9 Serious Eye Symptoms to Watch Out For

Flashing lights, floaters, and eye pain — these are just a few of the warning signs that should prompt you to see your eye doctor.

Regular eye exams are an important part of keeping your eyes healthy — they can be particularly helpful in detecting progressive eye conditions such as glaucoma, which typically has few symptoms in its early stages. 

However, in some cases, people may experience symptoms such as a change in vision or eye pain that require immediate medical attention.

If you or someone you know experiences eye pain or any of these following symptoms, see an eye doctor right away:
 
Flashing lights, floaters, or a gray shadow in your vision. The sudden onset of flashing lights, a noticeable increase in the amount of floaters, a shadow in your peripheral vision, or a gray curtain moving across your field of vision could be signs of a detachment of the retina — the nerve layer in the back of the eye that sends images to the brain. Nearsightedness, eye diseases such as glaucoma, and physical injury to the eye are among the causes of retinal detachment. Unless treated quickly, usually with surgery, retinal detachment can lead to blindness.
 
Any loss of vision, particularly if sudden or in one eye. Sudden vision loss could signal a number of eye diseases and conditions. One is macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, which is a leading cause of vision loss in people 65 and older in the United States. Vision loss caused by AMD can be gradual, but in some cases, it can be sudden — when blood vessels in the eye leak fluid or blood under the retina, which is made up of nerve cells that allow you to see. Another cause of sudden vision loss could be a type of glaucoma, which leads to a rapid build-up of fluid pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve.
 
Eye pain. Most eye diseases are painless, but some conditions or injuries can result in eye pain, says Richard Shugarman, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and an ophthalmologist in West Palm Beach, Fla. Eye pain can be caused by glaucoma, dry eye, an eye injury, a scratched cornea, or even cancer of the eye.
 
Eye injury. Any significant injury to the eye should be evaluated by a doctor, particularly if there is redness or pain that lasts for more than 15 to 20 minutes.
 
Persistent discomfort in the eye. If you experience any discomfort in your eye after doing an activity in which a small particle could have entered your eye, such as hammering or working under a car, don’t ignore it. Have your eyes checked out by a doctor to make sure that you don’t have a foreign particle in the eye, which can cause an infection.
 
Red eye. “Having two red eyes is probably not as serious as one red eye,” says Dr. Shurgarman. When both eyes are red at the same time, it could be a sign of a cold or conjunctivitis (pink eye) — minor infections that are self-healing. But one red eye can be an indicator of a deeper inflammation, such as scleritis or uveitis. Scleritis is the inflammation of the tough, outer protective barrier around the eye, and uveitis is the inflammation and swelling of the middle coating of the eyeball.
 
Eye discomfort if you are a contact lens wearer. While most people who use contact lenses don’t experience problems when they follow the rules of proper contact lens care and use, serious infections can occasionally occur. If you wear contact lenses, never ignore eye pain, redness, or discomfort — see an eye doctor right away.
 
Blurred vision. Even if it clears up, blurred vision can be a sign of a number of eye problems such as glaucoma, uveitis, a torn retina, or AMD. Losing vision in one eye may be an early symptom of a stroke. “Vision loss, especially in one eye, could be a sign that the carotid artery, which is a major supplier of blood to the eyes, is blocked,” says Shugarman.
 
Eye surgery complication. If you’ve had eye surgery and experience any redness, eye pain, or blurring of vision, call your doctor right away for an evaluation.
Even if a symptom appears and goes away, you are better off checking with your eye specialist if you encounter any of these warning signs. Eye symptoms should never be ignored.

Aging and the Immune System

The immune system of human beings (as well as that of other mammals and birds), is composed by two important groups of lymphocytes: 

• T-cells that are differentiated in the thymus gland, and
• B-cells that are differentiated in a pouch-like cavity (or bursa) in birds. Mammals do not posses this cavity, but the name of the cells stuck.

During the puberty period, the thymus gland becomes smaller and smaller until almost disappears in adults. Without the presence of this gland, the T-cells are not well or not at all differentiated. The production of their colleagues, the B-cells, also begins to decrease. When the production starts diminishing of those cells in the bone marrow that are the precursor cells of the T- and B-cells, the bone marrow is less capable to properly perform cellular divisions. This means that the immune system becomes increasingly weaker, which might explain why people are much more sensitive to infections when they’re coming closer to the end of their lives.

