Glaucoma and Genetics

by

Glaucoma affects over 3 million Americans, and the numbers are increasing each year. According to the National Eye institute, this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030. Most people are unaware that undiagnosed glaucoma can result in permanent vision loss. In fact, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, but a family history of the disease can put you at significantly higher risk for developing glaucoma.

Glaucoma is characterized by elevated inner eye pressure that damages the optic nerve and causes blind spots in the visual field. Not every person with increased eye pressure will develop glaucoma. Some people can tolerate higher levels of eye pressure better than others. This is where genetics plays an important role. Whether you develop glaucoma depends on the level of intraocular pressure that your optic nerve can sustain without being stressed, and your inherited genes significantly factor into the outcome (Source: NEI).
If glaucoma runs in your family, there are many decisions that you can make to preserve your vision as well as prevent vision loss in your family. Here are some easy steps you can take:

  • At holidays and family gatherings, make sure that your family understands the facts about glaucoma and how it can affect long-term eye health.
  • Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam that includes testing for glaucoma (tonometry).
  • Encourage your family members to schedule comprehensive eye exams.
  • Check the calendar at local hospitals and wellness centers for discussions and forums on glaucoma and eye health issues. Encourage your family to attend.

Population-based studies prove time and again that family history plays a key role in glaucoma development. But glaucoma does not have to be synonymous with vision loss. A strong partnership with a qualified eye care specialist can preserve your vision, and your family’s vision, for years to come (Source: Glaucoma Research Foundation).

A Little Exercise Can Do a Lot for Arthritis Pain

by

Exercise is crucial for individuals suffering from arthritis pain, but patients may find it difficult to stay physically active when joints feel stiff or sore. The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults age 65 and over engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. However, only 10 percent of American adults with knee osteoarthritis meet these guidelines.

A new study published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research found that arthritis patients can experience significant relief from their symptoms even if they are not able to exercise for long periods of time. Dorothy Dunlop, professor of rheumatology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and colleagues examined data from 1,629 adults with pain, aching or stiffness in the hips, knees or feet. All subjects were age 49 and older and were part of the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a nationwide research study that aims to prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis.

The researchers assessed the physical function of each study participant at baseline and again after two years through self-reported outcomes. Approximately one third of participants managed to improve or maintain physical function at the two year follow-up.

Subjects who exercised regularly had the best outcomes, even if they did not meet the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week. Surprisingly, researchers found that study subjects who exercised as little as 45 minutes per week were 80 percent more likely to improve their physical function than subjects who exercised less than 45 minutes per week.

While subjects who exercised more than 45 minutes per week saw greater results, Dunlop hopes these findings will encourage arthritis patients to make any amount of physical activity a priority, even if it’s only for a few minutes each day.

“We found the most effective type of activity to maintain or improve your function 2 years later was moderate activity, and it did not need to be done in sessions lasting 10 minutes or more, as recommended by federal guidelines,” Dunlop explained. “Even a little activity is better than none. For those older people suffering from arthritis who are minimally active, a 45-minute minimum might feel more realistic,” (Source: Medical News Today).

Over-the-Counter Medication May Prevent Polyp Regrowth

by

When examining the projected number of people who will develop colon cancer in 2017, that equals over 203,000 individuals. These men and women are husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and beloved friends. Scientists are constantly seeking new treatments to stop colon cancer, and researchers have found promise in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota has partnered with a team of scientists from across the country to analyze the effects of NSAIDs, aspirin and several other supplements in their role in preventing the recurrence of advanced neoplasia (precancerous polyps) after polyps have already been removed. The majority of colon cancer mortality arises from advanced neoplasia, so this research has enormous implications.

M. Hassan Murad, M.D., a clinical epidemiologist and preventive medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, and the study’s senior author, said, “Approximately 85 percent of all colorectal cancers are thought to result from untreated adenomatous polyps. If we can find a way to stop their growth, we could prevent a majority of these cases.”

The research time found that nonaspirin NSAIDs like ibuprofen were more effective than aspirin or other nutritional supplements to prevent the growth of advanced adenomas. Because most colon cancers develop from precancerous polyps that gradually become malignant, preventing polyp growth means preventing colon cancer.

