A small dollop of peanut butter and a ruler can save you and your family a whole heck of a lot of pain. The simple test, discovered by Jennifer Stamps, a graduate student at University of Florida, can be conducted at home and is incredibly inexpensive. The test is used to diagnosis the early stages of Alzheimer's. Jennifer realized that those with Alzheimer's had difficult smelling out of their left nostril. While they could smell the peanut butter's potent fragrance from 20 centimeters away in their right nostril, it had to be 10 centimeters closer for them to smell it with the left.
In cases of Alzheimer's, one of the first things to diminish is the first cranial nerve that controls our sense of smell. If that ability is dwindling, it could mean the person is experiencing the first signs of the condition. The good news is that catching it early means that doctors can provide treatment that will delay its effects. It also gives families and caretakers much more time to prepare for the necessary adjustments.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, 5.3 million Americans have the disease and two-thirds of them are women. By 2025, this number is expected to grow to 7.1 million. If you suspect you might have the condition, try this test and discuss your results with your health care provider!
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