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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?

For the last 6 weeks, I’ve noticed a strong, pungent smell that others around me can’t smell. I’ve tried to pinpoint the smell and it’s somewhere between burnt rubber and sour milk. I’ve read everything from sinus infections to brain tumors can cause these ghost smells. I’m currently on the tail end of a sinus infection (I get more than my fair share of them - around twice a year). Should I seek advice from a specialist? Thank you.
Thu, 26 Apr 2018
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hello,

As per your query you have symptoms of an altered sense of smell which could be due to sinusitis i.e inflammation of sinuses, oral infection, and glossopharyngeal nerve dysfunction. Sometimes it could be related to medications as well.

I would suggest you take a diet rich in zinc supplements as that will recover taste. You should take proper antibiotic an and anti-inflammatory medication course to suppress sinus infection. Maintain proper oral hygiene. Make use of oral corticosteroids as well because if it's due to any allergy it will resume back taste. If symptoms keep on persisting visit neurologist once as well and take medications which lower down autoimmune.

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

Regards,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell?

Hello, As per your query you have symptoms of an altered sense of smell which could be due to sinusitis i.e inflammation of sinuses, oral infection, and glossopharyngeal nerve dysfunction. Sometimes it could be related to medications as well. I would suggest you take a diet rich in zinc supplements as that will recover taste. You should take proper antibiotic an and anti-inflammatory medication course to suppress sinus infection. Maintain proper oral hygiene. Make use of oral corticosteroids as well because if it s due to any allergy it will resume back taste. If symptoms keep on persisting visit neurologist once as well and take medications which lower down autoimmune. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Harry Maheshwari