HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can A Stroke Cause Olfactory Dysfunction And Headache?

Posted on Wed, 15 Mar 2017

Question: I woke up this morning with a bad headache on the left side of my head. For the past 3-4 days I have smelled hair burning when there was none and today I had that same smell and then the smell of feces where there was none. I've heard that such things can be precursors to strokes, etc. Please advise

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
See next

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
*Stroke is the last thing to think of,but these symptoms may be related to certain disorder of olfactory nerve or sinuses. So you should see ENT doctor first and do head CTscan and scan of sinuses. It will show us if there is an external compression of olfactory nerve. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (37 minutes later)

I have an appointment with my PCP today. Like most people I don't always know the right questions to ask when seen by a physician. Are there any specific questions I should be asking my PCP and my ENT doctors?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
Well,PCP wont be able to help a lot.
ENT should perform endoscopic examination of nasal cavity and throat.
Tell heim about duration of symptoms, associated signs such as nausea, vomit, vision disorders, memory loss and other if present.
Also, you should ask for nasal swab test to see if there is bacterial contamination in the nose.
Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana