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What Causes Parosmia?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016
Twitter Mon, 22 Aug 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 12 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : Over the past two months I have had recurring episodes where I smell and taste oil. What could be the cause of this?
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

That type of symptoms where you smell different unpleasant odor is called parosmia. The primary problem is in the smell, taste is affected secondarily as taste is made up of several components smell being one of them.

There can be several causes for parosmia. The most common one is usually an infection of the upper airways damaging the olfactory (smell) nerve endings.
Other possible causes can be neurological such as a prior head trauma, a tumor involving the olfactory nerve. At times it can also be a premonitory sign of Parkinson's disease.

So the initial step would be a consult with an ENT (ear nose throat) specialist. If airway issues are excluded then a brain MRI could be scheduled in order to exclude brain lesions.

I remain at your disposal for othe questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3670 Questions

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What Causes Parosmia?

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. That type of symptoms where you smell different unpleasant odor is called parosmia. The primary problem is in the smell, taste is affected secondarily as taste is made up of several components smell being one of them. There can be several causes for parosmia. The most common one is usually an infection of the upper airways damaging the olfactory (smell) nerve endings. Other possible causes can be neurological such as a prior head trauma, a tumor involving the olfactory nerve. At times it can also be a premonitory sign of Parkinson's disease. So the initial step would be a consult with an ENT (ear nose throat) specialist. If airway issues are excluded then a brain MRI could be scheduled in order to exclude brain lesions. I remain at your disposal for othe questions.