Get used to it forward– warned.
When men hit the green and play golf, their risk of developing ALS triples. New research from Michigan Medicine warns.
“We know that occupational risk factors, such as working in manufacturing or trade industries, are associated with an increased risk of ALS. This also suggests that recreational activity is an important and possibly modifiable risk factor for the disease. “There is a growing body of literature that suggests this may be the case,” he said. Lead author Dr. Stephen Goutman is director of the Plunger ALS Clinic and associate director of his ALS Center of Excellence at the University of Michigan.
Other risk factors include gardening, yard work, woodworking, and hunting.
The study looked at the lives of 700 people, including 400 with ALS and 300 without ALS, looking specifically at their hobbies and activities outside of work.
Gautman speculates that golfers and gardeners are especially susceptible because they are frequently exposed to pesticides. A previous study from Michigan found that Affects an increase in the patient’s illness.
For woodworkers, the authors believe that inhaling formaldehyde has similar effects. previously noted in other studies.
He added that it was “remarkable” that there was no increased risk of ALS for women who participate in golf or other activities listed. However, Gautmann added that the size of the women’s study was too small to draw clear conclusions.
“Future research will need to include these activities to demonstrate precisely how they can be understood in the context of ALS prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
The new paper, published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences, also doubles down on the risk that environmental factors pose in a person getting – and dying from – ALS.
“Our goal is to understand which occupations and hobbies increase ALS risk, because identifying these activities is the first step to preventing ALS,” said lead author Eva. Dr. Feldman said.
“Our goal is to create a similar list for ALS and create a roadmap to reduce risk.”