From a certain age, the risk of developing an auto-immune disease, which means a condition where healthy cell in the body are attacked by the innate immune system, starts to increase. An example of such an auto-immune disease with a high prevalence among the elderly, is arthritis. In people suffering from arthritis, the cells of their own immune system begin to attack the cells that constitute the lining of the joint cavities, which causes inflammation and a steady decline in joint flexibility. This is often accompanied by pain and swelling of the joints.

Now, what can you do to prevent or counter this decline in immune function with age?

The immune system declines with age and that fact can not (yet) be changed. But you can try to make this decline as little as possible. There are several ways to naturally boost your immune system. Some of the most obvious ones are:

• Sleep and rest well: The functioning of the immune system is affected by sleep and rest. Sleep deprivation often results in a compromised immune system.
• Eat well: Like most systems of the body, the immune system depends on proper nutrition. It is known that both mal- and over-nutrition are associated with problems of the immune function. Some foods and herbs that positively affect the immune system are: fresh fruits and vegetables, ginseng, garlic, sage, hyssop and even honey.
• Go out and move: Both moderate exposure to sunlight and exercise are good for the immune system. The vitamin D and increased blood flow positively affect the immune function.

Bottled Water Everywhere: Keeping It Safe

Consumers have a big thirst for bottled water. The International Bottled Water Association says that more than 8 billion gallons of it were consumed in the United States in 2009 alone.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water products, working to ensure that they’re safe to drink.

FDA protects consumers of bottled water through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), which makes manufacturers responsible for producing safe, wholesome, and truthfully labeled food products.

There are regulations that focus specifically on bottled water, including

“standard of identity” regulations that define different types of bottled water

“standard of quality” regulations that set maximum levels of contaminants—including chemical, physical, microbial, and radiological contaminants—allowed in bottled water

“current good manufacturing practice” (CGMP) regulations that require bottled water to be safe and produced under sanitary conditions

Types of Bottled Water

FDA describes bottled water as water that’s intended for human consumption and sealed in bottles or other containers with no added ingredients, except that it may contain a safe and suitable antimicrobial agent. (Fluoride may also be added within the limits set by FDA.)

The agency classifies some bottled water by its origin. Here are four of those classifications:

Mineral water. This water comes from an underground source and contains at least 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. Minerals and trace elements must come from the source of the underground water. They cannot be added later.

Spring water. Derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface, this water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole that taps the underground formation feeding the spring. If some external force is used to collect the water through a borehole, the water must have the same composition and quality as the water that naturally flows to the surface.

Well water. This is water from a hole bored or drilled into the ground, which taps into an aquifer.

Bottled water may be used as an ingredient in beverages, such as diluted juices or flavored bottled waters. However, beverages labeled as containing “sparkling water,” “seltzer water,” “soda water,” “tonic water,” or “club soda” aren’t included as bottled water under FDA’s regulations. These beverages are instead considered to be soft drinks.

It May Be Tap Water

Some bottled water also comes from municipal sources—in other words, the tap. Municipal water is usually treated before it is bottled. Examples of water treatments include

Distillation. Water is turned into a vapor, leaving minerals behind. Vapors are then condensed into water again.

Reverse osmosis. Water is forced through membranes to remove minerals.

Absolute 1 micron filtration. Water flows through filters that remove particles larger than one micron—.00004 inches—in size. These particles include Cryptosporidium, a parasitic pathogen that can cause gastrointestinal illness.

Ozonation. Bottlers of all types of waters typically use ozone gas, an antimicrobial agent, instead of chlorine to disinfect the water. (Chlorine can add residual taste and odor to the water.)

Bottled water that has been treated by distillation, reverse osmosis, or another suitable process may meet standards that allow it to be labeled as “purified water.”

Ensuring Quality and Safety

Federal quality standards for bottled water were first adopted in 1973. They were based on U.S. Public Health Service standards for drinking water set in 1962.

