes and treatment
The fragrant scent of your favorite flowers and freshly cut grass, the aroma of a delicious dish and rich coffee - words alone make a person remember smells, pleasant and not so pleasant.
Table of contents:
- Heightened sense of smell: causes and treatment
- Some terminology
- Symptoms of pathology
- Who is guilty?
- What to do about it?
- People's help
- Hyposmia, hyperosmia, anosmia. Symptoms, causes, treatment
- Hyperosmia – heightened sense of smell
- Hyposmia and anosmia - weakening and loss of smell
- Hyperosmia: heightened sense of smell. Causes and treatment
- How does the human sense of smell work?
- Hyperosmia - what is it? Symptoms of the disease
- Increased sensitivity to odors: causes
- Increased sense of smell during pregnancy
- Increased sense of smell during menstruation
- Treatment of heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia) with medications
- Treatment with folk remedies
- Add a comment Cancel reply
- Heightened sense of smell - reasons for increased sensitivity to odors
- The essence of pathology
- Causes of a heightened sense of smell
- Clinical picture (symptoms)
- Traditional Treatments for Increased Odors
- Effective folk remedies
- Increased sense of smell. What to do?
- Do you have problems with your sense of smell?
- Important
- Why is this happening?
- Specialists
- Cost of services
- Patient reviews
- Video
- Photodynamic therapy of ENT organs
- Adenoiditis
- Causes of problems with the sense of smell in women: hyposmia and hyperomsia
- Smell disorders
- Etiology of the phenomenon
- Hyperosmia and its symptoms
- Origins of hyperosmia
- How to deal with the disease?
- Hyposmia
- Enhanced sense of smell
- Mom won't miss
- Hyperosmia - causes, treatment
- Causes of hyperosmia
- Treatment of heightened sense of smell
- Post navigation
- Similar articles
- Dysosmia - what is it and why does it occur?
- Hyposmia - how to identify the disease and restore the sense of smell?
- Anosmia - definition, causes, treatment
- Loss of smell: treatment and prevention
- Comments
The sense of smell seems so familiar and natural that it is difficult to imagine: it, too, can become a real problem and require medical intervention. Pathological disorders, unfortunately, occur quite often. What are the reasons for changes in the sense of smell, how does it manifest itself and is it possible to get rid of the “dog’s sense of smell”?
Some terminology
The sense of smell is a person’s ability to perceive and remember odors, one of the five types of sensitivity. The analyzer, which recognizes incoming information, is represented by three sections: peripheral, conductive and central. The periphery includes receptors - cells responsible for “data collection” and located in the paranasal sinuses. In humans there are just under 10 million. Animals have much more of them: for example, dogs have over 200 million of these sensitive cells! The conductor is the olfactory nerve, ending in a special part of the brain - the olfactory bulb. The central section is located in the cortex of the lower part of the temporal and frontal lobes of the cerebral hemispheres.
There are five main types of odor perception pathology:
- Hyperosmia – heightened sensitivity.
- Hyposmia – decreased sense of smell.
- Anosmia is the inability to perceive odors at all.
- Parosmia is a distortion of the information received, a kind of hallucination of the sense of smell.
- Cacosmia is a constant feeling of stench.
Accordingly, the symptoms, causes and methods of treatment are radically different for each of these conditions.
The most common is hyperosmia, which is accompanied by painful, excessive perception of odors.
Symptoms of pathology
About hyperosmia we can say: “And the sense of smell is like that of a dog,” all the smells surrounding a person become so pronounced and bright. The patient is able to sense aromas that are indistinguishable to people with an ordinary, normal sense of smell, even at a considerable distance. It seems that such a “superpower” should please a person, giving him the opportunity to feel what is inaccessible to others.
However, in most cases, acquiring a heightened sense of smell becomes a source of real trouble:
- headache;
- migraine;
- dizziness;
- soreness in the sinuses;
- disruption of the functioning of some internal organs;
- emotional instability;
- mental disorders.
Instead of an amazing “gift,” the patient receives a state of eternal irritation, depression, and a desire to plug his nose and hide in a sterile room.
Who is guilty?
There are two main types of olfactory dysfunction:
- Respiratory or conductive type, associated with changes in the process of breathing and the passage of air through the nasal cavity.
- Neurosensory or perceptual type, caused by problems in the conductive and central sections of the olfactory analyzer.
Disturbances caused by respiratory problems can be triggered by previous acute diseases in which the nasopharynx was involved, or injuries to the respiratory tract.
Also, increased sensitivity to odors can cause prolonged use of certain medications, especially if their use is irrational.
Most often, the causes of a heightened sense of smell lie in conditions inherent to the neurosensory type:
- hysteria;
- mental illness;
- neurasthenia;
- multiple sclerosis;
- migraine;
- hyperthyroidism;
- oncological lesions of the brain.
