What we would like you to do is to find a topic from this week's chapter that you were interested in and search the internet for material on that topic. You might, for example, find people who are doing research on the topic, you might find web pages that discuss the topic, you might find a video clip that demonstrates something related to the topic, etc. What you find and use is pretty much up to you at this point. Please be sure to use at least 3 quality resources. If you use videos, please limit it to one video.
Once you have completed your search and explorations we would like you to:
1a) State what your topic is.
1b) Discuss how the topic relates to the chapter.
1c) Discuss why you are interested in it.
2) Next, we would like you to take the information you read or viewed related to your topic, integrate/synthesize it, and then write about the topic in a knowledgeable manner. By integrating/synthesizing we mean taking what your read/experienced from the internet search organize the information into the main themes, issues, info, examples, etc. about your topic and then write about the topic in your own words using the information you have about the topic.
3) List the terms you used from the text and from your reference websites.
4) At the end of your post, please include working URLs for the three websites. For each URL you have listed indicate why you chose the site and the extent to which it contributed to your post.
This week for my topical blog I decided to look further into aromatherapy. This relates back to the chapter by looking into the deeper of olfacton, memory and emotion as it looks back to a study that was done in Britain and compared to a similar study that was done in the United states. Both studies looked at a odorant methyl salicylate (wintergreen) in the British study wintergreen was given one of the lowest pleasantness ratings and in america it was rated the most pleasant. This shows that the key to olfactory associative learning is the experience when the odor is first encountered and in particular the emotional connotation of that experience. We also briefly looked into the proponents of aromatherapy contend that odors can influence and alter one's mood, performance and well being, and the physiological correlates of emotion such as a heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep. It has been said that some odors can elicit various beneficial emotional, behavioral, and physical effects, but only if the aroma in question has previously been associated with the corresponding emotional experience. I found this topic interesting because I have heard other people talking about aromatherapy but have never had the chance to look further into it. I am interested to learn more about the different types of aromatherapy and how one can use it in their life. I am also interested to see if there are types of odors that can help to improve one’s life, I have also heard that there are some odors that are related with aromatherapy that can help reduce migraines. I have suffered from Migraines my whole life and maybe this could also be something to look further into with a professional to help my migraines as well as my daily life.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.Aromatherapy was originated in Europe and has been practiced there since the early 1900’s. Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants is limited. Essential oils are taken from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stalks, bark, rind, or roots. The oils are mixed with another substance and then put on the skin, sprayed in the air, or inhaled. You can also massage the oils into the skin or pour them into bath water. Aromatherapists believe that fragrances in the oils stimulate nerves in the nose. Those nerves send impulses to the part of the brain that controls memory and emotion. The essential oils of a plant have been found to provide both psychological and physical benefits when they are correctly and safely used. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be calming or stimulating. The oils are thought to interact with the body’s hormones and enzymes to cause changes in blood pressure, pulse, and other body functions. The essential oil profiles area details over 90 essential oils. Absolutes, CO2s and hydrosols are also commonly utilized in the aromatherapy. Although one should know that products that include synthetic ingredients are frowned upon in holistic aromatherapy and it is important to note that perfume oils also known as fragrance oils are not the same as essential oils. The fragrance and perfume oils contain synthetic chemicals and do not provide the therapeutic benefits of essential oils.
Another theory suggests that the fragrance of certain oils may stimulate the body to produce pain-fighting substances. Some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits, including; relief from anxiety and depression, improved quality of life, and particularly for people with chronic health conditions. Smaller studies suggest that aromatherapy with lavender oil may help; make needle sticks less painful for people receiving dialysis, improve sleep for people for people who are hospitalized, and reduce pain for children undergoing tonsillectomy. Aromatherapy is often used to promote relaxation and help relieve stress. It has also been used to help treat a wide range of physical and mental conditions, including burns, infections, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Although there has been many supportive cases that have had a positive outcome from aromatherapy there has also been limited scientific evidence to support claims that aromatherapy effectively prevents or cures illness.Many essential oils have been shown to be safe when used as directed, however essential oils that are used in aromatherapy aren’t regulated by the food and drug administration. When these oils are applied to the skin, side effects may include allergic reactions, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. There is still research that is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding as well as how the oils might interact with medications and or other treatments. Practitioners of aromatherapy are not specifically licensed in the United States, although with a wide range of licensed health professionals like massage therapists and nurses which may have experienced training in aromatherapy. All who are considering using essential oils should consult with their medical doctor to see whether aromatherapy may be helpful and safe for your specific health condition.
http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp This webpage is a site that is used to promote and gives different recipies for different uses of aromatherapy.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/tc/aromatherapy-essential-oils-therapy-topic-overview This wepage gave me a medical backgroud and gave a indepth definition of aromatherapy and how it is used. It also went into the benefits and how it was safe or unsafe to use.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/aromatherapy/faq-20058566 this gave me informaiton about a medical websight and how aromatherapy is used in medical practice to make patients in less discomfort and how it is being used to treat people.
Terms: odorant methyl salicylate, olfactory, odor, aromatherapy, aroma, Aromatherapists, memory, emotion, physiological, physical benefits,
I decided to do my research topic on specific anosmia. Specific anosmia is the inability to smell one specific compound amid otherwise normal smell perception. This topic relates to the chapter because it was briefly talked about after shape-pattern theory was mentioned. I’m interested in this topic because I wonder what causes this or if there are possible treatments.
The complete loss of smell is called anosmia. Without your sense of smell, food tastes different, and you can’t smell the scent of certain objects. You could potentially find yourself in a dangerous situation without even knowing. An example of this would be a gas leak or smoke from a fire. Thousands of people are sent to the doctor each year because of taste and smell disorders. Fortunately, anosmia is temporary caused by severely stuffy nose from a cold. One a cold runs its course, a person’s sense of smell returns. But for some people, especially the elderly, the loss of sense of smell may persist. In addition, anosmia can be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
A person’s sense of smell is driven by a certain process. First, a molecule released form a substance must stimulate special nerve cells, olfactory cells, found high up in the nose. These nerve cells then send information to the brain, where the specific smell is identified. Anything that interferes with these processes, such as nasal congestion, nasal blockage, or damage to the nerve cells themselves, can lead to a loss of smell. The ability to smell also affects our ability to taste. Without the sense of smell, our taste buds can only detect few flavors.
Nasal congestion from a cold, allergy, sinus infection, or poor air quality is the most common cause of anosmia. Other anosmia causes include, nasal polyps, which is small noncancerous growths in the nose and sinuses that block the nasal passage, injury to the nose and smell nerves from surgery or head trauma, exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides or solvents, certain medications including antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medication, heart medications, and others, cocaine abuse, old age, because your sense of smell can become weaker as you age, certain medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, nutritional deficiencies, congenital conditions, hormonal disturbances, or radiation treatment of head and neck cancers.
