Hypersmia is a condition characterized by a heightened and abnormally sensitive sense of smell, turning everyday scents into powerful and often overwhelming sensory experiences. It exists on the opposite end of the olfactory spectrum from anosmia, which is the complete loss of smell. This is not an enhancement of smell, but a distortion that can significantly impact daily life. The condition can manifest without a clear cause or be linked to other medical issues.
Common Symptoms and Experiences
A person with hypersmia experiences smells more intensely than others, which can lead to discomfort from odors that most people find pleasant or barely noticeable. Common triggers include chemical smells from cleaning products, perfumes, and scented candles. The intensity of these smells can provoke strong physical reactions like nausea, gagging, dizziness, and headaches.
The impact of hypersmia extends beyond physical reactions, causing psychological distress. The constant bombardment of strong smells can lead to anxiety, as individuals may become fearful of what odors they might encounter in public spaces. This can result in social avoidance, where a person might decline invitations to avoid unpredictable smells. Over time, this isolation can contribute to feelings of depression and food aversions.
Underlying Causes and Triggers
Hypersmia is frequently a symptom of another condition rather than a standalone disorder. One of the most common temporary causes is pregnancy, where hormonal shifts, particularly in the first trimester, can dramatically increase sensitivity to smells. This heightened sense of smell during pregnancy often contributes to nausea and vomiting and resolves after childbirth as hormone levels return to normal.
Neurological conditions are often implicated in cases of hypersmia. Migraine headaches are closely linked to the condition, with some individuals experiencing a heightened sense of smell as part of the aura that precedes a migraine attack. Other neurological disorders associated with hypersmia include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. In some instances of epilepsy, a specific smell can act as an aura before a seizure occurs.
Autoimmune diseases and nutritional deficiencies can also trigger changes in the sense of smell. Known causes include:
- Addison’s disease, a disorder affecting the adrenal glands.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus, which may affect the sense of smell due to its impact on the nervous system.
- Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness.
- Certain nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamin B12, which can impair the nervous system.
The Diagnostic Process
Diagnosing hypersmia begins with an evaluation by a healthcare provider to identify potential underlying causes. The process starts with a detailed medical history, where a physician will ask about the onset and nature of the symptoms. Questions will cover recent changes in medications, diet, and new environmental exposures that could be triggers.
Following the medical history, a physical examination is performed. Depending on the suspected cause, this may be followed by more specific tests. To formally assess the sense of smell, a doctor might use standardized smell identification tests. If an underlying systemic issue is suspected, blood work may be ordered to check for nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or signs of autoimmune disease. In cases where a neurological condition is a concern, brain imaging such as an MRI might be used to look for structural changes or tumors in the skull or nasal passages that could be affecting the olfactory system.
Management Strategies
The most effective approach to managing hypersmia is to identify and treat the underlying medical condition causing it. If the hypersmia is a side effect of a medication, a doctor may be able to suggest an alternative.
For managing the symptom directly, the focus is on trigger avoidance and improving quality of life. This involves creating a low-scent environment by using unscented soaps, lotions, and cleaning supplies. Ensuring good ventilation in homes and workplaces can help dissipate odors more quickly. Communicating one’s sensitivity to family, friends, and coworkers can also be helpful, allowing them to make small adjustments, like refraining from wearing strong perfume. In situations where avoiding a smell is impossible, some people find relief by chewing peppermint gum or sucking on a peppermint candy until they can move away from the odor.