Olfactory hallucination
Olfactory Hallucination
Olfactory hallucination (pronunciation: ol·fac·to·ry hal·lu·ci·na·tion), also known as phantosmia, is a type of hallucination that involves the sense of smell. This condition is characterized by the perception of smells or odors, usually unpleasant, that aren't actually present in the environment.
Etymology
The term "olfactory hallucination" is derived from the Latin words "olfactus" meaning "smelled" and "hallucinari" meaning "to dream". The term "phantosmia" is derived from the Greek words "phantasma" meaning "ghost" and "osme" meaning "smell".
Symptoms
The primary symptom of olfactory hallucination is the perception of smells that are not present. These smells are often unpleasant and can be persistent or intermittent. The smells can be different for each individual and can include odors such as smoke, rotten food, or chemical smells.
Causes
Olfactory hallucinations can be caused by a variety of conditions including sinusitis, migraine, epilepsy, brain tumor, and certain neurological disorders. They can also be a side effect of certain medications or a symptom of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Treatment
Treatment for olfactory hallucinations depends on the underlying cause. This can include medication to treat the underlying condition, surgery for conditions such as brain tumors, or therapy for mental health disorders. In some cases, no treatment is necessary and the hallucinations will resolve on their own.
Related Terms
- Anosmia: Loss of the sense of smell.
- Dysosmia: Distorted sense of smell.
- Parosmia: Change in normal smell perception.
- Hyperosmia: Increased sensitivity to smells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Olfactory hallucination
- Wikipedia's article - Olfactory hallucination
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski