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What Causes Olfactory Hallucinations In A Person With Anxiety?
Question: Over the last couple of years my husband sometimes
complains of smelling a strong smoky odor. It is usually
around times of anxiety and his doctor does not seem too
concerned. His mother says she also sometimes smells
smoke. Sometimes it is so bad that it chokes him up, but he
can also go long periods without smelling it.
Could this be caused by anxiety and what can he do to
remedy it. Thanks!
complains of smelling a strong smoky odor. It is usually
around times of anxiety and his doctor does not seem too
concerned. His mother says she also sometimes smells
smoke. Sometimes it is so bad that it chokes him up, but he
can also go long periods without smelling it.
Could this be caused by anxiety and what can he do to
remedy it. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is possible
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Prior to leaving it to anxiety it must be tested whether there is any loss of smelling function outside of these episodes. If there is accompanying persistent loss of sense of smell brain imaging scheduling, preferrably MRI, is recommended to exclude tumors.
Also it should be checked for upper airway infections like sinusitis which can distort smelling function.
If those have resulted normal then it is possible for psychological factors to be the cause. I looks likely since you speak of separated episodes with normal smell between them.
As for treatment, it depends also on how frequent they are and how much they affect his quality of life. If they are not frequent no treatment is preferred to taking daily medications with potential side effects. If treatment is chosen it ranges from local treatment with nasal drops of saline or oxymetazoline several times a day, to medication such as anticonvulsants (Gabapentine) or antidepressants.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Anxiety is possible
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Prior to leaving it to anxiety it must be tested whether there is any loss of smelling function outside of these episodes. If there is accompanying persistent loss of sense of smell brain imaging scheduling, preferrably MRI, is recommended to exclude tumors.
Also it should be checked for upper airway infections like sinusitis which can distort smelling function.
If those have resulted normal then it is possible for psychological factors to be the cause. I looks likely since you speak of separated episodes with normal smell between them.
As for treatment, it depends also on how frequent they are and how much they affect his quality of life. If they are not frequent no treatment is preferred to taking daily medications with potential side effects. If treatment is chosen it ranges from local treatment with nasal drops of saline or oxymetazoline several times a day, to medication such as anticonvulsants (Gabapentine) or antidepressants.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks...how do you test to
see if there is loss of smell?
see if there is loss of smell?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Well the simplest way to do it is using substances like coffee or soap. Each nostril is tested separately. The patient closes his eyes and blocks one nostril with his finger, you put a substance near the open nostril (coffee or soap) and ask him to identify what it is. After that the same thing is done for the other nostril.
If you want to do it like a pro, in the US where you appear to live, there are commercial tests available, the best known is the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. As I said it is a self-examination test and is commercially available (just google it and you'll easily find it). There are 40 pages each with an odorant strip and a multiple choice question regarding the odor for each page.
Of course that is of value in the absence of a stuffed nose due to rhinitis and sinusitis, or some other nasal cavity issue (a nasal polyp, deviated septum) affecting smelling function.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Well the simplest way to do it is using substances like coffee or soap. Each nostril is tested separately. The patient closes his eyes and blocks one nostril with his finger, you put a substance near the open nostril (coffee or soap) and ask him to identify what it is. After that the same thing is done for the other nostril.
If you want to do it like a pro, in the US where you appear to live, there are commercial tests available, the best known is the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. As I said it is a self-examination test and is commercially available (just google it and you'll easily find it). There are 40 pages each with an odorant strip and a multiple choice question regarding the odor for each page.
Of course that is of value in the absence of a stuffed nose due to rhinitis and sinusitis, or some other nasal cavity issue (a nasal polyp, deviated septum) affecting smelling function.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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