Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Eye Disorders

Most eye disorders do not manifest early symptoms. Sometimes they are painless and a person may see no difference in vision until the disease has become quite advanced.

 

The best way to guard your eyes is by having regular medical checkup. Any unfamiliar development in your eyes should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. The most common vision problems include refractive errors. Refractive errors comprise of farsightedness, nearsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism.

 

Refractive errors do occur when the shape of the eye hinder the light from focusing directly onto the retina.

 

Refraction refers to bending of light that happens when it passes from one object to another. People see clearly with their eyes when the light rays are bent as they pass the cornea and the lens.

 

When the light converges on the retina, the retina converts the rays into information, which is then sent by the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then performs the work of interpreting the messages into the images we see.

 

Types of refractive errors

Nearsightedness: This condition is also referred to as myopia. Myopia occurs when an individual sees the nearby objects clearly, but the distant objects seem blurry.

 

Farsightedness: This ailment is also named hyperopia. It is a general refractive error that makes the distant objects visible, but the near object appears blurred.

 

Astigmatism: This condition makes the eye incapable of focusing light evenly onto the retina. The retina is the light sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. Astigmatism makes images appear stretched out and blurry.

 

Presbyopia:  This condition is age-related, and it makes the eye’s ability to focus difficult. During advanced age, the eye becomes unable to change shape enough to make it possible to view the nearby objects clearly. Presbyopia mostly affects adults who are above the age of 35.

 

Other refractive errors do affect both adults and children. People who have their parents or other family members with refractive errors are more likely to get either one or more of these illnesses.

 

Symptoms of refractive errors

The most common symptom of refractive errors is blurred vision. Other symptoms comprise of haziness, squinting, double vision, headache, eyestrain and glare.

 

Professionals perform diagnosis of refractive errors during a comprehensive dilated eye examination.

 

Many people with these errors visit eye care professionals with complaints related to ocular discomfort or blurred vision. The doctor usually uses eyeglasses, surgery or contact lenses to correct these refractive errors.

 

Low Vision

Individuals with low vision do not get aid by using eyeglasses, contact lenses, surgery or medicine. People affected by poor vision find it hard to perform the routine daily chores like cooking, shopping reading, writing and watching television.

 

Conditions that may lead to low vision include age-related macular degeneration, bulging eyes, cataracts, CMV Retinitis, color blindness, crossed eyes, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, eye floaters and eye flashes, keratoconus, lazy eyes, ocular high blood pressure, uveitis and retinal detachment.

 

Irrespective of the cause, when vision is lost, it cannot be restored. However, it is possible to manage the condition through proper treatment and vision rehabilitation.

 

People with low vision are unable to recognize the faces of family members and friends. They also find it difficult to read, cook, or perform the usual daily chores. These are usually the early warning signs of low vision. If you find it difficult to accomplish the things you used to do or experience blurred vision, you should consult an eye professional immediately.

 

Diagnosis of eye disorders

Various tests are used to diagnose eye disorders:

1. Angiography

Angiography of the eye involves injecting the eye with dyes to make the blood vessels of the eye more visible. This makes it simpler for the doctor to photograph and examine them.

 

2. Electroretinography

Electroretinography makes it possible for the doctors to examine the light sensing cells located in the retina. This procedure is useful in evaluating diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa.

 

3. Ultrasonography

During this procedure, a probe is placed against a closed eyelid to bounce sound waves off the eyeball. The reflected sound waves then produce an image showing the inside of the eye. Ultrasonography is useful in determining the nature of abnormal structures inside the eye.

 

4. Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses high-resolution images to show the structures located on the posterior side of the eye like the retina, vitreous humor and choroid. This method is useful in the assessment of a swollen retina.

 

5. Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

These imaging techniques are helpful in providing detailed information about an eye’s orbit and structures inside the eye. These methods evaluate eye injuries, tumors and optic neuritis.

 

Treatment options

Treatment options of eye disorders mainly comprise of medical therapies and botulinum toxin injections. The injections are administered to stop muscle spasm for disorders such as hemifacial spasm.

 

Surgery is also performed by specialists to restore straight eye alignment. Laser surgery is done to treat some vision disorders.

 

Many surgical procedures are done in an outpatient setting, without the patient having to spend a night in the hospital.

