What are Cataracts?

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Cataracts develop very slowly, and you may not notice the presence of a cataract for many years. In fact, most people find out about a developing cataract from their eye doctor. By the age of 40, 1 in 6 Americans have a developing cataract, and by age 70, half of all Americans are affected by the condition. Common symptoms of cataracts include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
  • Appearance of halos around bright lights
  • Increased glare
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Faded or yellowed appearance of colors

Although cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide, they are treatable with surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common procedures performed in the United States today and boasts over a 95 percent success rate. Currently, 9 out of 10 patients regain vision between 20/20 and 20/40, so you can expect positive results when you schedule cataract removal  (Source: All About Vision).

The likelihood of developing a cataract as you age is quite high, but it is possible to avoid cataracts or delay their formation. If you do not yet have a developing cataract, there are a few steps that you can take to prevent cataracts:

  • Wear sunglasses — Exposure to UV rays from the sun can speed cataract formation, so wear sunglasses, even on cloudy days.
  • Apply sunscreen — Shield the delicate skin around your eyes from sun damage.
  • Don’t smoke — Cigarette smoke contains thousands of toxins that cause cellular damage.
  • Maintain a healthy weight — Studies show that obesity increases the risk for cataracts, so keep your weight within a healthy range for your height.

5 Signs you Need Reading Glasses

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Most people begin to notice presbyopia around the age of 40, although it varies from person to person (Source: AAO).

Treatment for presbyopia is reading glasses, or bifocals if you already wear eyeglasses. You may find yourself resistant to purchasing that first pair of reading glasses or bifocals, but you may be surprised how a new pair of frames can ease your daily tasks. If you are unsure whether you need reading glasses, here are five signs that you need to make an appointment with your eye doctor:

  1. You are squinting a lot more often. If you cannot see clearly, your natural reaction will be to squint. Although squinting temporarily improves focus and clarity, it puts excessive strain on the eye and can make vision worse. If you are squinting to read your smartphone, tablet, computer screen or your favorite book, it might be time to get reading glasses.
  2. You hold books differently. If you are developing presbyopia, you will create more distance between your eyes and the page. About 12 inches is a normal distance, but presbyopia will cause you to hold books more at arm’s length. If you are holding books at least 14 inches from your face, it’s probably time for reading glasses.
  3. You are getting headaches. One of the most common reasons for headaches is changes in vision. If you are having regular headaches, it could be due to eye fatigue from straining all day to see the computer.
  4. Your vision is blurry. As the eye changes, the lens loses elasticity and cannot focus light as efficiently. Your eyes may not change at the same rate, and this could result in double vision. Your eye doctor can help correct this issue.
  5. You are always turning lights on. A telltale sign of presbyopia is needing brighter light. If you need to turn on several lamps and lights in a room to feel like you are getting adequate light, it may be time for reading glasses.

There is no way to prevent presbyopia from developing because it is a natural part of aging. Make an appointment with your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to have your vision evaluated. Your vision can change quickly, so even if it has been less than a year since your first exam, call the office if you are experiencing vision challenges.

Addressing the Source of Your Hip Pain

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If the pain is coming from the buttocks, upper thigh or outside hip, you may have problems with the soft tissues surrounding the joint such as muscles, ligaments and tendons. When the pain originates from a hip-related structure instead of the hip itself, it is called referred pain (Source: Web MD).

The most common causes of hip pain include:

  • Injury such as tendonitis, hip fracture or dislocation
  • Arthritis such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pinched nerves

It is much easier to isolate the source of hip pain if you had a recent injury. A bad fall or car accident is not quickly forgotten, but arthritis or pinched nerves may develop slowly so it might be difficult to isolate an incident or event that initiated the pain.

The natural response to hip pain is to massage, stretch or apply pressure to the location of the pain. This is not recommended, and it can even make hip pain worse by causing increased inflammation and irritation. The best way to handle hip pain is to call your doctor. The likelihood is quite high that you may not be able to see your doctor immediately, so here are some tips to help you safely manage your hip pain:

  1. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Cold therapy helps numb pain and ease inflammation.
  2. Use good posture. Try to achieve a neutral spine to relieve stress on the hip.
  3. Relax your body. Reduce stress and anxiety by deep breathing and self-relaxation.
  4. Find low-impact exercises that do not worsen your pain. Swimming or walking are two activities that often help with mobility and movement.

