Tag: health

A condition called ‘Dry Eyes’

[Today’s post is about an eye condition called Dry Eyes.

Recently I was talking to a work colleague about this condition. It is a condition that I have also experienced.

For me it presented as really watery eyes in the morning, so much so that it looked like I was crying. When I spoke to the Optometrist I thought it really weird that the condition was called “Dry Eyes” because they were far from dry.

At the time I did a little research to learn more about the condition. It wasn’t until recently that I thought that others would also be interested in what I learned.

So, as most of us are aware, the tears provide moisture and lubrication to help you see and to keep the eyes comfortable.

What’s in a tear?

Tears are a mix of water, oils, mucus and 1500 different special proteins and antibodies that protect the eyes and keep infection at bay. All these ingredients come from special glands around the eye.

So, what is the condition ‘Dry Eyes’?

The condition ‘Dry eyes’ occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons.

What Causes it?

Sometimes, there’s a lack of balance in your tear-flow system. Items such as your air conditioner, heater, or other things around you could dry out your tear film. Other common causes include:

  • Certain medical conditions that affect your ability to make tears, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency
  • Side effects of certain medications including antihistamines and decongestants.
  • The natural ageing process, especially menopause
  • Laser eye surgery, though symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary
  • Tear gland damage from inflammation
  • Or increased tear evaporation, which may be caused by; Wind, smoke or dry air, Blinking less often, for example, while reading, driving or watching a screen, or an imbalance in tear composition
There are several different symptoms.

For some it creates a scratchy sensation or the feeling that something is in the eye.

Sometimes, dry eyes create too many tears. This confusing condition is called reflex tearing. It happens because the lack of moisture irritates your eye. It sends a distress signal through your nervous system for more lubrication. Your body sends a flood of tears to try to make up for the dryness.

Other symptoms include stinging or burning, discharge, pain, and redness in the eye. People with dry eye may also feel as if their eyelids are heavy and may experience blurred vision.   

 How Are Dry Eyes Treated?

There are a number of options. Mild dry eye symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medications such as artificial tears, gels, and ointments. Many types of drops are available over the counter. No one product works for everyone, so you might have to try a few to figure out the one that’s right for you.

There are also environmental and lifestyle changes you can make. Changes like reducing screen time and taking periodic eye breaks may help. Closing the eyes for a few minutes, or blinking repeatedly for a few seconds, may help to replenish tears and spread them more evenly across the eyes.

(Sources  – www.nei.nih.gov, www.webmd.com, www.mayoclinic.org)

I hope that you also found this information helpful. If you find you have ‘dry eye’ symptoms, it’s best to ask your eye care professional what to do. My own condition improved after just a couple of weeks using an over-the-counter eye drops.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

A look at Green Tea

Today’s post is about Green Tea, Matcha and it’s health benefits. 

A family member recently asked me what the difference was between Matcha green tea and other green teas. Apart from knowing that Matcha is a finely ground tea, I was not aware of any other differences. After some research, this is what I have found out.

So first, what is ‘green tea’?

According to Wikipedia, Green tea is a type of tea that is made from Camellia sinensis, which is native to China. It is green because the leaves and buds have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process used to make oolong teas and black teas. Several varieties of green tea exist, which differ substantially based on the variety of Camellia sinensis and any other ingredients that may be added.

What is ‘Matcha’?

Matcha is the type of tea used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It is traditionally prepared by whisking the tea with hot water in a bowl, until the surface is frothy.

All green teas come from the same breed of plant. However, to create matcha the plants are treated differently. The tea bushes are actually shielded from sunlight for about 20–30 days before harvest. The shade triggers an increase in chlorophyll levels, which turns the leaves a darker shade of green and increases the production of amino acids. After harvesting, the stems and veins are removed from the leaves. They are then stone-ground into the fine, bright green powder known as matcha.

Is green tea healthier?

Whole-leaf green tea is not processed very much before it’s ingested. Therefore green teas contain the highest concentration of beneficial phytonutrients and the least caffeine of all the teas. Since matcha is simply a variety of green tea, it has most of the same health benefits. However, because the whole leaf powder is ingested, it’s stronger than regular green tea. 

The matcha also has higher levels of caffeine and antioxidants than regular green tea. Green tea’s biggest benefit is the abundance of catechin content. Catechins are a group of polyphenols with high antioxidant power. Dietary antioxidants counteract free radicals in your body, protecting cells and tissues from damage.

