Author: Jeffrey Sterling

Introduction

Today we focus on diabetes basics.

Diabetes is a disease in which education is vital. For a diabetic, knowing the disease well allows him or her to better prevent long-term consequences of the disease. It also allows the diabetic to make real-time adjustments when sick or otherwise  in danger acutely. In Straight, No Chaser, we’ve provided a series of posts meant to empower diabetics (and you can review any or all of them via the search box on the right). Remember, it all should start with a basic understanding of the disease.

Diabetes Basics

We eat, and the process of digestion is for the purpose of converting food into glucose (sugar) that’s used by our body for energy. The blood delivers the glucose to different organs of the body where the cells take it up for use. In order for that process to work, an organ that’s part of the digestive tract called the pancreas has to produce a hormone called insulin. Insulin facilitates the glucose getting from the blood to inside the cells. Diabetes is a disease where insulin isn’t being made by the pancreas or isn’t working optimally.

Now think about what happens when you’re not getting sugar into your cells. It’s as if you’re starving (because physiologically, you might as well be). You get symptoms such as weight loss, hunger, fatigue and excessive thirst. Because your cells don’t have energy, they aren’t functioning well. In fact, blood and nerve vessels lose significant function, resulting in significant vision loss and lack of sensitivity in your extremities. Anyone who’s been a diabetic for about 10 years know this because you’re wearing glasses and because you’ve lost a fair amount of sensation, especially in your feet. There are other symptoms that are variations of the same theme, including excessive urination, dry skin, increased infection rate and slower healing from those infections – all due to poor function of your blood vessels.

Risk Factors

Sometimes diabetes is a disease that happens to you because of unlucky genetics (or simply a family history). Other times it is a disease that you find. Risk factors for developing diabetes includes obesity, older age, and physical inactivity. Gestational diabetes (i.e. that occurring during pregnancy) is an entirely different conversation.

Prevention and Treatment

Let’s take a moment to discuss prevention and treatment. There are different types of diabetes, but the risk of one form of diabetes in particular can be reduced by – you guessed it – diet and exercise. In fact, diet, exercise and medications are the three legs of the diabetes treatment stool regardless of type. Some patients require regular insulin injections and others require pills. Still others who are successful with diet and exercise are able to markedly reduce, and in some instances eliminate medications.
If you’re a diabetic, make an investment in your education. It could not only save your legs or eyes, but it may just save your life. I welcome your questions and comments.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post Diabetes Basics and the Importance of Education appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Diabetes is a disease in which education is vital. For a diabetic, knowing the disease well allows him or her to better prevent long-term consequences of the disease. It also allows the diabetic to make real-time adjustments when sick or otherwise  in danger acutely. In Straight, No Chaser, we’ve provided a series of posts meant to empower diabetics (and you can review any or all of them via the search box on the right). Remember, it all should start with a basic understanding of the disease.
We eat, and the process of digestion is for the purpose of converting food into glucose (sugar) that’s used by our body for energy. The blood delivers the glucose to different organs of the body where the cells take it up for use. In order for that process to work, an organ that’s part of the digestive tract called the pancreas has to produce a hormone called insulin. Insulin facilitates the glucose getting from the blood to inside the cells. Diabetes is a disease where insulin isn’t being made by the pancreas or isn’t working optimally.
Now think about what happens when you’re not getting sugar into your cells. It’s as if you’re starving (because physiologically, you might as well be). You get symptoms such as weight loss, hunger, fatigue and excessive thirst. Because your cells don’t have energy, they aren’t functioning well. In fact, blood and nerve vessels lose significant function, resulting in significant vision loss and lack of sensitivity in your extremities. Anyone who’s been a diabetic for about 10 years know this because you’re wearing glasses and because you’ve lost a fair amount of sensation, especially in your feet. There are other symptoms that are variations of the same theme, including excessive urination, dry skin, increased infection rate and slower healing from those infections – all due to poor function of your blood vessels.
Sometimes diabetes is a disease that happens to you because of unlucky genetics (or simply a family history). Other times it is a disease that you find. Risk factors for developing diabetes includes obesity, older age, and physical inactivity. Gestational diabetes (i.e. that occurring during pregnancy) is an entirely different conversation.

