Phantosmia: smells in the nose that are not there
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Phantosmia is a strange disorder of the sense of smell. One then smells smells that are not really there. Often these are scents that are not very pleasant. Where does this condition come from and, above all, what can be done about it?
What is Phantosmia?
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People with Phantosmia smell or have an odor in their nose that is not really there. Usually they are unpleasant smells and this smell lingers in the nose for a number of days / weeks. However, the smell is not present all day, but comes in gusts. It may also involve tasting the fragrance. It can arise after smelling the odor that lingers, but there are also other causes. Usually one also smells good other scents that are there, but the scent that is in the nose remains in the background. Phantosmia is a variant of Anosmia. Anosmia is a condition in which one completely loses the sense of smell. This could be a congenital defect or it could occur later in life.
Causes of Phantosmia
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There are several causes for Phantosmia. It can develop after an accident involving brain damage. Due to the damage, the brain can transmit wrong signals to the olfactory organ, causing people to smell an odor that is not there. One can also get Phantosmia after or before a cold. An allergy, infection of the respiratory tract or a lack of nutrients can also cause a smell in the nose. Psychological problems are also cited as a cause, but it is not clear what problems can cause the condition. Usually the brain is the cause of these and other problems with the sense of smell. It can be compared to ears that 'buzz', which is also because the brain transmits wrong signals to the hearing organ.
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Effects of Phantosmia
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Phantosmia is a nasty condition, because the smell in the nose is usually unpleasant. One may feel nauseous when the smell sets in and lingers. Since the smell usually lingers for several days, or even weeks, it can become quite irritating. It has no serious consequences, except that one may catch a cold a few days / weeks after the occurrence of the Phantosmia.
Can Phantosmia be treated?
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It is not clear if there is a treatment for Phantosmia. It is often a condition caused by the brain and cannot be solved with a remedy. Not much is known about diseases of the sense of smell yet, so people with this condition cannot simply go to a doctor for a solution. The foul smell that lingers in the nose for a while will go away on its own, but usually returns several times a year. Perhaps one can try to treat the mucous membrane in the nose with a saline solution or a nasal spray. The odor may disappear for a while, but it is not a permanent solution to the problem.
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It is not clear if there is a treatment for Phantosmia. It is often a condition caused by the brain and cannot be solved with a remedy. Not much is known about diseases of the sense of smell, so people with this condition cannot simply go to a doctor for a solution. The foul odor that lingers in the nose for a while will go away on its own, but usually returns several times a year. Perhaps one can try to treat the mucous membrane in the nose with a saline solution or a nasal spray. The odor may disappear for a while, but it is not a permanent solution to the problem.