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Odours and incontinence: What does the nose know?

Authors :
Dalton, Pamela
Maute, Christopher
Source :
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine; January 2019, Vol. 233 Issue: 1 p127-134, 8p
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

The fear of producing malodours that can be detected by others is a daily cause of anxiety for millions of people with incontinence. For many, the risk—whether real or imagined—that leaked waste products will be detectable by odour is sufficiently concerning to result in limitations on many types of activities. However, worry about personal odours can sensitise our olfactory system and cause us to be more aware of odours that may otherwise not be perceptible. In addition, heightened olfactory attention can often lead to odour misattributions, such as when we erroneously identify our body as the source of an odour that may simply be present in the environment. Odours produced by our bodies (endogenous odours) do enjoy a greater access to emotional brain centers and are processed faster than general odours. Here we provide examples from both everyday life and laboratory studies to explain how and why the olfactory system is unique among our sensory systems and how this knowledge can provide insights to our concerns about smell and incontinence and inform the development of products and solutions for incontinence.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09544119
Volume :
233
Issue :
1
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs48203145
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/0954411918781409