The obvious sign of anosmia is a loss of smell. Some people with anosmia notice a change in the way things smell. If nasal congestion from a cold or allergy is the cause of anosmia, treatment is usually not needed, and the problem will get better on its own. Sometimes a person will regain his or her sense of smell spontaneously. Unfortunately, anosmia is not always treatable, especially if age is the cause.
Anosmia can be diagnosed by doctors using acetylcysteine tests. Doctors begin with a detailed elicitation of history. The doctor then does a psychophysical assessment of order and taste identification that is used to identify anosmia. A nervous system examination is performed to see if the cranial nerves are damaged. The diagnosis as well as the degree of impairment can be tested better than ever before using smell testing kits that are now recently available. Occasionally, after accidents, there is a change in a person’s sense of smell. Particular smells that were present before are no longer present. On occasion, after head traumas, there are patients who have unilateral anosmia. Many cases of congenital anosmia remain unreported and undiagnosed. Since the disorder is present from birth the individual may have little or no understanding of the sense of smell, hence is unaware of the deficit. It may also lead to a reduction of appetite.
Anosmia can have a number of harmful effects. People with sudden onset anosmia may find food less appetizing. Loss of smell can also be dangerous because it hinders the detection of gas leaks, fire, and spoiled food. The common view of anosmia as trivial can make it more difficult for a person to receive the same types of medical aid as someone who has the loss of other senses. This can lead some to having depression, or losing the memory of smell. Loss of olfaction can lead to the loss of libido. And although anosmia caused by brain damage cannot be treated, anosmia caused by inflammatory changes in the mucosa may be treated with glucocorticoids. Reduction of the inflammation through the use of oral glucocorticoids will easily treat the anosmia.
URL: http://www.webmd.com/brain/anosmia-loss-of-smell
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anosmia
URL: http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/anosmia.htm
I chose these websites because they gave me a better understanding of the topic. They were able to help me find the causes of anosmia and the possible treatments for it.
Terms: Specific anosmia, shape-pattern theory, sense, scent, disorders, severely, cold, condition, molecule, substance, stimulate, nerve cells, olfactory cells, brain, nasal congestion, blockage, damage, taste, nasal polyps, acetylcsteine tests, psychophysical assessment, nervous system, examination, cranial nerves, libido, depression, medical aid, brain damage, treated, mucosa, glucocorticoids.
Parkinson's disease
This disease relates directly to the olfactory system as far as functionality. I did want to do anosmia but it was taken so I decided to go a different route.
Parkinson’s disease affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. After diagnosis, treatments can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure. Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that progresses slowly. Some people will first notice a sense of weakness, difficulty walking, and stiff muscles. Others may notice a tremor of the head or hands. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder and the symptoms gradually worsen. The general symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:
-Slowness of voluntary movements, especially in the initiation of such movements as walking or rolling over in bed
-Decreased facial expression, monotonous speech, and decreased eye blinking
-A shuffling gait with poor arm swing and stooped posture
-Unsteady balance; difficulty rising from a sitting position
-Continuous "pill-rolling" motion of the thumb and forefinger
-Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extremities
-Swallowing problems in later stages
-Lightheadedness or fainting when standing
Parkinson's disease strikes people in many different ways, leaving them to experience a broad range of symptoms. Though symptoms may be mild or severe or occur frequently or infrequently, Parkinson's disease appears to have five different stages. The time spent at each stage varies, and the skipping of stages, from stage one to stage three, for example, is not uncommon.
Parkinson's disease stages include:
Stage one: During this initial phase of the disease, a patient usually experiences mild symptoms. These symptoms may inconvenience the day-to-day tasks the patient would otherwise complete with ease. Typically these symptoms will include the presence of tremors or experiencing shaking in one of the limbs.
Stage two: In the second stage of Parkinson's disease, the patients symptoms are bilateral, affecting both limbs and both sides of the body. The patient usually encounters problems walking or maintaining balance, and the inability to complete normal physical tasks becomes more apparent.
Stage three: Stage three symptoms of Parkinson's disease can be rather severe and include the inability to walk straight or to stand. There is a noticeable slowing of physical movements in stage three.
Stage four: This stage of the disease is accompanied by severe symptoms of Parkinson's. Walking may still occur, but it is often limited and rigidity and bradykinesia are often visible. During this stage, most patients are unable to complete day-to-day tasks, and usually cannot live on their own. The tremors or shakiness that take over during the earlier stages however, may lessen or become non-existent for unknown reasons during this time.
Stage five: The last or final stage of Parkinson's disease usually takes over the patients physical movements. The patient is usually unable to take care of himself or herself and may not be able to stand or walk during this stage. A patient at stage five usually requires constant one-on-one nursing care.
There are numerous treatments for the disease but no cure. There is home treatment, medications, surgery, guided imagery, speech therapy, physical therapy, gamma knife stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and the more extreme yet untested treatments.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_disease
Background
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/definition/con-20028488
definition
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/parkinsons_disease.htm
facts & figures
Terms: sense, scent, disorders, severely, condition, substance, stimulate, nerve cells, olfactory cells, brain, damage,psychophysical assessment, nervous system, examination, cranial nerves, depression, medical aid, brain damage, treated, Parkinsons, stage, therapy, stimulation
1a) State what your topic is.
This week i've decided to do my further research on the cribriform plate, which is a bony structure riddled with tiny holes, at level of the eyebrows, that separates the nose from the brain, the axons from the olfactory sensory neurons pass through the tiny holes of the cribriform.
1b) Discuss how the topic relates to the chapter.
this chapter is about the chemicals senses of olfaction, which is the physical properties of molecules that have the characteristics of unique physiological properties which most living things have. i think that this section relates to this chapter because it explain how the smell gets into our brain, the process of how our brain perceive the olfactions of many smells, and without those tiny bony structure holes, then the brain itself wouldn't have away of telling what smell is what or how you could correlate one smell to another.
1c) Discuss why you are interested in it.
interestingly, 35% of the genes that code for olfactory receptors only exists in humans which would make them functional. i am very much interested in this because some people actually have a stronger olfactory scents than others, and i also want to know how do animals or other living things actually get to smell things when they don't have any nose parts or nose shape where the cribriform plate would be located, i would also like to know when we can't smell because we have a cold, is it because our cribriform is blocked by all the nasty stuff that are in our incenses?
2) Findings: as i was looking through the web, i actually found some very important information and i actually have a better understanding of what cribriform plate is. one of the sources states the why cribriform plate is important, some reasons are that, it's important because it supports the olfactory bulb, it's vital for ones ability to smell or distinguish odors, if broken, you have no sense of smell anymore, that's why when you get hit in the nose area, your eyes get all tearing up because it sends the signal right to your brain and associates how sensitive it is.