Often the culprit is hormonal changes. Since most often the restructuring of the body occurs during pregnancy, the most common reason for an exacerbation of the sense of smell in women is carrying a fetus. At the same time, hyperosmia does not manifest itself “in all its glory,” but partially: the level of sensitivity to certain odors increases, often very pleasant or, on the contrary, unloved for the expectant mother.
What to do about it?
The diagnosis of “hyperosmia” is made on the basis of a visual examination of the nasal cavity by an ENT specialist using a mirror, which allows one to assess the width of the olfactory area, and data from special tests for the sense of smell. In addition, consultation with a neurologist and psychiatrist is necessary.
Since a heightened sense of smell in the overwhelming majority of cases becomes a consequence, the key point of therapy is considered to be the search for the true culprit - the root cause.
In cases where the source of problems is mental instability and neurological diseases, an effective drug treatment regimen is selected, which includes sedatives, psychotropic drugs and methods of influencing the psycho-emotional background. The help of neurologists and psychiatrists is needed.
For hormonal disorders, primarily hyperthyroidism, appropriate therapy is prescribed. Conservative tactics include the use of special medications that help destroy the hormones produced by the thyroid gland. A radical approach is exposure to radioactive iodine or surgery.
During the period of hyperosmia, pregnant women are advised to avoid sources of bright aromas: spicy foods, crowded places, new cosmetics, etc.
With severe hyperosmia, which provokes pain, migraines and other unpleasant consequences, a blockade may be established. To do this, a solution of novocaine is injected into the nasal cavity. Before the blockade, the mucous membranes are anesthetized with Dicaine or other similar agents. The procedure is performed both in an inpatient setting and on an outpatient basis. In any case, for the first 30 minutes after administration of the solution, the patient should be under the supervision of a specialist in case of allergic reactions and poor tolerability of the drug.
People's help
As with other diseases, there are a dozen or two folk recipes for the treatment of heightened “sense.” Ointments, tinctures for external use and potions for internal use are based on components such as honey, buckwheat, various herbs, bark and tree foliage.
Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to prove the effectiveness of such recipes, but many people suffering from hyperosmia continue to self-medicate.
Patients who decide to resort to traditional methods should be aware that such tactics can cause significant harm. Unpredictable allergic reactions, increased sense of smell or its complete loss, inflammation of the nasopharynx, gastrointestinal disorders and other extremely undesirable conditions are possible.
Has your sense of smell become more acute? A doctor should look for the reasons. Not only the effectiveness of therapy, but also the speed of onset of a positive effect depends on the correct diagnosis. Therefore, if your sense of smell increases, you should not try to cover your nose with a handkerchief, use questionable medicines, or delay going to the hospital in the hope of a spontaneous cure. Medical assistance provided in a timely manner increases the chance of a quick recovery many times over.
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All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!
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Hyposmia, hyperosmia, anosmia. Symptoms, causes, treatment
A bouquet of fresh roses, a cup of black coffee, freshly baked bread... These words alone evoke the pleasant aromas of flowers, coffee or pastries. And for many, it may not even occur to them that the sense of smell can cause problems. Or rather, not the sense of smell itself, but its pathological disorders. Unfortunately, a person may have increased or decreased olfactory sensitivity, or live without a sense of smell at all. Such olfactory deviations are called, respectively, hyperosmia, hyposmia and anosmia. The symptoms for each of these pathologies differ, as do the causes and their treatment.
Hyperosmia – heightened sense of smell
A heightened sense of smell, which can become painful, is called hyposmia.
Symptoms. A person suffering from hyperosmia perceives all aromas more acutely. Many detect even very faint odors, imperceptible to people with a normal sense of smell. It would seem that you can be happy about this and boldly go to work as a perfumer or sommelier. But still, more often the perception of odors is painful: that is, a certain aroma can cause migraines, mental disorders, disruption of internal organs, and emotional deviations. Most often, hyperosmia causes depression and irritability, with sharp and strong odors.
Causes . The main sign of hyperosmia is the formation of a diffusely toxic goiter in the patient, which can be caused by neurological disorders. People suffering from frequent depression, hysteria, and mental disorders are most susceptible to exacerbation of the sensitivity of olfactory receptors. Changes in hormonal levels can also cause hyperosmia, which is why pregnant women react so sharply to certain odors.
Treatment with folk remedies. A heightened sense of smell is treatable, and often, when treating it, doctors prescribe restorative therapy and endonasal novocaine blockades (especially for severe pain). At home, you can try to be treated with folk remedies.