Using data from 15 randomized control trials, the team analyzed information from 12,234 individuals. The studies included low-dose and high-dose aspirin therapy, calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid. The team compared each medication or supplement individually or in various combinations. Dr. Murad and the team knew the protective effects of aspirin and other NSAIDS in preventing colon cancer, but they were not aware of how these therapies measured up to each other in effectiveness.

Among all the therapies, nonaspirin NSAIDS are the most effective in preventing the regrowth of adenomatous polyps within 3 to 5 years of initial polyp removal. This is good news because nonaspirin NSAIDs are economical and easy to obtain. There are some significant health concerns about the long-term use of NSAIDs, and they have many known side-effects such as hypertension, fluid retention, kidney problems, heart problems, ulcers, stomach upset, gastro bleeding, and rashes.

Most people assume that over-the-counter medication is safer than similar medication that must be obtained by a prescription, but this is not always true. Because of the health risks of nonaspirin NSAIDs, they are not the best choice for all patients who are trying to prevent the recurrence of polyps. Aspirin was nearly as effective and had significantly lower risk, which might make it a more favorable option for many patients.

If you have a personal history of polyps, talk to your doctor about the medication or therapy that will work best for you. All medications have benefits and risks, especially when you are currently taking other medication. You can trust your doctor to prescribe the right treatment for you and to schedule regular checkups to monitor your progress.

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

Consumer Reports Shares Advantages of Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Patients

by

Consumer Reports recently shared an article on how patients can get the best care at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). The article highlighted the recent trend of more procedures, such as cataract surgery and total joint replacement, being performed in ASCs.

The article also pointed out the advantages of having procedures done at an ASC rather than a hospital:

  • Shorter stay at a medical facility
  • Less expensive than inpatient surgery
  • Lower rates of urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and blood clots, and blood transfusions

Click here to read the full story.

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

African Americans are at Higher Risk for Glaucoma

by

This is because African Americans are five times more likely to develop glaucoma and six times more likely to have glaucoma-related blindness.

African Americans tend to develop glaucoma about 10 years earlier in life, and the disease often progresses faster than in individuals of other ethnicities. This means that there is an increased risk for vision loss, so early diagnosis is essential.

African Americans in any of the following groups are at an even greater risk for glaucoma:

  • Over the age of 40
  • Extreme nearsightedness
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Prolonged steroid use

Another factor that increases glaucoma risk is having a sibling that is diagnosed with glaucoma. Research shows that siblings of an individual with glaucoma have almost a 10-fold increased risk of developing glaucoma compared to siblings of an individual who does not have glaucoma.

Glaucoma often has no symptoms in the early stages, so most cases of glaucoma are diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. The best way to preserve your vision is to schedule routine preventative screenings. If you are at increased risk for glaucoma, you can be assured that your eye care specialist will perform all necessary tests to measure your eye pressure and evaluate the health of your optic nerve. Talk to your eye care professional to assess your personal risk for glaucoma so you can schedule comprehensive eye exams at appropriate intervals (Source: Glaucoma Research Foundation).

Chair Yoga Improves Osteoarthritis Symptoms in Older Adults

by

Osteoarthritis patients can work their way towards reduced pain interference and fatigue, and best of all, they can do it while sitting comfortably in a chair! A recent study found that older adults with osteoarthritis in the lower extremities can experience significant improvement in their arthritis symptoms through chair yoga.

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University randomly assigned 131 older adults with osteoarthritis in at least one lower extremity joint to participate in yoga classes or health education classes. Participants attended 45-minute classes twice a week for a period of eight weeks. Researchers measured pain, pain interference, balance, gait speed, fatigue and functional ability of participants before, during and after classes.

Subjects who participated in chair yoga – a gentle form of yoga that is practiced while sitting in a chair or using a chair for support – saw greater improvements in pain and pain interference during the 8-week program and three months post-intervention than participants in the health education group. Researchers also noted that the chair yoga group had a significantly greater decrease in WOMAC pain and fatigue and experienced improved gait speed.

Study co-author Ruth McCaffrey, emeritus professor in FAU’s College of Nursing, explained that these findings could lead to improved non-pharmacologic treatments for management of osteoarthritis.

“Currently, the only treatment for osteoarthritis, which has no cure, includes lifestyle changes and pharmacologic treatments that are not without adverse events,” she said. “The long-term goal of this research is to address the non-pharmacologic management of lower extremity osteoarthritis pain and physical function in older adults, and our study provides evidence that chair yoga may be an effective approach for achieving this goal,” (Source: Newsmax).

