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Suggest Treatment For Light Headaches And Anosmia
Question: About 2 years ago, one night I started to smell cigarette smoke out of nowhere. No one in the house smoked and there was no one outside either. I asked my husband about it but he didn't smell anything. This went on for days at a time, on and off, for months. Finally one day it seemed to stop. Then I got pregnant and it started to happen again but just once in a while and it wasn't so bad. I'm 5 months post-partum now and it has been back slowly but for the past few days that weird cigarette smell that only me can smell is very strong. It bothers my nose and causes light headaches. It's like someone is smoking right next to me. What's happening? What can be causing this? Can it be something serious?
Brief Answer:
It might be anosmia or hallucinations
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.
Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if these can be due to improper smell perception like in anosmia or any damage to local olfactory cells or bulbs due to local viral or allergic inflammation mostly but can also be due to subjective feeling without having any local pathology.
I would suggest you to have detailed evaluation by an otolaryngologist and have cranial nerve examination specially of olfactory nerve with all common odors.
If it's creating more trouble like headaches using analgesics like acetaminophen occasionally can help but if needed psychiatrist review for non organic causes of such pathologies needs to be assessed.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
It might be anosmia or hallucinations
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through.
Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if these can be due to improper smell perception like in anosmia or any damage to local olfactory cells or bulbs due to local viral or allergic inflammation mostly but can also be due to subjective feeling without having any local pathology.
I would suggest you to have detailed evaluation by an otolaryngologist and have cranial nerve examination specially of olfactory nerve with all common odors.
If it's creating more trouble like headaches using analgesics like acetaminophen occasionally can help but if needed psychiatrist review for non organic causes of such pathologies needs to be assessed.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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