You can reduce goiter, which is a source of discomfort during hyperosmia, in the following ways:
- 1) External treatment. Fill a saucepan with young willow leaves and fill them with cold water. Put on fire and boil. The leaves should yield a juice that resembles resin. The water will boil away and the juice will concentrate at the bottom of the pan. It is removed and lubricated around the thyroid gland before going to bed. There is no need to rinse off in the morning. Apply until the goiter begins to shrink.
Hyposmia and anosmia - weakening and loss of smell
Hyposmia and anosmia are a decrease in olfactory sensitivity and its complete loss, respectively. Every person at least once in his life experienced such sensations when he fell ill with ARVI. This is the so-called temporary receptor anosmia or hyposmia. The sinuses are clogged, smells are not felt, and food tastes the same. After 2-3 days, sensitivity is restored. Patients with anosmia do not smell at all.
Symptoms. A person complains of a weakened sense of smell or its complete absence. In this case, we can talk about essential anosmia or hyposmia. Some people smell only through one nostril.
Causes . Essential anosmia or hyposmia can occur due to:
Receptor anosmia, as mentioned above, occurs with a runny nose or injuries to the mucous membrane. Smokers often complain of a weak sense of smell, which may be the “first sign” of developing hyposmia. Complications of sinusitis can also lead to this pathology of smell.
Treatment with folk remedies. Treatment methods are chosen by the attending physician. It is almost impossible to completely restore the sense of smell with anosmia. But hyposmia can be treated, which must be comprehensive. You should stop smoking, follow your doctor’s prescriptions, and also help yourself with folk remedies.
In order to somehow restore the lost sense of smell, the mucous membrane must be irritated. For this you can use essential oils or mixtures thereof:
- 1) basil oil. Apply a few drops to a scarf and carry it with you constantly, inhaling the aroma;
Read about other types of cold inhalations here
Inhaling essential oils during hyposmia and anosmia will help not only restore the sense of smell, but also control its presence. If a person does not smell the “vigorous” eucalyptus, we can talk about a pathology of olfactory sensitivity, which will be problematic to cure. Therefore, it is recommended to begin treatment at the slightest symptoms of hyposmia, before it develops into a complete loss of smell.
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Hyperosmia: heightened sense of smell. Causes and treatment
Hyperosmia is a disorder of the sense of smell, in which even weak odors, barely noticeable to an ordinary person, become pronounced and intense.
Increased sensitivity to aromas is a painful condition and often accompanies certain diseases. But first things first.
How does the human sense of smell work?
The olfactory analyzer, which consists of an olfactory epithelium consisting of several types of cells (olfactory, supporting and basal), is responsible for the perception and recognition of odors.
Olfactory cells are located in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and end on the surface with olfactory cilia, which capture odorous molecules.
Each such cell is “attached” to nerve fibers, which are united into bundles called axons.
As a result of the analysis of the main characteristics of the aroma (intensity, quality, identity), its recognition and classification occurs (pleasant, unpleasant, disgusting).
Hyperosmia - what is it? Symptoms of the disease
Hyperosmia is a strong sensitivity to odors present in the environment. A patient who has a heightened sense of smell is able to perceive and recognize subtle aromas.
This condition can lead to headaches, severe migraines, dizziness, pain in the paranasal sinuses, depression and emotional instability, and mental disorders.
Hyperosmia can become a source of problems when a person, trying to find the cause of a painful condition, constantly asks the question: “I smell strongly, why?”
Despite the fact that it seems to an outsider that the problem is far-fetched, people suffering from a heightened sense of smell experience real physical pain and strive to get rid of the disease by any means.
Sometimes olfactory hallucinations are observed, when the patient notes: “I smell a smell that is not there!” Any disturbances in olfactory function require immediate consultation with a specialist.
Increased sensitivity to odors: causes
The sense of smell is a kind of boundary that filters aromas coming from outside. And if for some reason a failure occurs at one of the stages, then olfactory dysfunction develops.
An increased sense of smell may be a consequence of:
For example, an increased sense of smell can be caused by taking certain medications (amphetamines, thiazide drugs) over a long period of time. Stopping the use of such medications leads to a complete restoration of olfactory function.
Hyperosmia is often the first symptom of any mental personality disorder:
One of the chronic diseases can affect a person’s sensitivity to odors:
- hypothyroidism (diffuse toxic goiter);
- diabetes;
- hepatitis;
- Turner syndrome.
The sensitivity of the same person to different aromas changes throughout the day. There is a minimum threshold of perception at which a certain concentration of odorous molecules provokes an adequate reaction of the olfactory analyzer.
Thus, men have a lower sensitivity to odors; they rarely complain about a heightened sense of smell. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to experience hormonal changes throughout their lives and are more susceptible to hyperosmia.
