Biruni University Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkardeş said that simple habits such as lying on your back and picking your nose can increase the risk of Alzheimer's.
Worldwide, 44 million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. There are approximately 700 thousand Alzheimer's patients in Turkey. Both patients and their relatives go through difficult processes due to Alzheimer's disease, which is mostly seen in people over the age of 65.
Speaking on September 21, World Alzheimer's Day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkardeş pointed out that even simple habits such as lying on your back and picking your nose, which are thought to be insignificant, increase the risk of Alzheimer's.
Stating that Alzheimer's disease starts with forgetfulness, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Özkardeş said that even daily life activities such as undressing, dressing, eating, and toilet needs may require assistance in progressive levels.
Nasal infection triggers Alzheimer's
Stating that according to the researches, nose picking also increases the risk of Alzheimer's, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özkardeş said, “Some people pick their noses a lot. It has been observed that the risk of Alzheimer's is higher in these people. This is explained as follows: In people who pick their nose a lot, the risk of infection in the nose increases and these germs reach the brain through the nerves in the nose to the brain. At the root of Alzheimer's disease, a disorder called amyloid plaque forms in the brain. It has been observed that amyloid plaques are more common in people who pick their nose. Therefore, nasal hygiene is also a very important issue.”
Those lying on their backs are in the risk group
Emphasizing that some simple habits increase the risk of Alzheimer's, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özkardeş used the following statements:
“Studies have shown that things that we never think of can also increase the likelihood of Alzheimer's. For example, this risk increases in people who constantly sleep on their backs. Sleep apnea is common in people who sleep on their backs. Sleep apnea has short-term effects as well as long-term effects. The blood supply to the brain deteriorates and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases. The risk of Alzheimer's is also higher in people with hearing loss. We can also think of hearing as a brain stimulus. When a person loses this stimulus, they become half forgetful.”
Less common in social people
Referring to the causes of Alzheimer's disease, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özkardeş said, “The most important factor in Alzheimer's is the age factor, this disease is not very common under a certain age. If it is seen at a very young age, it is necessary to look for a genetic cause. Apart from that, the intellectual level of the patient is very important. Even if Alzheimer's occurs in intellectual people who have lived a full life, it is late and mild. Nutrition habits, physical activities, hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol are also important factors.”
