 |
|||||||||||||
|
The following information does not replace advice from your physician. It is intended to give you additional information about various, specific conditions. Please click on the appropriate link to see more information about: -Staying Active with Arthritis AlzheimersWhat is it? Alzheimers is a disease that damages the brain’s intellectual functions, which includes memory, orientation and calculation. Several factors increase your risk of developing the disease:
What are the symptoms? Some of the early symptoms may include:
Additional as the disease progresses symptoms may include:
In the middle or final stages symptoms may include:
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: Call your doctor whenever you or a family member has any of the following problems:
What can home health care help with? Many individuals with Alzheimers can benefit or need skilled nursing or physical therapy. For a free consultation, please contact our office nearest to you!
AnemiaWhat is it? Pernicious anemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance needed to absorb vitamin B-12 from the gastrointestinal tract). Anemia is a condition where red blood cells are not providing adequate oxygen to body tissues. Risk increases with:
What are the symptoms? Symptoms can include:
Signs you have pernicious anemia can include:
Prevention & Treatment: Monthly B-12 injections are the definitive treatment to correct the vitamin B-12 deficiency. If you are elderly, your doctor may also recommend that you take oral vitamin B12 supplements in addition to the monthly injections. A well balanced diet is essential to provide other elements such as folic acid, iron and vitamin C for healthy blood cell development. What can home health care help with? Many individuals with anemia who cannot go to the doctor’s office on a daily basis can benefit from skilled nursing visits. For a free consultation or more information on how health care could benefit you or someone you know, please contact our office nearest to you!
ArthritisWhat is arthritis? Arthritis is a chronic disease and the term arthritis includes a group of disorders that affect a person’s joints and muscles. What are the symptoms? Symptoms may include:
Prevention/Treatment
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: Call your physician if you have experienced pain, stiffness or swelling around a joint for more than two weeks. Only a physician can determine if you are suffering from symptoms of arthritis. You need to find out which type it is so that you can start the best course of arthritis treatment.
Staying Active with Arthritis
Diet Eat a balanced diet
Cooking with Arthritis in Your Hands:
Several things can be done to make meal prep easier when joints are sore or swollen. Some include:
Losing Weight Being overweight puts stress on joints, particularly the weight bearing joints such as the knees and hips. It has a negative impact on mobility. Losing weight can be made fun by engaging in physical activity that is enjoyable. Changes in diet will probably also be necessary, but the payoff is that being at an optimal weight makes people feel happier and stronger. Sodium Intake Limit sodium which cause water retention. Your doctor may recommend a low-sodium diet for arthritis patients because water retention may cause joints to swell, sometimes restricting movement. Vacationing with Arthritis If you suffer from arthritis traveling may be a challenge. Carrying luggage, added walking and extended sitting may make you uncomfortable and cause discomfort. The following suggestions may make your vacation experience more enjoyable: Plan
Talk with your doctor
Hotel Accomodations
Rental Cars
Packing
Traveling Through the Airport
During Vacation
Exercise You can significantly improve your health and quality of life by practicing some form of physical activity on a regular basis. Regular, moderate exercise is beneficial in decreasing fatigue, strengthening muscles and bones, increasing flexibility and stamina and improving an overall sense of well-being. Specific Benefits of Exercising for Arthritis Sufferers
Lack of Exercise Contributes to:
Type of Exercises You Should Use:
Note: Before you begin an exercise program you should consult a physician or a physical therapist.
CHFWhat is CHF? Heart failure is also known as Congestive or Chronic Heart Failure or just CHF. Heart failure means that your heart doesn’t pump as well as it should. The heart keeps pumping blood but each heartbeat doesn’t send as much blood and oxygen as your body needs. What causes it? Causes can include damage from heart attacks, high blood pressure, problems with heart valves and/or damage from an infection or virus in the heart. Prevention/Treatment
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these signs which indicate worsening Heart Failure:
If you have severe breathing trouble or chest pain, call 911 immediately. What can home health care help with? Many individuals with heart failure can benefit from home health care, either through skilled nursing visits, therapy visits, or education regarding this disease and the disease process as well as teaching on ways to improve your health. For a free consultation or more information, contact our office closest to you!
