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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell?

I am a 45 year old female who has been a healthy runner/ athlete all my life. My dad has Parkinson s and Alzheimer s . Over the last year I have woke up out of a sleep to smell burnt toast. I have a hard time concentrating at work and I have headaches. But I am Also very stressed with life. Should I be worried that I will have what my dad has?
posted on Sat, 22 Apr 2017
Twitter Sat, 29 Sep 2018 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 1 Oct 2018 Last reviewed on
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

At least not from the smell. Basically do a pathway diagram.
There is the nose. Infection there will alter smell. There can be localized damage to nerve endings. The most common viral (common cold) infections damage these nerve endings in the nose. There can be problems in the sinuses as above or growths like polyps.

There can be interruptions in the nerve pathway from more serious tumors but these are extraordinarily rare. There could in theory be brain tumors or brain infection or brain growths that could cause it. These are pretty rare.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
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What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell?

Hi, At least not from the smell. Basically do a pathway diagram. There is the nose. Infection there will alter smell. There can be localized damage to nerve endings. The most common viral (common cold) infections damage these nerve endings in the nose. There can be problems in the sinuses as above or growths like polyps. There can be interruptions in the nerve pathway from more serious tumors but these are extraordinarily rare. There could in theory be brain tumors or brain infection or brain growths that could cause it. These are pretty rare. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist