PharmEasy Blog

Nose Health: What It Says About You!

Aside from picking up odours and smelling things, our nose knows a few things about our health. It has been linked to good health, mental illness and even early death. Our olfactory senses are sharpened when our nose is working efficiently. It can detect more than a billion different smells. Below are some ways in which your nose knows about your health. Learn the nuances of your nose health and what it says about you…

1. Discoloured Nasal Membranes

A healthy individual has pink nasal membranes. But if they are blue, pale or swollen, you could be suffering from a nasal allergic reaction. Red nasal membranes point towards bacterial or viral infection.

2. Runny Nose

A runny nose could indicate a cold or a flu infection. Drink lots of fluids and rest to get through the disease.

3. Nosebleeds

Dry sinuses lead to nosebleeds. Don’t ignore the condition as it could mean blood pressure or allergy problems even. Cracked sinuses that cause nosebleeds can lead to more severe lung and nasal infections. Using a humidifier helps with dry sinuses.

4. Polyps

Polyps are harmless growths in the nose. They lead to a reduced sense of smell. If medications don’t help, then surgery is done to remove them.

5. Diabetes

Elevated glucose levels in the body lead to nerve and blood vessels damage. This could affect a person’s sense of smell. Diabetes also affects the endocrine system so which could also lead to a reduced olfactory response.

6. Alzheimer’s

Going slow while identifying odours? This could mean the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s affects the motor neurons and therefore, could change the sense of smell. Other conditions like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease could also be the culprit.

7. Stroke

Many people have a keen sense of smell, but if someone is smelling things that aren’t around, it could mean they are about to suffer from an epileptic seizure or even a stroke. These are called olfactory hallucinations. They also point towards brain tumours or head injuries.

8. Sinus Infection

Infection of the sinuses could lead to someone complaining of phantom smells. If the smell is persistent, try washing off the sinuses with saltwater. The problem resolves itself on its own once the infection clears off.

9. Rosacea

In this condition, the nose becomes red and over a period may thicken and become permanently red. In more severe cases, it can cause breathing troubles and change the shape of your nose.

10. Discoloured Snot

Mucous in a healthy individual is clear. When the person is suffering from some viral or bacterial infection or some allergy, the snot could get discoloured. In cases of cold and flu, it becomes yellow as the white blood cells rush to fight off the infections. After about a week to ten days, it may turn green. A course of antibiotics will clear it up again.

The most important factor to consider is that our nose says a lot about our health. However, unfortunately, we often ignore our nose health. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, consult your doctor.

Also Read: What are Adenoids? A Comprehensive Overview of Their Function and Importance

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Strokes! – What Causes It & How To Avoid It?

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A stroke is like a heart attack to the brain. During a stroke, the brain does not receive adequate blood supply and oxygen to function correctly. The brain cells die without sufficient oxygen and nutrients, causing severe brain damage. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, loss of speech, hearing, taste, vision or movements crops up as a consequence due to various causes of stroke. This condition requires medical intervention, therefore, do not self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.

Disability is a common and expected outcome after a stroke and, in people aged 75–80 years, functional decline is a very common outcome, which can be associated with other comorbidities. Early intervention is very critical to prevent long-term complications of delayed treatment.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

  A stroke might occur due to a variety of reasons, but here are the three main causes of stroke:

  1. Blood Clots:

Blood clots are formed in the arteries of the brain or are formed in the blood vessels. These then break off and travel where they might enter the narrow arteries of the brain. Here, they restrict the blood flow to the part of the brain that is supplying blood by that artery leading to a stroke. This leads to the loss of function of the body part controlled by the brain region.

People with high blood pressure must motinor and record their blood pressure reading routinely. At least once a week even if the readings are maintained in healthy range. It is the unnoticed shoot in blood pressure that leads to strokes in most of the patients with hypertension.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
  1. High Blood Pressure:

High blood pressure or hypertension may cause the blood vessels to rupture or tear in the brain. The spilt blood damages the adjacent brain cells leading to cell death and loss of functions of the corresponding body parts.

Modifiable risk factors include physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, diet and nutrition, hypertension (most important and well-documented), obesity, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, modifications in diet and exercise, smoking cessation, pharmacotherapy for hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and at-risk individuals with AF are essential to acute stroke prevention.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Also Read: Apple Diet: Unpacking the Potential Health Benefits and Risks Based on Studies

  1. Other Factors:

Other factors such as a traumatic brain or neck injury, certain medications and weakness in the internal walls of our arteries and veins also increase the risk of stroke.

The best way to avoid stroke is to control the formation of unhealthy cholesterol and exercise regularly to keep ourselves fit and healthy. All means of maintaining blood pressure must be undertaken.

Stroke is a preventable condition that can be avoided by following these lifestyle modifications. Lets spread awareness about the causes of stroke and promote healthy living.

Also Read: Cherry Tomatoes: Unveiling the Nutritional Benefits and Culinary Uses

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.