Schedule a Colonoscopy for a Loved One During Colon Cancer Awareness Month

by

It is easy to take our loved ones for granted, isn’t it? Sometimes we spend less time showing our care and concern for our closest family and friends because we know they will always be there. But the truth is, we must take the time to express our true feelings because there are no guarantees in our changing world. There are also no guarantees when it comes to good health.

One way that you can show family members or friends that you care is by scheduling a screening colonoscopy for them in the month of March. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on the importance of colon cancer education and prevention. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, but only 2 out of every 3 adults in the United States who are eligible for a colonoscopy are choosing to be screened. Because of this, colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women, and it affects one in 20 Americans.

There are many other types of colon screenings that are available, but the colonoscopy is unique. It has the power of detection, diagnosis and prevention in a single procedure. All colon cancer begins as a tiny cluster of cells that can form a precancerous polyp. If polyps are not removed, they have the potential to become cancerous. A colonoscopy exam involves a full visual inspection of the colon and the removal of any precancerous polyps before they can even develop into cancer.

It is estimated that there will be 95,520 new cases of colon cancer in 2017 and 39,910 new cases of rectal cancer in 2017. What if one of these individuals was a beloved family member or friend? Statistics are much more than just numbers if your loved one has been affected by colon cancer. The true power of the colonoscopy is not in its ability to diagnose colon cancer but it its ability to prevent it. In fact, most new cases of colorectal cancer could be prevented with regular colonoscopies.

You want the best for your loved one, so schedule a colonoscopy for your parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend during the month of March. It is the best way to show that you care. After you schedule their colonoscopy, you can also be a caregiver on the day of the procedure. Every colonoscopy patient needs a caregiver to remain at the facility during the procedure and drive them afterwards. Going the extra mile for your loved ones will show your dedication and concern for their overall health.

Show your family and friends the care and concern that they deserve. Celebrate Colon Cancer Awareness Month by calling and making colonoscopy screening appointments to prevent colon cancer. If you are able to share more of your time, volunteer to be their caregiver on the “big day” to see them through the entire process. Through education and encouragement, we can reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

Filed Under: News Tagged With:

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam for Healthy Vision Month

by

If you had to give up one of your five senses, which one would you be willing to part with? It certainly would be a difficult choice, but chances are that you would never want to give up your sight. After all, we perceive up to 80 percent of all our impressions from our sense of sight.

If vision contributes the majority of all input data to our brain, it definitely deserves regular care and maintenance. Healthy Vision Month is an annual initiative that encourages all men, women and children to consider the importance of lifelong eye health. It is a perfect time to renew your commitment to your vision by taking proactive steps to protect your gift of sight.

Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam
You may not have any noticeable vision issues, but do not rely on the absence of symptoms as proof that your vision is healthy. Many eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration have no warning signs in the early stages. Once there are symptoms present, it often means that permanent damage has already occurred. Comprehensive eye exams are also helpful to diagnose refractive errors, focusing problems and conditions like dry eye or computer vision syndrome. Possibly the most important feature of a dilated eye exam is that it allows your eye doctor to evaluate the health of your retina and optic nerve.

You may be at increased risk for a specific eye disease or eye condition if it runs in your family. Researchers have mapped genes for diseases like glaucoma and are identifying genes in macular degeneration, so it is important to know what eye diseases run in your family. Use family gatherings to talk to your relatives about family eye health history, and share this information with your eye care professional.

Live a healthy lifestyle
You cannot do anything to change your family history, but you make daily choices that influence your eye health. You have the ability to help preserve your vision by eating a nutritious and balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, and not smoking (Source: National Eye Institute).

Use protective eye wear
Each year, about 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the United States, but 90% could have been prevented by wearing correct eye protection. Safety goggles, safety glasses and eye guards can prevent most injuries at home, on the job or outside. Eye protection is important for the entire family and not just adults, so invest in protective eye wear for the whole family. And as a final reminder, sunglasses should be worn in all types of weather and not just when it is sunny outside. (Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology).

Value your sense of sight by following these four steps. You can start by making an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam with dilation for the whole family. Thank you for celebrating Healthy Vision Month and helping to spread the word to others!

