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Real members of MyParkinsonsTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
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March 16
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Are you asking about an increased sense of smell (hyperosmia) in Parkinson's disease?

Actually, Parkinson's disease is more commonly associated with the opposite problem - a reduced sense of smell called hyposmia, rather than an enhanced one.

Hyposmia is an early sign of Parkinson's that's often overlooked. It can affect Show Full Answer

Are you asking about an increased sense of smell (hyperosmia) in Parkinson's disease?

Actually, Parkinson's disease is more commonly associated with the opposite problem - a reduced sense of smell called hyposmia, rather than an enhanced one.

Hyposmia is an early sign of Parkinson's that's often overlooked. It can affect people long before movement symptoms develop, sometimes up to a decade beforehand.

Many people with Parkinson's experience:
- Complete loss of their sense of smell
- Everything smelling the same
- Inability to detect odors at all

This loss of smell without another identifiable cause can indicate a 50 percent or greater chance of developing Parkinson's within five to 10 years.

If you're experiencing an unusually heightened sense of smell rather than a reduced one, it would be worth discussing this with your neurologist, as this isn't a typical Parkinson's symptom.

March 16