Let’s take a moment to discuss prevention and treatment. There are different types of diabetes, but the risk of one form of diabetes in particular can be reduced by – you guessed it – diet and exercise. In fact, diet, exercise and medications are the three legs of the diabetes treatment stool regardless of type. Some patients require regular insulin injections and others require pills. Still others who are successful with diet and exercise are able to markedly reduce, and in some instances eliminate medications.
If you’re a diabetic, make an investment in your education. It could not only save your legs or eyes, but it may just save your life. I welcome your questions and comments.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you for being a valued subscriber to Straight, No Chaser, we’d like to offer you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.72hourslife.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!
Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of what http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK offers. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress, like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com and follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.
Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post Straight, No Chaser: Diabetes Basics and the Importance of Education appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

This posts addresses prevention and treatment considerations for diabetic eye conditions.

Several of you asked about the treatment of the eye conditions resulting from diabetes. This last Straight, No Chaser addressing Diabetes Awareness Month will focus on treatment approaches.

The first point – and one that can’t be overemphasized – is treatment is not a cure. As long as diabetes continues (and especially continues to be uncontrolled), symptoms will progress, and the diabetic-related causes of eye disorders will create ongoing difficulties, even after treatment of past problems has occurred. Thus, the first consideration is to understand steps you can take to prevent or slow the progression of the effects of diabetes on your eyes.

Preventive Measures

There actually are several preventive measures within your control. Consider implementing these.

• Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to normal as you can. This involves dieting, exercising and taking your medication as prescribed.
• Have an eye care professional examine your eyes annually – even if your vision is normal, and especially if your vision is normal. If you have good control of your diabetes, your eyes will tell part of that story, and you need to stay ahead of evolving problems. Of course, discovering problems early and getting prompt treatment gives you the best opportunity to maintain normal vision and to prevent advancement to more serious stages. Be proactive and ask your eye care professional to check for signs of cataracts and glaucoma.
• If you are diabetic and planning to get pregnant, ask your doctor if you should have an eye exam.
• If you are diabetic and pregnant, see an eye care professional during your first 3 months of pregnancy.
• Don’t smoke.

Surgical Options

Recall that damaged older vessels or fragile new vessels has a propensity to bleed into the eye. This blood interferes with your ability to see normally. This severe, advanced diabetic retinopathy is treated with laser surgery, which helps to shrink the abnormal blood vessels, thus reducing bleeding into the eye. The procedure involves 1,000 to 2,000 laser burns in the area of the retina (the lining in the back of your eye that senses light), causing the abnormal blood vessels to shrink. Even as laser surgery saves much of your sight, patients often notice reduction or loss of side vision, color vision and/or night vision.

If the bleeding is especially severe, you may need a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. This procedure removes blood from the center of your eye.

These procedures stabilize vision and in some instances may dramatically improve it. Focal laser treatment reduces the risk of vision loss by 50 percent and the risk of blindness by 90 percent. However, laser surgery most often cannot restore vision that has already been lost. That is why finding diabetic retinopathy early should be your most important strategy to prevent vision loss. There are additional medical treatment options emerging meant to replace the need for surgery. If you suffer from diabetic retinopathy, discuss these options with your eye doctor.

Please remember, that although both laser treatments and vitrectomies are very effective in reducing vision loss, they are not cures. Once you have proliferative retinopathy, you always will be at risk for new bleeding. That said, people with progressive diabetic retinopathy have less than a five percent chance of becoming blind within five years of early treatment.

An Eye Health Checklist

Please use the preventive strategies and understand the treatment options available to you. Failure to do so could be devastating.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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The post Prevention and Treatment Considerations for Diabetic Eye Conditions appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

Unfortunately, if you’re diabetic, diabetic retinopathy is likely in your future. Don’t ignore this.

As you likely know, diabetics have a large amount of blood glucose (sugar) circulating in their blood. The high level of glucose can cause damage to many cells, including your eyes. If you are diabetic, your challenge is to learn how to slow down the process. This Straight, No Chaser addresses relatively frequent effects of diabetes on your eyes.

How does diabetes hurt my eyes?

Diabetes has direct (through the effects of high blood glucose) and indirect (through high blood pressure) effects on four parts of your eye: the lining in the back of your eye that senses light (the retina), the jelly-like fluid that fills the back of the eye (the vitreous), the lens (serves to focus light on the retina) and the optic nerve (the main nerve from the eye to the brain).

How can diabetes hurt the retinas of my eyes?

