Sniffing out smell disorders
The smell of coffee ? frequently celebrated as one of life’s most pleasurable experiences, even by people who don’t like the taste ? nauseates American Kathy Kurland.
“Coffee is the worst smell. I can’t even describe it,” she said.
Other smells, such as freshly made popcorn, used to make her physically ill. Now, thanks to medication, she can tolerate it.
Kurland has a range of olfactory disorders that block some smells, turn innocuous or pleasant smells offensive and produce phantom smells that can last for days.
Kurland said a chemical caused the condition. It started about three years ago and progressively worsened. “I thought I was going to have to live in Alaska by myself, where there were no smells,” she said.
Her condition is not imagined or psychological. It is real. It has a name and a growing cadre of doctors and researchers are devoted to it.
There are support groups to help people like Kurland ? those who have lost their ability to smell, a condition known as anosmia, those whose sense of smell is distorted, called parosmia, and those who smell things that are not there, phantosmia.
Kurland’s research led her to one doctor who prescribed a medicine that made the condition manageable, but it has not eliminated it.
When organisms first swam in the primordial sea, the ability to smell chemicals is what kept them alive. Smell is the first bond between baby and mother. A scent can transport us to a place or time, draw us in or warn us of danger. Yet of the five senses, smell is the least studied and least understood.
Many things lead to smell loss or dysfunction ? chronic sinus disease, chemotherapy, chemicals, medications and head injuries. But researchers are not sure precisely what causes the condition because of the unique function and location of the olfactory nerve cells that transmit information to the brain.
Losing the ability to smell could have far-reaching implications that are just beginning to be explored. The most obvious consequence is the effect on the ability to taste.
Although it is a separate sense, taste is irrevocably linked to smell. About 90 per cent of taste comes from smell.
Smelling disorder recovery rates are not high, but recovery can occur, sometimes years later. The improvement can be gradual or sudden.
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I also have phantosmia. It just began in May, but I was unaware of it until August. It began with smell of burning, but now everything that has an odor (that I can smell) appears to be a horrible gassy smell. I have lost my sense of taste, too, and have just begun the downhill fall into despair. I burn what I cook, and am beginning to lose my appetite for anything except chocolate! I was looking for a support group for olfactory disorder, just so I can keep from going insane. It’s hard to explain what I’m going through, mentally AND physically. I became extremely chemical sensitive after using a strong hair spray 2 years ago, but I also had a horrible viral (upper respiratory) infection in May. Either of these could be the cause. I can’t be around chemicals of any kind (perfume, cleaners, etc.) but now I can’t smell them, in order to leave the area. If anyone understands or knows a support site, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Cathy
Comment by Cathy Nordgaarden — December 7, 2005 @ 4:41 am
Hi Cathy- I do know exactly what you are going through.-I have had similar
experience for 4 years after onset of an untreated sinus infection became chronic. suspect damadge to olfactory but not ruling out neurological disorder
until I get to a good neurologist. how are you doing now?
Comment by Anne — April 14, 2007 @ 1:56 am