Home | health | Macular Degeneration – Early Symptoms And Foods That May Help Prevent It

Macular degeneration – Early symptoms and foods that may help prevent it

Macular degeneration – Early symptoms and foods that may help prevent it

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the center of the eye, also known as the macula, undergoes certain changes that lead to loss of vision. Since this condition is observed as a result of aging, it is also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD. This condition, if not managed properly, can lead to complete loss of vision and is one of the biggest causes of blindness in people over 55 years of age.

Early warning signs
There are some early warning signs that the elderly must look out for when suspecting macular degeneration. Some of them are as follows:

Distortion and blurred vision
If the vision starts to blur with age and one notices distortion or wavy lines in the field of vision, it is quite possible that one may be in the early stages of AMD. Those who are over 50 years of age should not ignore such blurred vision since they are more vulnerable to macular degeneration.

Dark spots in central vision
Generally, the central part of one’s field of vision ought to be the clearest with no blurriness or distortion. If one begins to notice shadows, white spots, or dark spots in this part, it is highly possible that one is suffering from AMD.

Foods that can help with AMD
Those above 50 years old are vulnerable to AMD and must take the necessary precautions to protect their vision. Some foods that can help slow down AMD are as follows.

Salmon
Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA, DHA, and ALA. These fatty acids are anti-inflammatory in nature and also help in lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. These properties are known to directly affect macular health. Thus, salmon and other fatty fish like mackerel and sardines can help in reducing the risk of AMD.

Spinach
Green leafy vegetables are rich sources of powerful antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain minerals like zinc and copper that help our body absorb the aforementioned antioxidants. In addition to the carotenoids in colorful vegetables, these antioxidants are important for the maintenance of photoreceptors in the eye that are situated on the macula and are responsible for healthy vision. Kale is also an excellent option.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Hair loss is a natural process that automatically gets rid of old tissue and hair to promote new growth. So don’t be alarmed when you do find a few strands of hair tangled in your comb. However, a clearly visible scalp and a receding hairline are indicative of developing the problem of permanent hair loss. There are several internal and external factors that can accelerate hair fall, leading to pattern baldness in both men and women. Here are the top four reasons that trigger unnatural hair fall. Stress Stress ranks among the top risk factors associated with many medical conditions. In fact, one way or the other, taking physical or psychological stress harms the body more than you can imagine. For hair loss, especially, excessive shedding starts right after the body undergoes physical or psychological distress. A few examples include experiencing high fever, blood loss due to accident or injury, or even post-surgery recovery can result in stress that causes hair loss. Stress, coupled with anxiety, results in accelerated hair loss. To cope with this problem and reduce its effects, stress management is of crucial importance. Hormonal changes Men and women both experience hormonal changes throughout their lifetime. However, an imbalance associated with various conditions can trigger hair loss.
Read More
Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Read More
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
Read More
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
Read More