Yury Trafimovich
While a stroke is a serious medical emergency, it is a common misconception that smelling something burning is a typical sign of stroke onset. However, it is important to note that a stroke can sometimes affect an individual's sense of smell. Changes in smell are not a primary red flag for a stroke, but they can be one of the many stroke effects. A study in BMC Neurology found that nearly a third of participants who had strokes experienced a reduced ability to smell, and 15% had a loss of smell in the year following their strokes. Phantom smells, known as phantosmia, can be related to a number of conditions, including a stroke, and can cause distress and negatively impact daily life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phantom smells | Phantosmia, or olfactory hallucination, is a rare condition where a person smells something that is not there. It is often associated with unpleasant odours such as burning, metallic or chemical smells. Phantosmia can be caused by various factors, including sinus infections, allergies, brain tumours, head trauma, and certain medications. |
| Stroke | A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, leading to the death of brain cells. While phantosmia can be a symptom of a stroke, it is not a primary indicator. Changes in olfactory function may occur after a stroke rather than as a warning sign. |
| Taste and Smell Changes | After a stroke, individuals may experience alterations in their sense of taste and smell, including dysgeusia (altered taste), hypogeusia (reduced ability to taste), ageusia (loss of taste), anosmia (loss of smell), and hyperosmia (increased sensitivity to smells). |
| Impact on Quality of Life | Olfactory issues can affect taste, leading to potential malnutrition and depression in stroke survivors. |
| Diagnosis and Treatment | Diagnosis of phantom smells involves a physical exam, CT scans, MRI scans, and EEG scans to identify abnormalities in the nasal cavity, brain, and nervous system. Treatment options depend on the underlying cause and can include allergy medications, antibiotics, chemotherapy, surgery, and cancer treatments. |
What You'll Learn
Anosmia, or the loss of smell, can occur after a stroke
According to a study in BMC Neurology, which looked at 78 participants who had strokes, almost a third of them had a reduced ability to smell, and 15% had lost their sense of smell in the year following their strokes. Older participants tended to have higher levels of impairment, which may be related to age-related changes in smell, even without a stroke.
Shifts in smell can have a ripple effect on one's quality of life. Olfactory issues can affect taste, which in turn can put stroke survivors at risk of malnutrition and depression. Anosmia can also affect one's sense of taste.
If you experience a phantom smell, it is recommended to get it checked out by a medical professional.
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Strokes can also cause phantosmia, or phantom smells
While phantom smells are usually not the result of a brain blockage, they are a real thing and can be related to a number of conditions, including a stroke. This is known as phantosmia, or olfactory hallucinations.
According to Salman Azhar, M.D., director of the stroke program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, while the perception of smelling something burning is a common misconception about typical stroke onset, it is important to know that a stroke can sometimes "affect an individual's sense of smell". Azhar states that "stroke affects the brain and its functions, and of course, smell perception can be part of that. It's not a classic sign, but it's also not impossible that it would be in the mix of stroke effects."
A study in BMC Neurology examined 78 participants who had suffered strokes and found that nearly a third of them had a reduced ability to smell, and 15% had lost their sense of smell in the year following their strokes. Shifts in smell can have a ripple effect on a person's quality of life, as olfactory issues can affect taste, which in turn can put stroke survivors at risk of malnutrition and depression.
If a phantom smell keeps recurring, it is recommended to get it checked out by a doctor. While phantom smells are not usually indicative of a serious underlying condition, they can be a sign of a stroke or a more serious condition.
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Dysgeusia, or distorted taste, can be a result of a stroke
While a distorted sense of smell is usually not the result of a brain blockage, phantom smells can be related to a number of conditions, including a stroke. A study in BMC Neurology found that nearly a third of 78 participants who had strokes experienced a reduced ability to smell, and 15% had a total loss of smell in the year following their strokes.
Shifts in smell can have a ripple effect on a person's quality of life. Olfactory issues can affect taste, which in turn can put stroke survivors at risk of malnutrition and depression. Dysgeusia, or distorted taste, can be a result of a stroke. It is a taste disorder that causes food to taste weird, and it can interfere with the enjoyment of food. It can also cause an aversion to certain foods.
Dysgeusia is not dangerous or life-threatening, although it does impact a person's quality of life. It is often caused by a temporary condition such as a cold, allergies, or pregnancy, but it can also be caused by something long-term such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. Chemical exposure and nerve injury can also cause dysgeusia. In most cases, an altered sense of taste goes away on its own.
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Hyposmia, or reduced ability to smell, can be caused by a stroke
Hyposmia is a condition characterised by a reduced ability to smell. It is one of several types of smell problems that can occur, including:
- Anosmia: being unable to smell anything
- Dysosmia: a distorted sense of smell, which has two forms: Parosmia and Phantosmia
- Hyperosmia: being oversensitive to smell
While changes in smell are not a primary indicator of a stroke, they can be a result of one. According to Dr Salman Azhar, director of the stroke program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, "stroke affects the brain and its functions, and of course, smell perception can be part of that".
A study in BMC Neurology examined 78 participants who had suffered strokes and found that nearly a third of them had a reduced ability to smell, and 15% had lost their sense of smell in the year following their strokes. Older participants tended to have higher levels of impairment, which may be related to age-related changes in smell, even without a stroke.
Shifts in smell can have a ripple effect on taste, which can then impact a person's quality of life, according to a study in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. Olfactory issues can affect taste, which can put stroke survivors at risk of malnutrition and depression.
If you are experiencing recurring phantom smells, it is recommended to see a doctor to rule out medication side effects or possible infections.
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Strokes can cause olfactory function changes
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. While strokes are usually associated with physical symptoms such as face drooping, slurred speech, and arm weakness, they can also impact the senses of taste and smell. Olfactory function changes can manifest in different ways and are often linked to changes in the sense of taste as well.
Types of olfactory function changes
After a stroke, some people may experience a reduced ability to smell (hyposmia) or a complete loss of smell (anosmia). On the other hand, some individuals may become more sensitive to smells (hyperosmia), perceiving them as overpowering. In some cases, people may smell things that are not actually present, a condition known as phantosmia or olfactory hallucinations. These phantom smells can vary but are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metallic or chemical odours.
Impact of olfactory function changes
The changes in olfactory function can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. The sense of taste is closely linked to smell, and disruptions in smell can affect the ability to taste and enjoy food and drinks. This can lead to a reduced appetite, malnutrition, and even depression. It can also make it challenging to maintain a healthy diet, which is crucial for stroke recovery and reducing the risk of further strokes.
Managing olfactory function changes
If you or someone you know is experiencing changes in the sense of smell after a stroke, it is important to seek medical advice. A doctor can help determine the underlying cause and provide guidance or treatment options. Maintaining good oral hygiene and visiting a dentist regularly can also be beneficial. Additionally, a dietitian can provide advice on how to maintain a healthy and balanced diet despite the changes in taste and smell.
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Frequently asked questions
No, smells cannot cause strokes. However, a stroke can sometimes affect an individual's sense of smell.
Phantosmia, also known as a phantom smell or olfactory hallucination.
Phantom smells are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metal, or chemicals.
If you experience persistent phantom smells, it is recommended to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions or complications.
