Definition- Olfactory dysfunction that is characterized by the inability of the brain to properly identify an odour’s “natural” smell
- Natural odour is transcribed into what is most often described as an unpleasant aroma, typically a “‘burned,’ ‘rotting,’ ‘faecal,’ or ‘chemical’ smell
- There are instances, however, of pleasant odours (calledeuosmia)
Cause- Damage to olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs)
- Post-URTI
- Exposure to harmful solvents
- Central problem
- Head trauma
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (transient)
- Parkinson's
Management- Symptoms usually decrease with time
- Some evidence for L-Dopa
- Induce anosmia or hyposmia to the point where the odours are negligible
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