It has been noted that a child has a lower threshold of olfactory perception compared to an adult, so children react sharply to unpleasant aromas and more often show emotions in relation to odors.
Increased sense of smell during pregnancy
Increased sensitivity to odors during pregnancy is associated with changes in a woman's hormonal levels. In this case, irritation can be caused by both individual aromas (partial, selective hyperosmia) and absolutely all odorous substances (complete hyperosmia).
After the birth of a child, when the balance of hormones is normalized, acute sensitivity to odors disappears without a trace.
Increased sense of smell during menstruation
In completely healthy women, the reaction to odors changes during one menstrual cycle. This is due to natural hormonal changes.
Most often, women have a heightened sense of smell before menstruation or during ovulation (in the middle of the cycle). The acuity of smell also increases when taking oral contraceptives or undergoing hormonal therapy.
Treatment of heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia) with medications
If the exacerbation of the sense of smell is caused by acute infectious or pathological processes in the nasopharynx, then therapy should be aimed at restoring the respiratory function of the nose and eliminating the source of inflammation.
Treatment of neurological problems with the help of effective pharmacological drugs that have a sedative and psychotropic effect on the patient’s body will eliminate hyperosmia.
Restoring the functionality of the thyroid gland will require taking medications to compensate for the deficiency of certain hormones.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Restoring hormonal levels will also eliminate painful reactions to odors.
Severe hyperosmia with such unpleasant symptoms as severe headache, dizziness, migraine is an indication for endonasal novocaine blockade, which temporarily reduces the susceptibility of olfactory receptors to odors.
Treatment with folk remedies
Since diffuse toxic goiter is considered one of the main manifestations of hyperosmia, traditional medicine offers the following recipe: place young willow leaves in a saucepan, add cold water, boil until the liquid thickens a little and turns into a concentrated resin.
The willow mass should be lubricated on the goiter at night, and the method should be used as an auxiliary therapy.
Hyperosmia is treatable, which is why, if the sense of smell worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause of the disease and determine an effective treatment regimen.
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Heightened sense of smell - reasons for increased sensitivity to odors
An increased sense of smell is medically called hyperosmia. In this case, even faint odors seem very rich and intense to a person. A strong reaction to aromas is considered a painful condition and often accompanies certain pathologies. So, what is this condition associated with?
The essence of pathology
The olfactory analyzer is responsible for the analysis and recognition of aromas. It contains a special type of epithelium that includes different types of cells. These include supporting, basal, and olfactory.
Thus, olfactory cells are localized in the structure of the nasal mucosa. On their surface there are olfactory cilia that capture fragrant molecules. All cells are attached to nerve fibers. They are united into special bundles called axons.
These structures transmit impulses to certain areas of the brain. They are instantly analyzed. By determining the key characteristics of the odor - intensity and quality - its classification is carried out. The aroma can be pleasant or unpleasant.
Exacerbation of odors is called hyperosmia. This term refers to high sensitivity to aromas that are present in the environment. If a person's sense of smell becomes acute, he can detect and recognize even the faintest odors.
In addition to hyperosmia, there are several other types of perception of aromas. These include the following:
- hyposmia – is a decrease in the sense of smell;
- anosmia - in this case, a person is not able to perceive aromas at all;
- cacosmia - in which the patient constantly feels a stench;
- parosmia - implies a distortion of the information received, which is interpreted by doctors as a kind of olfactory hallucinations.
Symptoms, causes and treatment methods vary significantly depending on the clinical picture. To choose the optimal therapy, you should consult a doctor who will conduct a detailed examination. Based on its results, the specialist will be able to choose adequate treatment.
Causes of a heightened sense of smell
The sense of smell is a kind of boundary that is responsible for filtering odors coming from outside. If for a certain reason a failure occurs at some stage, the development of olfactory dysfunction is observed.
The key reasons for an increased sense of smell include the following:
- Inflammations that occur in the nose. In this case, a respiratory form of the disorder is observed, in which the passage of air masses through the nose becomes more difficult. This condition is also called conductive disorder. This type of pathology can be a consequence of an acute respiratory viral infection, tumor formation in the nose or brain, or traumatic injury.
- Dysfunction of the olfactory analyzer. This type of pathology refers to the neurosensory type of increased sensitivity. It is also often called a perceptual form of pathology. This condition is caused by factors that have no connection with lesions of the nasopharynx and abnormal intracranial changes.
A situation in which a person says “I smell strongly” can be triggered by long-term use of certain medications. These include, in particular, amphetamines and thiazides. If you exclude the use of such means, you can restore your sense of smell in a short time.
