Alzheimer’s Disease ‘Might Be Partially Caused’ by Nose Picking

• Nose picking can introduce pathogens that cause repeated inflammation in the brain, ultimately leading to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a new report says
• A protein called beta-amyloid is believed to cause progressive dementia, and can be produced in response to pathogens
• The authors of the report urge people to stop picking their nose, despite the “temporary relief” it can provide

Picking your nose may increase your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests.

A protein called beta-amyloid is believed to be the cause of the progressive dementia that characterizes Alzheimer’s disease. And according to a recent report, beta-amyloid can be produced in the brain as a defense mechanism against pathogens that are introduced through the nasal cavity – the so-called. sticking dirty fingers in the nose.

As a result, the report’s authors suggest that “neuroinflammation in [Alzheimer’s disease] may be caused in part by pathogens entering the brain through the olfactory system.”

“There is even some evidence to suggest that [beta-amyloid] may have antibacterial properties as a defense mechanism against microbial infections in the brain,” the report was published in the peer-reviewed journal biomolecules, He said.

Does nose picking cause Alzheimer’s disease?

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Viral, fungal, and bacterial infections have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, the report said, adding that “these pathogens are known to establish persistent, latent, or chronic infections in peripheral tissues, including the nasal epithelium, where they can persist for long periods of time without causing overt symptoms, until they enter the brain with pathological consequences.”

“The olfactory system represents a likely pathway for pathogen entry, given its direct anatomical connection to the brain and its involvement in the early stages of AD,” the report explained.

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The Mayo Clinic estimates that 6.5 million people in the United States age 65 and older have the disease, and more than 70% of those patients are 75 and older. Progressive brain disorder is the most common form of dementia.

It is estimated that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 70% of the 55 million people worldwide with dementia. The National Institute on Aging says its cause may be “a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.”

Instead of picking your nose, researchers recommend blowing your nose.

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If one of those lifestyle factors is indeed nose picking, the report’s authors urged people to stop — even though blowing out dried mucus can help someone breathe easier.

“It is important to note that the temporary relief provided by nasal picking is not a substitute for proper nasal hygiene, which includes regular cleaning and maintenance of the nasal passages with gentle methods such as saline nasal irrigation or nasal blowing,” the report states. .

“One of the lessons learned from COVID-19 is the value of hand hygiene through frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers, and we propose that these routine hygiene procedures be mandatory routine procedures for incurable nose pickers,” the report added.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education