Odor disorder (smell disorder) – causes, symptoms & therapy

In the case of an odor disorder (smelling disorder), olfactory perception, i.e. smell perception, is impaired. The disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways. A basic distinction is made between anosmia, hyperosmia and hyposmia.

Anosmia is the complete loss of the sense of smell. Hyperosmia is a hypersensitive olfactory perception. Hyposmia is associated with a relative insensitivity to olfactory stimuli.

Although odor disorders are little known in the general population, they are by no means uncommon. It is believed that about 5% of the population suffers from anosmia.

causes

Since the sense of smell is very complex, there are a wide variety of causes that can lead to an odor disorder (smell disorder). The basic subdivision is made into non-sinonasal and sinonasal olfactory disorders. In the case of a sinonasal olfactory disorder, the cause of the symptoms lies in the nose itself or in the paranasal sinuses. Possible causes of non-sinonasal olfactory dysfunction include head injury, exposure to irritating substances, or use of medications that affect olfactory perception.Non-sinonasal odor disorders can be caused by allergies , among other things. Polyps , i.e. benign growths of the mucous membrane in the nose, can also lead to an olfactory disorder . In rare cases, a misalignment of the nose, such as a deviated nasal septum, causes a reduction in the ability to smell. Only in exceptional cases is an odor disorder caused by a serious illness such as a tumor in the brain. The majority of people suffering from Alzheimer ‘s disease suffer from disturbances in their olfactory perception.

An odor disorder is not uncommon in pregnant women; In most cases, however, this goes away on its own after the birth of the child. Smoking can also lead to a decrease in the ability to smell and to a pronounced odor disorder.

When to the doctor?

As soon as the affected person notices changes in their smell perception, they should consult a doctor. This is especially true if the changes last for several weeks and the perception is significantly different from that of other people. Due to the odor disturbance, warning signals can no longer be perceived in their natural form in everyday life. For this reason, the affected person needs a comprehensive examination and medical information about the consequences and possible complications of his illness. Even if in most cases there is no impairment of general lifestyle in everyday life with an odor disorder, a doctor is needed in special situations.

If you experience symptoms such as dizziness , nausea or vomiting, you should see a doctor. Sudden shortness of breath or pauses in breathing must be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. In acute cases, call an ambulance or go to a hospital. Immediate medical attention is required in the event of signs of suffocation in order not to cause permanent damage.

Headaches, watery eyes or an itchy nose should be checked out by a doctor if they occur repeatedly or last for several days. A burning sensation in the nose, bleeding from the nose or a blocked nose should be evaluated and treated by a doctor.

symptoms and course

There are a variety of different odor disorders (smell disorders) that are associated with different symptoms. The severity depends on the type of olfactory disorder and the underlying cause. In general, a distinction can be made between quantitative and qualitative odor disturbances.

In the case of quantitative odor disorders, there is either a loss of olfactory perception (anosmia) or a reduction (hyposmia) or hypersensitivity (hyperosmia) of odor perception. The symptoms of qualitative odor disorders are characterized by a change in the perception of odors.

In a phantosomy, for example, those affected perceive smells that are not there. When someone suffers from cacosmia, that person perceives unpleasant odors as fragrant. In most cases, the course of an odor disorder can be assessed as positive, since the majority of olfactory disorders disappear on their own within a few days.

Diagnose

The diagnosis of an odor disorder (smelling disorder) is sometimes a bit complicated, since a wide variety of causes have to be considered. At the beginning, the doctor treating you collects a detailed anamnesis. He asks about the exact symptoms and determines whether there are also taste disorders. In addition, the doctor inquires about existing underlying diseases that may be the cause of the odor disorder.

After the interview, the physical examination follows, during which the nose and throat are examined. If the cause is still unclear after this, it is possible to carry out a smell test. This determines which fragrances can be perceived and at what intensity. In some cases, a further examination with imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to clarify neurological causes.

complications

One of the most dangerous complications of an odor disorder is not recognizing toxic and hazardous substances. These can be in the air and inhaled innocently. In everyday life, gases can escape in all rooms or in public and remain undetected. Due to the unrecognized danger, there is a risk that the respiratory tract, mucous membranes and lungs will be damaged.

Inhaling toxins leads to a loss of taste, can cause shortness of breath , and irritate or damage the vocal cords. In severe cases, there is swelling of the mucous membranes and breathing is disturbed. The fear of suffocation increases significantly with breathing pauses or difficult breathing.

The odor disturbance can lead to food poisoning. If spoiled food can no longer be recognized due to defects in the olfactory organ, the risk that it will be eaten increases. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting occur in harmless cases. Blood poisoning and thus a life-threatening condition are possible in severe cases, since the toxins can enter the organism unhindered through consumption.

The impairment of the smell basically leads to a change in the taste sensation. Since the smell has an evolutionary influence on the choice of partner, there can be changes within the family or the choice of partner as well as reproduction.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for an odor disorder (smelling disorder) is based on the underlying cause and the symptoms. No treatment can be given without a precise diagnosis, as this depends on the type of olfactory disorder. Sinonasal odor disorders can be treated well in most cases. If, for example, there is a sinus infection , the doctor treating you will prescribe an antibiotic . In most cases, treating the inflammation will also resolve the olfactory disorder.

A deviated nasal septum may require an operation to correct the misalignment. If polyps of the nasal mucosa are responsible for the olfactory disorder, they must be removed. If the affected person suffers from an allergy that impairs olfactory perception, the olfactory disorder is treated by treating the allergy. In most cases, the olfactory disorder subsides as soon as the allergy is treated.

If medication is responsible for the olfactory disorder, it should be replaced if possible. If an odor disorder occurs during pregnancy, it is hormonal and does not require any treatment. If the consumption of tobacco is responsible for the symptoms, the therapy consists of support in giving up smoking, which can be facilitated by medication. However, it is possible that the smell disturbance persists even after smoking cessation.

prevention

Targeted prevention is not possible for odor disorders (smell disorders) because the causes are too complex and cannot be prevented with simple measures. Nevertheless, there are some prophylactic measures that make the development of olfactory disorders less likely. It is advisable to stop smoking, as this reduces the ability to smell.When taking medication, care should be taken to see whether it has a negative effect on the sense of smell. If this is the case, alternatives should be considered. In addition, when an odor disorder first occurs, a doctor should be consulted as quickly as possible in order to avoid a permanent disorder.