The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act gave regulatory oversight of public drinking water (tap water) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). FDA subsequently took responsibility, under the FD&C Act, for ensuring that the quality standards for bottled water are compatible with EPA standards for tap water.

Each time EPA establishes a standard for a contaminant, FDA either adopts it for bottled water or finds that the standard isn’t necessary for bottled water.

In some cases, standards for bottled water and tap water differ. For example, because lead can leach from pipes as water travels from water utilities to home faucets, EPA has set its limit for lead in tap water at 15 parts per billion (ppb). For bottled water, for which lead pipes aren’t used, the lead limit is set at 5 ppb.

For bottled water production, bottlers must follow the CGMP regulations put in place and enforced by FDA. Water must be sampled, analyzed, and found to be safe and sanitary. These regulations also require proper plant and equipment design, bottling procedures, and record keeping.

In addition, FDA oversees inspections of bottling plants. The agency inspects bottled water plants under its general food safety program and has states perform some plant inspections under contract. (Some states also require bottled water firms to be licensed annually.) This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page4, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that contribute to a healthy life. Although most people get all the vitamins they need from the foods they eat, millions of people worldwide take supplemental vitamins as part of their health regimen.

Why Buy Vitamins?

There are many good reasons to consider taking vitamin supplements, such as over-the-counter multivitamins. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), a doctor may recommend that you take them:

for certain health problems

if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet

if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Vitamin Facts

Your body uses vitamins for a variety of biological processes, including growth, digestion, and nerve function. There are 13 vitamins that the body absolutely needs: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). AAFP cites two categories of vitamins.

Water-soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by the body, which doesn't store large amounts. The kidneys remove those vitamins that are not needed.

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the body with the use of bile acids, which are fluids used to absorb fat. The body stores these for use as needed.

Develop a Vitamin Strategy

It is important for consumers to have an overall strategy for how they will achieve adequate vitamin intakes. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises that nutrient needs be met primarily through consuming foods, with supplementation suggested for certain sensitive populations.

These guidelines, published by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provide science-based advice to promote health and to reduce risk for chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. They form the basis for federal food, nutrition education, and information programs.

Barbara Schneeman, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements, says, "The Guidelines emphasize that supplements may be useful when they fill a specific identified nutrient gap that cannot or is not otherwise being met by the individual's intake of food." She adds, "An important point made in the guidelines is that nutrient supplements are not a substitute for a healthful diet."

Special Nutrient Needs

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, many people consume more calories than they need without taking in recommended amounts of a number of nutrients. The Guidelines warn that there are numerous nutrients—including vitamins—for which low dietary intake may be a cause of concern. These nutrients are:

calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A (as carotenoids), C, and E (for adults)

calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E (for children and adolescents)

vitamin B-12, iron, folic acid, and vitamins E and D (for specific population groups).

Regarding the use of vitamin supplements, the Dietary guidelines include the following:

Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups. At the same time, choose foods that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.

Meet recommended nutrient intakes within energy needs by adopting a balanced eating pattern, such as one of those recommended in the USDA Food Guide or the National Institute of Health's Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.

If you're over age 50, consume vitamin B-12 in its crystalline form, which is found in fortified foods or supplements.

If you're a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant, eat foods high in heme-iron and/or consume iron-rich plant foods or iron-fortified foods with an iron-absorption enhancer, such as foods high in vitamin C.

If you're a woman of childbearing age who may become pregnant or is in the first trimester of pregnancy, consume adequate synthetic folic acid daily (from fortified foods or supplements) in addition to food forms of folate from a varied diet.

If you are an older adult, have dark skin, or are exposed to insufficient ultraviolet band radiation (such as sunlight), consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements.

How Vitamins are Regulated

Vitamin products are regulated by FDA as "Dietary Supplements." The law defines dietary supplements, in part, as products taken by mouth that contain a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the diet.

Listed in the "dietary ingredient" category are not only vitamins, but minerals, botanicals products, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes, microbial probiotics, and metabolites. Dietary supplements can also be extracts or concentrates, and may be found in many forms. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 requires that all such products be labeled as dietary supplements.

In June 2007, FDA established dietary supplement "current Good Manufacturing Practice" (cGMP) regulations requiring that manufacturers evaluate their products through testing identity, purity, strength, and composition.

