The Dangers Of Dry Eyes: Five Reasons To Treat Chronic Dry Eyes

 

Dry eyes are caused by inadequate or poor quality tear production. Most people experience the discomfort of dry eyes occasionally, but some people develop chronically dry eyes. Medical conditions such as diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome and lupus can lead to dry eyes. Some medications can cause dry eyes too. Older people, particularly older women, may develop chronic dry eye for no apparent reason. Individuals who experience dry eye symptoms frequently should seek medical help for five reasons:

 

1. Comfort

The primary motivation for individuals to seek treatment for dry eyes is to relieve the discomfort. Dry eyes sting, burn and turn red. Some individuals with chronically dry eyes experience unpleasant episodes of excessive tearing as well.

 

2. Difficulty working

Individuals who have to use a computer or read for long periods of time as part of their job may find it very difficult to complete their tasks if they have untreated dry eyes. Staring at a computer screen with dry eyes can cause severe eye pain.

 

3. Visual acuity

Dry eye sufferers may experience a decline in visual acuity. Blurry vision, particularly towards the end of the day, is a common complaint. Individuals who rely on contact lenses to correct their vision may find it difficult or impossible to wear their lenses due to the discomfort.

 

4. Infections

Chronic dry eye sufferers tend to have frequent eye infections. One of the major functions of tears is to protect the eye from infection. This could cause other health problems if not treated promptly.

 

5. Scarring

If chronic dry eye isn’t treated, the damage caused by the dryness can lead to scarring of the cornea. Scarring of the cornea can cause significant vision problems. The only treatment for a scarred cornea is a corneal transplant.

 

Treatment for mild dry eyes consists of applying lubricating eye drops. If an underlying medical condition is causing the dry eyes, treating the condition may cure the problem. If the oil glands are blocked, a special procedure to unblock them may be very effective. Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements can improve dry eye symptoms in many people.

 

 

For other cases, prescription eye drops that control inflammation or promote tear production may be recommended. Special inserts that protect the surface of the eye are also available. These inserts are tiny devices that are placed under the eyelid once a day. They slowly dissolve and create a protective layer over the cornea.

 

 

If the condition is more severe, surgery on the eyelids or tear ducts may be recommended. It’s important to see an optometrist regularly to help treat dry eyes and prevent further problems. Informational credit to Optometrists Clinic Inc.

 

 

 

Categories: Chronic Dry Eyes, dangers, Dry Eyes, treat

Oral Hygiene: The Dangers of Gum Disease

 

By Lizzie Weakley

 

Gingivitis is an inflammation caused by plaque buildup that, when left untreated, can become a much worse condition known as periodontitis, or simply gum disease. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, genetics, and certain medications can cause gum disease to develop and worsen through time if habits do not improve. Unfortunately for sufferers, there is a direct link between this condition and the onset of other health complications.

 

Tooth Loss

The obvious danger of gum disease is chronically bad breath, mouth pain, and the eventual loss of teeth. Eating becomes uncomfortable and often leads to bleeding, swelling, or sores on the gums. According to Smith Family Dental, it may also be noticed that gums begin to recede and expose a greater portion of the teeth. Aesthetically, this can cause problems in relation to self-esteem and put a damper on any type of close intimate relationship.

 

Uncontrollable Diabetes

Diabetic patients rely on controlling blood sugar to keep immediate complications from arising, including fatigue, nausea, seizures, and coma. Over time, there is a possibility of damage to the kidneys, nerves, bones, and joints. A person with gum disease has a much harder time controlling blood sugar because the body’s natural defenses kick in when bacteria hits the blood stream. This happens when infected gums are exposed to brushing or eating, causing blood sugar to rise.

 

Heart-Related Conditions

Periodontal disease sufferers typically experience inflammation regularly as the gums are extremely sensitive to trauma. Not only is there a link between worsening existing heart disease, it increases the risk of development. In addition, there is a higher risk of stroke due to blocked arteries relating to periodontitis (Source: SmithFamilyDental.com).

