Friday, May 13, 2016

Identify and Treat Glaucoma Naturally

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.



FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG
HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS- http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/



Glaucoma is a medical condition of the eye where the optic nerve becomes damaged, and worsens over time. The build-up of pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure, is the eye's inability to drain out the aqueous humor fluid properly. Optic nerve damage can lead to loss of vision and permanent blindness within a couple of years, if left untreated.
 
The two main types of the disease are 'open-angle glaucoma' and 'angle-closure glaucoma'. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common of the pair. In the open-angle, the eye structures appear normal, but the fluid doesn't flow properly through the drain of the eyes, known as the trabecular meshwork.  

The latter of the diseases, angle-closure glaucoma, is categorized by poor drainage of the eye, due to the angle between the iris and the cornea, which then becomes obstructed by the iris and results in blurred vision.

There are numerous ways in which the eye disease may be treated. The treatments are prescription eye drops for less severe problems, microsurgery to thoroughly drain out the fluid of the eye, or through various laser surgery procedures.


Editor's note - Please consult your physician if you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed below, or if you have a history of glaucoma in your family. It's important to have a complete eye exam to minimize the risks at an early stage. 
 

External Causes:
Blockage of blood vessels in the eye
Blunt injury to the eye
Chemical damages to the eye
Severe eye infection
Inflammatory conditions of the eye (Uveitis)

 
Symptoms:
Seeing halos around lights
Vision loss
Redness in the eye
Sudden hazy or blurred vision
Nausea or vomiting
Pain in the eye
Narrowing of vision (tunnel vision)
Flashes of light or black spots
Double vision
Seeing spots, ghost-like images


People Most at Risk:
Are over the age of 40
Have a family history of glaucoma
People of African ancestry
Have poor vision
Have thin corneas
Have diabetes
Have had trauma to the eye or eyes
Take certain steroid medications, such as prednisone


7 Preventative Measures Against Glaucoma:
1) Healthy Diet - Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for preventing diseases of all sorts. Green leafy vegetables are high in chlorophyll, which is a vital component that improves vision and protects against glaucoma. Make sure you add spinach, kale, beetroot, and carrots, to your salad and dietary intake. The omega-3 fatty acids of cold water fish are also beneficial for healthy eyesight. 
 2) Eye Exercises - You can practice from a wide assortment of eye exercises to maintain optimal vision. Eye exercises prevent strain and sharpen concentration. Here are a few exercises you can perform at home:
The Pencil Exercise - Hold a pencil at arm’s length and focus on it, slowly bring it closer to your nose. Move the pencil farther from your eyes until you can no longer keep it in focus. Perform this exercise about ten times a day.
The Eye Rolling Exercise - Roll your eyes in a clockwise direction for a few seconds, and then counter-clockwise for a few seconds. Repeat the process four or five times, and blink your eyes in between each set.
The Eye Blinking Exercise - Try blinking your eyes in quick spurts, 20 to 30 times without squeezing your eyes shut, which is known as eyelid fluttering. Close your eyes and let them rest for a while after you are done.
The Concentration Exercise - Focus your vision on a distant object for a short period. Try staring at the moon outside for a few minutes to avoid straining of the eyes. 


3) Sunning and Palming - The Bates Method of sunning and palming, helps flex and reactivate the lens of the eye. Here's how to perform each technique:
The Sunning Process - Let the sun shine directly onto your closed eyelids, while breathing in deeply. You can sun in the morning for a couple of minutes.
The Palming Process - Rub your palms together to generate heat and then gently cup them over your closed eyes without applying any pressure. Keep your eyes covered so that no trace of light can enter. 

4) Wild Asparagus - You might not have liked asparagus when you were young, but you will certainly appreciate the benefits this spring vegetable has for maintaining healthy vision. Eating a few sticks of asparagus can help prevent such eye disorders as glaucoma and cataracts.
  Here is an interesting recipe you can prepare:
Mix 1 teaspoon of wild asparagus with 1/2 teaspoon of honey.
Consume twice daily with a glass of warm milk for a few months.
5) Ginkgo Biloba - The Chinese have relied on the Ginkgo Biloba for over 5,000 years to treat a variety of medical conditions. Ginkgo Biloba affects ocular blood flow and protects the optic nerve from damages. It is also used to improve memory, relieve stress and even help treat Alzheimer's disease. Take 120-mg standardized capsules once a day, or in two to three divided doses. Make sure you consult your doctor before taking any Ginko Biloba capsules.
 6) Bilberry - The powerful bilberry herb is ideal for treating night blindness and protecting against macular degeneration of the eye. It contains a chemical called anthocyanoside, which supplies the bloodstream with anti-inflammatory properties. Eat a 1/2 cup of them per day, or in supplement form as an alternative. Take 160 mg of bilberry extract (with 25 percent anthocyanidin) twice daily, or several times per week. Consult your doctor beforehand if you are planning to take the herb in capsule form. 