 

Prevention

eye disorders can be prevented by observing the following:

 

1. Eating right: eating the right foods including fruits and vegetables is helpful to the eyes.

 

2. Maintaining a healthy weight: excessive weight increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes that can harm vision.

 

3. Wear protective eyewear: always protect your eyes by wearing protective gear especially when working, doing certain sports or other home improvement activities.

 

4. Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses protect the eyes from sun damage.

 

5. Quit smoking: many of the eye disorders have been linked to smoking.

 

6. Wash hands. Always wash hands thoroughly before putting in the contact lenses to avoid infections.

 

Sources

1. http://disorders.eyes.arizona.edu/
2. http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/cms/One.aspx?pageId=15412546
3. https://hsci.harvard.edu/eye-diseases-0
4. http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-aging-eye-preventing-and-treating-eye-disease
5. https://www.med.unc.edu/ophth/for-patients/Eye-Diseases-and-Disorders
6. https://medlineplus.gov/eyediseases.html
7. https://nei.nih.gov/
8. https://nei.nih.gov/health
9. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/
10. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basic_information/eye_health_tips.htm

 

How Intravenous Vitamin Therapy Can Improve the Performance of Athletes

In recent times, most athletes have been visiting health clinics with the aim of having their athletic performance enhanced through the use of intravenous vitamin therapy.

 

Athletes who engage in competitive sports do push their bodies to the limit. Strenuous exercises make it mandatory for the contestants to consume vital nutrients that will improve their performance.

 

The food that they eat usually undergoes a complex reaction, which releases necessary nutrients. Ordinarily, enzymes catalyze metabolic reactions. These enzymes require critical mineral co-factors and vitamins such as magnesium, B-complex and zinc among many others.

 

Intravenous (IV) vitamin therapy is a technique that is used to administer vitamins and other essential nutrients directly into a person’s bloodstream. Although most people who opt for this kind of alternative therapy are the athletes, other individuals have successfully used the procedure in the treatment of various diseases.

 

IV nutrient therapy boosts the performance of the athletes, therefore, increasing their overall strength. Intravenous vitamin therapy also shortens recovery time after strenuous physical exercises.

 

Many health care providers give intravenous nutrient therapies that are vital for the athletes such as the Myers’ Cocktail and IV Glutathione.

 

Myers’ Cocktail

Myers’ Cocktail works by increasing the concentration of vitamins and other minerals in the blood. During normal digestion, most people are unable to absorb all the vital nutrients. Also, some diseases can cause the body to utilize some nutrients at a faster rate. This results in mineral depletion in the body.

 

When these nutrients are provided through the vein, the lengthy digestion process is avoided. High concentration of the nutrients in the blood stream increases their absorption in the mitochondria.

 

Mitochondria are organelles present in body cells. They are responsible for energy production and other biochemical processes.

 

Myers’ intravenous infusion has other benefits such as boosting the body’s immune system, helping with seasonal allergies, reduction of fatigue and reduction of symptoms related to fibromyalgia.

 

IV Glutathione

Glutathione is a substance that is produced naturally by the liver. It can also be found in meat, fruits and vegetables. Glutathione functions as an antioxidant. This means that it gets rid of all free radicals in the body that are responsible for diseases.

 

The depletion of glutathione in the body results in cell death. Intravenous glutathione therapy supplies this essential nutrient in a person’s bloodstream.

 

Glutathione is advantageous to the athletes because it plays a significant role in tissue repair, production of necessary proteins and strengthening of the immune system.

 

The use of Glutathione by most athletes is supported by the discovery that the administration of IV N-acetylcysteine increases the strength of the muscles.

 

The finding proved that N-acetylcysteine delays fatigue during strenuous physical exercises. In biochemical reactions, N-acetylcysteine is a precursor of glutathione.

 

Therefore, intravenous vitamin therapy can significantly improve the performance of athletes.

 

 

Sources

1.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1018-n-acetyl%20cysteine.aspx?activeingredientid=1018

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23943180
3. http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/7/5/389.pdf
4. http://www.theremedyroom.com/2014/01/what-is-a-meyers-cocktail/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894814/
6. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-717-glutathione.aspx?activeingredientid=717

Causes and Effects of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a brain disorder that results in a constant search for drugs. This condition makes a person use the drugs continuously despite being aware of their harmful effects.

 

Drug addiction results in a change in the compositions of the brain. Therefore, an individual’s ability to make intelligent decisions is significantly compromised. An addict becomes under extreme pressure to use these harmful substances.

 

Intoxication and drug use results in impaired judgment, which leads to criminal behavior, violent reaction and poor anger management. Most drug users end up stealing property and money to buy drugs. This kind of behavior has led to the imprisonment of many addicts.

 

Treatment provides the best alternative for interrupting the drug use. The users who do not get treatment are more likely to relapse into criminal behavior and drug use.

 

Most people who undergo treatment at the addiction recovery centers can experience a relapse. This can happen even after many years of abstinence.

 

Drug abuse causes addiction through a process known as reward circuit that utilizes dopamine. The reward circuit works by taking control of the body’s ability to experience pleasure. Through this system, a person is motivated to repeat the activities that previously gave him pleasure. It is the overstimulation of the reward circuit that makes a person want to use the drug constantly.

 

Addiction to these substances is treatable in rehab centers. To fight addiction, a combination of monitoring and behavioral therapy has been established to be useful.

 

The clients who take the first step of acknowledging that they have a problem are the ones who end up victorious. These clients are best treated in rehab centers. These centers are conducive because they promise abstinence, something that is paramount in one’s journey to recovery.

 

However, when a client relapses, it does not mean that the treatment has failed. In most cases, it means that the treatment option that was being administered should be replaced or adjusted. Sometimes, it means that the client needs an alternative treatment option in a detox clinic. Various factors determine whether a person will be addicted to drugs. These factors are developmental, environmental and genetic. Individuals who are exposed to some these factors have a possibility of becoming drug addicts.

 

A residential rehab is a viable option for the clients who need to be treated for drug dependency. Anyone in need of rehabilitation services should be able to access a residential rehab, whether it is located far away or close to his home.

 

Residential rehabs are classified into different categories. Most of them differ from one another regarding inclusion criteria, philosophy, intensity, program duration and content.

 

The most common factor shared by all the treatment centers is that the drug addicts must stay for a period to receive treatment at the facility. A person is also expected to be drug-free before the commencement of the program.

 

The success of the treatment plan mostly depends on the client. The plan may include dietary modifications and exercises.

 

The treatment plan does not end when a client is discharged from the facility. In these centers, clients are given valuable information about their condition and the triggers. This kind of information is helpful to them because they are educated of what happened to their bodies and how they can take full charge of their lives.

 

The addiction recovery centers usually work in close collaboration with the clients. They are known to identify triggers, personal challenges, and stressors that a client may encounter immediately after leaving the facility. The centers are managed by friendly staffs who work tirelessly to ensure that they make available a personalized treatment plan that will be of benefit to the clients.

 

The best treatment centers are not necessarily expensive. A drug addict can get quality services at an affordable facility.

 

The clients who choose to avoid treatment altogether should understand that the price they will pay for declining treatment is enormous. Some of the effects of drug addictions include liver damage, abdominal pain, weak immune system, cardiovascular conditions, behavioral problems, brain damage and congenital disabilities.

 

The use of drugs results in separation of children with their parents, violence, hopelessness, single parenthood, money problems, unhealthy relationships and emotional difficulties.

 

Most drug addicts have found family support to play a critical role in their journey to recovery. Treatment assists clients in improving their relationship with other family members.

 

Sources

1. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/
2. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
3. http://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/students/drugs.htm
4. http://www.cosw.sc.edu/academic-program/certificate-programs/drug-and-addiction-studies
5. https://www.brown.edu/academicshttps://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction/public-health/research/alcohol-addiction-studies/
6. http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain
7. http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the_addicted_brain
8. https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mental-behavioral/addiction-drugs
9. http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/hints/addictiveb.html
10. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
11.  http://recovergateway.org/substance-abuse-resources/drug-addiction-effects/

 

Benefits of Low-Fat Diet

Fats are essential in the body because they control inflammation, brain development, blood clotting and the absorption of vitamins. A low-fat diet is a diet that restricts the amount of fat an individual can consume in a single day.

 

Eating healthy meals is helpful because it makes sure that the body has balanced levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight. If you are interested in reducing your body weight, it is vital that you consider eating a low-fat diet. A low-fat diet also reduces the chances of getting medical conditions such as diabetes and heart ailments.

