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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Sharp Headaches After Having Smelt Something Burnt. What Does It Signify?

My partner woke up in the middle of the night with a heavy smell of burnt toast. He said it lingered for about half an hour to the point he couldn't get back to sleep. No one was up or cooking, nor could I smell anything at all. He has been getting weird headaches that are very sharp but only last about ten minutes also. He is 27 years old.
Tue, 5 Nov 2013
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Welcome to HCM!

I have gone through your query and it seems that your friend is having some kind of neurological problem, most probably a seizure disorder. It is not uncommon in certain complex partial seizures that people may smell something which is not there for small durations, may be few seconds to some minutes. It is difficult to diagnose as patient is otherwise healthy.

had I been treating him, I would have gone for an MRI brain and EEG, then decide the treatment line. It is difficult to pinpoint the diagnosis without appropriate tests.

So, he should see a neurologist atleast once and get himself examined.

Hope the reply helps you.
Feel free to ask more questions.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
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Sharp Headaches After Having Smelt Something Burnt. What Does It Signify?

Welcome to HCM! I have gone through your query and it seems that your friend is having some kind of neurological problem, most probably a seizure disorder. It is not uncommon in certain complex partial seizures that people may smell something which is not there for small durations, may be few seconds to some minutes. It is difficult to diagnose as patient is otherwise healthy. had I been treating him, I would have gone for an MRI brain and EEG, then decide the treatment line. It is difficult to pinpoint the diagnosis without appropriate tests. So, he should see a neurologist atleast once and get himself examined. Hope the reply helps you. Feel free to ask more questions. Dr. Manisha Gopal