7) Almonds - Almonds are a great snack alternative to sugary candy bars and high in sodium potato chips. They help improve vision with the powerful omega-3 fatty acid components, and provide you with a much-needed boost of energy during the day. A handful of almonds can increase brain function and even save you from fatigue. Try this quick and easy almond paste recipe:
Take about 5 to 10 almonds and let them soak in water overnight.
Peel the skin off and grind them the following morning.
The mixture will turn into an almond paste, which you can consume with a glass of warm milk for breakfast. Repeat process for a few months. 


A Few More Important Tips...
~ Visit your eye doctor for regular check-ups.
~ Don't spend too much time watching T.V. or sitting directly in front of a computer screen, since both contribute to straining of the eyes.
~ Keep a safe distance about 18 to 24 inches away from the screen while you are working.
~ Purchase an anti-glare screen to avoid glare on your computer. 

~ Wear a pair of UV sunglasses when you're outside to protect your eyes from the beaming sunlight.
 Avoid reading in areas where the lighting is dim, since it adds strain to the eye muscles.
~ Use good quality eye cosmetics to shield the eyes.
~ Do not wear glasses that have the wrong prescription.
~ Take frequent visual breaks from your computer, resting your eyes every 20 minutes or so.
~ Get a good night's sleep to prevent eye discomfort and blurry vision.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, May 30, 2015

10 Important Things to Know About Sunscreen

It’s well known that wearing sunscreen prevents skin cancer, wrinkling and premature aging. The rays of the sun expose us to ultraviolet radiation. Sunscreen changes the way your skin responds to sunlight. The active ingredients in the lotion either absorb, reflect or scatter the UV radiation.
There are so many choices on the market that it can be confusing to know which one to buy. Few people know which sunscreen factors are effective and what sunscreen actually does.
1. Sunscreen is only the second line of defense

The most important thing to know about sunscreen is that it cannot offer 100% protection. It is equally important to spend time in the shade, wear protective clothing, UV blocking sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Another healthy sun behavior is to avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm when the UVB rays are most intense.
Choose clothes made of UV reflective materials. Bleached cotton and pastel shades might seem lighter to wear in the heat, but they actually absorb more UV radiation than other materials. Shiny materials and dark or bright colors reflect radiation better.

2. What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is a measurement of sunburn protection from UVB rays. UVB rays are the rays that redden the skin and cause sunburn. The effectiveness of an SPF rating depends on how quickly your skin burns in the sun. What activities you do and the sun’s intensity also play a role. For example if your skin burns 10 minutes after being in the sun and you’ve applied sunscreen with SPF 15, you can stay in the sun for 15 times longer. In other words 15 x 10, or 150 minutes.
3. Choose 15-50 SPF
The Environmental Working Group’s guide to sunscreen recommends you choose an SPF between 15-50. An SPF higher than 50 is only marginally more effective. Numbers higher than 50 offer little additional protection and may have higher concentrations of irritating or even allergenic ingredients.

4. Reapplying is more important than the SPF number
Putting on sunscreen at the beginning of time spent outdoors is a good start, but it’s only effective protection if the sunscreen is reapplied. People forget that the SPF only has a limited amount of time it can protect your skin. Because people often don’t know how quickly their skin burns and can’t figure out the number of minutes the SPF offers protection, experts recommend reapplying sunscreen after 2 hours.
Sunscreen also rubs off after being wet, towel drying or through sweating. If you’re going to the beach or the pool, it’s worthwhile applying a water resistant sunscreen.
5. Don’t be afraid to apply generously
It’s also recommended that you apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside so that the active ingredients can be absorbed into the skin in time to work. It’s also vital to apply the lotion liberally. You should be applying at least 1 ounce, (or 2 tablespoons). Studies have found that people rarely apply enough lotion to reach the SPF rating on the bottle.
6. Avoid sprays or powders
When buying sunscreen, choose lotion. Researchers have found powders are ineffective while using sprays is problematic because there are the concerns of inhaling the fumes and often, an inadequate amount of spray is applied.
7. Sunscreen doesn’t always protect against UVA rays

SPF only refers to UVB rays, which burn the skin. UVA rays are more prevalent and can penetrate deep into your skin. UVA rays can penetrate clouds and glass, and don’t weaken when the sun lowers. When choosing a sunscreen be wary of the term broad spectrum. To ensure your sunscreen is protecting you against UVA rays you need to read the label. It’s the ingredients that count. Look for stabilized avobenzone, ecamsule (a.k.a. Mexoryl), oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.  THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.






PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM
      









FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,