• Diabetic retinopathy is the term for the most common eye problem of diabetics. The retinas have tiny blood vessels that are easy to damage and do become damaged by high glucose levels. As retina problems get worse, new blood vessels grow. These new blood vessels are fragile and susceptible to leaking blood into the back of the eye. The leaking blood keeps light from reaching the retina. This can result in a sensation of seeing floating spots or almost total darkness.
• Over time, these damaged blood vessels can form scar tissue and pull the retina away from the back of the eye, causing detachment of the retina. A detached retina can cause loss of sight or blindness if you don’t take care of it right away.

How do I know if I have retina damage from diabetes?

You may or may not have any signs of retina damage, but here are the more common signs.

• blurry or double vision
• dark or floating spots
• pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes
• rings, flashing lights, or blank spots
• trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes

What other eye problems can happen to people with diabetes?

Cataracts and glaucoma are two other eye disorders that occur at a higher frequency in diabetics.

• A cataract is a cloud over the normally clear lens of your eye. Remember, the lens focuses light onto the retina, so the presence of a cataract makes everything you look at seem cloudy. You need surgery to remove the cataract, which replaces the bad lens with a permanent plastic lens.

• Glaucoma is a condition resulting from pressure building up in the eye. Eventually, this will damage the optic nerve, which will progressively reduce your vision. Treating glaucoma involves eye drops to lower the pressure in your eyes or surgery for advanced cases.

Of course, you want to know what steps you can take to prevent or slow the occurrences of these eye conditions. These will be discussed in an upcoming Straight, No Chaser.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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The post Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Eye Problems appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

Low blood sugar is as dangerous as high blood sugars. They just cause danger in different ways.

In a previous post, I provided an overview of diabetes. Everyone knows about diabetes, and most understand how dangerous diabetes is over the long-term. However, as an emergency physician, I’m more concerned with what will kill you immediately, and on that front, low blood glucose (sugar) is usually much more concerning. I want you to know up front that a low enough blood glucose will kill you – now. As we say in the ER, a high glucose level will hurt you and may kill you, but a glucose level that goes to zero means ‘Cancel Christmas’.

If you’re not sure if it’s low blood sugar or high blood sugar, feed them!

Therefore I will start with a simple statement. Any diabetic (or individual known to have low glucose levels) with altered mental status needs to be given juice, or if they can handle it, some soft food to chew on. If they’re in the midst of a high sugar reaction, it won’t make much of a difference. However, if that glucose level was zero, you’ve just saved a life. Now let’s briefly discuss symptoms and causes.

Symptoms and Causes of Hypoglycemia

Low glucose levels can present many different ways including dizziness, jitteriness, numbness, tingling, blackouts, seizures and other symptoms. However, it’s usually the confusion or other change in mental status that’s most predominant and concerning. Just remember, this is not something about which you should wait around to see if it gets better.

Regarding causes, unintentional overdosing of insulin or oral medication (particular the sulfonylureas class of medicines) are especially concerning and common. Sometimes a family member, particularly a child, may take such a medicine to disastrous effects. Beyond that, heavy alcohol consumption on an empty stomach is another common cause due to its effects on the liver (Alcohol locks glucose stores in the liver, preventing release to the blood; as a result you have less to use.).

Other causes are more exotic and fortunately less common; they will be evaluated upon arrival to the hospital when a rapid response isn’t seen with simple administration of glucose. Dysfunction of certain organs (the adrenal and pituitary glands, the liver due to hepatitis, or tumors of the pancreas – the organ that produces the insulin that drives glucose into your cells – can cause problems with regulating either glucose itself or insulin. These conditions can drive your blood glucose dangerously low.

So, the causes are varied, but the message is simple. Be careful with insulin administration, remember to check those blood sugar levels and act promptly in the face of mental status changes. Usually I note that time is tissue, but in this example, you’ll run out of time before your tissues are damaged.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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The post Low Blood Sugar – Hypoglycemia appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

X-ray safety is as important as using x-rays for proper evaluation.

After the question of “Can I get an x-ray,” the next most common question I get (which should be the first) regarding x-rays is “Do I need this x-ray?” The answer is not just based on the presence or absence of a medical indication but the medical indication relative to the risk. I’ll provide examples of that consideration shortly. The point of this Straight, No Chaser is to get you to more frequently think of the risks of irradiating your body parts. After all, inappropriate doses of radiation have a much greater chance of contributing to cancer than turning you into a superhero.