Sometimes smells are irritating in mental disorders. Hyperosmia may be the first sign of such anomalies:
A sharp increase in sensitivity to various aromas can be a symptom of chronic pathology. The main diseases that cause the appearance of this symptom include the following:
- diabetes;
- hepatitis;
- Turner syndrome;
- hypothyroidism is a diffuse toxic goiter.
Sensitivity to all kinds of aromas changes significantly throughout the day. Doctors note that there is a minimum level of perception. When it is reached, a certain level of aroma molecules causes a reaction from the analyzer.
Men have lower sensitivity to fragrances. They very rarely experience a condition in which they note “I react strongly to odors.” Representatives of the weak experience hormonal fluctuations much more often. Therefore, they are much more susceptible to hyperosmia.
Experts also note that children have a much lower threshold for smell perception than adults. Therefore, babies react quite sharply to various aromas and much more often complain about unpleasant or pungent odors.
In some situations, a feeling of increased smell appears during the period of bearing a child. This condition is caused by hormonal changes that occur in the female body. After childbirth, balance is gradually restored. This helps completely eliminate acute sensitivity to odors.
Also, women's reactions to fragrances can change significantly throughout the menstrual cycle. This is due to normal fluctuations in hormone balance. Most often, an exacerbation of the sense of smell is observed before the onset of menstruation. Also, the cause of this condition can be the onset of ovulation.
Often, increased sensitivity to aromas results from the use of oral contraceptives. Also, a provoking factor in the development of hyperosmia can be hormonal treatment.
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Clinical picture (symptoms)
With the development of hyperosmia, all odors seem very strong and intense. A person begins to smell aromas that other people with a normal sense of smell cannot sense. At first glance, it seems that such opportunities should be encouraging. However, in reality everything is not so simple.
In fact, hyperosmia often causes various problems. The main disorders include the following symptoms:
- dizziness;
- headache;
- pain in the sinuses;
- psychological instability;
- migraine;
- dysfunction of some organs;
- psychical deviations.
Thus, instead of unique abilities, a person gets a depressed and irritable state. Many people with this diagnosis experience an irresistible desire to plug their nose and lock themselves in a sterile room.
Traditional Treatments for Increased Odors
If your sense of smell has increased, you should immediately contact a qualified otolaryngologist. This diagnosis is made by a specialist based on a visual examination using a mirror. Thanks to this, it will be possible to determine the width of the olfactory zone. Specific tests are also required to determine the level of smell.
In addition, consultation with specialized specialists is often required. If hyperosmia is suspected, the patient must be referred to a neurologist and psychiatrist.
- Treatment for this condition is selected depending on the provoking factor, since exacerbation of the sense of smell is not an independent pathology, but only a symptom of a certain illness.
- If the development of the disease is caused by an infectious lesion of the respiratory system or nasopharynx, restorative treatment is indicated. It should be aimed at normalizing respiratory functions and improving air circulation in the sinuses. Chronic pathologies, such as sinusitis or cysts, require conservative therapy or surgical intervention.
- If the provoking factor is emotional instability or neurological abnormalities, effective drug treatment is prescribed. It involves the use of sedatives. There may also be a need to use psychotropic drugs. In addition to drug therapy, methods of influencing a person’s psycho-emotional state are often used. For this purpose, you should contact neurologists and psychiatrists.
If there are hormonal problems - primarily hyperthyroidism - appropriate therapy is indicated. Conservative treatment consists of using special medications that help destroy hormones produced by the thyroid gland. The radical approach involves the action of radioactive iodine. In difficult situations it is not possible to do without surgical intervention.
During pregnancy, you should avoid contact with sources of strong odors - using new cosmetics, visiting crowded places, eating spicy foods, etc.
If severe hyperosmia is observed, which causes pain, migraines and other serious manifestations, it is recommended to install a blockade. For this purpose, a solution of novocaine is injected into the nasal cavity.
Before performing these manipulations, the mucous membranes must be anesthetized. The procedure is carried out both in a hospital setting and in a clinic. But in any case, in the first half hour after using the solution, the person should remain under the supervision of a doctor. This is required in case of developing an allergy or individual intolerance to the drug.
Effective folk remedies
Such recipes should be used depending on the provoking factor for the appearance of this symptom. One of the most common causes of pathology is diffuse toxic goiter.
In this situation, you should use this recipe:
- Place young willow leaves in a saucepan, pour cold water into it and cook until the liquid thickens slightly. As a result, it should resemble a concentrated resin.
- It is recommended to treat the goiter area with the resulting product before going to bed.
- This method will be an excellent means of auxiliary therapy.
For oral administration, it is recommended to mix 200 g of honey, chopped buckwheat and nuts. The resulting composition should be consumed throughout the day. On the third and ninth days, it is recommended to repeat this treatment.
