Disease of Eye | Blindness

Signs and Symptoms of Blindness

People who are blind or have visible disability have the common sign of difficulty viewing. People who have similar stages of visual shortage may have very different responses with that symptom. In case a person is born blind, there is much less adjustment to a non seeing entire world compared to there is for those who lose their eyesight late in life, where there may be small capability to cope with that visual loss. Support systems available to human beings and their psychological make-up will even change the symptom of lack of sight. Those who lose their vision suddenly, rather than during a period of years, also can have more difficulty adjusting to their visual loss.

Associated signs and symptoms, such a discomfort in the eyes, awareness of the eyes, foreign body sensation, and ache in the eyes or discharge from the eyes may be present or absent, based on the underlying cause of the blindness.

A blind one may have no noticeable symptoms of any abnormalities when sitting in a chair and resting. However, when blindness is the result of an infection of the cornea, generally transparent cornea may become white or gray, making it hard to see the coloured portion of the eye. In blindness from cataract, the generally black pupil may appear white. Based on the degree of blindness, the affected individual will exhibit signs of visual loss when attempting to ambulate. Few blind persons have learned to look directly at the person they are talking with, therefore it is not obvious they are blind.

Causes of Blindness

The following eye diseases and conditions can create blindness:

• Glaucoma develops when the strain of the eye is enhanced and that brings about progressive loss of sight. It is essential to recognize and treat glaucoma as the vision lost is irreversible.
• Macular degeneration damages the portion of the eye that enables you to see details. It generally impacts older adults.
• Cataracts lead to cloudy vision. They’re more usual in seniors.
• Lazy eye makes it complicated to see details. It may bring about vision loss. Amblyopia is normally known as a “lazy eye”.
• Optic neuritis is inflammation which causes temporary or permanent vision loss.
• Retinitis pigmentosa means damage of the retina. It brings about blindness only in rare cases.
• Tumors that impact the retina or optic nerve can also result in blindness. 
• Blindness is a possible complication when you have diabetes or have a stroke.
• Birth defects, eye injuries, and complications from eye surgery are some other typical reasons for blindness.

Who is at Risk of Blindness

The following categories of persons are at risk of blindness: 

• People who have eye diseases, for example macular degeneration and glaucoma 
• People suffering from diabetes 
• Anyone who has a stroke 
• Eye surgery victims 
• Individuals who work with or close to sharp objects or toxic chemicals
• Premature babies 

Diagnosis of Blindness

There are basically two major areas that are looked at when someone’s vision is measured:

Visual Acuity: It is central vision and is familiar to look at objects in detail, for example reading a book or watching video.

Visual Field: It is the capability to see around the edge of vision while looking straight ahead.

Visual Field Testing:

During visual field testing one will be directed to look straight ahead at a machine while lights are flashed on and off in peripheral vision . Person will be asked to press a button each time you see a light. This shows any gaps in his area of vision.

Test for Visual Acuity:

A snellen chart is utilized to determine visual acuity. It relates to reading letters off a chart on which the letters turn into progressively smaller sized. This chart is used during a routine eye test. After the test, a score made up of two numbers is given. The first number shows the distance far from the chart were able to successfully read the letters on the chart. The second number shows the distance away a person with healthy vision should be able to read the chart.

So if you were given a visual acuity score of 6/60, this means you can only look at 6 meters away what a person with healthy eyesight can read 60 meters away. The normal eyesight is 6/6.

Partial sight impairment:

Partial sight, or sight impairment, is usually defined as:

• Having very poor visible acuity ( 3/60 to 6/60 ) but having a full field of vision. 
• Having a combination of moderate visual acuity ( up to 6/24 ) and a decreased field of vision or having blurriness or cloudiness in the central vision. 
• Having relatively good visual acuity ( up to 6/18 ) but a lot of your field of vision is losing. 

Severe sight impairment (Blindness)

The legal meaning of severe eyesight impairment ( blindness ) is when ‘a individual is so blind that they cannot do any work for which eye-sight is essential’.

This normally falls into one of three categories:

• Having extremely poor visual acuity ( lower than 3/60 ) but having the full field of vision
• Having inadequate visual acuity ( between 3/60 and 6/60 ) and a severe decrease in in the field of vision
• Having average visual acuity ( 6/60 or better ) and an extremely lowered field of vision 

Treatment of Blindness

A few of the medical treatment possibilities and the surgical treatment possibilities which are used to correct vision defects and reduce loss include :

Conjunctivitis:

• Cleaning of the eyes 
• Antibiotic droplets similar to chloramphenicol 
• Using of dark goggles

Glaucoma

• Medical line of treatment-eye droplets & pills . 
• Surgical 

Corneal Ulcer 

• Using eye drops. It is actually depend upon kind of ulcer 
• Use of dark goggles 
• Cleaning of eyes
• Rest to the sight by mydriatics

Iritis

Local Steroid eye drops and ointments, cycloplegics, systemic steroids, ocular anti-hypertensive tablets. 