The notion that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption occurs mainly through the arachnoid granulations and villi is being challenged by studies that support a major role for the lymphatic circulation in CSF transport. An important pathway by which CSF is removed from the cranium is movement through the cribriform plate in association with the olfactory nerves. CSF is then absorbed directly into lymphatics located in the submucosa of the olfactory epithelium. In this report, (A) we determined the time during development at which the CSF compartment and extracranial lymphatic vessels connect anatomically in neonatal rats and (B) we investigated an indirect method to quantify this transport in adult rats.for some living things, they don't need a human shape cribriform plate in order to smell, like for example, a turtle, especially sea turtles, those turtles breath air in and out through their behind, they get smell, and they also produce smell with in the same hole, basically their cribriform plate is in different areas than ours, it's also shaped differently, however we have the same receptors that sends that smell to the brain and tells the brain what kind of smell it could be.
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3) TERMS:Senory Neurons, Cribrifom plate, Axons, Olfactory sensory, chemical scents.
4) Sites: This source is informative and also goes in to details about the cribriform plate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cribriform_plate
this is a source where a study was done on some animals to test their cribriform plate.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1716826/
This youtube video goes in depth of what tactile agnosia is mostly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGsFtNyfJ4
The topic I chose to do further research on was the topic of anosmia. Anosmia is the total inability to smell, most often resulting from sinus illness or head trauma. A person's sense of smell is driven by certain processes. First, a molecule released from a substance has to stimulate olfactory cells that are found higher up in the nose. These nerve cells then send information to the brain where the specific smell is identified. Anything that interferes with these processes lead to loss of smell. The ability to smell also affects our ability to taste. Without the sense of smell, our taste buds can only detect a few flavors, and this can affect one’s quality of life. This relates to the chapter and sensation and perception because we are beginning to talk about smell and how it builds on the other senses that we have talked about. I find this interesting because I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose my ability to smell. My life would be so much different and reading this section in our book really made me think about my life without one of the five senses.
Like I just said, anosmia is the total loss of smell. The obvious symptom of anosmia is a loss of smell or when familiar odors begin to lack that familiar smell. Anosmia can be caused by temporary or permanent irritation, or destruction of the mucous membranes lining the inside of your nose. There are different causes of anosmia and according to WebMD; the causes that they believe to be true are nasal polyps -- small noncancerous growths in the nose and sinuses that block the nasal passage. Injury to the nose and smell nerves from surgery or head trauma. Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides or solvents, certain medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medication, heart medications, and others, cocaine abuse, old age. Like vision and hearing, your sense of smell can become weaker as you age. In fact, one's sense of smell is most keen between the ages of 30 and 60 and begins to decline after age 60. And also, certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, nutritional deficiencies, congenital conditions, and hormonal disturbances, and radiation treatment of head and neck cancers.
Your olfactory system, which provides your sense of smell, consists of receptors in the mucous lining of your nose that sends information through nerves into your brain. You can lose your sense of smell if any part of the olfactory pathway is damaged or destroyed. This can happen as a result of many things such as old age, Alzheimer’s disease, brain surgery, diabetes, etc. Whether or not anosmia can be cured depends on the underlying cause. People who have a more severe case of anosmia such as congenital anosmia have a lifelong inability to smell and they really have no concept of what smell is. Congenital anosmia occurs when one is born without a sense of smell because of a genetic condition or faulty gene. An estimated 6,000 people in the UK are born with this condition. There is no known cure for this kind of anosmia, however, other types of anosmia may be improved to some point or cured if the condition is treated.
Safety comes first and many people do not realize or take time to think about the dangers involved with a condition such as anosmia. One with anosmia does not have the ability to smell fire, gas, poison, or anything that could affect their well-being. Losing your sense of smell can be very depressing and isolating. It means missing out on many experiences most of us take for granted, such as smelling fresh flowers, perfume or the scent of a loved one. To ensure that you are living a healthy and safe lifestyle, it is recommended to keep up with smoke alarms in all rooms of your house, change from natural gas to electric gas and carefully read labels on all food products and any warning labels on all other products that you come in contact with. Smell also plays an important role in how you taste things. Many people with anosmia lose interest in food, because 80% of the flavor of food comes from its smell. Another side effect that some people experience and need to look out for is loss of appetite and it is very important to maintain nutrition levels. I know that when I smell delicious food it makes me hungry and want to eat it. Without the ability to smell, this affect does not occur resulting in not wanting the food.
Terms: Sensation, perception, anosmia, congenital anosmia, side effect, nutrition, genetic condition, faulty gene, olfactory pathways, Alzheimer’s disease, mucous membranes, five senses, molecule.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/anosmia-loss-of-smell - I chose to use this website because once again WebMD is always an outstanding, reliable source that always teaches me a thing or two about the topic that I am researching.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/loss-of-smell/basics/definition/sym-20050804 - I also chose this website because it too is a very reliable source resulting in more information and confirming the results from the other websites that I have found.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anosmia/Pages/Introduction.aspx - I used this website because it came with other information that the other two websites did not come with. I like finding websites like these because they are full of fun facts and interesting news.
For this week’s Topical Blog assignment, I chose to do research on Smell and Memories. From reading this section in our chapter, this sparked an immediate interest on how or why we remember different odors and associate them with memories. I wanted to know if this was a conditioned response or if, in fact it is a predisposition response to a gestation period. I find this interesting because we elicit smells every minute of every day. I think it is important to know why we are associating different odors with pleasant or unpleasant emotional memories.
Smells can bring back many memories, influence people’s moods or even affect their work performance. Because we encounter most new odors when we are children, smells often call up childhood memories. Studies show that we actually begin making associations between smell and emotions before we’ve been born. Infants who have been exposed to alcohol, cigarette smoke, or garlic in the womb show a preference for different smells.
The olfactory bulb, part of the brain’s limbic system, is closely associated with memory and feeling. The part of the brain is often called the “emotional brain”, smell can call up memories and powerful responses almost instantaneously.
The olfactory bulb has very close access to the amygdala, which processes emotion, and the hippocampus, which is responsible for associative learning. Despite the close association of these structures and how they are wired, smells would not trigger memories if it weren't for conditioned responses. When you first smell a new scent, you pair it to an event, a person, a thing or even a moment. Your brain constructs a link between the smell and a memory. When you encounter the smell again, the link is already there, ready to elicit a memory or a mood. For example; chlorine might call up a specific pool related memory or simply make you feel happy. Lilies might trouble you without your knowing why. This is part of the reason why not everyone likes the same smells.
Scent preferences are often associated to personal experiences with specific memories. In one survey, for example, responses to the question ‘What are your favorite smells?’ many odors generally regarded as unpleasant (such as gasoline and body perspiration), while some scents usually perceived as pleasant (such as flowers) were violently disliked by certain respondents. These preferences were explained by good and bad experiences associated with particular scents.
Despite these individual differences, we can make some significant generalizations about smell-preference. For example, experiments have shown that we tend to ‘like what we know’: people give higher pleasantness ratings to smells which they are able to identify correctly. There are also some fragrances which appear to be universally perceived as ‘pleasant’, such as vanilla, an increasingly popular ingredient in perfumes which has long been a standard ‘pleasant odor’ in psychological experiments.
