Parosmia is a disorder of the sense of smell. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, from certain health conditions, stress and depression, to chronic sinus problems and even certain foods. In this article, you’ll find out more about parosmia.
What is Parosmia?
Parosmia is the result of an abnormal process in your brain that causes your sense of smell to become distorted. It usually happens when something traumatic happens to the olfactory bulb, which is a group of cells at the base of the nose. In most cases, it will happen with a traumatic injury or an age-related disease such as Alzheimer‘s or Parkinson‘s.
Parosmia Causes and Treatment
It is not known what causes parosmia. There are some theories that it may have to do with the brain’s ability to process visual information, head trauma, genetics, or the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Parosmia or smell paralysis is a condition that causes smells to the point of being unrecognizable. Most commonly, the smell of food turns into a disgusting smell and can cause nausea and vomiting.
The causes are not fully known but it is known to occur more often in individuals living with diabetes, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal issues.
There are several different ways that medication can be used to treat parosmia including antidepressants and antiepileptics.
Final Thoughts
Parosmia, a sensation of seeing things that are not actually there, is one of the most common hallucinations experienced by the general population. The cause of this medical condition has been attributed to a variety of physical and psychological factors.
The disorder can be caused by a stroke or an infection, and it affects how we perceive the world around us. Parosmia causes and treatment can vary, one possible cause is a leaky blood vessel in the brain’s region called the temporal lobe. The causes are known to occur more often in individuals living with diabetes, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal issues.
If you find this article handy, learn how to protect your brain’s health.