People who decide to use folk remedies should take into account that this therapy tactic can cause serious harm. Thus, there is a threat of developing allergies, increased sensitivity to aromas, or, conversely, a complete loss of smell.
Sometimes folk recipes provoke damage to the digestive system, inflammatory changes in the nasopharynx and other undesirable changes.
Hyperosmia, or heightened sense of smell, is a fairly serious disorder that can lead to unpleasant symptoms. To cope with this condition, it is very important to establish the reasons for its development. To do this, you need to conduct a detailed diagnosis. Based on its results, a qualified doctor will be able to select adequate therapy.
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Increased sense of smell. What to do?
Do you have problems with your sense of smell?
An increased sense of smell, as well as a decrease in the olfactory functions of the nose, brings discomfort to a person. The question arises: what to do? Of course, there is no need to endure and constantly plug your nose with cotton wool. The surest way out of the situation is to seek help from a specialist.
Increased sensitivity to smells is called hyperosmia.
Important
Why is this happening?
Reasons that influence the increased sensitivity of nasal receptors to odors include:
- psychoneurological diseases
- sclerosis and migraine
- diffuse toxic goiter
- brain tumors
- complications from infectious diseases
One of the causes of hyperosmia may include pregnancy.
In this case, treatment is not required, since a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy is not a pathology.
Sensitivity to odors during pregnancy is normal
If the sense of smell is heightened, the attending physician may prescribe medication or restorative therapy. However, individual treatment methods for exacerbation of the sense of smell are prescribed by a doctor only based on diagnostic results.
If the cause of intense perception of odors is a disease of a psychoneurological nature, then the patient can be referred to an appropriate specialist.
If the causes of pathological perception of odors are complications resulting from previous infectious diseases, brain tumors or diffuse toxic goiter, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination, which will allow the doctor to determine therapeutic tactics and prescribe effective methods of drug or surgical treatment.
Effective treatment methods include endonasal blockades
The Medionica multidisciplinary clinic offers diagnostic and therapeutic services to eliminate pathologies associated with ENT diseases, including treatment of conditions such as exacerbation of the sense of smell. You can make an appointment with a specialist by phone or online.
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Causes of problems with the sense of smell in women: hyposmia and hyperomsia
Enjoying smell is a great gift that allows us to smell different smells. The sense of smell is such an invisible physiological process that we practically do not notice it.
But sometimes a malfunction occurs - a disruption of this physiological process, which can become a curse for its owner. The most common disorders are: hyperosmia - heightened sense of smell and hyposmia - decreased sense of smell.
Each of them has its own causes: congenital or acquired.
Smell disorders
Smell disorders, the causes of which are quite extensive, can ruin a person’s life. They can be quantitative and qualitative. Hyperosmia and hyposmia, as well as anosmia - complete loss of smell, are quite common.
In addition, the disorder may relate to a qualitative pathology, which is divided into the following types:
- Cacosmia is a constant feeling of bad odor.
- Dysosmia is an incorrect perception of smell.
- Parosmia - the smell is felt even in the absence of a stimulus.
A heightened sense of smell is inherent in women. Women's sense of smell is sharper than men's, and during pregnancy it can become even more acute.
Etiology of the phenomenon
The sense of smell can be impaired for a number of reasons:
- Congenital disorders;
- Inflammation in the body. Thus, hyposmia most often appears as a result of rhinitis, accompanied by blockage of the nasal passages;
- Injuries;
- Tumors;
- Air pollution;
- Use of medications;
- Hormonal imbalances;
Treatment varies depending on the causes of olfactory dysfunction. Various methods of therapy, its timing and the drugs used in treatment are prescribed.
Hyperosmia and its symptoms
Hyperosmia is characterized by the fact that all odors become very pronounced and constantly accompany the person. If for ordinary people some odors are completely indistinguishable, then a person who has this disorder can feel them even at a considerable distance. Contrary to the belief that this “gift” pleases its owner, such a perception can significantly ruin a person’s life. Troubles that become almost constant companions of hyperosmia include migraines, dizziness, and painful sensations in the sinuses. Sometimes some change occurs in the functioning of internal organs, leading to serious consequences.
The person becomes irritable and emotionally unstable. In rare cases, this leads to mental disorders.
Origins of hyperosmia
There are 2 types of smell dysfunction:
- Respiratory type. It is also called conductive. Associated with changes in respiratory processes when the passage of air through the nasal cavity fails. This may be a consequence of recent diseases associated with the nasopharynx.
- Neurosensory type. In another way it is called perceptual. Problems arise in the conductive and central sections of the olfactory analyzer. This may include changes in hormonal levels, for example, during pregnancy.
Most often, we can notice that the sense of smell has become more acute due to migraines, hysteria, certain mental illnesses, and oncological lesions of the brain.