How does it improve our health?

Drinking green tea has been shown to improve blood flow and lower cholesterol. A 2013 review of many studies found that this type of tea helped prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure.

Green tea also contains a unique amino acid called L-theanine. L-theanine can increase the number of feel-good chemicals in your brain, leading to improved mood, memory, and concentration. It also modifies the effects of caffeine in your body, increasing alertness without causing the drowsiness that often follows coffee consumption.

Green tea has often been associated with weight loss. However, a recent review concluded that the weight loss effects of the tea are so small that they are not of any clinical importance.

Next time you think of having a quiet cuppa, give green tea a try to get the best from your tea break:

  • Don’t add boiling water to green tea. It’s bad for all those healthy chemicals in the tea.
  • Add lemon. Vitamin C makes the catechins easier to absorb.
  • Don’t add dairy, it makes it harder for the body to absorb the catechins.
  • Nutrient levels in green tea can vary. Pricier teas usually have more.
  • Canned green-tea drinks generally have more additives and fewer nutrients.

relax and enjoy.                                                  (Sources http://whfoods.org, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.webmd.com)   Till the next post,   

Live clean n Prosper 

Alternative Treatments for Pain

Todays post is about alternative treatments for pain.

Last post I wrote about pain and the most popular medications used to treat pain. This time I thought I would look at some of the other treatments that are available to manage pain.

Traditionally, the first step in treating chronic pain has been medication, including strong painkillers such as opioids. But these drugs can be problematic. They can have serious side effects and there is always a risk for addiction when used long term.

Alternatives to medication for chronic pain exist. Pain treatments that doctors once scoffed at are now considered viable alternatives. Research shows that, when they’re included in a comprehensive treatment plan, they can be quite effective in lowering pain.

Together, these approaches to pain management often are referred to as integrative medicine. 

However, not all alternative treatments work for everyone all of the time. Some alternative treatments may help with bad backs, osteoarthritis, and headaches, but have no effect on chronic pain from fibromyalgia or diabetic nerve damage.

Some of the most commonly used alternative treatments for chronic pain are; acupuncture, chiropractic, massage and relaxation therapy, yoga, herbal remedies and supplements.

Acupuncture

The use of acupuncture is thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters, block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain. Studies have found that it works for many conditions, including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back injuries, and sports injuries.

Chiropractic manipulation

Chiropractic treatment is the most common non-surgical treatment for back pain. Research also suggests that chiropractic treatments may be helpful for headaches, neck pain, certain arm and leg conditions, and whiplash.

Massage

Massage can reduce stress and relieve tension by enhancing blood flow. It can also reduce the presence of substances that may generate and sustain pain. Several studies suggest massage can be effective as part of an overall strategy for managing chronic neck and back pain.

Relaxation therapy

This is actually a category of techniques that help people calm the body and release tension. Some approaches teach people how to focus on their breathing. Research shows that relaxation therapy can help with fibromyalgia, headache, osteoarthritis, and other conditions.

Herbal Remedies and Supplements

There are many conditions associated with chronic pain, so it’s hard to list all the possible herbal remedies that can help decrease pain.

Certain herbal remedies work well with certain conditions. Devil’s claw and White willow bark, for example, can decrease the joint pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Primrose and Californian poppy may help ease chronic muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Topical capsaicin, derived from chilli peppers, may help with arthritis, diabetic nerve pain, and other conditions. There’s evidence that glucosamine can help relieve moderate to severe pain from osteoarthritis in the knee

You still need to be careful taking herbal remedies and supplements,  Some herbs can react badly with some medications. Always check with a health professional before taking any herbal remedies, especially if you have any medical conditions or take other medication.

Yoga

There is clinical evidence that yoga can help with chronic pain, specifically fibromyalgia, neck pain, back pain, and arthritis. The purpose of yoga is to help with relaxation. Yoga also improves the mind/body communication. The connection between body health and state of mind are well documented.

 

All of these treatments help control pain symptoms. To be most effective, they should be integrated into an overall treatment plan that includes conventional approaches to pain management, such as physical therapy, exercise and balanced nutrition.

As usual, different treatments work differently for each individual.

If you suffer from any type of pain, I hope that this information has been helpful.

(Sources – www.abc.net.au/health/. www.webmd.com.)

Till the next post, 

Live clean n Prosper