As research is increasingly showing, smells can impact on almost everything, from dreams and emotions, driving, stress and gambling, to pain, concentration, memory and romance. While a whiff of lavender releases feel-good hormones and makes us happier, the scent of roses lowers blood pressure and a hint of eucalyptus improves alertness. Research has shown that when areas of the brain connected to memory are damaged, the ability to identify smells is actually impaired. In order to identify a scent, you must remember when you have smelled it before and then connect it to visual information that occurred at the same time. According to some research, studying information in the presence of an odor actually increases the vividness and intensity of that remembered information when you smell that odor again. Research has also shown that when areas of the brain connected to memory are damaged, the ability to identify smells is actually impaired. In order to identify a scent, you must remember when you have smelled it before and then connect it to visual information that occurred at the same time. According to some research, studying information in the presence of an odor actually increases the vividness and intensity of that remembered information when you smell that odor again.
Although there is no clear consensus between the learning association of smell and memories to the gestation period or if it is purely learned from experience, one thing is for sure. Without our ability to smell our lives would be forever changed. People that have anosmia have no ability to smell often resulting from a sinus illness or head trauma have to find ways to survive with different cues from the environment.
References:
http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/content/30/suppl_1/i250.full I chose this website because of the explanation of associative learning.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-scents-affect-peoples/ I chose this website because of the information provided about what constitutes “stink” vs. pleasant odors.
http://www.saga.co.uk/health/mind/how-smell-affects-your-body-and-mind.aspx I chose this website because of the information provided about the different aspects odors have on day to day feelings and operations.
TERMS: odors, conditioned response, gestation, olfactory bulb, limbic system, “emotional brain”, amygdala, hippocampus, associative learning, fragrance, anosmia, scents
The topic I would like to research more is the vibration theory. I found this to be very interesting because it is a new and exciting idea to me; something I have never heard of or thought of before and I enjoy researching new ideas. The vibration theory is an alternative to shape pattern theory for describing how olfaction works. Vibration theory proposes that every odorant has a different vibrational frequency, and that molecules that produce the same vibrational frequencies will smell the same. This theory was championed most recently by Luca Turin. In essence, vibration theory proposes that because of atomic structure, every odorant has a different vibrational frequency, and molecules that produce the same vibrational frequencies have the same or similar smells. Turin reported that various chemicals that have predictably similar vibrations because of their molecular composition (this is the "vibration" they speak of)also have similar smells.
The issue with vibration theory is that it doesn't have as much research done as the shape pattern theory. Vibration theory cannot explain several conundrums of olfactory perception, such as specific anosmias and the different scents produced by stereo isomers, which shape pattern theory can explain.
My research found two types of vibrations that can apply to this theory that the book did not discuss:
-Free vibration occurs when a mechanical system is set off with an initial input and then allowed to vibrate freely. Examples of this type of vibration are pulling a child back on a swing and then letting go or hitting a tuning fork and letting it ring. The mechanical system will then vibrate at one or more of its "natural frequency" and damp down to zero.
-Forced vibrations is when a time-varying disturbance (load, displacement or velocity) is applied to a mechanical system. The disturbance can be a periodic, steady-state input, a transient input, or a random input. The periodic input can be a harmonic or a non-harmonic disturbance. Examples of these types of vibration include a shaking washing machine due to an imbalance, transportation vibration (caused by truck engine, springs, road, etc.), or the vibration of a building during an earthquake. For linear systems, the frequency of the steady-state vibration response resulting from the application of a periodic, harmonic input is equal to the frequency of the applied force or motion, with the response magnitude being dependent on the actual mechanical system.
I found out that the theory of the sense of smell developed by Luca Turin did not originate with him, but he was the one who developed it and provided the scientific support. In 1985 Turin found the idea that the smell of a substance is determined by frequencies of vibration of its molecules from an article by R.H. Wright in a 1977 issue of the journal Chemistry and Industry. Wright in his turn had gotten the idea from the works of Malcolm Dyson who in 1938 presented it to the British Society for Chemistry and Industry so the vibration theory has been around for a long time, it just hasn't received a lot of research over the years.
After not finding a lot of information on the vibration theory I decided to look into the shape pattern theory a little to try to understand why it is the better working theory. The Shape Theory of olfaction is relatively straightforward: after diffusing through the air to our noses, a chemicals' physical shape acts as a 'key' which fits into a corresponding 'lock' on the surface of our noses. The lock then triggers receptors, which feed information to our brain to be processed into the corresponding odor. We see this same sort of recognition pattern with immune system antibodies as well as certain taste systems in our tongues. shape theory is not the best mechanism for explaining the olfaction process either but it is better represented than the vibration theory; however they have both been trumped by quantum physics.
I can relate this to sensation and perception because these theories represent that process in which we are able to detect the differences in the things we smell. We have learned the importance of our senses and the importance of our sense of smell in things such as tasting. These theories help to explain why we smell different smells just as the other chapters explained why we see different colors or why we can hear different sounds (also related to vibration) I found all of this to be very interesting.
http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/104_2012_web_projects/Ian_MacDougall/ShapeTheory.html gave information on shape pattern theory, definition and history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMlLEZMXOmc I don't usually post videos but this video came up a lot over the course of my research and it helped to explain the vibration theory with illustrations.
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/turin.htm this website told more of the history of the vibration theory, where it came from, who studied it and its importance.
https://engfac.cooper.edu/pages/tzavelis/uploads/Vibration%20Theory.pdf this website told of different types of vibrations and was very useful.
Terms:
shape pattern theory, vibration pattern theory, scent, sensation, perception, specific anosmia, research, olfactory, stereoisomers, free vibration, forced vibration, harmonic input, quantum physics.
1a) The topic I chose was anosmia.
1b) The chapter discussed the olfaction system of our bodies. Anosmia, the inability to smell, is a defect in this system.
1c) I am interested in this topic because I have a lot of trouble smelling things. Although sometimes it is just because my nose is plugged from allergies, I find I have difficulty even when my nose is clear. I am interested to see if anosmia has a role to play in my difficulty with smell. I am also interested because I find disorders of the human body to be fascinating. Since anosmia is a disorder, it fits the bill nicely.
2) Anosmia is a problem with a person’s olfaction system. It is known as the inability to smell. Typically, the disorder is only partial, yet it can be a complete loss from time to time. Anosmia is also a disorder that can appear either temporarily or chronically, depending on the cause and its severity. There are many possible causes of anosmia. The third most common reason a person develops anosmia has to do with trauma or injury to the head. Holding the olfactory nerve fibers is a small bone called the cribriform plate. This porous bone has many holes, through which the nerves pass. If significant trauma to the head occurs, this can damage the cribriform plate. If the bone is damaged, it is likely that the nerves could be crushed or sliced. This acts like the cutting an electrical cord, and cuts off the connection to the brain. While the fibers may try to heal, the scar tissue prevents full reconnection. Anosmia can also be brought on by something as simple as the common cold. Upper respiratory infections, such as those that may occur with the common cold, may cause damage to olfactory sensors in some patients. The most common methods of attaining anosmia are diseases of the nasal and sinuses. These diseases may include allergies, sinus infections, and nasal polyps. All of these may lead to inflammation of the nasal tissue, making the functioning of olfactory receptor cells a difficult task. They also may lead to obstruction of the nasal passage. This does not allow for much air, and therefore odors, to pass through and reach receptor cells. Along with these causes, age also plays a role in the older persons whom develop anosmia. The nose takes in air continuously, and over the years, the olfactory system breaks down from normal wear and tear.