COPDWhat is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD generally involves two distinct diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both cause excessive inflammatory processes that eventually lead to abnormalities in lung structure that permanently obstruct airflow. What causes COPD? Tobacco use is the number one risk factor for COPD. Another risk factor is familial emphysema (or alpha 1-antitrypson [AAT} deficiency related emphysema) is caused by the hereditary deficiency of a protein. What are the Signs & Symptoms?
Prevention/Treatment: COPD is not a reversible condition, but treatment can slow its progression. Treatments include:
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: When you have any of the symptoms listed above consult your physician. In addition to the treatments listed above, there are other options that include surgical treatment and behavioral therapies that may be considered. What can home health care help with? Contact your nearest office to discuss our nine week COPD program that includes patient teaching and helpful aides to help you control and manage this disease.
DehydrationWhat is Dehydration? Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. What Causes It? Dehydration can be caused by:
Signs & Symptoms:
Prevention/Treatment: Prevention:
Treatment:
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: When you have any of the symptoms listed above consult your physician.
DepressionWhat is Depression? Major depression is an illness that involves the way a person thinks and feels and usually involves extreme sadness or a sense of despair, but it can be felt as irritability or a loss of energy. It usually affects a person’s ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy leisure activities. What Causes It? The cause is not clear, but it probably involved chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry messages between brain cells. Changes in hormones may play a role in depression. An episode of depression can be triggered by a stressful life event but in many cases, depression does not appear to be related to a specific event. Signs & Symptoms
Treatment:
When to Call Your Health Care Professional: Depression is a painful and potentially dangerous illness, so a health care professional should be called if you have any suspicion that you or a loved one is depressed. What can home health care help with? Many of our offices are staffed with certified psychiatric nurses who provide behavioral nursing to patients in their homes. Contact your nearest office more information or to set up an initial consultation.
DiabetesWhat is Diabetes? Diabetes is a disease caused by an absence or abnormal use of the hormone insulin. What Causes Diabetes? The pancreas produces the hormone insulin and the food you eat turns into glucose (a kind of sugar) in your stomach and then is transported into the bloodstream to enter the cells. Insulin binds with glucose and helps the glucose enter the cells. Without insulin the glucose remains floating in the bloodstream. High levels of sugar remaining in the blood over a period of time can cause serious complications to the eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart. Type I Diabetes is when the pancreas does not produce any insulin. Type II Diabetes is when the pancreas produces some insulin, yet in insufficient amounts for the body’s demand. Signs & Symptoms:
Treatment: Exercise is especially helpful to people with diabetes. Walking, aerobics, swimming, leg exercises are a few examples of health exercise options for the diabetic. Diet is the second key ingredient to treating/controlling diabetes. When to Call Your Healthcare Professional: When you have any of the symptoms listed above contact your physician. If Diabetes runs in your family, inform your physician. What Can Home Health Care Help With? Home Health Care can help with teaching including proper nutrition and exercise. Home Health Care is also appropriate for those individuals who are unable to administer their own insulin and have no family members/caregivers who can do this for them. Call your local office listed on this web site for more information or to schedule a free evaluation.
Edema
What is Edema? Edema is a swelling of both legs from a build up of extra fluid. What Causes Edema? Edema has several possible causes that include:
Signs & Symptoms: Symptoms vary according to the type of edema and its location. In general, the skin above the swollen area will be stretched and shiny. Treatment:
When to Call Your Healthcare Professional: Call you doctor immediately if you have pain, redness or heat in a swollen area, an open sore, shortness of breath or swelling of only one limb. What can Home Health Care Help With? Home health care can provide teaching regarding appropriate diet and exercise.
Falls PreventionFalls Facts: Falls are a serious public health problem among older adults. More than ½ of adults over the age of 65 fall each year and are hospitalized for fall-related injuries 5 times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. Of those who fall, 20-30% suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence and increase the risk of death. Hip fractures are the most common consequence of falls with approximately 250,000 hip fractures occurring each year among people over age 65. Falls Prevention Tips:
When to Call Your Healthcare Professional: Talk to your doctor is you are having gait or balance problems as well as steps you can take to reduce your risk of a fall. What Can Home Health Care Help With: Home Health Care can provide a safety assessment for your home as well as Physical Therapy to improve gait and balance and reduce the risk of falls. Call your local office listed on this web-site for additional information or to schedule an in-home assessment.
