Sinusitis, the pathology caused by an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, causes the obstruction of mucus, causing it to accumulate inside the nose, producing a strange smell when breathing. I feel a strange smell in my nose, why is it? In the vast majority of cases, the doctor will answer that it is sinusitis, a fairly common condition, especially in cold times of the year.
However, there are other diseases and conditions that also manifest themselves through this symptom, so from FastlyHealwe want to explain them to you so that you have as much information as possible.
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Sinusitis, a disease that causes a bad smell in the nose
The vast majority of cases in which a person experiences a strange smell in their nose is due to suffering from sinusitis . Although it is usually a health problem that is quite annoying, the truth is that it has a fairly simple solution and there are usually no complications. Likewise, sinusitis does not have a single origin nor does it occur in the same case in all people. When we talk about sinusitis we refer to the inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, the set of cavities through which the air passes between the mouth and the nose. But why are these cavities inflamed? The possible causes are as follows:
- Recurring colds
- Allergy
- Infection by bacteria, fungi or viruses.
- Nasal polyps
The strange smell in the nose from sinusitis and its symptoms
But why does sinusitis cause a bad smell? The reason is that when the paranasal sinuses and the area where the mucosa is secreted become inflamed, there is a blockage of the mucus outlet, so that it accumulates between the frontal bone and the septum, in the upper area of the nose. With all that stagnant mucus, the perfect climate is created for the bacteria to develop, this same bacterial growth being the cause of the appearance of that unpleasant smell that patients complain about.
In addition to the bad smell in the nose, there are other symptoms that can help you identify that you have sinusitis:
- Nasal obstruction .
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Bad breath or halitosis .
- Dry throat
Another symptom associated with sinusitis and that has a lot to do with the smell you feel in your nose is a lack of appetite. The cause of this feeling of not being hungry is due to two different factors: on the one hand, the mucus that cannot be released through the nose passes into the digestive system, in a way that somehow quenches hunger. On the other hand, the feeling of hunger is born with the stimulation of an area of the brain that occurs through smell, but since the nose is unable to capture the smell of food, this desire is not born.
In any case, the smell in the nose is a fairly clear symptom of sinusitis, so it will not be difficult to make a diagnosis . To do this, the doctor usually does a computerized tomography to observe the inflammation and to what degree it is.
Psychological causes of funny smell when breathing
Many times, there are people who come to the doctor’s office complaining of a strange smell in their nose, which can disappear, stay or come and go. The fact is that after doing the corresponding analyzes and tests, the doctor is unable to find a clear pathology that can cause that smell.
The truth is that there are many causes that do not have any physical origin and that are 100% reliably indistinguishable that can make you feel a strange, unpleasant or even putrid smell in your nose:
- Anxiety : one of the possible symptoms of anxiety disorder can be the fact of imagining certain smells in the nose.
- Parosmia : it is a disease that affects causing the person to constantly smell a specific odor. A recurring case is people who smell a burning smell in their noses.
- Certain mental disorders , such as schizophrenia, can lead to olfactory hallucinations.
Ocena or atrophic rhinitis
Ocena, or atrophic rhinitis, is a progressive and chronic disease of which many things are unknown, in part because it is highly infrequent and the medical literature on the subject is very scarce. This disease is caused by an atrophy in the nasal bone and its mucosa, as well as an enlargement of the nasal cavities and, paradoxically, a nasal obstruction. The most characteristic element of this condition is the foul odor that comes from the scabs and secretions that are expelled, something that causes a bad smell in the nose.
How to relieve sinusitis?
Despite having explained all the alternatives that may be causing you that strange smell that you feel, the most likely cause of your condition is sinusitis, which is why at FastlyHealwe want to leave you some of the remedies that you can use to improve your symptoms:
- Take steam baths to decongest your upper respiratory tract.
- Put warm compresses on your nose.
- Use peppermint or eucalyptus inhalers.
- Visit the doctor, where, surely, they will prescribe specific antibiotics.
- Never self-medicate.
In the following FastlyHealarticle you will find the best natural remedies for sinusitis .
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to I feel a strange smell in my nose: why is it? , we recommend that you enter our category of Ear, nose and throat .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.