In the days before your appointment, keep a log of your hip pain and write down any notes that might be helpful to your doctor. When did your hip begin hurting? Did an event or accident cause the pain? Where is your hip pain located? Does the pain move from one area to another? At what time of day is it most painful? Having several days of notes and observations can be a useful tool in diagnosis and treatment of your hip pain.

Anemia and Colon Cancer

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Some common symptoms of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, racing heart and paleness.

One of the many symptoms and warning signs of colon cancer is anemia. Tumors can bleed because they have their own fragile network of blood vessels, and you may feel fatigued and weak because the tumor is bleeding internally. Slow blood loss is characteristic of tumors located in the right colon where it is spacious and the tumor can expand and go undetected. Although signs of anemia are present, you may not see blood in your stool because the blood dries before it leaves the colon.

The left colon is much more constricted than the right colon, so a tumor is more likely to cause an obstruction in the bowel. Symptoms may develop more quickly because the diameter of the left colon is smaller. You may experience constipation, narrowed stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and bright red blood in the stool (Source: Colorectal Center Canada).

If you suspect that you are anemic, make an appointment to visit your doctor. Do not depend on visible symptoms; even a microscopic amount of blood loss can result in anemia if it is chronic. On the other hand, not all blood in the stool is indicative of colon cancer or will result in anemia. Constipation or hemorrhoids can bring on rectal bleeding, and foods such as beets or red licorice can tint the stool red. Pay close attention to your symptoms, and if they persist for more than a few days, do not delay in
scheduling an appointment with your doctor.

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When Should I Wear Sunglasses?

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Harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause skin damage, premature wrinkles and exposure to free radicals. A free radical is an unstable molecule that has lost an electron and reacts with a neighboring molecule to become whole again. These reactive atoms are located throughout the human body and can destroy healthy cells. Over time, free radical damage can lead to chronic conditions like cataracts and glaucoma.

Fortunately, protecting your eyes from damaging sun exposure is simple and inexpensive. It does, however, require discipline and good habits. Sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection will shield your eyes from ultraviolet radiation and help preserve your vision for years to come. The common mistake that most people make is to allow the weather to influence their decision to say “yes” or “no” to their shades.

Here are some little-known facts about the importance of proper eye protection:

  1. We all need to wear sunglasses, regardless of age. The age group most at risk for eye damage is children since few of them wear sunglasses, and sun damage is cumulative.
  2. Our eyes are just as vulnerable to UV rays on cloudy days as on sunny days. UV rays can penetrate through clouds.
  3. Larger lenses offer greater eye protection than smaller ones.
  4. Not all sunglasses offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. Read labels carefully before purchasing.
  5. For maximum eye protection, select sunglasses that have wrap-around lenses.
  6. Damaging UV rays can reflect off snow and water, so wear sunglasses during the wintertime and when at the beach or on a boat.
  7. If you are unsure about what sunglasses to purchase, talk to your eye doctor. Your eye doctor can give you advice on the sunglasses that will offer the best eye protection. You can purchase prescription or non-prescription sunglasses at your next comprehensive eye exam.

When in doubt, sport those shades. A quality pair of sunglasses will help prevent chronic eye conditions and keep your vision clear. Establish good habits by keeping a pair of sunglasses in your car, office and home and wear them daily.

Are E-Readers Right for You?

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There is one more decision that you need to make, and that is, what type of medium you will use to read your book. You have the choice of a traditional printed book, an audio book or an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle or the Barnes and Noble Nook.

You have likely heard differing opinions on e-readers. Some people rave about e-readers because such a small, portable device can hold the equivalent of a huge stack of novels. What convenience! Others warn that digital reading devices such as Kindles and Nooks are bad for your vision and can cause eye strain.

It’s true that digital devices are getting a bad reputation these days, but the problem is not so much with the device itself as with overuse of the device. Smart phones, tablets, televisions and computer screens emit blue light — high-frequency light waves that penetrate deep into the eyes and can cause eye damage over time. Kindles and Nooks are digital devices, but they differ from smartphones and tablets in two ways:

  • Backlighting: An e-reader is sensitive to the amount of light in the environment and it will increase contrast accordingly.
  • eInk: This special display mimics the look of printed paper.