Risks of Overdoing It

As is the case with all dietary supplements, the decision to use supplemental vitamins should not be taken lightly, says Vasilios Frankos, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Division of Dietary Supplement Programs.

"Vitamins are not dangerous unless you get too much of them," he says. "More is not necessarily better with supplements, especially if you take fat-soluble vitamins.” For some vitamins and minerals, the National Academy of Sciences has established upper limits of intake (ULs) that it recommends not be exceeded during any given day. (For more information, visit http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=6432#toc)

Also, the AAFP lists the following side effects that are sometimes associated with taking too much of a vitamin.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

A (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid): Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, clumsiness, birth defects, liver problems, possible risk of osteoporosis. You may be at greater risk of these effects if you drink high amounts of alcohol or you have liver problems, high cholesterol levels or don't get enough protein.

D (calciferol): Nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, weight loss, confusion, heart rhythm problems, deposits of calcium and phosphate in soft tissues.

If you take blood thinners, talk to your doctor before taking vitamin E or vitamin K pills.

Water-soluble Vitamins

B-3 (niacin): flushing, redness of the skin, upset stomach.

B-6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine): Nerve damage to the limbs, which may cause numbness, trouble walking, and pain.

C (ascorbic acid): Upset stomach, kidney stones, increased iron absorption.

Folic Acid (folate): High levels may, especially in older adults, hide signs of B-12 deficiency, a condition that can cause nerve damage.

Taking too much of a vitamin can also cause problems with some medical tests or interfere with how some drugs work.

How to Use Coconut Oil As a Hair Conditioner and a Skin Moisturizer

Using virgin coconut oil can result in healthier, shinier hair. Used extensively in India as a hair preparation, coconut oil contains essential proteins needed for hair growth. Regular use can strengthen hair, nourishing it from the roots and penetrating the shafts to seal and protect individual strands. As a pre-shampoo treatment, coconut oil can reduce problems with dandruff without the harsh effects of chemicals used in commercial products. Massaging it into the scalp also has a stress-relieving effect due to both the massaging action and the light scent of the oil. 

Coconut oil and associated products from coconuts have become hot topics lately, although the research dates back several decades. It is an ingredient in some hair and skin care products, but it may be more beneficial and economical to use the coconut oil alone and not pay the price for brand name shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers.

There are three basic types of coconut oil: virgin, cochin, and RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized). The term ”virgin” has not been satisfactorily defined or standardized. However, good quality virgin coconut oil is white in color and has a light coconut scent and taste. Cochin oils are also virgin but are made from air-dried copra, which commonly has some mold growth. The processing renders the mold harmless, but it does result in a product that is yellowish or grayish in color and may have a much stronger taste. Most connoisseurs of coconut oil consider this type to be inferior to the white, lightly scented virgin oil. RBD has little or no scent or taste, which some people prefer. The type you use is a personal preference. I have found the virgin oil to be more appealing. A very stable oil, coconut oil is solid at room temperature and can be stored safely without refrigeration for 2-3 years. It liquefies easily. Small amounts to use as conditioners or moisturizers melt easily in the palm of your hand.

You can use coconut oil to condition hair in one of three ways. For an extensive deep conditioning, apply 3-4 teaspoons of coconut oil to your hair before going to sleep at night. Allow the solid oil to melt in your hands and massage into your scalp. Reapply as needed to ensure all hair strands are coated. Cover with a shower cap and go to sleep. Shampoo as usual the following morning. For a less extensive treatment, or if you do not relish going to sleep wearing a shower cap, apply the oil the same way but keep on at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hours. Then shampoo as usual. Finally, especially effective in treating dandruff, use coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment. Massage 2 teaspoons of coconut oil into your scalp half an hour before shampooing your hair as usual. Used regularly, this should help with any dandruff problem

As for commercial products containing coconut oil, I have no idea of their effectiveness. Certainly, products containing coconut oil should be beneficial or at least not harmful. However, I do not know how these are processed or how much actual coconut oil the products contain. If you want a commercial product formulated for conditioning and shampooing hair, I suggest using a reputable organic variety to get the most benefit from the coconut oil in the product.