Cataract 
Surgery

Refractive Errors 
Providing Spectacles 

Trachoma 
Tetracycline/Erythromycin eye ointment .

Retinopathy 
Treatment of complication, control of diabetes & hypertension. 

Squint 
Surgery, correction of refraction

Night Blindness 
Treatment with vitamin A

Corneal Opacity 
Surgery 

Alzheimer Disease

Few people might assume or think that Alzheimer’s brings about brain death. In other words, it will cause the entire brain to stop working. It is not correct.

Overview

Alzheimer is a progressive health problem that damages memory along with other crucial mental functions. Treatment can assist, but this disease can’t be eradicated. Brain cell connections and the cells themselves degenerate and die, eventually damaging memory and other significant mental functions.

Alzheimer’s and the brain

The human brain carries 100 billion nerve cells ( neurons ) . Every nerve cell links with many others to form communication networks. Groups of nerve cells do unique duties. A few take part in thinking, learning and remembering. Some others assist us see, hear and smell.

To perform their function, brain cells operate like small factories. They get supplies, generate energy, construct equipment and eliminate waste. Cells also process and store information and interact with various other cells. Holding every thing functioning needs co-ordination as well as large amounts of fuel and oxygen.

Researchers believe Alzheimer’s disease stops areas of a cell’s factory from functioning properly. They are unsure where the problem begins. But identical to a real factory, backups and breakdowns in a single system bring about problems in other areas. As affect spreads, cells get rid of their capability to perform their tasks and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms

To get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the particular person must have experienced a drop in cognitive or behavioural function and overall performance compared with how they were formerly. This decline must interfere with their capability to perform at the workplace or in common activities.

• Decreased capability to take in and memorize new information.
• Impairments to reasoning, difficult tasking, and exercising judgment.
• Impaired visuospatial capabilities.
• Impaired talking, reading and writing.
• Changes in personality and behavior. 

Alzheimer’s Disease Causes

Researchers believe that for many people, Alzheimer’s disease is due to a mixture of genetic, life-style and environmental factors that impact the brain over time.

When doctors analyze Alzheimer’s brain tissue under the microscope, they find two kinds of abnormalities that are considered hallmarks of the disease.

• Plaques : These kind of clumps of a protein named beta-amyloid may damage and destroy brain cells in many ways, including interfering with cell-to-cell connection. Although the ultimate reason for brain-cell death in Alzheimer’s isn’t known, the collection of beta-amyloid on the outside of brain cells is a prime suspect.

• Tangles : Brain cells depend on an internal help and transport system to carry nutrients and other vital components throughout their long extensions This method needs the normal structure and functioning of a protein known as tau.In Alzheimer’s, threads of tau protein twist into abnormal tangles inside brain tissues, resulting in failure of the transport system. This failure is also highly implicated in the decrease and death of brain cells.

Alzheimer’s Disease Complications

The most common complications that include Alzheimer’s disease are, 

• Some people have difficulty swallowing, 
• Others get rid of the ability to walk, 
• Some can no longer go to the toilet, 
• Patients turn into a lot more vulnerable to infections. 

Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Right this moment, there is not any cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Once a person begins showing signs of memory loss and troubles with learning, judgment, communication, and everyday life. Presently there aren’t any treatments that can stop or reverse them.

However there are medications that can ease a few of the symptoms in some people. They are able to reduce how immediately the disease gets worse, and help the brain work better for longer. It’s important to talk with your doctor regarding which option may work ideal for you.

Lifelong learning and social engagement

Research studies have found an association between life-long participation in mentally and socially stimulating activities and a minimized risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Low education and learning levels, less than a high school education seem to be a risk cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Pneumonia | What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a disease that inflames the air sacs in one or even the two lungs. The air sacs may possibly fill up with fluid or pus, leading to cough with pus,fever,shivers, and trouble breathing. A number of organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms can differ from mild to severe, based on the kind of pneumonia you own, ones age and health.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Cough ( with few pneumonias you may cough up greenish or yellow mucus, or may    be bloody mucus ).
• Fever, which can be mild or high.
• Shaking chills.
• Breathing difficulties, that may only happen when you climb stairs. 
• Sharp or stabbing chest ache that evolves when you breathe deeply or cough. 
• Head ache.
• Excessive sweating and clammy skin.
• Lack of hunger, low energy, and tiredness.
• Confusion, especially in seniors. 

Symptoms can also differ, depending on whether the pneumonia is bacterial or viral.