The sense of smell is often considered the most dispensable of the senses. However, the loss of olfaction also has several very negative consequences. The first of these is the loss of a great deal of ability to taste. This is due to the fact the systems of smell and taste are very much intertwined. The scent of food greatly contributes to the multidimensional, often difficult to describe, experience of tasting food. When the scent of food is out of the picture, one is reduced to the basic tastes of salty, sweet, bitter, spicy, and savory. Therefore, when someone loses their sense of smell, they can become disinterested in food. This may lead to malnutrition. Depression is also a significant side effect of anosmia. Those without the ability to smell report a feeling of emptiness in their interactions with loved ones. If you are suddenly unable to sense the comforting aroma of your mother’s perfume, your husband’s cologne, or your child’s earthy scent, this could be an emotional experience. Anosmia is also often not taken as seriously as those affected may wish. The dismissal of a person’s disability as trivial at worst can make an anosmic feel alone and isolated, contributing to depression. Anosmia can also be dangerous. Our sense of smell allows us to detect dangerous chemicals in the environment. A chemical that replicates the scent of rotten eggs is added to household gases so a leak will not go unnoticed. If someone with anosmia is in a place, which is experiencing a gas leak, they will not detect the smell meant to warn someone of the gas’s presence. This could lead to poisoning from the inhaled gas, or an explosion from simply lighting a candle in a gas filled room.
Currently, there is no cure, for any type of chronic anosmia. All current methods only achieve temporary success, and repetition of the methods is not considered medically worth the process. However, thanks to a public outcry for support, the Monell Chemical Senses center is conducting a great deal of research in a field formerly overlooked. They are hopeful and optimistic about future success.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/loss-of-smell/basics/definition/sym-20050804
I chose this site because it was a very good basic outlook of anosmia. It was a good starting point for researching the disorder.
http://www.monell.org/
I chose this site because it is the official site of the main researchers of anosmia treatments. It also contains a great deal of detailed information.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-smell-loss-met-20140608-story.html#page=1
This article had a lot of personal testimony from sufferers of anosmia. It gave a new perspective on what living with anosmia is really like.
Terms: Anosmia; olfaction; olfactory receptor cells; olfactory nerve fibers; cribriform plate; upper respiratory infection; obstruction; senses; toxins; nasal passage; chronic; scent
I chose to look further into the feel of scent. The science behind how various scents give us feelings at the same time is fascinating. The text discusses that ammonia burns, menthol feels cool, cinnamon is warm. Even though these things do not actually touch our skin the act of smelling these things gives us the feeling. This is a pretty popular idea in the market place. I have been reading about and hearing testimonials from people regarding aroma therapy and the use of oils for ailments. I was unsure of the actual science behind these claims until this chapter. I know that scents make me feel a certain way but I had always thought it was more about historical association not an activity in the brain giving the feeling.
The trigeminal nerve, (the fifth cranial nerve or CN V) is the nerve that controls sensation in the face and motor functions. It is the largest of the cranial nerves with three main branches. These are called the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve and the mandibular nerve. The first two are only sensory. The third also aids with things like chewing.
The nerves use sensory pathways to give us the feel of scent. All of the information is sent to a particular nuclei which sends the information to specific areas in the cerebral cortex. Each of the pathways is three bundles of nerve fibers connected in a series.
This is how we get feelings from scents. When an individual the smell is transported through the trigeminal nerve to the brain which gives it a feeling. This can be simply pleasurable as in the case of cinnamon creating a feeling of warmth. However in cases such as ammonia or bleach or other dangerous chemicals it protects the body from harm. The burning feeling received alerts us that this is not something to ingest and causes us to pull away.
There are many people who believe that aroma therapy can have great effects on mood because of the feelings certain scents leave. It is said that citrus brightens mood. Tests on mice found that the fragrances in especially lemons affected the neurotransmitters in their brains. The aromas boosted serotonin. Others have expanded on this saying that lavender is relaxing, fresh cut grass makes you feel more joyful , there are too many to name. Basically the feeling each scent gives leads to the mood.
Expanding more on this theory is the new use of oils to treat ailments. Nearly everyone has heard of aroma therapy in a spa setting, but these oils take it a step further. Dealers of the product are touting that oils can treat things from a common cold to serious infections to autism. The reviews are mixed on the validity of these claims. Some users are convinced that oils are the latest and greatest in all natural medicine. I also found quite a lot of former users who claim that oils are not all that their cracked up to be. Having never tried them myself I really don’t have an opinion, but I am curious, so I will probably try them at some point.
I think the reason I found this so fascinating was because it is really quite complex. The act although quite complicated happens so very quickly. If you stick your face over a bottle of ammonia the burning sensation occurs very quickly. Throughout the semester this has been something that I have found so very interesting. All of the systems we have studied from sight to hearing to touch to scent are so very complex. We have so many very intricate nerves and transmitters, and parts of the brain that make sensations and perceptions possible. Yet for most of them they occur with little to know thought on our part. Much of the time we don’t even realize that some of these activities are even occurring. It is amazing how intricate our systems are especially in our nervous systems. This class has been very challenging. Much of the chapters were very difficult reading, but I have to admit I really learned a lot. With each chapter there was always at least one item that made me stop and say wow!
Terms: sensation, perception, feel of scent, trigeminovascular, cranial nerve, neurotransmitters, sensory pathways, mood, nerve fibers
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/26/scents-and-wellbeing_n_5193609.html
Article about various scents and feelings
http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/mind-body/feeling-blue-sniff-lemon
Mouse experiment
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0032645/
Page about oils and aromatherapy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_nerve
Page about the trigeminal nerve
I decided to look into parkinson disease, because of how owful of a disease it is. I have frinds that have had loved ones that have had at and how much it has affected their lives. this relates to the book because of what the desise does to ones body. It affects the nervouse system. it starts of graudaly and get worse as time goes by. Through out the book we have talked about how much our nerves interact with how we percevie things. not only differnt nevers in our body but also nevers in our brain. Everything in connected in one way or anohter. It is hard to go from a fully funtioning person to slowly be unable to move and eventuly take care of yourself. When you are unabnle to move you gain a totaly differnt sense of prespective on life. You see things diffferntly then you ever thought you would. At the begining of the disease your face will start to show little to know emotion. this is very dificult because of how much facial expresstion are involed with our day to day lives. we not only talk with our words but our face and hands as well. this is a terrible disease and one i hope we can find a cure for. after it affects your face it will attack your arms. making it so you cant move them. this prevents you from driving eating, even going to the bathroom. you have to have someone whipe you. This can be very degrating no one wants to be in that kind of state. after a while you are no longer to walk. you have trouble speeking. all of your nerves are no longer working like they should be. there is curently no cure for this, however there are medications taht a doctor can perscribe to lessen the symptoms. in some cases a doctory may perform surgury in the brain to attempt to lessen the symptoms. The brain is still being figured out and mepped. so one wrong move there could change ones personality even. Its a hard choice to go with a brain surgury or accept the never damage. people get nerve damage form other ways in life as well. but nothing like that of parkinso's. they way the nerves die is the death of dopomine generating cells. the cause of the cell death is unknow. dopomine is able to be delvied to the boyd witch is why there are ways of lessoning the symptoms. nearly 1000000 people have this disease. It does affect people in diffent ways but the end is the same. the brain has damage to its never cells that than create nerve damage throughout the body.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_disease
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/basics/definition/con-20028488http://