Let’s start by getting this off the table: x-rays are safe when used appropriately and with care during each case. Radiologists and x-ray technologists are trained to toe the line between inadequate production of x-rays and overexposure such that patients are placed at risk. Additionally, your physicians consider the risk-benefit ratio with each study ordered. This is why instances exist when your physician (especially emergency physicians) may advise against having x-rays done.

What exactly are the risks of x-rays and other medical imaging studies?

It’s about the risks of radiation and the potential contribution to cancer. You accept these risks everyday. Some of you tan, play golf, surf and otherwise expose yourself to the sun. It’s the cumulative exposure that poses risks, and these risks are miniscule. That said, there are circumstances in which the risks become pronounced, such as irradiation during pregnancy, in children or due to dye materials (called contrast media) such as barium or iodine used to enhance development of the film during special x-ray studies.
In some people, the injection of a contrast medium can cause the following side effects:

• A feeling of warmth or flushing
• A metallic taste in the mouth
• Hives
• Itching
• light-headedness
• Nausea
• Severely low blood pressure and shock (anaphylaxis, due to an allergic reaction)
• Cardiac arrest

How much radiation is involved in these studies?

The radiation exposure from one chest x-ray is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation exposure you obtain from natural surroundings in 10 days.

Aren’t x-rays dangerous during pregnancy?

One of the rules of emergency medicine is we don’t focus on potential side effects when confronted with a defined life threat. The issue of the effect of x-rays on an unborn fetus is secondary to the need to treat the mother. In other words, the best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. Even so, the theoretical risk exists, and your physician will take steps to minimize the risk if possible. This may occur by choosing another test (such as an ultrasound) that doesn’t involve radiation. The vast majority of medical x-rays do not pose a critical risk to a developing child. In fact, x-rays of the head, arms, legs and chest do not usually expose the baby directly to radiation.
Regarding standard x-ray examinations of the abdomen, they are not likely to pose a serious risk to the child. Some abdominal and pelvic studies such as CT, nuclear medicine scans and interventional radiologic studies deliver greater amounts of radiation to a developing pregnancy.

What can I do to minimize risks and ensure x-ray safety?

I’ll offer two simple recommendations that will help reduce your risk. In both of these instances, alternative evaluation and treatment options might be available that can provide the desired level of care.

• Work with your physician in obtaining x-rays. The instances when you receive x-rays when your physician suggests they are not necessary are not in your best interest.
• Inform the radiologist that you are or might be pregnant.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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The post What You Must Know About X-Ray Safety appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

In this post, we’ll review your questions and some x-ray basics.

“C’mon, Doc. I just want to be sure!” If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times. You love x-rays. They’re cool, and they sometimes tell you what’s wrong. How much do you know about them? What should you know about the different types of tests done? What about the risks? This Straight, No Chaser explores the how and why of different radiologic studies.

How do x-rays work?

X-rays are forms of radiant energy that pass through the part of the body being examined. While doing so, a special film or monitor allows a radiologist to view pictures of internal structures.

What are x-rays used for?

X-rays have other uses than determining whether you have broken bones. There are many other uses, including the following:

• Chest x-rays help in evaluating punctured lungs, the presence of pneumonia or lung masses (e.g. abscesses or cancer), heart size, shape and abnormal content (e.g. calcium deposits).
• Abdominal x-rays help identify punctures of various organs, the presence of blocked intestines (bowel obstructions), hernias, constipation and many other conditions.
• X-rays also identify bones that have been dislocated (moved from the normal location in a joint) or suffer from arthritis or infection, and they can often detect foreign objects. X-rays can confirm the placement of tubes your physician has placed (e.g. breathing tubes, tubes through the nose or penis or special IV tubes) and facilitate certain medical procedures.

I’ve heard CT scans are just fancy x-rays. Is this true?

That’s overly simplistic but not entirely inaccurate. CT scans do involve the passage of a fan-shaped beam around the area in question, produce higher quality images than regular x-rays. This also involves more radiation.

What is fluoroscopy?

An easy way to understand radiology is to call it “screening.” In this example, the x-ray beams are being viewed in real-time via a moving picture on a TV screen. This type of study can be especially important for the identification and removal of foreign objects in the skin or for looking at the stomach and intestine.

Are ultrasounds and MRIs also x-rays?

