Suggest Treatment For Altered Sense Of Smell

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 Answered on

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,
I noticed that I woke up in the middle of the night and smelled car exhaust. I woke up and could smell the odor for a few seconds but then it disappeared. I checked around the house and there is nothing that could have caused this smell. I also woke up a few weeks ago to the same thing but no one else noticed it. I do not experience it during the day and I am a very restless sleeper to begin with where I wake a few times in the night. I am healthy (I think) woman in my 40s and recently had my yearly physical with blood work and heart checked. All normal except Vitamin D was low. I am not only any meds or vitamins. Just wondering if I need to be concerned by this and see my primary?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Further evaluation needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your query and understand your concerns.

Distubances of smell can be caused by different conditions.

These include olfactory nerve dysfunction (viral infection, trauma), lesions of anterior part of the brain (olfactory Meningioma eg.), and seizures (temporal lobe seizures).

So, in my opinion, your concerns need further evaluation in order to properly diagnose the cause of your symptoms.

Medical evaluation includes consulting a Neurologist and having done imaging studies (MRI) together with brain electrical function study (EEG), if necessary after the neurologic examination.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj