Eyes
Eye problems may indicate the presence of illness somewhere else in the body. For example; watery eyes may be a cold symptom. Eye disorders include: bloodshot eyes, Bijot's spots, cataracts, color blindness, conjunctivitis, glaucoma, styes, ulcerated eyes, etc. Causes of eye problems include: thyroid imbalance, allergies, liver/gallbladder disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and vitamin deficiency.
Blephartis Treatment
Causes, symptoms, prevention & natural treatment for blephartis. Facts:
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. This may occur from irritations and allergies, insect bites, infections, etc. Blepharitis may vary from a chronic, mild condition to a severe form with ulceration of the lids and damage to the eyes.
Overview:
Symptoms:
The typical symptoms may include the following:
Itching, swelling, redness, scaling and crusting of the lashes Blepharitis is often accompanied by styes and chalarions.
Causes:
Irritations in environment
Allergies and sensitivities
Insect bites
Eye Infections
See Drugs That Harm the Eyes for a list of potentially harmful drugs.
Complementary Treatment
Blephartis can be eased with simple self-help techniques, and nutritional supplements.
Vision problems are multiplying at epidemic proportions in our society. Over half of the population over 75 years old has either cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES™'s goal is to show people how to become active participants in their own vision care, giving back the power and responsibility they have so trustingly handed over to their eye doctors. We offer a practical approach to keeping your eyes healthy based on the underlying philosophy that emphasizes prevention rather than cure, based on the latest scientific research.
Medication and surgery may sometimes be necessary or even the appropriate way to maintain the precious gift of sight. Our approach is intended to be used as an adjunct to these traditional treatments of vision problems.
ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES™ is dedicated to the belief that a common ground can be created in which the strengths of modern day Western medicine can be united with the preventative approach of other healing modalities such as nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and a positive mental approach to life.
Self Help:
Avoid rubbing your eyes
Apply a warm, wet washcloth as a compress to the affected area and hold it in place until cool. Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day.
Use a commercial lid "scrub" or baby shampoo on a cotton swab to wash your lids.
Nutritional Supplements
The following nutritional supplements will be essential or helpful in treating blephartis.
Bilberry, Lutein, Ginkgo Biloba and Zeaxanthin.
Essential: Herbs that helps ease conjunctivitis and sties. Recommended dosage is 1/2 dropperful 3 times a day taken internally for treatment when infection is present. Best taken on empty stomach.
Note: These drops are not eyedrops, and should be taken internally only, unless used with a compress. If used as a compress, here are the preparation instructions: The FDA says no herb can be sold to put into the eyes.
Make 8 ounces of boiling water. Put in 1 dropper full of this combination of herbs. Let the alcohol burn off for one minute then let the water cool down till its warm. Proceed to dip in a washcloth and place over your closed eyes.
Herbs include Burdock, Forsythia, Golden Seal, Echinacea Angustifolia, Honeysuckle, Chrysanthemum Flower, Eyebright, Chamomile, Red Raspberry Leaf and Marigold.
Burdock root (Arctium lappa) is a liver tonic and lymphatic cleanser. Herbalists have traditionally used burdock for skin conditions, such as sties, boils and carbuncles.
Forsynthia (Forsynthia suspensa), recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a "cooling" herb, has been shown to inhibit viral and bacterial infections, including staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is gaining popularity for its natural yet potent antibiotic and antiseptic qualities. American herbalists have prescribed it for more than 100 years to treat inflammation of the eyes.
Echinacea (Echinacea Angustifolia) is one of the most popular immune boosters. It not only supports the body's ability to fight its own battles by enhancing our immune response, but it also has its own antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.
Honeysuckle (Lonicerae japonicae), like forsythia, clears the "heat" of infection and inflammation and alleviates the swelling of sties. A natural antibiotic, it has been shown to inhibit viral and bacterial infections, including staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella.
Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemum marifoli) is used in the treatment of many eye conditions for its antibiotic effect. It is useful in relieving heat in the eyes, such as in the conditions of sties and conjunctivitis.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) has been shown since the Middle Ages as a universal eye remedy for both internal and external inflammatory conditions.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a very effective herb when used externally as a compress to help with inflammatory conditions of the eye.
Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) is an astringent herb that helps to break up excess mucous in the eyes.
Marigold, also referred to as Calendula (Calendula officinalis), is a very effective herb in the treatment of inflammatory conditions when used externally (taken internally it aids digestion). - helps ease conjunctivitis and sties.
Helpful: - MSM eyedrops permit better eye health
A multivitamin supplement that can be taken safely as a complete one-per-day for general health maintenance, or as a two-per-day for those with more active, high stress lifestyles or other acute nutritional needs.
Conventional Treatment: Conventional treatment depends on the specific type and severity of blepharitis. Mild specific may only require warm soaking and daily lid hygiene. Diluted baby shampoo may be used for cleansing of the lids. Other varieties of Blepharitis may require antibiotics (1009) Antibiotic and/or cortisone cream, (3145 Licorice Root) or even oral antibiotics, any of which should only be used under medical supervision by a qualified master herbalist.
Drugs Harmful to the Eyes
The human body is an organic unit with its tissues and organs interrelated and mutually dependent. Therefore, the health of the eyes, being the optical organ of the body, can influence, and be influenced by, any and every other organ in the body. Therefore when medications are taken for conditions of the body, they often have visual side effects.
For all drugs that make you more sensitive to light, a good pair of sunglasses is a must to be used that blocks out 100 per cent of the ultra-violet rays. In addition, you should be such taking antioxidants as vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, selenium, alpha lipoic acid and lutein, which are important in helping reduce the possible side effects of the medications. The following is a review of the most common medications taken in the United States and their potential effects on the eyes:
These drugs can also damage the retina:
* Plaquenil (hydroxchloriquine sulfate) is a drug routinely prescribed by rheumatologists for rheumatoid arthritis. It has caused irreversible retinal damage.
* Clonidine (brand name catapres) – is used to lower blood pressure.
* Thioridazine – fights infections but can cause pigmentary retinopathy.
* The whole family of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause visual side effects such as cataracts, dry eyes, and retinal hemorrhages that may result from long-term use. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Bayer, Aleve), flurbiprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen sodium. Also Tylenol (acetaminophen), though not an NSAID, can be harmful.
Drugs that can cause eye hemorrhage:
* NSAIDS including over-the-counter pain relievers
* Venlafaxine – an antidepressant
* Amphotericin B – an antibiotic
* Cholesterase inhibitors – often used for Alzheimer’s
* Pentoxifylline – for blood clotting
* Heparin, coumadin, anisidione, oral anti-coagulants
Drugs that can cause glaucoma and/or damage the optic nerve:
* NSAID’s
* Venlafaxine
* Steroids - cortisone prescriptions such as Prednisone are the most damaging drugs to the eyes of any prescription drugs. If you must take any of these drugs, be sure to supplement your diet with anti-oxidants such as vitamins E and C, and beta-carotene. Ask your doctor if you can replace Prednisone with a natural cortisone such as hydrocortisone.
* Simvastatin
* Fenfluramine
* Mirtazapine
* Gastic antispasmodics
* Antidepressants
These drugs can cause or worsen cataracts:
Photosensitizing drugs (drugs that make you more sensitive to the sun) are drugs that absorb light energy and undergo a photochemical reaction resulting in chemical modification of tissue. They can make you more susceptible to cataracts and macular degeneration. The following is a list of those drugs:
* Antihistamines
* Birth control pills
* Tranquilizers
* Sulfa drugs
* Oral anti-diabetic drugs
* Antidepressants
* NSAIDS (for example aspirin, ibuprofen, advil, meclofen)
* Steroids - may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts. Steroids work by mimicking the action of the body's own hormones to help control inflammation. They are usually prescribed for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's Disease,and lupus. Long- term steroid use can cause posterior subcapsular cataracts and increases in intraocular pressure. These cataracts will develop in up to 50 per cent of people taking 10 to 15 milligrams of prednisone daily for one to two years. These cataracts are very dense and can cause a rapid loss of vision. They will not go away even after you stop the medication and will have to be surgically removed. Though not as common as cataracts, sustained treatment of steroids can cause a rise in intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, though after the steroid use is stopped the intraocular pressure will return to normal. The bad news is any damage done by the rise in pressure will remain. Steroid use can also indirectly damage the eye by causing an increase in blood sugar therefore causing diabetes. If you must take steroids make sure you take high doses of anti-oxidants such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E , and lutein to help prevent cataract formation.
* Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics
* Glucocorticoids (Prednisone)
* Eretinate, isoretinoin
Drugs that can cause dry eye symptoms (see further down on page for more details on how each of these drugs effect the body).
* Antibiotics
* Blood pressure medications
* Antidepressants
* Antihistamines
* Birth control pills
* Appetite suppressants
Drugs that can cause light sensitivity (see further down on page for more details on how each of these drugs effect the body).
* Certain antibiotics
* Anti-malarial drugs
* Antihistamines
* Blood pressure medications
* Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart irregularity
* Photosensitizing drugs -see “Drugs that cause cataracts” above.
Drugs that can cause allergic conjunctivitis:
* Antibiotics - when antibiotics are given for eye problems topically they may have the side effect of causing an allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Systemic antibiotics taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously to help with bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example: 1. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin)- a person taking these may experience some mild redness of the eyes, itching and dry eyes. In rare cases they have been shown to cause hemorrhages of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva and in the retina 2. Tetracycline- similar to the above plus light sensitivity and blurred vision 3. Sulfonamides - many people are allergic to "sulfa drugs". This can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity and hemorrhages in the eye.
Note: whenever taking antibiotics make sure you take probiotics such as acidophilus or bifidus and vitamin C to help ward off some of the side effects of the antibiotics.
Drugs that can cause blood clotting and harm the blood flow to the eyes: * Androgen replacement with synthetic hormones * Estrogen
Drugs that can cause changes to the cornea:
* Anti-malarial drugs including Chloroquine, quinacrine, and hydroxychloroquine can cause changes in the cornea. Symptoms such as halos around lights, glare and light sensitivity may occur. There is no change in the person's visual acuity. Once drug therapy is stopped both subjective symptoms and objective corneal signs disappear.
