Home » Biology, Health, North America, Social, Survival » Failing smell sense likely death sign


Failing smell sense likely death sign

 
 
 
 
submit to reddit

380775 Smell test
A study shows that a declining sense of smell could be sign of death approaching.

Flopping a simple smell test as a senior could predict one’s approaching demise, a new study shows.

Thirty-nine percent of the subjects of the study, which was published on Wednesday, who failed the test died within just five years.

This was compared to the 19 percent among those with moderate smell loss and just 10 percent of those with a healthy sense of smell.

The study saw researchers from the University of Chicago asking the subjects, aged between 57 and 85 to name distinct odors, namely peppermint, fish, orange, rose, and leather.

“We think loss of the sense of smell is like the canary in the coal mine,” said the study’s lead author Jayant Pinto, an associate professor of surgery at the university. “Of all human senses, smell is the most undervalued and underappreciated until it’s gone.”

Professor Tim Jacob of Cardiff University, who was not involved in the research, has said, “This well-conducted study suggests the sense of smell is intimately linked to health and wellbeing.

Martha McClintock, a senior author of the study, said, “Obviously, people don’t die just because their olfactory system is damaged.”

Source

Please wait...


RELATED ARTICLES

Did you like this information? Then please consider making a donation or subscribing to our Newsletter.

Conversation Guidelines

Starting a conversation on our website is very easy, all you need to do is to write your name, email and the comment itself. No account is required to leave a comment. Your email won't be used for any purpose whatsoever, if you want, you can even write a fictitious email. Please keep it civil, try to refrain from slurs and insults. We offer Free Speech rights to our comment section but please take note that the comment section is moderated so certain comments may be held for moderation in case they triggered our automatic filters. If your comment is on hold for moderation and you can't see it anywhere there is no need to repost it. Don't worry, it doesn't mean it won't get approved. Please patiently wait and check back later.



Copyright © 2009 The European Union Times – Breaking News, Latest News. All rights reserved.