Fibromyalgia
What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. Although Fibromyalgia is considered an arthritis related condition, it is not truly a form of arthritis because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles or other tissues. Like arthritis, Fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue and it can interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily activities. What Causes Fibromyalgia? The cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, but there are probably a number of factors involved. Factors can include a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event (such as an automobile accident), repetitive injuries, or other illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis. Signs & Symptoms: In addition to pain and fatigue, people with Fibromyalgia may experience:
Treatment: Treatment usually consists of drugs that may have terrible side effects. Drugs used in treatment may include analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, benzodiazepines or other medications. When to Call Your Healthcare Professional: Contact your physician when you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above. What can Home Health Care Help With? Home Health Care can help with patient teaching including instructions on new medications, diet and exercise. Contact the nearest office listed on this web-site for more information or to set up a free assessment in your home.
Foot Care Facts
Foot Care and the Diabetic: Diabetes can cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) that reduces sensation in your feet. When you have a neuropathy you can have an injury or condition on your foot that requires medical care without even knowing it. Small injuries may become infected. Foot infection is the most common reason for hospitalization of people with diabetes. Foot ulcers and non-healing wounds are the primary causes of amputation in people with diabetes. With proper foot care, it is estimated that as many as half of these amputations could be prevented. Warning Signs of Foot Complications:
When to Call Your Healthcare Professional: If you experience any of 5these conditions, contact your doctor or your podiatrist right away. These conditions need to be properly managed in order to avoid complications. How Can Home Health Care Help? Through our program Light Steps (a combination of Physical and Anodyne Therapy) we can increase circulation, decrease pain in the feet, promote healing of open wounds, and improve gait and balance. Contact our office closest to you to set up a free in-home assessment or for more information today.
Hip ReplacementWhere Can People Find More Information About Hip Replacement Surgery? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) NIAMS provides information about various forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease and other bone, muscle, joint, and skin diseases. It distributes patient and professional education materials and refers people to other sources of information. Additional information and updates can also be found on the NIAMS Web site.
NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases~ National Resource Center provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases. The mission of NIH ORBD~NRC is to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these diseases as well as strategies for coping with them. The Center provides information on osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, primary hyperparathyroidism, and other metabolic bone diseases and disorders.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons The academy provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. It also serves as an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the science of orthopaedics. The orthopaedist’s scope of practice includes disorders of the body’s bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. For a single copy of an AAOS brochure, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address above or visit the AAOS Web site.
American Physical Therapy Association This national professional organization represents and promotes the profession of physical therapy, and furthers the profession’s role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions, and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public. Arthritis Foundation This is the major voluntary organization devoted to arthritis. The foundation publishes pamphlets on arthritis that may be obtained by calling the toll-free telephone number. The foundation also can provide physician and clinic referrals. Local chapters also provide information and organize exercise programs for people who have arthritis.
The Hip Society The society maintains a list of physicians who are specialists in problems of the hip and provides physician referrals by geographic area.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
What is Hypertension? Hypertension is more commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension is divided into two stages: Stage 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure between 140 and 159 and/or diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 99) and Stage 2 hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than 160 and/or diastolic blood pressure greater than 100). What Causes Hypertension? Usually systolic pressure (the higher number) increases as we age. However, after age 60, diastolic pressure usually begins to decline because the body’s blood vessels stiffen. Signs & Symptoms: Generally there are no signs or symptoms. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is have your blood pressure checked. Prevention & Treatment: Prevention:
Treatment:
When to Contact Your Healthcare Professional? If your blood pressure is higher than 120/80 schedule regular appointments with your doctor to have your blood pressure monitored and to get advice about modifying your lifestyle to prevent problems in the future. What can Home Health Care Help With? Home Health Care can provide additional patient teaching regarding diet, exercise and medications. Contact the office closest to you to get more information or to set up a free assessment.