www.pdf.org/about_pd
1. A) The topic I chose for this week is aromatherapy.
B) This relates to the chapter because a person inhales this and uses the olfactory system.
C) I was interested in this because I wanted to learn about the benefits of this and wanted to find out if it actually works.
2. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils which is extracted from plants for therapeutic reasons. The research on this so far has been very limited. Aromatherapy can benefit the mind, body, and spirit. People use this because it is natural and helps with their well being. This works by stimulating the smell receptors in the nose and then it sends a message to the nervous system then to the limbic system which is where emotions are controlled. In the mind essential oils can affect our emotions. The oils open up the olfactory nerve receptors.
In order to get essential oils, parts of plants are extracted then it's distilled. The oils can be found in blossoms, fruit, leaves, stems, wood/bark, and roots.
Some studies show that there are benefits. These benefits are that it relieves anxiety and depression and improve quality of life. There are also some smaller studies and these show that aromatherapy with lavender can help make the needle sticks for dialysis less painful, improves sleep, and sometimes reduces pain. It can positively help effect our health, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Although there are benefits, it has also been found that there can be some side affects when essential oils are put on the skin. A person could have an allergic reaction, skin irritation, and skin sensitivity.
The oils can be inhaled and indirectly or even put on the skin by a massage or lotion. It can get in the body by inhalation, diffusers, inhalers, steam, or the skin. Usually it takes about 30 minutes for it to be absorbed.
3. Terms: aromatherapy, smell receptors, nervous system, limbic system, olfactory nerve receptors.
4. URL'S
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/aromatherapy/faq-20058566
This website was useful because it explained some studies that have been done and what has come from those studies.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/aromatherapy/faq-20058566
This website was useful because it explained how it affects the mind, body, and spirit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtd2CuGgaD4
This video was useful because it explained the process of how to get essential oils and how we would use them.
I chose to do my research on anosmia. This relates to the chapter and sensation and perception because we are beginning to talk about smell and how it builds on the other senses that we have talked about. I find this interesting, because I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose the ability to smell the greatest pleasures of life like a a fresh cooked steak or fine whiskey.
Anosmia is the inability to perceive odor or a lack of functioning olfaction. Anosmia may be temporary, but traumatic anosmia can be permanent. Anosmia is due to an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, blockage of nasal passages or a destruction of one temporal lobe. Inflammation is due to chronic mucosa changes in the paranasal sinus lining and the middle and superior turbinates. Since anosmia causes inflammatory changes in the nasal passageways, it is treated by simply reducing the presence of inflammation. It can be caused by chronic meningitis and neurosyphilis that would increase intracranial pressure over a long period of time, and in some cases by ciliopathy including ciliopathy due to primary ciliary dyskinesia (Kartagener syndrome, Afzelius' syndrome or Siewert's syndrome). Many patients may experience unilateral anosmia, often as a result of minor head trauma. This type of anosmia is normally only detected if both of the nostrils are tested separately. Using this method of testing each nostril separately will often show a reduced or even completely absent sense of smell in either one nostril or both, something which is often not revealed if both nostrils are simultaneously tested. A related term, hyposmia, refers to a decreased ability to smell, while hyperosmia refers to an increased ability to smell. Some people may be anosmic for one particular odor. This is known as "specific anosmia". The absence of the sense of smell from birth is called Congenital Anosmia. Anosmia can be diagnosed by doctors by using acetylcysteine tests. Doctors will begin with a detailed elicitation of history. Then the doctor will ask for any related injuries in relation to anosmia which could include upper respiratory infections or head injury. Psychophysical Assessment of order and taste identification can be used to identity anosmia. A nervous system examination is performed to see if the cranial nerves are damaged. The diagnosis as well as the degree of impairment can now be tested much more efficiently and effectively than ever before thanks to "smell testing kits" that have been made available as well as screening tests which use materials that most clinics would readily have. Occasionally, after accidents, there is a change in a patient's sense of smell. Particular smells that were present before are no longer present. On occasion, after head traumas, there are patients who have unilateral anosmia. The sense of smell should be tested individually in each nostril. Many cases of congenital anosmia remain unreported and undiagnosed. Since the disorder is present from birth the individual may have little or no understanding of the sense of smell, hence is unaware of the deficit. It may also lead to reduction of appetite. Anosmia can have a number of harmful effects. Patients with sudden onset anosmia may find food less appetizing, though congenital anosmics rarely complain about this, and none report a loss in weight. Loss of smell can also be dangerous because it hinders the detection of gas leaks, fire, and spoiled food. The common view of anosmia as trivial can make it more difficult for a patient to receive the same types of medical aid as someone who has lost other senses, such as hearing or sight. Losing an established and sentimental smell memory (e.g. the smell of grass, of the grandparents' attic, of a particular book, of loved ones, or of oneself) has been known to cause feelings of depression. Loss of olfaction may lead to the loss of libido, though this usually does not apply to congenital anosmics. Often people who have congenital anosmia report that they pretended to be able to smell as children because they thought that smelling was something that older/mature people could do, or did not understand the concept of smelling but did not want to appear different from others. When children get older, they often realize and report to their parents that they do not actually possess a sense of smell, often to the surprise of their parents. A study done on patients suffering from anosmia found that when testing both nostrils, there was no anosmia revealed; however, when testing each nostril individually, tests showed that the sense of smell was usually affected in only one of the nostrils as opposed to both. This demonstrated that unilateral anosmia is not uncommon in anosmia patients. A temporary loss of smell can be caused by a blocked nose or infection. In contrast, a permanent loss of smell may be caused by death of olfactory receptor neurons in the nose or by brain injury in which there is damage to the olfactory nerve or damage to brain areas that process smell (see olfactory system). The lack of the sense of smell at birth, usually due to genetic factors, is referred to as congenital anosmia. Family members of the patient suffering from congenital anosmia are often found with similar histories; this suggests that the anosmia may follow an autosomal dominant pattern. Anosmia may very occasionally be an early sign of a degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Another specific cause of permanent loss could be from damage to olfactory receptor neurons because of use of certain types of nasal spray; i.e., those that cause vasoconstriction of the nasal microcirculation. To avoid such damage and the subsequent risk of loss of smell, vasoconstricting nasal sprays should be used only when absolutely necessary and then for only a short amount of time. Non-vasoconstricting sprays, such as those used to treat allergy-related congestion, are safe to use for prescribed periods of time. Anosmia can also be caused by nasal polyps. These polyps are found in people with allergies, histories of sinusitis & family history. Individuals with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/anosmia-loss-of-smell - I used this source, because it provided a good base of information to find further research on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anosmia - I used this source, because it provided a good amount of information in an easy to read format.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/loss-of-smell/basics/definition/sym-20050804 - I used this source, because it provided a good base of information and it was from a very credible source.