These two features can minimize eye strain, especially for individuals with poor vision. If you suffer from eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, an e-reader can make a significant difference in the clarity of letters and words. Ultimately, it will be your decision whether you prefer to read a book the old-fashioned way or with an e-reader. No matter what you choose, remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something at least 20 feet away. That will help keep your eyes comfortable in any reading situation.

Is It Time to Talk to Your Adult Children About Colon Cancer?

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In fact, young-onset colon cancer incidence is increasing in individuals under the age of 50. If you’ve never had the conversation with your kids about colon cancer prevention and awareness, now is the time.

It’s very likely that you may not know how or when to bring up the subject, or even what to say. After all, colon cancer and colonoscopies are not exactly dinner table conversation. We couldn’t agree more, so choose a setting that is comfortable for everyone. You could consider a family walk, a cup of coffee at the kitchen table, or a trip to your local park.

Once you’ve chosen the setting, you need to think of how you will present your message. Remember, your goal is to inform and encourage. It might help to begin with a few facts to inform your kids about the prevalence of young-onset colon cancer. You could read these facts or make them into a game of True or False (and by the way, all of these statements are true!).

  1. About 10% of colon cancer cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 50.
  2. Rates of colon cancer incidence and mortality are increasing among the young but are decreasing in those over age 50.
  3. Rates of young-onset rectal cancer are twice as high as the rate of young-onset colon cancer.
  4. Common symptoms of colon cancer include abdominal cramping, changes in bowel habits, narrow stools, blood in the stool, anemia, fatigue and vomiting. However, symptoms often do not appear in the early stages of the disease.
  5. Physician-related delays such as missed symptoms or misdiagnosis occurs in 15-50% of young-onset colon cancer cases.
  6. Family history plays a larger role in colon cancer development than previously thought.
  7. Even though young-onset colon cancer is on the rise, colon cancer screening is not recommended until the age of 50 unless an individual has specific risk factors such as family history, inflammatory bowel disease or genetic syndromes.

After you share the facts, you need to tell them what to do. Encourage your children to speak up if they sense that something is wrong and to make an appointment with their doctor. If they don’t have a GI specialists, we can help them find a good one in their area. Early diagnosis means early intervention, and colon cancer is over 90% treatable when diagnosed in the early stages (Source: Colon Cancer Alliance).

Talking colon cancer could feel embarrassing, but a few awkward minutes equips your kids with knowledge that could save their lives. Once you’ve finished your conversation, end the evening with something fun like going out for ice cream or a game of bowling– and give yourself a gold star for being a great parent!

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Tips to Improve Your Posture at Work

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Poor workplace posture is a major cause of back pain and stress, and it can lead to repetitive strain injuries. If left untreated, bad posture can adversely affect your health, morale and work productivity.

Let’s start out by defining posture. Posture is the position in which you hold your body against the forces of gravity during standing or sitting. Good posture is not intuitive. Instead, you must train your body to sit, stand and walk in ways that place the least amount of stress on your muscles and ligaments (Source: The Physiocompany).

Because most people spend their workday in a seated position, here are some tips to help you maintain good posture as you sit:

  1. Adjust the height of your chair so the height is just higher than your knee.
  2. Tilt the seat of your chair slightly forwards to rotate your pelvis so your spine stays neutral.
  3. Sit back into your chair so it can support your back and spine.
  4. Keep your feet flat on the floor. Do not cross your legs.
  5. Move your chair closer to your desk so you are not stretching your upper body forwards.
  6. Keep your head directly above your shoulders.
  7. Pull back your shoulder blades to avoid slouching.
  8. Use a lumbar support pillow to relieve lower back pain.
  9. Engage lower abdominals by pulling the belly button into the spine.
  10. Get up and move around every 30 minutes to prevent muscle stiffness.

Good posture takes some practice, so be patient with yourself. Take a moment to jot down the posture tips on a Post-It note and attach it to your computer monitor. Studies show that it takes 30 days to establish a new habit, so get started today. If you still have persistent pain after taking steps to improve your posture, contact your primary care physician for an appointment (Source: Spine Health).

Why Women Are More Likely Than Men to Develop Arthritis

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Symptoms of arthritis include pain or tenderness, swelling, warmth and redness in the joints as well as stiffness and difficulty using or moving a joint. The hands and feet are affected first, but as the disease progresses, those symptoms may spread to the knees, elbows, hips and shoulders (Source: Arthritis Foundation).

