Have you ever felt your sense of smell become more sensitive to odors? If so, you may be experiencing hyperosmia. This condition is not as common as loss of smell. However, it is also a health issue that requires immediate attention and treatment.
Loss of smell is more common than increased sense of smell. However, increased sense of smell is usually due to an underlying medical condition. It’s important to understand the symptoms and causes to effectively treat the condition.
Hyperosmia Symptoms to Watch Out For
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According to Medical News Today , when someone experiences hyperosmia, they may experience a stronger sense of smell than others. This heightened sense of smell can cause someone with hyperosmia to experience discomfort and pain from certain odors.
The smells that trigger hyperosmia can vary from person to person. Common odors that can trigger discomfort in people with hyperosmia include chemicals, perfumes, cleaning products, and scented candles. Because various underlying conditions can cause hyperosmia, a person may also experience other symptoms associated with the condition.
Causes of Hyperosmia
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Hyperosmia is associated with various conditions and can trigger a variety of symptoms. Some underlying conditions can cause changes in your sense of smell. Therefore, it may be difficult to determine whether your hyperosmia is a symptom of an underlying health condition.
Reporting fromHealthline, here are some possible causes of hyperosmia:
The most common cause of an increased sense of smell is pregnancy. An early symptom of pregnancy is an increased sense of smell, which can trigger headaches, nausea, and vomiting during the first trimester.
This is also associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe morning sickness, which can even require hospitalization. These symptoms will decrease as the pregnancy progresses and usually disappear after delivery.
2. Migrain
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Migraine headaches can be caused or aggravated by this heightened sense of smell. Heightened sensitivity to smells can occur between migraine episodes. Smell sensitivity can also trigger migraines or increase your risk of experiencing them.
3. Lyme disease
This is a disease also associated with hyperosmia. In one study, 50% of Lyme disease patients experienced an increased sense of smell. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, consult a doctor for testing.
4. Autoimmune Diseases
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Recently, researchers have begun studying the link between autoimmune diseases like Addison’s disease and hyperosmia. Hyperosmia is also a symptom of untreated adrenal insufficiency, which can lead to Addison’s disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus also affects the sense of smell, primarily due to its effects on the nervous system.
5. Neurological Conditions
Several neurological conditions have also been linked to this impaired sense of smell, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. Multiple sclerosis is known to affect senses such as taste and smell. Loss of smell is most common in this condition. With the exception of MS, people with these conditions may experience hyperosmia.
Other possible causes of hyperosmia include:
- Allergy
- Sterile meningitis
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s syndrome
- B-12 deficiency
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Consumption of certain medications
- Genetics
How to Overcome Hyperosmia
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Reporting from Healthline If you suffer from Hyperosmia, chew gum.peppermintcan help until you can move away from the triggering odor. Successful long-term treatment of hyperosmia involves determining and treating the underlying cause.
Treatment based on the underlying cause will reduce your hypersensitivity to smells. Consult your doctor to determine the cause. If a growth such as a polyp or tumor is causing hyperosmia, surgical removal may relieve symptoms.
Migraine medications can help treat this smell disturbance if migraines are the underlying cause. Migraine medications can also prevent migraines from occurring due to hyperosmia. Avoiding triggers is the best way to manage hyperosmia.
Triggers can vary from person to person. Some people are triggered by certain foods, while others are triggered by perfumes or chemicals. If you experience this smell disturbance after taking a prescribed medication, you can consult your doctor about finding a substitute medication with fewer side effects.
If you can successfully identify the exact cause of your smell problem and treat it, it will be very beneficial for your health. Make sure you treat it thoroughly.
This health problem will be difficult to treat if the cause remains undiscovered. If this occurs, managing the symptoms is the best approach until the cause is found. In the meantime, reduce or eliminate your exposure to strong odors. Try to track which odors most affect your sense of smell.
That’s the information regarding hyperosmia, which causes an increased sense of smell. Consult a doctor immediately to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