No. Although x-rays are used as a generic term by many in the lay population, these procedures are different and would be better called radiologic or medical imaging studies. Ultrasounds and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) don’t use x-rays, so they are safer. Many are familiar with the use of ultrasounds in pregnancy, but they are helpful in many situations, including trauma, identification of gallstones, the presence of abscesses and many other scenarios. MRIs growing in popularity because of its superiority in identification of many conditions, particularly neurologic concerns. However, its limited availability is a problem.

What about nuclear medicine studies?

In this type of study, radioactive materials called isotopes are injected into a vein, swallowed or inhaled. These isotopes concentrate in a specific area (body organ or tissue) when the emissions (known as gamma rays) are detected by a special camera. These emissions present a picture of the affected area.

What else do I need to know? Why is my doctor always refusing to order x-rays?

In the hands of a good physician, these tests confirm diagnoses, not make them. In many instances, a good examination eliminates the need for x-rays. An example of this concept has been previously discussed in a Straight, No Chaser post on ankle x-rays. Also remember that for injuries, x-rays look at bones. Your muscle spasm, ligament and tendon injuries won’t show up on an x-ray, so it’s a waste of time and money to do the test.
The rest of the story is about safety. These x-rays, gamma rays and radioactive isotopes bring risk. Although they won’t turn you into the Incredible Hulk, your physician is considering your lifetime exposure and risk. Avoiding unnecessary x-rays is a key part of that. This risk will be discussed in greater detail in another post.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post X-Ray Basics and Your Questions appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

Do you ever get eye pain? Look at the picture. What would you do if that was your eye? Would you try to remove the object or be too afraid, fearing that you could permanently damage it? Does the amount of pain you’re in make a difference? Eye pain is a good example of how people use the ER in general. For as many people who come to the emergency room for seemingly minor things, there’s even more that delay coming because of a thought that things will get better. When it comes to your eyes, you only have two and can’t afford to lose even one. This Straight, No Chaser focuses on eye pain that likely represents a true emergency and for which waiting should not be an option. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, come in while you still can see (if indeed you still can).

Sudden vision loss

The problem with sudden vision loss is that it didn’t happen by accident, and it’s not likely to get better without prompt relief. This could represent a stroke involving the eyes’ blood vessels (amaurosis fugax), a blockage of those blood vessels (central retinal artery occlusion), a retinal detachment and a few other critical considerations. The point to be made is that in most of these examples, you should assume that only a limited amount of time exists to repair the damage before the eye injury causes permanent damage.

Eye pain

Yes, there’s a lot of benign things that cause eye pain, but there are some serious considerations, including the following:

• Burns (seen very commonly in welders and those using chemicals)
• Conjunctivitis (yep, even this can be serious when caused by gonorrhea or a herpes virus – wash your hands!)
• Glaucoma
• Inflammation of various components of the eye (uveitis, keratitis)
• Migraines
• Scratches and ulcers to the eye surface (the cornea – do not sleep in your contacts unless this has been approved by your eye doctor; it just sets you up for bad things to happen)
• Trauma
• Tumors

Something is in your eye

Whether a chemical splash, a piece of metal, a branch or other foreign body, there are several concerns you should have. In the example of the chemical splash, something may be burning through the layer of your eye, putting it at risk for rupture. One word – IRRIGATE! If some object is in there that you cannot remove by blinking, odds are it’s not going away. Don’t cause more damage than is already there by digging around in your eye. Get evaluated.

Visualization of flashing lights and floaters

The most concerning cause of this phenomenon is a retinal detachment, which is a serious eye-threatening emergency. Visualize (no pun intended) wallpaper peeling off a wall. Unfortunately in this analogy, the retina is like the film in your camera, capturing the images of the world you see. If your retina’s gone from its natural position, you’re not seeing anything.

Eye hope you’ve found this post illuminating.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

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The post Causes of Eye Pain appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

You’ve heard about Lasik surgery, but what do you actually know about it? Typically, you pay attention when you’re about 40 years old. At this point, your eyes are starting to act up on you. Or perhaps you’re younger and/or too vain to wear glasses. Or you have a phobia about having anything in your eyes, so contacts just aren’t an option. There are many different scenarios that lead one to consider Lasik surgery, but what do you really know about it? It is worth the considerable cost (and risks)?

What is LASIK surgery? What is it trying to accomplish?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis; you’re supposed to ignore the order of the letters) is a surgical procedure that permanently changes the shape of the outer covering of the eye (the cornea) in an effort to reduce one’s dependency on glasses or contact lens. It does this by positioning your eye apparatus to bend light rays so they focus better on your retina, producing vision that is clearer and sharper. I’ll defer the details of the procedure to the attached video.