Knee ReplacementWhere Can People Find More Information About Knee Replacement Surgery? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) NIAMS provides information about various forms of arthritis and rheumatic disease and other bone, muscle, joint, and skin diseases. It distributes patient and professional education materials and refers people to other sources of information. Additional information and updates can also be found on the NIAMS Web site. NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center The NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases~ National Resource Center provides patients, health professionals, and the public with an important link to resources and information on metabolic bone diseases. The mission of NIH ORBD~NRC is to expand awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of these diseases as well as strategies for coping with them. The Center provides information on osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, primary hyperparathyroidism, and other metabolic bone diseases and disorders. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons The academy provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. It also serves as an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the science of orthopaedics. The orthopaedist’s scope of practice includes disorders of the body’s bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. For a single copy of an AAOS brochure, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address above or visit the AAOS Web site. American Physical Therapy Association This national professional organization represents and promotes the profession of physical therapy, and furthers the profession’s role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunctions, and the enhancement of the physical health and functional abilities of members of the public. Arthritis Foundation This is the major voluntary organization devoted to arthritis. The foundation publishes pamphlets on arthritis that may be obtained by calling the toll-free telephone number. The foundation also can provide physician and clinic referrals. Local chapters also provide information and organize exercise programs for people who have arthritis. Acknowledgments The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of James Panagis, M.D., M.P.H., of the National Institutes of Health; Khaled J. Saleh, M.D., of the University of Virginia; and Clement B. Sledge, M.D., Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery Emeritus, Harvard Medical School and The Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in the review of this booklet. The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and information sources. Additional information can be found on the NIAMS Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a bone disorder where bones become thinner, lose their strength and are more likely to break. What Causes Osteoporosis? You are more likely to develop osteoporosis if you are:
Signs & Symptoms:
Treatment:
When to Contact Your Healthcare Professional: Ask your physician for a bone density scan to obtain a base line. Annual scans will help identify bone loss. What Can Home Health Care do to Help? Home Health Care can provide patient teaching regarding diet, exercise and medication. Contact your nearest office listed on our web-site for more information or to schedule a free in-home assessment.
Parkinson’sWhat is Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s is a disease of the central nervous system that causes problems with body motions including tremor, rigidity, slowed body movements, unstable posture and difficulty walking. Parkinson’s affects about 1 million people in the US with approximately 50,000 new cases each year. It usually occurs in middle age, however about 5% of patients have early=onset and are younger than 40 when symptoms begin. What causes Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s happens when nerve cells in a part of the brain gradually die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps to relay messages between areas of the brain that control body movement. Symptoms:
Other symptoms may include:
Treatment:
When to Contact Your Healthcare Professional: If you have any of the symptoms listed, contact your doctor for a complete physical and diagnosis. How Can Home Health Care Help? Home Health Care can assist the patient with education of medications, disease process and management, coping mechanisms and our Light Step Program (combination of Physical Therapy and Anodyne Therapy). From the listing of our offices on this web-site, contact the office closest to you for more information or to schedule a free assessment today.
Restless Leg SyndromeWhat is Restless Leg Syndrome? Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a fairly common medical condition. People with RLS may have difficulty lying down and sleeping or sitting down and relaxing because their legs just won’t let them. RLS may interfere with sleep and as a result will affect the individuals ability to participate in their daily activities. What Causes RLS? The actual cause of RLS is not known. Symptoms:
Treatment:
When to Contact Your Health Care Professional: When you have any of the symptoms listed above, contact your physician. How Can Home Health Care Help? Home health care can provide education for the patient including information regarding changing habits, diet and exercise. Some patients have found relief from RLS after being treated under our Light Step Program (combination of Physical Therapy and Anodyne Therapy). To get more information or to set up a free consultation, contact the office location on our web site that is closest to you.