Coconut milk is a manufactured product made from coconuts. (The liquid found inside coconuts is called coconut water.) Although coconut milk has great nutritional value, I have found no references to using coconut milk as a hair or skin treatment. Coconut oil is the product of choice for hair and skin care.

As a skin moisturizer, virgin coconut oil is easily absorbed into the skin. Its antimicrobial properties promote healing, sealing the tiny cracks in the skin to reduce entry of bacteria and germs. Coconut oil is easy to apply. Just place a small amount in the palm of your hand, let it warm slightly, and begin to massage into the skin. Because it absorbs quickly, you may apply more than is needed in one application, leaving a film on your skin. It is better to reapply more frequently, letting the oil absorb completely, to get the full benefits of this product. Coconut oil is also a great moisturizer for your face, leaving your skin smoother and younger (over time) as it restores health to sun-damaged skin and fights blemishes. It also works wonders for improving dry, cracked skin and for softening cuticles.

My skin is definitely softer and smoother since I’ve begun using coconut oil as a moisturizer after showering. I also do not experience the “greasy” feeling some moisturizers leave on my face when I use it before applying my makeup; and I haven’t had any blemishes on my face since then, either. (I have oily/combination skin and still get blemishes even though I’m well past my teen years). And my hands and cuticles have improved dramatically. My husband, who is a diabetic, has found virgin coconut oil to be effective in keeping his heels from cracking and his feet generally softer than with any other products.

Coconut Water: Nature's Sports Drink Which May Even Save Your Life

In the season of summertime activities, there are some things you might want to be aware of before you reach for those sports drinks.

As we are probably all aware, sports drinks tend to be loaded with sugar and calories.  Not only are these things detrimental if you are exercising to lose weight but, frequently in cases of illness or extreme dehydration, can be harder to digest and might even leave you more dehydrated.  Not to mention, if you have a family, do you really want your kids partaking in even more calorie-ridden sugary foods? 

I first learned about coconut water after recovering from a serious case of food poisoning about a year ago and was still experiencing the effects of severe dehydration, which leads to loss of electrolytes.  No small matter, electrolytes are necessary for heart and neurological function, fluid balance, muscle function and acid/base balances, among other things.  Electrolytes allow for the proper functioning of cells by carrying electrical impulses.  Potassium, in particular, regulates blood pressure and heart function.  Severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to heart failure and even death.

Needless to say, after my case of food poisoning I was still feeling that accomplishing even minor daily activities were beyond my grasp.  I was painfully weak and my muscles hurt, my short term memory was gone and even simple motor skills had become difficult.  I talked to a woman at my local health food store and she gave me an education I will never forget, as well as a profound recommendation for coconut water.

As I was to learn, coconut water has five electrolytes, which is more electrolytes than most sports drinks, including fifteen times the potassium (and more potassium than a banana).  In addition, it has a fraction of the calories of sports drinks, no added sugars and (unlike sports drinks) has protein (albeit only 1 gram), phosphorus, calcium, Vitamin C and riboflavin. 

Coming from young, green coconuts, coconut water (not to be mistaken with coconut milk or juice) also has no fat, no cholesterol and no preservatives.  Other health problems I had, which helped to cause low potassium levels and led to water retention, muscle cramps and heart irregularities, almost immediately went away upon ingestion of coconut water.  Potassium supplements in the store did little which isn’t surprising as they tend to only contain 3 mg of potassium.  Sports drinks contain 40 mg per 11.2 ounces, coconut water has 670 mg (and sometimes more) for the same amount.  Admittedly, coconut water can be cost prohibitive, usually ranging from $1.60 to $2.00 per single serving.  However, like most vitamins and health foods, you get what you pay for.  I decided that my health was worth my cutting back in other areas in order to keep coconut water handy.  In addition, within the past year, I have seen new and delicious flavors of coconut water emerge and often with even more potassium.  It helps me to grab it before I crave something really sweet such as a soda.

If you know if someone who has problems with water retention or other health issues which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, it is worth recommending to them that they try coconut water and keep in on hand.  At the least, you may help them feel better.  At the most, it might end up saving their life.