parosmia

Parosmia is a condition where your sense of smell becomes distorted, causing familiar odors to smell strange, foul, or unpleasant. It often occurs after respiratory illnesses, viral infections, or sinus issues, and can significantly affect quality of life. Instead of pleasant scents like coffee or flowers, you might perceive them as rotten or burnt. The exact cause involves disrupted signals between the nose and brain’s smell centers. While sometimes temporary, parosmia can sometimes persist, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and addressing underlying causes.