Staying Agile
You are never too old to reap the rewards of regular physical activity! Exercise can assist in lowering weight and muscle strengthening exercises or structure physical therapy can reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones. In one study, moderate exercise reduced pain and disability in senior adults with knee osteoarthritis. It has also been shown that aerobic exercise increased the amount of sleep senior adults got each night and reduced the time it took to fall asleep. Other research has confirmed that exercise benefits people with coronary artery disease, diabetes and hypertension. If you are not doing any exercise at all right now, you might try to accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic activity on most, if not all, days of the week. Such activities include walking, climbing the stairs (instead of taking the elevator), gardening, housecleaning and dancing. Thirty minutes of physical activity may also come from planned exercises such as jogging, playing tennis, swimming, bicycling or taking an aerobics or water aerobics class. Strength training should also be an integral part of every exercise program. Exercises, such as lifting weights, even once or twice a week, can keep you from losing muscle, can strengthen your bones and can protect your knees and other joints. It can also lessen arthritis pain and stiffness and help you lose weight. As you become older, it is important to maintain flexibility, or the ability to move a joint through the full range of motion. Proper flexibility will help you to continue functioning at home, work and socially. Research suggests that most of the flexibility that is lost through aging is caused by inactivity or lack of movement. A daily stretching routine may help improve how you feel and function. You should strive for a balanced physical activity program that combines aerobic exercise, strengthening and stretching. If you are just getting started, it’s important to begin any exercise program slowly and gradually increase to more days or longer periods of time. In addition, older individuals should check with their doctor before beginning any exercise program to determine cardiac risk and protect them from injury.
Nutrition and AgingAs you age, your body becomes less forgiving, and you’ll have to make more of an effort to eat well and stay fit. Ideally, you’ve been practicing healthy eating habits throughout your life. But most of us don’t live in an ideal world, and often we don’t pay attention to our health until we reach middle age and beyond. Your nutritional needs are pretty much the same at 40, 50, 60 and beyond as they were when you were younger – with some minor variations. As you age, you need fewer calories, but exactly how much you should eat still depends on how active you are. Because you’re eating less food to maintain a healthy weight, you have to be more careful about choosing low-fat and nutrient-rich foods. As the years pass and you lose lean body mass (muscle), your metabolic rate slows down and you burn calories more slowly. Exercise is the best way to maintain lean body mass and speed up your metabolic rate. As you age, physical disabilities, such as loss of sight and mobility and a failing appetite (caused by dental problems, reduced saliva production and a decline in the ability to taste), make eating less rewarding for the elderly than for the young. By age 75, for example, people have only half as many taste buds as they did at 30. In addition, loneliness, depression and financial restrictions of living on a fixed income can interfere with an older person’s ability to buy and prepare healthy food. Because food is often associated with social events, preparing food and eating alone can be difficult for older people who have reached a stage in life where many of their loved ones have either died or moved away. For many, a loss of appetite follows the loss of companionship. The following tips may help provide better meals for an elderly person:
Optimizing Home SafetyOlder people generally prefer to live at home, either alone or with their families. It allows them to enjoy the comforts of familiar surroundings, while still staying close to their loved ones. Refer to our section in Tips on Falls Prevention which include practical ideas for insuring your home is safe!
A Good Nights’ SleepWe all look forward to a good night’s sleep. Getting enough sleep and sleeping well help us stay healthy. Many older people do not enjoy a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. They have trouble falling or staying asleep. Sleep patterns change as we age, but disturbed sleep and waking up tired every day is not part of normal aging. In fact, troubled sleep may be a sign of emotional or physical disorders and something you should talk with a doctor about. At any age, insomnia is the most common sleep complaint. Insomnia means:
With rare exceptions, insomnia is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself. Insomnia can be linked with other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, a common problem that causes breathing to stop for periods of up to 2 minutes, many times each night. A good night’s sleep can make a big difference in how you feel. Here are some suggestions to help you:
If you are so tired during the day that you cannot function normally and if this lasts for more than 2 to 3 weeks, you should see your family doctor.
