New study/ Closing your eyes causes serious problems

2024-03-19 17:40:00, Shëndeti CNA

Experts have discovered that a change in the habit of closing the eyes can reveal serious health problems. Most adults close their eyes once every three to five seconds, which helps keep the eyes moist and clear.

"If you ever move your eyes too often or too little, it can warn of health concerns such as allergies, immune disorders, or Parkinson's disease.

This suggests that normal and regular eye sight may be an indication of the body's overall health," The Sun reported.

1. Parkinson's disease (tremor paralysis)

Some studies have found that the rate of eye closure reflects the amount of dopamine (it is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain and partly by the adrenal glands) in the brain. People with low dopamine levels tend to fixate on a subject and rarely close their eyes. Parkinson's (tremor paralysis) is characterized by a lack of the chemical dopamine in the brain, caused by the stopping of some of the nerve cells that produce it, leading to symptoms such as slow pulses and tremors of the hands. In the US, about 145,000 people live with Parkinson's. The main symptoms include slowness of movements and muscle stiffness. There are various treatments, therapies and supports to help manage this condition.

2. Graves' disease (disorder of the immune system resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormones)

Less frequent blinking may be a sign of Graves' disease, an immune system disorder that causes overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). This autoimmune condition increases the body's metabolic rate, causing weight loss and a drop in energy levels. Some other common signs are anxiety, tremors, sensitivity to heat and irregular heartbeat.

Graves' is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the UK and around two in every 100 Britons are affected by the disorder. About a third of patients with Graves' disease also develop eye problems, known as thyroid eye disease. It can cause the eyelids to swell, pulling the eyelids back and leading to less frequent blinking. However, the lack of blinking can damage the cornea and in severe cases can cause scarring of the cornea from the lack of protection. The disease cannot be cured, but is treated with treatment or surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.

3. Stroke

Neurological diseases other than Parkinson's, such as stroke, can slow the normal blink rate. This is because the eyelid nerves, facial nerve or eyelid muscles can be left damaged. A stroke is a life-threatening brain attack that occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off—without blood, cells in your brain can be killed or damaged. Symptoms of a stroke include slurred speech, numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the face, arm, or leg.

4. Head injury

Slower blinking has also been associated with head injuries in athletes.

5. Sjogren's syndrome (is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the exocrine glands)

On the other hand, more frequent blinking can be a sign of fatigue when trying to do a demanding task, or when you are driving while drowsy. Excessive blinking can occur when your body tries to compensate for dry eye disease, which can occur for several reasons, such as Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes widespread drying of parts of the body that produce fluids such as tears and saliva. Dry eyes from Sjogren's can cause an itchy or burning sensation, leading to increased blinking. This condition usually begins in people between the ages of 40 and 60 and is much more common in women than in men. The reason why people get this condition is not clear to experts, but a virus can cause the symptoms, including Covid.

6. Allergies and infections

Allergies can also increase the frequency of blinking. Mold, pollen, dust mites, makeup, and animal dander are some allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. Up to one in four people in the UK are thought to be affected by an allergy or type at some point in their lives. When exposed, the body sometimes reacts by releasing histamine (it's a neurotransmitter) into the eye, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and become larger. This can cause the eyes to become red, itchy, burning, watery and swollen.

7. Tourette syndrome (nervous system problem that causes people to make sudden movements or sounds)

Frequent blinking may be a motor tic associated with Tourette syndrome, a condition thought to affect around one per cent of the UK population. Motor tics are sudden, uncontrollable movements, such as exaggerated or continuous blinking. The cause of Tourette's is still unknown, but it is thought to be related to problems in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. In individuals with Tourette's, the basal ganglia 'fire', resulting in tics. However, the exact reasons why this happens are not yet clear. Men are more likely to get Tourette's than women./ CNA