More than 100 different diseases fall under the term arthritis, the two most common being Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). OA is a degenerative joint
disease that is caused by cartilage loss in a joint, while RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in joints and other body parts including eyes, lungs, skin, blood, the heart and nerves. Other common forms of arthritis are Juvenile Arthritis (JA), which affects approximately 300,000 children under age 16, and Lupus, also an autoimmune disease affecting many organs including the joints.

Although arthritis forms vary, their sufferers are very similar. According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 women have been diagnosed with arthritis compared to about 1 in 5 men. Of the approximately 27 million Americans with OA, roughly 60% are female (Source: Everyday Health). That percentage increases exponentially after age 55, most likely due to menopause. RA affects 3 times as many women as men whereas Lupus affects 9 times as many women (Source: Well).

So, why are women more susceptible to arthritis than men? It could come down to these four reasons.

  1. Biology: Namely the way a woman’s body is structured. Women are designed to give birth. Consequently, their joints are more elastic than men’s, making them more prone to injury and more likely to develop arthritis. Also, according to Everyday Health, because women’s hips are wider than their knees, their knee joints aren’t aligned as straight as men’s. This poor alignment can cause uneven stress on them, leading to OA later in life.
  2. Hormones: While the female hormone estrogen may protect cartilage from inflammation, after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease, women lose that protection and may actually have a higher risk of developing OA. Experts think there is a link between estrogen and OA, but the relationship is inconclusive.
  3. Genetics: OA may run in families, especially among females. Particularly, hand and knee OA have been found to have specific genetic links.
  4. Weight: This is one risk factor you can control! According to Arthritis-Health, body weight has a direct correlation to the development and progression of joint degeneration. Statistically, more women are obese than men, and because obesity is the most significant predictor for OA, obese women are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

It may seem like you have no control over whether you develop arthritis or not, but that’s not true. Even though your biology, hormones and genetics are fixed, your weight is not. There are a few things women can do to prevent arthritis. First, maintain a healthy weight by eating primarily fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low fat dairy. Excess weight stresses joints causing cartilage to break down more quickly. So, losing extra pounds will decrease inflammation and slow joint degeneration. Secondly, stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of both OA and RA because it damages blood vessels and rapidly deteriorates cartilage in joints. Third, exercise regularly. Strength training, yoga, Tai-Chi, swimming and water aerobics are all excellent for arthritis. Finally, minimize joint strain at work by taking breaks from repetitive motions and make changes to your work environment to reduce pressure on the joints like using a swivel chair or a sit/stand desk setup.

At present there is no cure for arthritis, but an early diagnosis and treatment plan can minimize joint damage and pain. Seek medical help immediately if you suffer from any arthritic symptoms.

Are Your Eyes Protected During Your Favorite Hobbies?

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Just as each hobby requires its own supplies, such as a fishing pole, whittling knife, needle and thread or lawn tools, most hobbies also require specific eye protection. Your eyesight is an invaluable resource and a precious gift, so take precautions to protect your vision while you engage in your hobby.

Safety Glasses

A quality pair of safety glasses is necessary for keeping flying objects out of your eyes. When you are casting out your fishing line, your eyes are vulnerable to the barbed hooks on the end of the line. Similarly, during woodworking, your vision could be damaged if bits of sawdust or debris are flung into your eyes. Protect your eyes with safety glasses made of durable polycarbonate. The lenses of safety glasses wrap around the eyes to protect your peripheral vision, and many designs have shields that protect above the eyes as well.

Reading Glasses

Sewing can be an incredibly relaxing hobby, but it can be stressful and exhausting if your eyes are strained. Threading needles or doing beadwork is tedious and can cause headaches, eye pain, red eye and eye irritation. A good pair of reading glasses or a magnifying glass can help you see more clearly so your eyes are not overworked. It is also important to use bright lighting when sewing or crafting because this decreases eye strain as well.

100% UVA/UVB-Protecting Sunglasses

Before you step into your flower bed or vegetable garden to weed, water or harvest, put on a pair of shades. Sunglasses are essential for protecting your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause oxidative damage and speed the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. Purchase sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection so you can prevent eye damage.

Wearing proper eye protection ensures you can keep doing those meaningful hobbies that will give you pleasure for years to come. The final step in protecting your vision is to make yearly appointments with your eye doctor for up-to-date information regarding your eye health.