Some medications can increase the sensitivity of our olfactory system.
Increased sense of smell during pregnancy is a common occurrence. The fact is that during this period a restructuring of the woman’s body occurs, the hormonal background changes, since the woman needs to bear the fetus. A pregnant woman experiences partial hyperosmia. Only some smells become more obvious: very unpleasant ones or, on the contrary, smells that are loved and dear to the heart. Pregnant women should avoid sources of strong aromas: spicy foods, scented cosmetics, crowded places. If the smell becomes an irritant, a woman may experience vomiting and dizziness.
How to deal with the disease?
First of all, you need to see a doctor so that a high-quality and timely diagnosis is carried out. The doctor should conduct a visual examination using a mirror. This method allows you to examine the width of the nasal sinuses, the olfactory area. Special smell tests are also carried out. In some cases, the treating ENT specialist may refer you for a consultation with a psychiatrist or neurologist.
In the process of treatment and diagnosis, it is very important to correctly determine the root cause. Then general restorative therapy is prescribed, the purpose of which is to restore the functions of breathing and air exchange in the sinuses, or other methods of treatment.
If the cause of exacerbation of the sense of smell is mental instability or neurological problems, the specialist selects a drug treatment regimen that includes serious medications that affect the psycho-emotional background. In this case, treatment is carried out jointly between an ENT specialist, a neurologist or a psychiatrist.
In some cases, the sense of smell may be exacerbated due to excessive production of hormones by the thyroid gland. Then exposure to radioactive iodine or even surgery may be prescribed.
Traditional medicine has also not avoided such a disorder as hyperosmia. It is based on the use of honey, herbs, bark and tree leaves. There are recipes with buckwheat. The effectiveness of such methods has not been proven; most likely it is a placebo effect. Traditional medicine is based on natural ingredients, but can cause significant harm to human health. Therefore, you need to treat it with extreme caution.
Hyposmia
Hyposmia, on the other hand, is a condition in which the sense of smell is weakened. Highlight:
- Essential hyposmia is a focal disorder of the area of the brain responsible for the sense of smell. Develops due to injuries and brain tumors, disruptions in the nervous system, strokes or Alzheimer's disease.
- Receptor hyposmia is a blockage of air to the olfactory receptors. Air does not flow due to a runny nose, in people who smoke, and also due to injuries to the mucous membrane.
The attending physician can determine the presence of hyposmia based on a thorough diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, an X-ray of the skull is taken. The ENT specialist also refers the patient to other specialists to rule out certain diseases: cancer, allergies, neurological diseases.
If the patient has receptor-type hyposmia, therapy is prescribed to improve the condition of the mucosa. Quitting smoking is mandatory.
The essential type is more difficult to treat. Recovery is rare.
If you have a disorder of smell, whether it is hyperosmia or hyposmia, a specialist should first look for the origins of this disorder. A correct diagnosis is the key to proper treatment and a speedy recovery. It is better not to try to use traditional medicine without first consulting a doctor.
The sense of smell is one of the 5 most important senses of our body, which requires careful attention and timely intervention in case of disturbances in the functioning of the respiratory system.
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Enhanced sense of smell
the smell of onions is killing me((and where do these smells come from, strange
and you can no longer use your favorite perfume, everything lies on the sidelines. I constantly ventilate the apartment so that there are fewer odors, I try not to deal with meat and not to cook too aromatic dishes, I have to sit on rice and pasta.
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Hyperosmia - causes, treatment
Hyperosmia, an increased sense of smell, is a serious disease that disrupts the normal rhythm of life and causes unpleasant accompanying symptoms:
- Migraine;
- Irritability and even psycho-emotional disorders;
- Dysfunction of internal organs.
With hyperosmia, a person is able to sense even the faintest aromas, which people with normal function of the olfactory system cannot distinguish, and strong odors already cause painful sensations. Of course, not all odors can have a negative effect on the patient’s body, but generally, certain aromatic substances either depress the patient or make him very nervous, irritated, and cause emotional deviation.
Causes of hyperosmia
Increased sensitivity to various fragrances can be caused by several factors:
- Disruption or change in the natural process of hormone production in the patient's body. Most often, pregnant women suffer from hyperosmia, in whom the perception of only certain odors increases.
- Nervous system disorders. The risk group includes people suffering from depression and mental illness.
- Excessive production of thyroid hormones associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. Those patients who begin to develop diffuse toxic goiter are prone to developing hyperosmia.
Treatment of heightened sense of smell
Traditional treatments help get rid of hyperosmia using two methods:
- General restorative therapy, which helps restore normal psycho-emotional health, relieve symptoms of hormonal changes, etc.