5 Exercises to Relieve Knee Pain

by

We use our knees in nearly all of our daily activities, so it should come as no surprise that they develop some wear and tear over time. Years of standing, bending, climbing, walking, and squatting can place a great deal of pressure on the knees, leaving them prone to aches, stiffness and swelling.

Knee pain can occur in people of all ages, but it is most common in older individuals. An estimated 25 percent of American women and 16.5 percent of American men over the age of 70 report having knee pain (Source: Everyday Health). Regardless of your age, there are two important steps that can help you prevent and control knee pain: exercise and maintain a healthy weight.

According to Harvard Medical researchers, when you walk, the force placed on your knees is about 1.5 times your total body weight. That force increases to two to three times your body weight when climbing stairs and a shocking four to five times your body weight when squatting. If you are currently overweight, your knees are enduring a great deal of stress on a daily basis. Losing even just a few pounds can take a great deal of pressure off your knees and may help alleviate your symptoms (Source: Bicycling).

Low-impact exercises are also important for strengthening knees and keeping the joints lubricated. Try adding these exercises to your routine to keep knee pain under control:

  • Walking – Walking is a simple and effective way to stay mobile and relieve joint stiffness. And because it places the least amount of stress on your knees, it is a safe option for those dealing with knee pain.
  • Wall sits – Wall sits strengthen the muscle groups that support the knee joint, which can help to keep the knees healthy and strong. Stand with your back against the wall and feet about hip distance apart. Gradually lower your body into a seated position and hold for 30 seconds.
  • Leg lifts – Leg lifts are another great way to strengthen the muscles that surround the knee. Lie flat on the floor with legs fully extended. Raise one leg about 12 inches off the floor, then lower and repeat for 10 to 12 reps. Repeat with the other leg.
  • Calf raises – Standing behind a chair with feet about hip-width apart, raise your heels a few inches off the floor until you come up onto your toes. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower your heels back to the floor.
  • Stretching – Muscles that are limber and pliable allow for proper joint movement and decrease the risk of injury. To maintain healthy knees, remember to regularly stretch all leg muscles including the calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, and IT band.

6 Digestive Symptoms That Could Be a Sign of Something More Serious

by

Digestive problems are common, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to discuss. Gas, bloating, and bathroom habits are not considered polite conversation, and many individuals choose to suffer in silence rather than seek treatment for their symptoms.

A recent survey found that up to 74 percent of Americans are living with digestive problems such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain, yet half of them never discuss these symptoms with their doctor (Source: Fox News). These individuals run the risk of letting serious digestive problems continue undetected and untreated. While digestive symptoms may be harmless, they can often be the first sign of a more serious condition (Source: Bustle). The following are some digestive symptoms that warrant further investigation:

  • Difficulty swallowing – It’s normal to experience difficulty swallowing when you eat too quickly or take oversized bites, but if you’re constantly feeling as though food is getting caught in your throat, it’s time to see your doctor. Blockages in the esophagus or esophageal strictures (narrowing of the esophagus) are two issues that can cause difficulty swallowing, and they require medical attention. You may also have eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition which causes inflammation in the esophagus, or achalasia, a condition in which the muscles in your esophagus do not relax properly.
  • Rectal bleeding – Rectal bleeding could be a harmless side effect of hemorrhoids, or it could be an early warning sign of serious conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer. Always discuss rectal bleeding with your doctor immediately.
  • Noisy digestion – The digestive system makes all sorts of noises while it’s at work, but if you notice grumbling and groaning within just a few minutes of eating, your body may be reacting to something in your food. Keep track of which foods appear to trigger this reaction and discuss it with your doctor at your next appointment.
  • Pain from kidney stones – Severe pain in the side and back that spreads to the abdomen and groin often indicates kidney stones. You may also notice that urine looks cloudy, pink, red or brown, and has a foul odor to it. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills, as this could indicate infection.
  • Heartburn – Nearly everyone experiences heartburn from time to time, but chronic episodes could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic digestive condition marked by frequent acid reflux, and it requires treatment to prevent damage to the esophagus. If left untreated, GERD can lead to ulcers, esophageal strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.
  • Changes in bowel habits – Frequent diarrhea or constipation is a sign that something is not working properly in your digestive system. Talk to your doctor about any unusual changes in your bowel habits, as these may be indicators of celiac disease, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: