Dry eye

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Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms...How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan See book keywords and concepts

Indeed, people who live in hot, dry, windy places, at high altitudes, or in overheated or excessively air-conditioned homes are at increased risk of having dry eye. Dry eye is a common reaction to certain prescription or over-the-counter medicines such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and antihypertensives. It may also be your body's way of telling you that you're reading too much or putting in too many hours at your computer. The more we concentrate and stare, the less we blink and the less often our eyes are lubricated.

Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine: Alternative Therapies and Integrative Medicine for Total Health and Wellness Tori Hudson, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Postmenopausal women report dry eyes, burning, pressure, light and temperature sensitivity, blurring, tearing, eye fatigue, swollen eyelids, and a feeling of scratchiness. dry eye syndrome can, oddly enough, cause excess tearing, and it appears to also be affected by drops in testosterone levels. Fluctuations in hormones during perimenopause and lower levels in menopause are involved in inflammation of the gums, sensitivity of the teeth, tooth loss, and a burning sensation in the mouth and tongue. These symptoms may be a sign of more serious problems as well.

Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms...How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan See book keywords and concepts

See Bulging Eyes, above.) dry eye can also signal some other serious autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), a very serious, chronic disorder characterized by inflammation of and damage to many parts of the body. (See Appendix I.) If you have dry eye, dry mouth, and joint inflammation, that combination of signs points directly to another serious autoimmune disorder: Sjogren's syndrome. (See Appendix I.) In this disorder, the body attacks its moisture-producing glands. Women are its prime victims.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Contact lens wearers are particularly prone to developing dry eye problems. Dry eyes generally stem from a lack of vitamin A, and are more likely to affect people over the age of sixty-five. Some drugs are known to inhibit tear production or change the composition of tears, including antihistamines, decongestants, and various drugs used to control Parkinson's disease and high blood pressure. SUPPLEMENT SUGGESTED DOSAGE COMMENTS Primrose oil 1,000 mg 2-3 times daily. A source of essential fatty acids. Vitamin A ointment As directed on label.

Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms...How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan See book keywords and concepts

If you have dry eye, dry mouth, and joint inflammation, that combination of signs points directly to another serious autoimmune disorder: Sjogren's syndrome. (See Appendix I.) In this disorder, the body attacks its moisture-producing glands. Women are its prime victims. Indeed, fully 90% of Sjogren's sufferers are women, and the average age of onset is the late 40s. If untreated, Sjogren's can severely damage the cornea and adversely affect other organs, especially the mouth, digestive tract, and female reproductive system. SIGNIFICANT FACT production.

While usually benign, lid myokymia can be an early sign of Meige's syndrome (see dry eye, above) or blepharospasm, with which it's often confused. With blepharospasm, however, the eyelids repeatedly shut tight, rather than twitch. The eyes are also often irritated and very light-sensitive. And unlike myokymia, untreated blepharospasm can lead to severe vision impairment. STOP SIGN Quinine (in the form of tonic water—with or without the gin) has long been used to stop eye twitches. If you don't like the taste, gently pressing the twitching spot may help, at least temporarily.

When the eyes are affected, dry eye, vision loss, glaucoma, and significant facts .1 ii ' \«nB? Skin symptoms of sarcoidosis other eye problems can occur. < WH ' may include: Sarcoidosis can produce other . Red rashes on the face and skin problems. When it affects the body legs, ankles, or shins, it's called ery- ¦ Red lumps, particularly on thema nodosum. the legs (erythema . nodosum) Sarcoidosis often produces no ,-,. r ¦ Skin eruptions signs at all.

Other common signs £ o > 11 i r SIGNIFICANT FACT or Sjogren s, which primarily arc 1 ij \«w/ Theoretically, any substance, rects women, are dry eye, nasal dry- ' ' disease, or marker that can be ness, and joint inflammation. detected jn the b|ood can Lastly, dry mouth can signal serious also be found in the saliva.To date, home conditions such as Parkinson's dis- and workplace saliva tests can detect ilease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and licit drugs' alcoho1' H1V' hormonal changes, and even stress. Scientists have even HIV/AIDS.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Choose a product that is preservative-free, such as Cellufresh from Allergan, dry eye Therapy from Bausch & Lomb, or Tears Naturale from Alcon. Q Similasan Eye Drops #1 and #2 are soothing homeopathic eyedrops containing Belladonna, Euphrasia, and Mer-curius sublamitus; and Apis mellifica, Euphrasia, and Sabadilla, respectively. Q Use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry air. Q Wear wraparound glasses on windy days. Q Avoid cigarette smoke and other types of smoke. Q Avoid products that claim they can "get the red out.

Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems Bill Gottlieb See book keywords and concepts

POTASSIUM: Eat a Banana Every Day "Potassium is one of the most important minerals for relieving dry eye symptoms," says Dr. Grossman, noting that his patients with the PROFESSIONAL CARE Artificial tears are the standard medical treatment for dry eyes, says Edward L. Paul Jr., O.D., Ph.D., an optometrist, holistic nutritionist, and director of Atlantic Eye Associates in Hampstead, North Carolina. When accompanied by other symptoms, dry eyes can be a sign of infection that, untreated, can cause vision loss.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

Smog, chemical irritants, contact lenses (which can pull moisture off the eyes), low humidity, cigarette smoke, dust, wind, sun, air conditioning, heaters, chronic crying (which dilutes the viscous tear film that keeps moisture in), and droopy lower eyelids (which can allow tears to evaporate too quickly) are common causes of dry eye. People who suffer from arthritis tend to have dry eyes. In Sjogren's syndrome, which affects mostly women over the age of 40, the eyes and mouth become very dry. Tooth decay and severe eye discomfort can result.

Prescription Alternatives, Third Edition: Hundreds of Safe, Natural Prescription-Free Remedies to Restore and Maintain Your Health Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

If your eyes become dry while using these drugs, try our nutritional and lifestyle prescriptions to relieve dry eye symptoms. Smog, chemical irritants, contact lenses (which can pull moisture off of the eyes), low humidity, cigarette smoke, dust, wind, sun, air conditioning, heaters, chronic crying (which dilutes the viscous tear film that keeps moisture in), and droopy lower eyelids (which can allow tears to evaporate too quickly) are common causes of dry eye. People who suffer from arthritis tend to have dry eyes.

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay. See book keywords and concepts

Inadequate eye closure while sleeping may also contribute to dry eye symptoms. Take a look at your current medications. Common drugs for intestinal problems, depression, allergy, and colds may dehydrate sensitive tissues in your body. If they are necessary, you may have to compensate for this dehydration by drinking more water. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if any of your current medications may cause dry eye. Take a break from your computer. Look away and every 20 minutes exercise your eyes.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

If your eyes become dry while using these drugs, try our nutritional and lifestyle prescriptions to relieve dry eye symptoms. If you have any of these eye diseases, or are at risk for them, read the book Save Your Sight (Warner Books, 1998) by Drs. Marc and Michael Rose, twin brothers and eye doctors who have made good nutrition and supplements a primary part of their prescription for good eye health. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR THE EYES Glaucoma Drugs: Sympathomimetics Dipivefrin (Propine) Epinephrine (Epifrin, Glaucon) What Do They Do in the Body?

An eye doctor can distinguish eye allergy from dry eye by checking for small bumps along the lower eyelid. These drugs can be useful for temporary symptom relief, but it's important to support your body nutritionally with the goal of reducing or eliminating the need for eye drops. These drugs have too many side effects to justify their use for more than a couple of days at a time. See Chapter Eleven on allergy drugs for details on natural remedies.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Apart from topical vitamin A therapy, all other nonsurgical therapies of dry eye, i.e. the frequent application of artificial tears, lubricants, or slow-releasing polymers, and the therapeutic use of soft contact lenses, are not directed toward reversing the underlying process, but rather toward alleviating the symptoms. The hypothesis that a localized vitamin A deficiency in the lining of the outer eye may be responsible for dry eye, considering vitamin A's vital role in epithelial tissue, seems obvious.

Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

Individuals with mild to moderate dry eye may wish to try a slow-melting lubricating pellet, inserted into the lower pocket of the eyelid twice daily. While some persons find the pellets irritating, others can use them for several hours without initation. The pellets are available by prescription. 4. Moisture chamber eyeglasses are extremely helpful in preserving tear volume. Moisture chamber eyeglasses are equipped with a chamber made from clear polyurethane plastic that ptovides a vapor barrier, minimizing airflow over the surface of the eye.

In a controlled, double-blind study, reported in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, ttial participants reported significant improvement in dry eye symptoms when calcium carbonate (in a petrolatum ointment) was applied to the lower eyelids (Tsubota et al. 1999). 9. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) may offer relief to SS patients, whose eyes feel as if grit 01 sand is irritating the inside of the eyelid. Use 50-100 mg daily. Tips for Protecting Teeth and Adding Moisture to the Mouth 1. Maintain impeccable dental hygiene. This involves btushing immediately before and after eating.

Prescription Alternatives, Third Edition: Hundreds of Safe, Natural Prescription-Free Remedies to Restore and Maintain Your Health Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Smog, chemical irritants, contact lenses (which can pull moisture off of the eyes), low humidity, cigarette smoke, dust, wind, sun, air conditioning, heaters, chronic crying (which dilutes the viscous tear film that keeps moisture in), and droopy lower eyelids (which can allow tears to evaporate too quickly) are common causes of dry eye. People who suffer from arthritis tend to have dry eyes. In Sjogren's syndrome, which affects mostly women over the age of 40, the eyes and mouth become very dry. Tooth decay and severe eye discomfort can result.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

The hypothesis that a localized vitamin A deficiency in the lining of the outer eye may be responsible for dry eye, considering vitamin A's vital role in epithelial tissue, seems obvious. Clinical studies featuring commercial vitamin A eye drops (Viva-Drops from Vision Pharmaceuticals) have yielded impressive clinical results in the treatment of dry eyes.26,27 DOSAGE Dosage ranges for vitamin A reflect the intent of use. For general health purposes, a dosage of 5,000 IU for men and 2,500 IU for women appears reasonable.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

All four: Blurred or abnormal vision, blood congestion in the conjunctiva, increased pigmentation in the iris, dry eye, sensitivity to sun. Latanoprost: Burning, stinging, feeling of having something stuck in the eye, eye itching, corneal inflammation, excessive tearing, eye pain, eyelid swelling, eyelid redness, eyelid pain/discomfort, conjunctivitis, double vision, upper respiratory infection, muscle/joint/back pain, chest pain, angina, rash, and allergic reaction.

Alternative Medicine the Definitive Guide, Second Edition Larry Trivieri, Jr. See book keywords and concepts

Lavine, author of The Eye Care Sourcebook, potential complications include: • The creation of free radicals by the laser, which destroy keratocytes that help maintain the cornea's structural integrity and lead to thinning of the cornea and other corneal damage. • "Dry Eye Syndrome" caused by diminished tear secretion. • Halos around lights or a starburst appearance of lights at night. • Loss of visual acuity. • Damage to the vitreous (located between the lens and retina), retinal tears and detachment, and macular holes and pucker, especially among patients who are highly myopic.

An 18-month-old West Highland white terrier came in with 'dry eye' in one eye," he explains. "Four months previously, the other eye had been affected, treated conventionally for one month, and then been surgically treated. This had relieved the condition, but the initial damage to the cornea remained. "When the second eye became infected, it was around Easter and no surgery time was immediately available. The dog was then brought to me in order to stabilize her condition until the surgery could be scheduled.

Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? The Rest of the Story on the New Class of SSRI Antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan, Luvox & More Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Frey, II, director of the Ramsey dry eye and Tear Research center in St. Paul, is one who believes that tears rid our bodies of the chemicals that build up during stress. Crying then will allow us to relax through this cleansing method. While Dr. Selye reminded us about the fact that drug therapy is a chemical shock which causes wear and tear and stress to the body, Ronald K. Siegel reminds us of a critical point of information that most of us have either forgotten or have never even been made aware of before.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Xerophthalmia See under dry eye. Yeast Infection See under candida infection; thrush; vaginitis. Part Three Therapies and Procedures Techniques for Using Conventional and Natural Treatment Introduction Part One provided an introduction to conventional and natural approaches to health care, plus important issues in diet and nutrition, exercise, and home safety. Part Two provided discussions of specific health problems and available treatments for them.

Symptoms: Their Causes & Cures : How to Understand and Treat 265 Health Concerns the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books See book keywords and concepts

Worse, in severe cases, dry eye can lead to vision-robbing bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Symptom Relief Whether your eyes are slightly dry or as arid as the Sahara, it's possible to get tears flowing again. Blanket your eyes with a warm washcloth. If your eyes become dry only now and then, try placing a warm compress on your eyelids for five to ten minutes two or three times a day, suggests Eric Don-nenfeld, M.D., an ophthalmologist in private practice in Manhassett, New York. "A warm compress is sometimes all it takes to stimulate tear flow," he says. Blink, blink, blink.

For a chronic dry eye problem, over-the-counter artificial tears can soothe tender, gritty eyes. These products contain saline and a film-forming substance, such as polyvinyl alcohol or synthetic cellulose. They may be used as often as necessary. You'll need to experiment with different products to see what works best for you, says Dr. Michelson. Thinner brands, for example, need to be inserted more often but are less likely to blur vision or leave a residue on eyelashes. To insert eyedrops, gently pull down the lower lid and squeeze a drop into the corner of the eye near the nose.

Prevent Arid Orbs If you have borderline dry eye, certain environmental factors can worsen your problem and may cause extreme discomfort. Here's how to keep your eyes' waterworks in working order. Moisturize the night air. Switching on a humidifier or placing a pan of water on the radiator in the bedroom can keep eyes from drying out while you sleep, says Dr. Friedlaender. Wear wraparound shades outdoors. Sunglasses with lenses that extend past the sides of your eyes or side shields on your regular glasses help keep out drying sun and wind, says Dr. Michelson. Aim the air nozzle that-a-way.

Hair dryers and home air vents blowing on your eyes can worsen dry eye, says Dr. Friedlaender. It's especially important to aim overhead air nozzles away from eyes on airplanes, where the atmosphere is very drying anyway, he says. Eye Irritation when to see your doctor • There's something embedded in your eyeball. • The irritation is accompanied by redness or a discharge. What Your Symptom Is Telling You ^Llong with popcorn between your teeth and sand in your swim-suit, a speck in your eye ranks among life's more annoying sensations.

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay. See book keywords and concepts

If you suffer from dry eye symptoms especially in the winter, place a humidifier in your bedroom, or put a pie pan with some water in it over the heating ducts. Houseplants can also help regulate humidity. Remember to blink. Many of us stare at computers and get lost in our work and simply forget to blink. Other people have weak lower lids, which do not contribute the necessary 20% involved in completing a blink. You or your eye doctor may notice that the lower lid doesn't move with a routine blink. Fortunately, with a forced or voluntary blink, you can close the eye.

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