• In bacterial pneumonia, the temperature may increase as high as 105 degrees F. This pneumonia can cause profuse sweating, and quickly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish colour because of insufficient oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental status may be confused or delirious.

• The primary symptoms of viral pneumonia are the similar to influenza symptoms : fever, a dry cough, head ache, muscle pain and weakness. Within 12 to 36 hours, there is raising breathlessness; the cough turns into even worse and makes a little bit of mucus. There may be a higher fever and there may be blueness of the lip area.

What are the causes of pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be categorized based on the organism which causes the infection:

Bacterial pneumonia:

The commonest cause of bacterial pneumonia is streptococcus pneumonia.

Viral pneumonia:

Respiratory viruses tend to be the reason for pneumonia. Young children and seniors are particularly at a chance of viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia lasts for a shorter time compared to bacterial pneumonia.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia:

Mycoplasma organisms are neither viruses nor bacteria, but they have traits common to both of them. Mycoplasmas generally result in mild cases of pneumonia, most often in older children and young adults.

Fungal pneumonia:

This form of pneumonia is because of fungi from soil or bird droppings. It happens when people inhale large amounts of the organisms. They can also cause pneumonia in people with long-term diseases or weakened immune systems.

How is Pneumonia diagnosed?

A doctor will begin by asking you queries regarding when the symptoms first appeared and about the medical history. They’ll additionally give you a physical test. This will consist of listening to the lungs with a stethoscope for any abnormal sounds, like crackling.

Your doctor may also probably order a chest X-ray. Generally, pneumonia can be identified as having the physical exam and the chest X-ray.

But based on the severity of the symptoms and your risk of complications, your doctor may also ask for a number of these tests : 

Blood Test : This test can confirm an ailment , but it may not be capable to recognize what’s causing it .

Sputum Test: This test can provide a sample from the lungs that may recognize the reason for the infection.

Pulse Oximetry: An oxygen sensor placed on one of the fingers can reveal whether the lungs are moving sufficient oxygen via the bloodstream.

Urine Test: This test can recognize the bacteria Streptococcus pneumonia and Legionella pneumophila.

CT Scan: This test provides a more clear and more detailed picture of the lungs.

Fluid Sample: If your doctor suspects there is certainly fluid in the pleural space of the chest, they may take fluid using a needle placed between your ribs. This check can assist determine the reason for the infection.

Bronchoscopy: This test looks into the airways in the lungs. It does this using a camera on the end of a flexible tube that’s gently guided down the throat and into the lungs. Your doctor may test if the preliminary symptoms are serious, or if you’re hospitalized and your body is not responding properly to anti-biotics.

Treatment for Pneumonia:

Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the pneumonia.

• Bacterial kinds of pneumonia usually are treated with anti-biotics. 
• Viral kinds of pneumonia usually are treated with rest and lots of liquids. Antiviral  medications can be used in influenza. 
• Fungal kinds of pneumonia usually are treated with antifungal medications. 

What is Angiogram

Angiography or arteriography is a medical imaging method utilized to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and internal organs of the body, with specific interest in the arteries, veins , and the heart chambers .

The test is utilized to examine narrow, blocked, enlarged, or malformed arteries or veins in several parts of the body, including the brain, heart , abdomen , and legs .

Coronary angiogram

A coronary angiogram is a technique that uses x-ray imaging to see the heart’s blood vessels. The test is usually done to check if there’s a restriction in blood circulation going to the heart.

Benefits associated with an angiogram

Used in diagnosis to display very detailed pictures of the arteries inside the brain, heart and kidneys.

Can be of help to display blockages in the arteries.

The technique assist your doctor determine exactly what treatment method you require. This can also provide information regarding how efficiently the heart is pumping and about the blood pressure levels inside the heart.

For the coronary angiogram that you receive the outcomes straight away. If there is significant narrowing, or if you’ve just had a heart attack, maybe you have an angioplasty at the same time. If several coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed in places, then you may be referred to a cardiac surgeon for bypass surgery.

Various Tests

You will go through different tests before the angiogram, including blood tests, an electrocardiogram and chest x-rays.

Angiography Procedure

You will be given a gown to wear. 
You will be required to take away any metal objects. 
You will need to have a needle put into the backside of the hand if you are having sedation during the procedure.

What happens- Angiography

Angiography is an x-ray technology in which dye is injected into the chambers of the heart or the arteries that lead to your heart( the coronary arteries ). Doctors can then evaluate the blood pressure levels in the heart chambers and see if the coronary arteries are blocked. 

Complications of a coronary angiogram

Angiography is usually a very secure technique, although minor side effects are common and there’s a small possibility of serious complications.

A few of the possible complications of a coronary angiogram are:

• Allergic reaction to the contrast dye, including hives and itchy skin.
• Bleeding from the wound.
• Heart arrhythmia.
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.