Terms: Anosmia, Odor, Olfaction, Traumatic Anosmia, Nasal Mucosa, Nasal Passages, Temporal Lobe, Paranasal Sinus Lining, Middle and Superior Turbinates, Unilateral Anosmia, Hyposmia, Hyperosmia, Specific Anosmia, Congenital Anosmia, Acetylcysteine
(1a) Olfactory Human Enhancement
(1b) This topic relates to the chapter because its main subject is olfaction.
(1c) I am interested in this topic because the chapter explains that we use our senses to survive in our environment. Olfactory Human Enhancement could provide survival at a much larger scale, the limitations and insufficiency of the olfactory system would be no more.
(2) As human beings we use the olfactory system for perceiving the chemical world we live in. This system evaluates the environment so we can predict the presence of others, danger, and distinguish acceptable food consumption. The olfactory system highly coordinates chemical and nerve responses, but yet the human olfactory system has its limitations. An example displaying those limitations is prey leading hunters through the woods. The scent trail left by the hunted is very elusive to humans. Most animals, especially dogs, contain hundreds more olfactory neurons than humans. We have to use technology and mechanical devices to produce the same olfactory processing ability of dogs. The human olfactory system is not sufficient enough at times to meet our needs. External devices have stepped in to aid human ability when it comes to our senses, examples include wheelchairs, hearing aids, glasses, and much more. We need to expand our own potential, imagine a olfaction enhanced security guard that could detect explosives or drugs, an enhanced doctor that could evaluate a patient using scent cues present in disease.
My second source comes from Pasadena, California, Cyrano Sciences has made a circuit that operates similarly to the proteins in the epithelium. In their system, an array of compound-absorbing polymers are set on a silicon chip along conductive pathways. Each polymer is sensitive to a specific compound and will respond to its presence by swelling up. This swelling up alters the electrical conductivity of the pathway along where the polymer sits. Measuring changes in resistance with exposure to a vapor in dozens of these polymers results in a pattern of responses. This pattern can then be matched to a specific compound and identified. An increased number of polymers enhances the discrimination available in the system and can be tailored to the specific requirements of the task. The biggest concern has to be the interface size and where to put it. We need to artificially stimulate a group of olfactory nerves to produce a response, then train the person to recognize this unorthodox sensory experience as a specific odorant. Being able to artificially stimulate the nerves has to come through the nasal cavity, and currently the concept discussed is the size of a calculator.
Human enhancement and medical treatments in decades to come could be used to analyze and repair any physical ailment in the body. It would be able to repair someone who is damaged or diseased, and bring them back to full health. An aged brain along with the body could be restored to a youthful healthy state. The end result could provide endless possibilities like ending pain, disease, and aging. We could expand our horizons of modern medicine. With the vast array of advantages, people express their concerns to human enhancement and nanotechnology. Artificially expanding the capabilities of humans could provide “unnatural” human talent, which in terms could be unfair like steriods. Human enhancement also takes criticism from a religious stance, no one should be able to “play God” so to speak. Some express concern that it will create too many pressures to enhance, and that it could create too many economical and social disparities. Today these positives and negatives can go unmentioned because this magnitude human enhancement won’t be around for possibly decades to come.
(3) Terms : olfaction, olfactory system, olfactory enhancement
(4) https://hplusbiopolitics.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/olfactory-enhancement/
This source included information I used to explain the operations, capabilities, and limitations of the human olfactory system.
http://spinoff.nasa.gov/spinoff2001/ps4.html
This source included information I used to describe the operation and construction of a olfactory enhancement concept that could surpass those limitations.
https://www.foresight.org/policy/brief2.html
This source provided information I used to describe the impacts and concerns of human enhancement, both good and bad.
1. The topic I picked to explore is Scent irritants. This relates to chapter 14 as the chapter covered the olfactory system. I am interested because, as I read the chapter I was wondering about if a person could be allergic to scents. This is a personal issue for me, as some scents give me headaches that last all day. Basically, I wondered if I was weird or if this was a common problem to have.
2. It turns out; as I found out that it is possible for a person to be allergic to scents. I found a couple different names for this, but chemical sensitivity is the best fitting one despite the fact it is not the most specific possibility. This term fits best because the symptoms (which I’ll explain below) are reactions to specific chemicals with in the scents, not the scent as a whole. Those chemicals are called scent irritants. A common example of this is perfume intolerance, which is what the term implies, an inference to a chemical or scent in the perfume. Just to be clear, I am not referring to allergens (like pollen, smoke or dander) as allergens cause that person’s immune system to kick in when it doesn’t need to. They can be in noticeable or not noticeable in the air. When I say noticeable, I mean that a person would recognize the scent when they smelled. The not noticeable ones are kind of like pheromones since the person is not consciously aware of what they smell but still feel the effects. Those symptoms are: headaches, breathing difficulty, wheezing, tight feeling chest, impaired nose (runny or stuffy), sneezing, or an itchy, red rash on skin. Often these symptoms are minor, and are easily avoided. Most of the time these symptoms are minor, but when these symptoms are extreme, a person could be diagnosed as full on allergy(like that kid in every bodies school who would smell peanuts and have life threatening asthma attack). Which is exactly what happens often as when a person already has general asthma, they are likely to be sensitive to other scent irritants which only make asthma symptoms worse and could even cause said symptoms in the first place. This doesn’t seem that bad until you realize that 50 million + Americans have allergies that can be exasperated by scent irritants.
The main problem this causes for many people is that many products are scented. The presence of these scents in products other than perfume make it hard to avoid the problem because Lotions, soaps, skincare products, laundry detergent, and some fabric softeners could possibly cause a reaction. This is because there are six common irritants: dyes, parabens, fragrances, lanolin/derivatives, formaldehyde releasers, irritating preservatives, and surfactants. Any product that uses a dye change the color of the product could problems. Parabens and formaldehyde releasers are preservatives that fight against mold, bacteria and fungus. Irritating preservatives are commonly used to stop and prevent microbacterial growth. Surfactants are found in Cleansers because they cause the foam that helps clean objects. Most of these can be avoided, but lanolin/derivatives, are harder to avoid as some lotions use this ingredient to provide the moisture.