 

Fat is high in calories. Too much calories in the body can cause obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for stroke, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, liver and kidney diseases. The trans fats and saturated fats contribute to the accumulation of fats in the arteries and other blood vessels. The buildup of fat in the arteries can cause heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

 

A low-fat diet is rich in vitamins, fiber, phytochemicals and minerals. Fiber lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Phytochemicals are basically compounds produced by plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, grains and other plants. Phytochemicals are effective in protecting body cells from damage, which in most cases leads to cancer.

 

Antioxidants contained in a low-fat diet destroy harmful chemicals called radicals that play a critical role in the development of cancer.

 

Every parson should focus on eating a well-balanced diet. This goal can be achieved by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, starchy foods and proteins. A balanced diet includes more than five portions of vegetables and fruits daily. The type of fruit that you eat each day should be different.

 

Taking care of your heart involves selecting the right varieties of fats to eat. All saturated fats are supposed to be replaced with small amounts of mono and polyunsaturated fats. You should reduce the intake of foods containing high amounts of trans fats.

 

Fats are classified into the following three categories:

1. Unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats comprise of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that are mainly derived from plants. Monounsaturated fats include olive oil, almonds, rapeseed oil, avocado and unsalted cashew. Polyunsaturated fats include sunflower oil, oily fish, walnuts, vegetable oil and sunflower seeds. Unsaturated fats are the best for those who want to enjoy healthy lives.

 

2. Saturated fats

These fats are obtained from animal products like dairy foods and meat. Saturated fats increase the likelihood of developing heart diseases. Saturated fats usually raise the “bad” LDL cholesterol in the body. Eating foods rich in saturated fats on a regular basis increases the level of cholesterol in the blood. The increase in cholesterol levels in the blood raises the risks of developing coronary heart diseases.

 

Cholesterol is also produced in the liver. It is then carried in blood vessels as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). When LDL is in surplus, it leads to fatty deposits forming in the arteries. The fatty deposits are known to block the restrict blood circulation in the body. This blockage of blood flow increases the risk of stroke and heart diseases.

 

HDL takes cholesterol from various body parts where it is in a surplus and transports it to the liver for elimination. Eating too much sugar and fats also increases the level of triglycerides. High level of triglycerides in the blood leads to the narrowing of the arteries.

 

3. Trans fats

Trans fats raise the level of LDL, and this increases the risk of stroke and heart attack. Trans fats also lower the level of HDL commonly referred to as the “good cholesterol.” This can put a person at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. Trans fats are found in diverse kinds of foods:

• Commercially baked foods such as cookies, cakes, pizza dough, crackers, pie crusts, muffins and hamburger buns.
• Packaged snack foods such as chips, candy, crackers and microwave popcorn.
• Fried foods like chicken, breaded fish, french fries, fried chicken and hard taco shells.
• Solid fats which include margarine and vegetable shortening.
• Premixed products like chocolate milk, pancakes and cake mix.

 

Trans fats are generated when a manufacturer converts liquid oils into solid fats. These fats are also known as “partially hydrogenated oils,” and they extend the shelf life of a majority of the packaged foods.

 

Unsaturated fats are necessary for good heart health, physical and mental fitness. To improve the levels of healthy fats in the diet, you should eat omega 3 fatty acids on a daily basis. Foods that are rich in omega 3 include salmon, spinach, herring, trout and walnuts.

 

References             1.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130423102127.htmhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130423102127.htm

2. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/
3. http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/food-pyramid/fats.html
4. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/diet-and-nutrition/understanding-fats-oils/good-fats-bad-fats/
5. http://extension.illinois.edu/diabetes2/subsection.cfm?SubSectionID=46
6. http://extension.psu.edu/publications/uk093
7. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/FatsAndOils/Fats101/Trans-Fats_UCM_301120_Article.jsp#.WOJs_WmGMoA
8. http://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/content/infosheets/fact-pro-transfats.pdf
9. http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/reduce_risk/foods/phytochem
10. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals
11. http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/090313p70.shtml
12. https://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/body-cholesterol.shtml
13. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/About- Cholesterol_UCM_001220_Article.jsp#.WOOX9VWGO00