VisionWe all know it’s important to have an annual physical to make sure our bodies are healthy, but we don’t always follow this advice when it comes to our eyes. Prevention really is the best treatment for protecting our eyesight throughout our lives. Prevention: Since poor eyesight and some eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration may be genetic, regular routine eye exams can help detect problems early. One of the first warning signs that you may have less than 20/20 vision includes having trouble seeing street signs and/or headaches after reading or working on a computer. It is also very important to protect our eyes from the sun. Just like our skin, the ultraviolet rays of the sun can damage our eyes causing cataract formation, especially in older adults. Looking directly into the sun is especially damaging since it can harm your retina. Sunglasses should be rated to block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. In addition, be sure to wear sunglasses on cloudy days as well since many of the sun’s damaging rays will filter through the clouds. Finally, good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining your eyesight. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is essential for the functioning of our eyes. Other sources of vitamin A include apricots, mango, spinach, squash, parsley and cantaloupe, among others. The following nutrients have been shown to be helpful in the preservation of vision:
Five Steps to Safeguard Your Eyesight:
Common Eye Complaints: Presbyopia (prez-bee-OH-pee-uh) is a slow loss of ability to see close objects or small print. It is a normal process that happens as you get older. Signs include holding your reading materials at arm’s length or getting headaches or tired eyes when you read or do other close work. Reading glasses can often fix the problem. Floaters are tiny spots or specks that seem to float across your eyes. You might notice them in well-lit rooms or outdoors on a bright day. Floaters can be normal. But sometimes they are a sign of a more serious eye problem, such as retinal detachment. This often is the case if you see light flashes along with floaters. If you notice a sudden change in the type or number of spots or flashes, see your eye care professional right away. Tearing (or having too many tears) can come from being sensitive to light, wind, or temperature changes. Tearing also can come from having dry eye. Protecting your eyes (by wearing sunglasses, for example) may solve the problem. Sometimes, tearing may mean a more serious eye problem, such as an infection or a blocked tear duct. Your eye care professional can treat both of these conditions. Eyelid problems can come from different diseases or conditions. Common eyelid complaints include pain, itching, tearing, or being sensitive to light. Eyelid problems often can be treated with medicine or surgery. Conjunctivitis (also called pink eye) happens when the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the cornea becomes inflamed. It can cause itching, burning, tearing, or a feeling that something is in your eye. Conjunctivitis can be due to allergies or an infection. Infectious pink eye can easily spread from one person to another. It is a common eye problem that your eye care professional can treat. Cataracts are cloudy areas in the eye’s lens. Normal lenses are clear and let light through. Cataracts keep light form easily passing through the lens. This causes loss of eyesight. Cataracts often form slowly without any symptoms. Some stay small and don’t change eyesight very much. Others may become large or thick and harm vision. Cataract surgery can help. Your eye care professional can watch for changes in your cataract over time to see if you need surgery. Cataract surgery is very safe. It is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States. Dry eye happens when tear glands don’t work well. Dry eye can be uncomfortable. It can cause itching, burning, or even some vision loss. Your eye care professional may suggest using a home humidifier or special eye drops (artificial tears). More serious cases of dry eye may need surgery. Glaucoma comes from too much fluid pressure inside the eye. Over time, the disease can damage the optic nerve. This leads to vision loss and blindness. Loss of vision doesn’t happen until there has been a large amount of nerve damage. Most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from increased pressure. You can protect yourself by having regular, dilated eye exams. Treatment may be prescription eye drops, medicines you take by mouth, or surgery. Retinal disorders are a leading cause of blindness in the United States. The retina is a thin lining on the back of the eye. It is made up of cells that get visual images and pass them on to the brain. Retinal disorders that affect aging eyes include:
Low Vision affects some people as they age. Low vision means you cannot fix your eyesight with glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. It can get in the way of your normal daily routine. You may have low vision if you:
If you have any of these problems, ask your eye care professional to test you for low vision. There are many things that can help. Aids can help you read, write, and manage daily living tasks. Lighting can be adjusted to your needs. You also can try prescription reading glasses, large-print reading materials, magnifying aids, closed-circuit televisions, audio tapes, electronic reading machines, and computers that use large print and speech. Other simple changes also may help:
Less than perfect vision does not have to hamper your lifestyle. By having regular eye exams you will be doing your part to take care of your eyes.
|
||||||||||||
