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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Parosmia and Anosmia?

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Parosmia and anosmia are both smell disorders, but they differ in the nature of the olfactory dysfunction:

  • Parosmia [pahr-OZE-mee-ah] is a change in the normal perception of odors, such as when the smell of something familiar is distorted, or when something that normally smells pleasant now smells foul. It can be caused by various factors, including upper respiratory infections, head injury, sinus infection, certain toxins and drugs, seizures in the temporal lobe, brain tumors, COVID-19, and constant dry mouth.
  • Anosmia [ah-NOSE-mee-ah] is the complete inability to detect odors. It can result from nasal congestion due to a cold, allergy, or sinus infection, nasal polyps, head injury, hormonal disturbances, dental problems, exposure to certain chemicals, and many other causes.

In summary, parosmia is characterized by a distorted sense of smell, while anosmia is the total loss of the sense of smell.

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  • What is the Difference Between Parosmia and Anosmia?
  • Comparative Table: Parosmia vs Anosmia

    • Comparative Table: Parosmia vs Anosmia

    Here is a table comparing the differences between parosmia and anosmia:

    Feature Parosmia Anosmia
    Definition Parosmia refers to the change in the normal perception of odors, such as a pleasant smell becoming foul or vice versa. Anosmia is the complete inability to detect odors.
    Causes Parosmia can be caused by upper respiratory infections, head injury, sinus infection, certain toxins and drugs, seizures in the temporal lobe, brain tumors, COVID-19, and constant dry mouth. Anosmia can be caused by nasal congestion from a cold, allergy, sinus infection, nasal polyps, and certain medical conditions.
    Perception In parosmia, the perception of odors is altered or distorted, but the ability to perceive odors is still present. In anosmia, the ability to perceive odors is completely lost.

    Both parosmia and anosmia are types of smell disorders due to the loss of olfactory senses, but they differ in the degree of olfactory perception and the causes associated with them.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.