2:59 pm
Tuesday 29 November 2022
Books – Sayed Metwally
Many people consider nose picking just a bad habit, but it can also have a detrimental effect on your health, according to scientists at Griffith University, UK.
The study, conducted by the researchers, found that Chlamydia pneumoniae, a type of bacteria that can cause respiratory tract infections, exploits the nerve that stretches between the nasal cavity and the brain as an invasion route to attack the central nervous system. according to the British newspaper Express.
In response, brain cells began depositing amyloid-beta protein, a marker of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Professor James St John, head of the Clemme Jones Center for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, said: ‘We are the first to show that Chlamydia pneumoniae can enter directly into the nose and brain where it can cause Alzheimer’s-like diseases. ‘I’ve seen it happen in a mouse model and the evidence is scary.” Probably for humans as well.”
The next step is to conduct the research in humans and the professor continued: ‘We need to conduct this study in humans and make sure that the same pathway works the same way. It is research that has been proposed by many people, but it is not yet completed. What we do know is that these bacteria are the same in humans, but we haven’t determined how they get there.”
There are some simple ways to take care of the lining of the nose and reduce the risk of late onset Alzheimer’s suggested by Professor St John.
“Picking your nose and plucking nose hair is not a good idea,” she said.
“We don’t want to damage the inside of our noses. If you damage the lining of your nose, you can increase the number of bacteria that can get into your brain.”
Smell tests can also help detect Alzheimer’s disease, according to Professor St John, with loss of smell being an early indicator.
He suggests that smell tests when a person reaches age 60 could be useful as an early detector.
He said: “Once you get past 65, your risk factor goes up, but we’re also looking at other causes, because it’s not just age, it’s also environmental exposure, and we think bacteria and viruses are key.”
There’s no one way to prevent all types of dementia, but there’s good evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you’re older.
It can also be helpful to be aware of risk factors, such as:
Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to develop dementia, however, dementia is not a normal part of aging.
Genes: In general, genes alone are not thought to cause dementia, however, some genetic factors are involved with some less common types.
Dementia is usually caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, such as smoking and lack of regular exercise
lower education levels
Other risk factors may also be important:
hearing loss
Untreated depression
Feeling lonely or socially isolated
Sitting most of the day
The following may help reduce your risk:
Follow a healthy and balanced diet
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
stop smoking
Maintain blood pressure at a healthy level