Most people with this problem have made adjustments to avoid symptoms, like using only using fragrance free products. This made me think of the times I’ve had to ask my friends to not burn incense when I am at their apartments, as it gives me a migraine. Most have complied, but I have left earlier than planned if they were jerks and declined. But then I wondered what can people do about their workplace and found out about just how far the American’s with Disability Act (ADA) has come with this. If an employee can prove that they have a specific allergy (not sensitivity) to an in irritant, like benzaldehyde in fragrances, the employer is legally required to do every “reasonable” thing to make sure the employee doesn’t come into contact with the irritant. Most times that means the workplace environment goes fragrance free/irritant free, which can be mandatory or voluntary but encouraged. Most places go mandatory fragrance free/ irritant free to avoid most of problems caused by doing it on a voluntary basis.
3. Terms: Scent irritants, olfactory system, allergic, scents, chemical, sensitivity , symptoms, reactions , perfume intolerance, allergens l pollen, smoke, dander, immune system, noticeable, not noticeable, pheromones, effects., headaches, breathing difficulty, wheezing, tight feeling chest, impaired nose (runny or stuffy), sneezing, itchy, rash, skin, asthma attack, asthma,, dyes, parabens, fragenences, lanolin/derivatives, formaldehyde releasers, irritating preservatives, surfactants, microbacterial growth, mold, bacteria, fungus, American’s with Disability Act, benzaldehyde.
4. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23836093/ns/health-behavior/t/odor-tyrants-those-sensitive-scent-fight-back/#.VUHWpiFVikp I picked this article because it talked about the real-world application of chemical sensitive. I used it for: chemical sensitivity term,
http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/fragrance-sensitivity.aspx I used this article because it talked about allergies and fragrance symptoms connection. I used it for: symptoms, asthma info, and “sensitive is not specific”, products other than perfume that could cause symptoms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfume_intolerance I used this site because it had a name for a common example of scent sensitivy. I use it for the term “perfume intolerance”.
https://www.psico.com/sensitive-skin-care/chemical-irritants/ I picked this site because it provides scientific names for each category of irritant. I used it for: info on dyes, parabens, fragenences, lanolin/derivatives, formaldehyde releasers, irritating preservatives, and surfactants.
http://www.hrlegalist.com/2014/05/april-showers-bring-may-flowers-and-other-workplace-irritants-must-an-employer-provide-a-fragrance-free-workplace-under-the-ada/ I picked this article because it talked about the ADA because it talked about the ADA.
1a) My topic for this week is Anosmia.
1b) Anosmia was a term in this week’s chapter it is the inability to perceive odor or a lack of functioning olfaction.
1c) The main reason I am interested in this topic is because it directly relates to me. When I was little I suffered from a nose injury that caused my septum to break making certain blockages in both of my nostrils. This gradually led to infections and polyps. This hindered my ability to breathe through my nose. This went on for years until I had a surgery done a year ago from which I was able to smell and taste certain things again. That is why I am interested in this topic.
2) Anosmia may be temporary, but traumatic anosmia can be permanent. Anosmia is due to an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, blockage of nasal passages or a destruction of one temporal lobe. Inflammation is due to chronic mucosa changes in the paranasal sinus lining and the middle and superior turbinates. Since anosmia causes inflammatory changes in the nasal passageways, it is treated by simply reducing the presence of inflammation in most cases. Anosmia can be caused by chronic meningitis and neurosyphilis that would increase intracranial pressure over a long period of time, and in some cases by ciliopathy. Many patients may experience unilateral anosmia, often as a result of minor head trauma. My condition would have fallen under unilateral anosmia because of the trauma I had. With the gradual loss of my sense of smell I did not notice it and it was not confirmed until many years later. Fortunately in my case it was not permanent and it was created by an obstruction in my nasal cavities. This type of anosmia is normally only detected if both of the nostrils are tested separately. Using this method of testing each nostril separately will often show a reduced or even completely absent sense of smell in either one nostril or both, something which is often not revealed if both nostrils are simultaneously tested which was what they did in my case.
Anosmia can be diagnosed by doctors by using acetylcysteine tests. Doctors will begin with a detailed statement of the patient’s history. Then the doctor will ask for any related injuries in relation to anosmia which could include upper respiratory infections or head injury. Psychophysical Assessment of order and taste identification can be used to identity anosmia. A nervous system examination is performed to see if the cranial nerves are damaged. The diagnosis as well as the degree of impairment can now be tested much more efficiently and effectively than ever before thanks to "smell testing kits" that have been made available as well as screening tests which use materials that most clinics would readily have. Occasionally, after accidents, there is a change in a patient's sense of smell. Particular smells that were present before are no longer present.
A temporary loss of smell can be caused by a blocked nose or infection. In contrast, a permanent loss of smell may be caused by death of olfactory receptor neurons in the nose or by brain injury in which there is damage to the olfactory nerve or damage to brain areas that process smell. The lack of the sense of smell at birth is referred to as congenital anosmia. Family members of the patient suffering from congenital anosmia are often found with similar histories; this suggests that the anosmia may follow an autosomal dominant pattern. Anosmia may very occasionally be an early sign of a degenerative brain disease such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Another specific cause of permanent loss could be from damage to olfactory receptor neurons because of use of certain types of nasal spray.
Though anosmia caused by brain damage cannot be treated, anosmia caused by inflammatory changes in the mucosa may be treated with glucocorticoids. Reduction of inflammation through the use of oral glucocorticoids such as prednisone, followed by long term topical glucocorticoid nasal spray, would easily and safely treat the anosmia. A prednisone regimen is adjusted based on the degree of the thickness of mucosa, the discharge of oedema and the presence or absence of nasal polyps. However, the treatment is not permanent and may have to be repeated after a short while. Together with medication, pressure of the upper area of the nose must be eased through aeration and drainage. Anosmia caused by a nasal polyp may be treated by steroidal treatment or removal of the polyp. There have also been cases where the use of acupuncture has successfully treated anosmia. Although very early in development, gene therapy has restored a sense of smell in mice with congenital anosmia when caused by ciliopathy. In this case a genetic condition had affected cilia in their bodies which normally enabled them to detect air-borne chemicals,
3) Anosmia, olfactory, mucosa, acetylcysteine tests, inflammation, receptor neurons, unilateral anosmia, congenital anosmia, cilia, polyps, oedema, ciliopathy, gene therapy.
4) http://journals.lww.com/co-otolaryngology/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2003&issue=02000&article=00012&type=abstract This journal describes some of the causes of Anosmia and related diseases, it also talks about the different treatment options available for patients.
http://archotol.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=620279 This was a study specifically on those with congenital anosmia (which is onset from birth and usually inherited)
http://archotol.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=410599 This article went over more treatment usually involved with polyp reduction and anti-inflammatory drugs.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/994274-treatment This site explained more about nasal polyps and care plus prevention of returning polyps.