 

Increased Risk Of Cancers

A study conducted by the research team at Harvard University and London’s Imperia College documented the statistics of gum disease patients with other illnesses. Significant increases were shown between the developments of certain cancers in patients that had pre-existing periodontitis. Kidney was the highest, followed by lung, blood, head, and neck cancers. This is believed to be partially caused by infectious bacteria entering the blood stream, weakening immune system.

Good oral hygiene must be a regular practice to keep the smile healthy and prevent complications related to gingivitis and periodontitis. The symptoms of gum disease may be mild and unnoticed in some cases, making it extremely important for all people to commit to regular oral exams to prevent complications. Diagnosis is the only way to know that oral habits are inadequate and treatment is a necessity.

 

Categories: dangers, Gum Disease, oral hygiene

The Dangers of Having Unprotected Anal Sex

When people think about sexual wellness issues, such as STIs and STDs, they usually think about issues related to their wellbeing following on from vaginal intercourse or oral sex. It is true that most STDs are transmitted in this way, but there are some that can be transmitted via anal sex. This can be a devastating blow to people who choose to have anal sex as a way of avoiding the risks of unprotected sex.

 

In actual fact, some studies have now shown that STDs are more easily transmitted through anal sex rather than vaginal sex, because the skin of the anus is thinner than the skin of the vagina. The anus also offers no natural lubrication and therefore the skin is more prone to tears. These open tears or sores give any STDs (especially those like hepatitis or HIV) a direct route inside the human body.

 

Anal sex causes a certain level of trauma to the human body, and that can be a difficulty, especially when it comes to HIV.

 

You can catch every type of sexually transmitted disease that exists through having anal sex – including HIV, HPV (genital warts), herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and hepatitis B. Not only can all of these STDs be easily transmitted through the thin skin that surrounds the anus, but the partner who penetrates the other during anal sex is at risk of getting a disease too, as the anus is a prime area where bacteria can propagate. Even if a condom is used, the risk remains because the sores of diseases such as genital warts and herpes can be present inside and outside of the anal opening, which makes contact with the infection far more likely. Anal herpes can even be transmitted when there are no active sores present.

Categories: anal, anal sex, anus, dangers, easily transmitted, genital warts, human body, Sex, skin, STDs, transmitted

The HCG Diet: Weight Loss Tool or a Colossal Waste of Time?

Thanks to a lot of celebrity endorsement, the HCG Diet is more popular than ever, but is it actually beneficial to your wellbeing? Let’s explore the controversies surrounding the HCG Diet.

 

What is it? Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or HCG for short, is a hormone found naturally in the urine of pregnant women. Yep, people are injected with the same hormone found in pregnant women’s urine in order to lose weight. The theory goes that the hormone causes your hypothalamus to release fat reserves, which it then uses to fuel your body.

 

What are its claims? The HCG promises a quick fix for weight problems, but considering any wellness expert will tell you that there is, in fact, no quick fix for weight loss, this promise falls a little flat. Users assert that they have lost as much as 10kg in 30 days, as well as stubborn fat that hasn’t previously responded to diet and exercise. However, as the weight loss programme also involves a very low-calorie diet, since the reserved fat is what fuels the body’s energy needs and excess caloric intake is not required, it’s more likely this element – rather than the injections – that causes weight loss.

 

What’s the science? Although there is a plausible theory behind the HCG diet, there is no scientific research to back it up. According to a research analysis published in The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 1995, HCG has absolutely no benefits for weight loss, but rather it is the dangerously low 500 calorie diet that users follow, and this has harmful repercussions. All clinical trials have concluded that HCG is ineffective and pointless, while a 2009 report from the American Society of Bariatric Physicians stated that HCG isn’t recommended to any obese person for weight loss.

 

Is it approved? In short, no. The Federal Trade Commission and the FDA issued strict warnings in December 2011, telling almost seven companies that their product didn’t have the necessary FDA approval and the claims they were making were not backed by research or examination by experts.

 

What are the side effects? The low calorie diet will cause vitamin, mineral and fat deficiencies, as well as headaches, loss of muscle tissue, stomach ulcers, hormone imbalance, and blood sugar imbalance. Plus, any weight you lose will always come back, and this time as all-fat instead of the fat-and-muscle combo that you lost.

Categories: calorie diet, dangers, Evidence, hCG Diet, loss nbsp, Pregnant Women, Weight Loss