Other drugs that can cause a variety of eyes problems:
* Blood pressure medications – causes your body to excrete excess fluid. What this means for your blood vessels is less fluid. But in the eyes less fluid means dry eyes, light sensitivity, possible blurred and/or double vision in some people. Beta-blockers are sometimes used to reduce high blood pressure. They can reduce blood pressure by slowing the kidney's production of a protein called renin . Renin normally causes the release of a powerful blood vessel constrictor called angiotensin II , which makes it harder for blood to flow through the arteries (thus raising blood pressure) and also causes secretion of hormones that cause water retention (which increases the amount of fluid in the blood). The names of common beta-blockers are Inderal and Tenormin.
* Digoxin - is used for heart failure or heart irregularity. Common visual side effects are color vision changes You may experience light flashes, blind spots and light sensitivity.
* Antidepressants - these type of medications change how information is processed in the nerves in the brain. Therefore any medication that affects neurological function can affect vision. For example: 1. Prozac- may cause dilated pupils, double vision, blurred vision and dry eyes. It can also cause eye pain, eye lid infection (blepharitis), cataracts, glaucoma, ptosis (eyelid droop) and an inflammation of the iris (iritis). These side effects can only be avoided by discontinuing the medication, so if your taking Prozac be aware that these visual symptoms are normal when taking this drug 2. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine,imipramine, and nortriptyline) - these drugs may cause such visual effects as loss of the ability to focus up close, dilated pupils, double vision, and dry eyes. 3. Valium - may cause red eyes, involuntary eye twitching and some paralysis of the eye muscles. 4. Zoloft- has very few visual side effects.
* Antihistamines - just as these medications have a drying effect on your nose, it does that to the eyes also. This gives you the visual symptoms of light sensitivity and dry eyes. In rare instances it may make your pupils dilate or become unequal in size. If so report this to your doctor.
* Appetite suppressants (amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, methaamphetamines, and phenmetrazine compounds) - these may give the following visual side effects: dilated pupils, difficulty focusing the eyes, difficulty converging the eyes when reading.
* Birth Control Pills - women taking birth control pills have a higher incidence of migraine headaches, problems with contact lenses due to dry eyes, and color vision disturbances.
NOTE: Any time a side effect of dilated pupils is found that can increase your susceptibility to narrow angle glaucoma.
Overuse of what is considered “harmless” drugs can be harmful to the body and eyes. When these are used excessively, they can produce photosensitivity, dry eyes, corneal deposits, gastrointestinal tract damage and even cataracts.
Two other classes of drugs that are over prescribed and overused are antibiotics and diuretics, which can disrupt that natural chemistry & fluid balance of the eyes.
Note: Do not change your schedule of taking any prescribed medications before discussing this with your medical doctor first. IF YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT BELIEVE IN NATURAL REMEDIES FIND ONE THAT DOES.
More tips:
* wearing wrap-around sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection whenever outside in the sun.
* managing stress, doing dailyregular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet which includes plenty of vegetables, fruits and grains.
* limiting the amount of sugar (particularly white or refined sugar), refined carbohydrates, alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, fast foods and fried foods.
* avoiding cigarettes, hydrogenated oils or transfatty acids like those found in margerine and many fast food products, artificial sweeteners and colorings.
* reading labels. Know what you are putting into your body. Eat only Organic foods - NEVER GMO - Drink steam distilled water treated with M-Water and colloidal minerals.
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Suggested Products
As recommended on the labels, take the following:
7810 M-Water9640 Colloidal Minerals
1477 Truman's Colon/Liver Cleanser "CAC"
3350 Truman's Fiber Special w/Bentonite Clay
7997 Colloidal Silver Water
7998 Colloidal Silver Water Generator
7280 Shark Liver Oil
6606 Omega 3 Flax Seed Oil - High Lignin
9984 Super EPA
8042 Alpha-Lipoic Acid
8413 Acidophilus, Non-Dairy
2806 E-400 (400IU)
3600 Truman's Super Green Foods w/Herbs(Super Veggie Powder)
8030 Nattovita
1034 Eye Disorders
1009 Antibiotic
3145 Licorice Root
3148 Calendula Flower
3166 Red Raspberry
3124 Eyebright Leaf
3109 Chamomile Flower
3203 Yellow Dock
3149 Marshmallow Root
3132 Goldenseal Root
3158 Passion Flower
7104 Xylitol Sweetener 100%
2000 Miracle 2000
2397 Mega II Daily
3550 Bilberry Fruit/Leaf
2805 B Complex 100mg
3286 Gingko Leaf
8970 Lecithin Granules fine - 1 lb
3600 Truman's Super Green Foods w/Herbs(Super Veggie Powder)
9988 Zinc Gluconate
2801 Hi-C 500
4520 Modifilan
3142 Kelp Seaweed (Atlantic/Norwegian)
8880 Lutein Esters
3179 Shepherd's Purse
3107 Cayenne
2801 Hi-C 500
8981 Pycnogenol
8979 MSM Ultrapure
8035 Original Limu
8015 XanGo
3220 Wolfberry (Goji Berry, Lycium Barbarum)
