Third-hand smoke can damage one's respiratory system

The hazards of second-hand smoke are well-known. Now, scientists found even third-hand smoke could do harm to one's respiratory health by changing gene expressions.

The study  showed that the third-hand smoke can damage epithelial cells in the respiratory system, coercing those cells into a fight for survival.

The third-hand smoke, or THS, results when the exhaled smoke and smoke emanating from the burning cigarettes settle on surfaces like clothing, hair and furniture.

The researchers  obtained nasal scrapes from four healthy nonsmoking women aged 27 to 49 years, who were randomized to receive the clean air exposure first and then THS exposure for three hours. The researchers extracted RNA from them to examine their gene expression changes.

A total of 382 genes among approximately 10,000 genes in the data set were significantly over-expressed and seven other genes were under-expressed, according to the study.

"THS inhalation for only three hours significantly altered gene expression in the nasal epithelium of healthy nonsmokers," said the paper's first author Giovanna Pozuelos, a graduate student at UCR.

Also, the researchers found that the inhalation altered pathways associated with oxidative stress that may cause cancer in the long term.

The nasal membrane tissue is similar to those in the bronchus, so the researchers suggested that the damage could go deeper in the respiratory system.

"Many smoking adults think, 'I smoke outside, so my family inside the house will not get exposed.' But smokers carry chemicals like nicotine indoors with their clothes," said  a professor  who led the research.

"It's important that people understand that THS is real and potentially harmful," said the Prof.

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WHY SENIOR CITIZENS FALL? PREVENTION TIPS

 Falls among elders is a common cause of morbidity, hospitalization, disability and death. Nearly a third of the elderly have falls that trigger a chain of events that usually have them succumb to the situation or leave them bed-ridden till the end comes. With age, the ability of the body to heal itself reduces considerably and the immunity drops. The muscles and ligaments tend to get more lax with bones becoming more brittle and porous. Under these circumstances, even a trivial looking fall may prove fatal.
> >>
> >> *Common causes of falls*
> >>
> >> Reduced muscle strength, coordination and reflexes.
> >> Poor sensation in the lower extremities due to diabetes or degenerative conditions.
> >> Poor balance due to neurological diseases, hypothyroidism or ear problems.
> >> Poor vision.
> >> Postural drop in blood pressure. Seizure disorders, Strokes, transient ischemic attacks, Abnormalities of cardiac rhythm.
> >> Multiple medication use.
> >> Environmental hazards eg poor lightning ,carpets, rugs, clutter etc
> >>
> >> *Osteoporosis*
> >> Osteoporosis is a one major risk factor for falls. What is debatable is whether brittle bones break after a fall, or break when stressed and in turn cause a fall.
> >> In either event, a decrease in bone density contributes to falls and resultant injuries.
> >>
> >> Osteoporosis is a condition wherein bones become more porous, less resistant to stress, and more prone to fractures. Caused by hormonal changes, calcium and vitamin D deficiency, and a decrease in physical
> >> activity, osteoporosis is a chief cause of fractures in older adults,especially among women.
> >>
> >> *Prevention Tips*
> >> "Eat or drink sufficient calcium. Postmenopausal women need 1,500 mg of calcium daily. Calcium-rich foods include milk, yoghurt, cheese, fish and shellfish, selected vegetables such as broccoli, soybeans, tofu and almonds.
> >>
> >> "Get sufficient Vitamin D in order to enhance the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream. Vitamin D is formed naturally in the body after exposure to sunlight, but some older adults may need a supplement.
> >>
> >> "Regularly do weight-bearing exercise.
> >>
> >> *Lack of Physical Activity*
> >> Failure to exercise regularly results in poor muscle tone, decreased strength, and loss of bone mass and flexibility. All contribute to falls and the severity of injury due to falls.
> >>
> >> *Prevention Tips*
> >>
> >> "Engage regularly (e.g., every other day for about 15 minutes daily) in exercise designed to increase muscle and bone strength, and to improve balance and flexibility.
> >>
> >> "Undertake daily activities in a safe manner, such as reaching and bending properly, taking time to recover balance when rising from a chair or bed, learning the proper way to fall, and learning how to recover after a fall.
> >>
> >> "Wear proper fitting, supportive shoes with low heels or rubber soles.
> >>
> >> *Impaired Vision*
> >> Age-related vision diseases can increase the risk of falling. Cataracts and glaucoma alter older people's depth perception, visual acuity, peripheral vision and susceptibility to glare.
> >> These limitations hinder their ability to safely negotiate their environment, whether it be in their own home or in a shopping mall.
> >>
> >> Young people use visual cues to perceive an imminent fall and take corrective action. Older adults with visual impairments do not have this advantage to the same extent.
> >>
> >> *Prevention Tips*
> >>
> >> "Have regular checkups by an ophthalmologist to discern the extent of age-related eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) etc.
> >> "Use colour and contrast to define balance-aiding objects in the home (e.g., grab bars and handrails). Add contrasting colour strips to first and last steps to identify change of level.
> >> "Clean eye glasses often to improve visibility.
> >>
> >> *Medications*
> >>
> >> People taking multiple medications are at greater risk of falling. Sedatives, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotic drugs can contribute to falls by reducing mental alertness, worsening balance and gait, and causing drops in systolic blood pressure while standing.
> >>
> >> *Prevention Tips*
> >>
> >> "Know the common side effects of all medications taken. "Talk with your physician or pharmacist about ways to reduce your chances of falling by using the lowest effective dosage, regularly assessing the need for continued medication, and the need for walking aids while taking medications that affect balance.
> >> "Remove all out-of-date medications and those no longer in use.
> >> Limit intake of alcohol as it may interact with medication Environmental Hazards
> >>
> >> Indoors
> >> At least one-third of all falls in the elderly involve environmental hazards in the home. The most common hazard for falls is tripping over objects on the floor. Other factors include poor lighting, loose rugs, lack of grab bars or poorly located/mounted grab bars, and unsturdy furniture.
> >>
> >> *Prevention Tips*
> >> It is useful to conduct a walk-through of your home to identify possible problems that may lead to falling.
> >>
> >> *Outdoors*
> >> Repair cracks and abrupt edges of sidewalks and driveways.
> >> Install handrails on stairs and steps.
> >> Keep floor dry, devoid of wet areas and greasy surfaces.
> >> Keep walk areas clear of clutter, rocks and mud.
> >> Install adequate lighting by doorways and along walkways leading to doors, gates.
> >>
> >> *Indoors*
> >> Ensure adequate lighting inside the house.
> >> Remove unnecessary furniture and over crowding.
> >> Keep floor dry and clean and devoid of wires, toys etc
> >> Indicate steps, stairs by painting in contrasting colours.
> >>
> >> If person has had a fall, he should get himself properly checked out by a physician to assess the risks of falling again and to ensure safety at home.
> >> When you go to see the doctor after a fall please remember to tell the doctor about all your current medications and medical Conditions.-
> >>