Parosmia: What Is It and How Is It Treated?
Irving, United States - December 19, 2023 / Southwest Pain Management /
Parosmia is a health condition that affects your sense of smell. This condition does not take away your sense of smell completely. However, it affects how well you can perceive scents or the full range of scents around you. For instance, if you suffer from parosmia, you may be in a place with awful-smelling garbage and only detect a hint of the awful smell, allowing you to stay in that place while other people cannot.
This usually happens because the receptor cells for smell in your nose are either unable to detect odors or fully transmit them to your brain. This condition can be permanent or temporary. Either way, you can seek parosmia treatment if you notice that you suffer from this problem. Find out how Southwest Pain Management can help.
How Can You Tell if You Suffer From Parosmia?
Sometimes, it is hard for people to notice that they suffer from this condition, especially when they have not completely lost their sense of smell. You should note that total loss of smell is called anosmia. So, parosmia is only to a certain level. However, you can always watch out for signs like reduced intensity of smells. For instance, you may be used to your perfume or spices smelling a certain way, then they suddenly start having weak fragrances, and you are the only one who notices. Also, if you start hearing comments like “How do you not smell that?” then it is a sign that something is wrong.
What Causes Parosmia?
Before getting into the details of parosmia treatment, let us look at the causes of this medical condition. This condition gained a lot of attention, especially in the media, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists and doctors discovered that most people diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced parosmia or anosmia. This would happen months or weeks after the infection, even after testing negative for the virus.
However, there is more to parosmia than the COVID-19 virus. Other things like upper respiratory infections like colds can cause parosmia. Head injury, trauma, sinus infections, bacteria, and chemical exposure can cause parosmia. Additionally, some treatments, like cancer treatments, can trigger this condition.
Treatment for Parosmia
This medical condition can be treated using various techniques. For instance, using vitamin supplements like zinc can help resolve the condition. However, this usually works if malnutrition is the suspected cause of parosmia. Some medications can also be used.
Research has proven that smell training is a suitable treatment for parosmia. In smell training, you will be exposed to four different odors at least twice per day for a few months. This may lead to gradual improvement in your sense of smell.
It is also worth mentioning that some people may experience spontaneous recovery from this condition. For instance, COVID-19 patients who suffered from parosmia reported spontaneous recovery from parosmia due to the regeneration of their smell neurons. The best way to find a treatment that will work for you is to visit an expert from Southwest Pain Management for diagnosis and treatment.
Parosmia Treatment With Southwest Pain Management
At Southwest Pain Management, we offer services for parosmia treatment. Our services are usually tailored according to your diagnosis and the cause of your parosmia condition. So, we may recommend different treatments for you from our other patients. Visit us today for a diagnosis and treatment plan creation.
Contact Information:
Southwest Pain Management
220 O Connor Ridge Blvd Suite 105
Irving, TX 75038
United States
Contact Southwest Pain Management
(214) 305-8004
https://reliefbeginshere.com/
