Hi Discovery: We May Have Overlooked the Connection Between Brain Diseases and Nasal Reactions

According to recent findings by the Hi News media team in medical and health journals, when a person suffers from a cold, fever, headache, or other ailments, they often experience a runny nose. Notably, most infants up to six years old frequently have runny noses, often due to their rapid brain development during this period. Combining this information, can we infer that a runny nose might not merely be nasal mucosa secretion, but possibly a way for the brain to excrete damaged brain cells during illness?

Medical Background and New Insights

The formation of nasal discharge (runny nose) is directly related to the secretions of the nasal mucosa. Traditionally, it is believed that nasal discharge primarily serves to clear pathogens and foreign particles from the nasal passages. However, recent studies suggest that the phenomenon of a runny nose may have deeper connections to brain activity and health.

Infants and Brain Development: In the first few years after birth, infants undergo rapid brain development, characterized by the generation of numerous neurons and synaptic connections. During this process, any infection or inflammation in the brain can lead to increased nasal secretions.

Brain-Nose Connection: There are complex connections between the nasal mucosa and the brain. Studies have shown that in certain neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, specific pathological markers (such as beta-amyloid proteins) can be detected in the nasal secretions of patients. This suggests that nasal secretions may not solely be a product of local nasal activity but could reflect pathological changes in the brain.

Research and Evidence

1. Alzheimer’s Disease Studies: A study analyzing nasal secretions of Alzheimer’s disease patients found specific brain pathology markers in the discharge. Researchers noted that these components in nasal secretions might originate from damaged brain cells.
2. Common Cold and Runny Nose: During a cold, viruses attack not only the nasal passages and respiratory tract but may also affect the central nervous system. A runny nose is not just a mechanism for expelling viruses but may also indicate the brain’s response to infection.
3. Brain Disorders and Nasal Reaction: Studies have found that when the brain is damaged or affected by diseases, such as in cases of concussion or meningitis, patients often exhibit a runny nose. These secretions may contain components of cerebrospinal fluid, highlighting the close connection between the brain and nasal passages.

Conclusion

While the primary component of a runny nose is nasal mucosal secretion, increasing evidence suggests that it may have direct links to brain activity and pathological states. During illnesses, particularly those involving brain infection or inflammation, nasal discharge might contain excretions from damaged brain cells. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of nasal discharge but also offers new perspectives for diagnosing and treating certain brain diseases.