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My wife is continually smelling smoke (she says she
Sent to Health Experts June 16 10:32 PM

My wife is continually smelling smoke (she says she smells cigarette smoke), but no one in our home smokes. I happen to have a keen sense of smell, but I never smell anything. She is worried because a friend developed a brain tumor and just before he has a seizure, he says he smells strange aromas. How do we go about diagnosing why she is having these episodes of smellig things that aren't there?

 

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Female , Age: 39

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Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Info Request
June 16 10:48 PM (15 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
Is there any pattern as to when your wife experiences this symptom?

When she smells (nonpresent) cigarette smoke odor -- are anyh other 'real' odors consistently present -- if so, what are those odors?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

Counselor /listener/collaborative problem solver. Thanks!
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Steve -- a.k.a. Oreport -- Voc Rehab Counselor, M. Ed. -- 98% Positive Feedback on 469 Health Accepts
Disability/Rehab Consultant. Broad knowledge of many chronic and acute health problems.
Reply
June 16 10:55 PM (6 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
Reply to Steve -- a.k.a. Oreport's Post: Hi Steve,

No, she says it's just random. It's been happening for about 4 months, and seems to be getting more consistent.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 16 11:38 PM (43 minutes and 35 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Thank you for replying.

This resource, discusses two of the several types of olfactory disorders: Parosmia -- which is the distortion of an actually-present odor -- and Phantosmia or Dysosmia -- smelling an odor when it (and no other significant odor) is present -- in other words, true olfactory hallucinations.

Many references to Dysosmia mention psychological disorders as a cause -- those references seem to involve patients who believe that they (themselves) areare the source of the odor. From your description, this does not seem to be the case with your wife.

There are medical treatments available for Dysosmia -- (see second Link above). Taste and Smell Clinics specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders. There is a Taste and Smell Clinic at the University Of Colorado Hospital.

I recommend that you contact them about a possible evaluation for your wife.

Click any above Link(s) for additional information.

Let me know if you need more input. If not, thanks for the opportunity to assist you... Please honor my efforts by Clicking the green 'Accept' button (located within this post -- above-right). Adding a bonus -- should you wish to do so -- would be warmly welcomed.

Good Luck!

Steve


Counselor /listener/collaborative problem solver. Thanks!
Picture
Steve -- a.k.a. Oreport -- Voc Rehab Counselor, M. Ed. -- 98% Positive Feedback on 469 Health Accepts
Disability/Rehab Consultant. Broad knowledge of many chronic and acute health problems.
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