How will I know if I’m a candidate?

The testing is pretty involved but in general, it is worth getting evaluated if you have one of the following conditions. The shape of your eyes (i.e., longer, shorter, flatter) may prevent light rays from hitting the retina optimally. When this is the case, your vision (focus) will be off one way or another.

• Nearsightedness (myopia) is having more clear vision for objects that are closer compared to those further away.
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) is having more clear vision for objects that are further compared to those closer.
• Astigmatism is a disruption of both near and distant vision due to unevenness in the cornea.

So should I consider Lasik a medical procedure or cosmetic surgery?

You’d do well to have a healthy fear of any surgery, especially on your eyes. Your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) should explore non-invasive options before offering surgery. However, when you choose or need it, the result can be pleasing when a skilled and experience surgeon does it.

So what are the risks of Lasik surgery?

As with any surgery, LASIK eye surgery carries risks:

• Undercorrections and overcorrections. Optimal results require removal of a rather exact amount of tissue. If not done, your vision won’t be quite clear. If too little tissue (undercorrection) was done, an enhancement surgery may help.
• Vision returning to pre-surgery vision. Over time, your eyes may worsen and even go back to the level of vision you had before surgery.
• Visual loss or changes. Surgical complications can lead to worsening or loss of vision.
• Astigmatism. Astigmatism is a result of unevenness in the cornea. It can be produced by uneven tissue removal during surgery.
• Glare, halos, double vision and difficulty seeing at night.
• Dry eyes. LASIK causes a temporary decrease in tear production. The resulting dryness in your eyes can negatively affect your vision.
• Flap problems. The process of folding or removing the flap in the front of your eye during surgery can lead to infections, inflammation and excess tears.

Your eye doctor will discuss your risks and the potential benefits of LASIK surgery. It’s estimated that more than eight of 10 who undergo the procedure are able to forego contacts or glasses – for the majority of their activities. I welcome your questions or comments. Enjoy the following video, courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Lasik

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The post Questions About LASIK Surgery appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

You’d likely be surprised to know how often patients are seen in emergency rooms for complications related to use of contact lenses. If you or a loved one are using contact lenses, they’re quite safe, but you must be diligent. Failure to do so can lead to some pretty significant complications.

Which is better: disposable or regular contact lenses?

The development of disposable contact lenses has lessened the risk of various eye problems. This isn’t the same as saying regular lenses aren’t good or even just as good. Daily use (i.e. disposable) contacts don’t require cleaning solutions, which were commonly used for contacts in the past to increase the longevity of them. When you’re next ready for lenses, ask about silicon hydrogel lens. Evidence suggests they are even better for comfort and lower risk for eye problems.

Can I wear my contact lenses when I go swimming?

You can, but you shouldn’t, according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Swimming can cause absorption of chemicals (including chlorine) and bacteria from the water, leading to an eye infection. Additionally, contacts can adhere to the eye after swimming. This can lead to ulceration of parts of the eye (e.g. cornea).

Can I wear my contact lenses while I sleep?

You can use extended wear contacts while you sleep if this has been approved in advance by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can be used for up to seven days if recommended as such. Remove your daily wear contacts prior to sleep – even a nap.

What steps help prevent fungal infections caused by contact lenses?

First, you should understand your risks, which include prior eye damage or a diminished immune system. Fungal infections are a particular concern for those wearing soft contact lens with risk factors. To reduce your risk, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Be especially careful to avoid lint on your hands before handling your contacts. Avoid extending the use of your contact lens beyond the recommendations of your eye provider. Be sure to keep your lens case clean, and replace the case every 3-6 months. In the unlikely event you’re still using Bausch & Lomb ReNu ® with MoistureLoc® Multi-Purpose Solution, discard it. It’s been recalled due to an increase rate of eye fungal infections.

How do I know if my contact lenses have caused an eye infection?

Be on the lookout for redness, swelling, tearing and/or eye discharge, light sensitivity, blurred vision and pain that doesn’t improve after removal of the contacts. If you have symptoms like this, remove the contacts and get medical assistance.
Remember to pause before inserting anything in your eyes. The consequences of bad decisions can be devastating and irreversible.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post Questions About Your Contact Lenses appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.