- For severe pain from hypersensitivity to odors, doctors may prescribe novocaine blockades, which are done inside the nasal cavity.
Traditional medicine offers the following recipes for diffuse goiter, which causes hyperosmia:
- For external use, you can prepare an ointment from willow leaves.
It is necessary to place the young leaves of the tree tightly in a container and fill it with water. Then they are boiled until the raw materials release juice, similar in viscosity to resin. The water should boil away so that the liquid obtained from the leaves remains at the bottom of the container. This resin is applied to the thyroid gland area overnight and is not washed off. The mixture should be used until a noticeable result in the treatment of goiter is achieved.
- For internal use, you can prepare a healing mixture.
Take 200 g of honey and add ground buckwheat and walnuts to it. Eat the porridge within one day. Then prepare the same mixture after 3, 6, 9 days. After 3 months, treatment with the same course should be repeated.
Such simple but effective methods will help cure hyperosmia and continue to enjoy the aromas.
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Comments
I address my comment to doctors, specialists in hyperosmia. I really hope that someone can help us.
My hypersensitivity to smells really bothers me and interferes with my life. I react to almost all smells: perfume and perfumed skin care products, flowers, citrus fruits, especially their freshly squeezed juice, smoke, detergents, chlorine, vinegar, paints, gasoline and exhaust fumes, any synthetic smells like plastic, acetone, aerosols, etc. The strength of the reaction depends on several factors: the intensity of the odor, the combination of different odors at the same time and the state of the immune system at the time of exposure. I also cannot tolerate foods that are sour or contain, even minimally, vinegar or citric acid. A mild reaction is expressed in slight swelling and irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, very similar to a burn, and loss of voice. A severe reaction is like a severe burn of the entire respiratory system, difficulty breathing and tracheitis or bronchitis with a constant suffocating cough that lasts 2-3 months.
Now I am 58 years old. And it all started about a year ago. About 20 years ago, I almost suffocated due to swelling of the larynx when I placed a bouquet of lilacs in the room. At night I woke up from suffocation. It’s good that a health worker was nearby with the necessary medicine. I didn't have that reaction again. But pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis almost never leave me and in the vast majority of cases these are the consequences of getting into the smell zone. I became unsociable, lost many friends, primarily smokers. I am limited in visiting public places, I do not have the opportunity to go to the pool, even visiting a public toilet is problematic for me due to air fresheners. I run out of public transport if someone wearing perfume came in or if I felt that someone had started eating citrus fruits (it’s more difficult on an airplane - you can’t get out of there). You cannot avoid this problem at work either. Even though I posted a notice on the floor asking not to use perfume and not eat tangerines and oranges, many people ignore or simply forget. And as a result, I’m on sick leave again.
The saddest thing is that years ago my daughter also began to react to smells in the same way, although she had never had anything like that before. Now she is 31 and she loses her voice and chokes if someone nearby just starts peeling a tangerine or brewing a bag of tea with lemon, applying nail polish or cleaning a window with some kind of product. She always carries a syringe with cortisone and prednisolone tablets. Without this she cannot survive.
The doctors tell both me and her that it is not asthma (she was examined, I was not), but increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, and that they do not know either the cause, or the remedies or methods that could help us.
I really hope that one of the medical experts is familiar with this problem and can make our life easier, that a gas mask is not the only remedy for our suffering.
Hello Olya, I’m also exactly like you, I’m reading and thinking about everything written about me, but I’m also in despair and no doctor could help me. I am 40 years old and have been suffering for 3 years. Please help.
My girls are just like yours. I’m 44 years old. This has never happened before. It started about 4 years ago. I recently took a thyroid hormone test and it showed that it was very elevated, menopause has begun before menopause and there is a hormonal imbalance or imbalance. You also need to test for other hormones. I don’t like taking medications, I suffer a lot, but I think when the hormonal levels are restored, everything will go away. But you still probably need to support your thyroid gland. Get tested for thyroid hormones...
Good day to all! I am 42 years old and unfortunately I have exactly the same reactions as Olga described. They started due to hormonal imbalance; I have autoimmune thyroiditis and estrogen dominance. These are reactions to phenols/salicylates (a subclass of phenols) found in all fragrances and some foods. Salicylates, as well as estrogen, which is also a phenolic compound, cause degranulation of mast cells in organs and tissues, including the mucous membranes of the upper and lower respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, etc. Edema of the larynx and trachea is most likely due to salicylate/estrogen-induced angioedema (type 3 hereditary angioedema). I was recently diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome and angioedema, and the issue of prescribing medications is now being decided. And yes, the main thing is to avoid triggers. Good health to everyone.
Source: http://zalozhen-nos.ru/giperosmiya-prichiny-lechenie/