Frequent headaches and discomfort when smelling perfume or a certain smell? It could be you have hyperosmia, which is a condition in which the smell is too sensitive to smell. This term comes from the word “hyper”yang means excessive and “osmia” which means smell.
Hyperosmia is a less common condition than hyposmia and anosmia. People who have hyperosmia usually feel irritated when they smell certain odors, for example, the smell of perfume, shampoo, synthetic materials, fuel, or cleaning agents. Let's look at the possible causes and how to overcome them.
Various Possible Causes of Hyperosmia
The causes of hyperosmia can vary from one person to another. The following are some of the causes of hyperosmia that you need to know:
1. Migraine
In addition to headaches, migraine sufferers may also experience several other symptoms related to the sense of taste. One of them is more sensitive to smell or hyperosmia. This condition usually occurs as an aura or a sign that a migraine is about to appear.
2. Pregnancy
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can make pregnant women more sensitive to odors. This condition can also trigger headaches, nausea, and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy. Hyperosmia is also thought to be related to the occurrence of hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnant women.
3. Lyme disease
Hyperosmia is a symptom of Lyme disease, but this disease is rarely found in Indonesia. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria B. burgdorferi, after the tick has bitten an infected mouse or deer.
4. Autoimmune disease
Hyperosmia can also be a symptom of an autoimmune disease, a condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the body itself. One of the autoimmune diseases that can cause symptoms of hyperosmia is Addison's disease.
5. Nervous disorders
Hyperosmia can sometimes also occur in people with conditions with disorders of the nervous system. Some of these conditions include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
In addition to the conditions above, hyperosmia can also be caused by other conditions, such as allergies, diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, tumors, nasal polyps, and nutritional deficiencies. So, it may be a bit difficult to determine whether the hyperosmia you are experiencing is caused by other, more dangerous diseases.
Ways That Can Help Relieve Hyperosmia
To deal with hyperosmia, there are actually simple steps you can take, such as chewing gum peppermint which can help reduce the effects of odors. You are also advised to avoid smells that make you uncomfortable.
However, these steps can not eliminate hyperosmia, but only relieve the symptoms. You need to know the underlying cause of hyperosmia to be able to treat it.
As explained above, there are many conditions that can cause hyperosmia or being overly sensitive to smells. This complaint should not be ignored because it can trigger anxiety and depression, especially if you are not sure what the cause is.
To find out the cause of hyperosmia, you need to see a doctor. The doctor will perform a thorough examination and provide appropriate treatment according to the cause found. Hyperosmia sometimes also requires surgery, especially if the cause is a tumor or polyp.
