4 Ways Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes

Diabetes is a condition that is caused when blood sugar levels within the body becomes too high and can affect people of all ages. There are various side-effects of having diabetes and it is a condition that should be taken seriously and monitored closely. Looking after your eyes when you have diabetes is vital as having the condition can cause eye problems, which if not looked after correctly, can lead to deterioration and potential irreversible eye damage. In this article I will look at 4 ways diabetes can affect the eyes.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is probably the most commonly known complication of having diabetes and must be taken seriously as it can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, which is the back of eye. The retina is the part of the eye that converts the light we see into signals which are sent to the brain via the optic nerve, this is then processed by the brain into the images that we see. Diabetic retinopathy is caused when the small blood vessels on your retina become blocked, leak or grow abnormality due to the high blood sugar levels. There are 3 types of diabetic retinopathy;
Background diabetic retinopathy - this type is the very early changes to the retina, it doesn't normally affect sight but must be monitored carefully to ensure it doesn't become worse.
Diabetic maculopathy - this type is when the background diabetic retinopathy has developed on or around the macular. The macular is crucial when giving good vision as it provides central vision. Having diabetic maculopathy can affect sight.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy - this type is caused when background diabetic retinopathy become worse. When the blood vessels become damaged or blocked in a large area by the above two types it causes a reduced supply of blood to the retina. The body tries to compensate this by growing new vessels on the retina's surface, but these vessels tend to be very weak and bleed, which in turn can affect the vision. The bleeding also can cause scarring which pulls on the retina, this can cause a retinal detachment. While retinal detachments can be fixed, sometimes this may not be possible, leading to impaired vision or blindness.
Cataracts
While developing cataracts is extremely common and a part of the eyes natural aging process, people with diabetes can develop cataracts earlier and faster. Cataracts are caused by the eyes ageing, becoming cloudy and more rigid. Symptoms of cataracts tend to be blurred vision and glare or halos, especially at night time. Cataracts are usually easily removed by undergoing cataract surgery and in its place an artificial intraocular lens is implanted to restore vision.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by an increase in the eye's pressure. Pressure develops when the eye's fluid cannot be drained as normal. This can then cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves within the eye leading to impaired vision, and if not monitored and treated correctly, can cause blindness. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop a rare glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. This type of rare glaucoma is caused when new blood vessels develop and grow on the iris, which is the coloured part of the eye, and this blocks the normal flow of eye fluid and in turn increases the eye's internal pressure. While regular types of glaucoma can be treated with eye drops and possible surgery if needed, neovascular glaucoma is difficult to treat and laser surgery or implants may have to be used to control the glaucoma.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision may be caused by something else, such as cataracts, but when you have diabetes it can sometimes be caused by an imbalance of your blood sugar levels that can easily be rectified. The high blood sugar levels can cause the lens within your eye to swell, which gives a blurry vision effect. To treat this, you may just need to get your blood sugar levels back under control and within limit. It may take a few months for the blurred vision to disappear. If you do develop blurred vision, make an appointment with your GP and optician or eye clinic, so they can make sure it is nothing more serious.
Remember if you have diabetes to get your eyes checked regularly. Everyone over the age of 12 with diabetes should be invited to a yearly diabetic eye screening and it is important not to miss this. Early detection of diabetic eye diseases could save your vision.

Samer Hamada is a distinguished consultant ophthalmologist and cornea surgeon performing eye surgeries at his practice, Eye Clinic London. With nearly two decades' experience, Mr. Hamada is recognised as a leading expert in the field of cataract, refractive lens exchange (RLE) and corneal surgeries.

Common Problems of the Feet

Your feet are important. They are what gives you mobility and the ability to get you from point A to point B. Your feet are also vulnerable to injury and infection. When something isn't right with your feet, you notice it. Even something as small as a blister can make walking and wearing shoes difficult.

Most of the common foot problems listed below can be avoided or have their discomfort lessened with proper foot care which includes hygiene and wearing properly fitting shoes.

Blisters

Blisters are soft, clear fluid-filled pockets of skin that result from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Blisters are often painful and make walking, running and wearing shoes difficult. Regular blisters can be pricked with a sterilized needle and drained. Blood blisters, the ones that fill with blood instead of the clear fluid, should not be popped and drained.

Hammertoes

If you have one or two toes that are crossed, pointing in abnormal angles or are bent in the middle of the toe joint, chances are you have hammertoes. Like blisters, hammertoes are usually the result of ill-fitting shoes. The alignment and bend of hammertoes can be corrected if treated early. If enough time goes by without treatment, the toe will become permanently bent.

Claw Toes

Those with claw toes have toes (with the exception of the big toe) that curl up at the joint where the toes and the foot meet and which curl downward at the end of the toes from the toe joint. Ill-fitting shoes and nerve damage are common causes of claw toes.

Bunions

If you have bunions, wearing shoes can be painful. Bunions are located at the base of the big toe, at the joint where the big toe connects to the foot. This joint grows crooked, often protruding out from the side of the foot, causing the big toe to turn inward. Ill-fitting shoes, heredity, arthritis, deformities and trauma are common causes.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are when the corners of the toenails dig into and grow into the nearby skin. Foot fungus, ill-fitting shoes, improperly cut toenails and abnormal foot structure are common causes.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection whereby an itchy, burning, peeling, white, scaly rash appears on the bottom of feet or in between toes. Poor foot hygiene such as not wearing or changing socks and not washing feet are the biggest culprits.

Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is easy to spot with discolored, deformed toenails. These unattractive toenails are the result of inadequate foot care and hygiene and exposing the feet to moist, unclean environments such as pools and locker rooms.

Gout

Gout is a painful type of arthritis that often results in red, warm, swelling and pain around the joint of the big toe. Gout is caused from the build-up of uric acid, which can be worsened with certain foods including alcohol, seafood and red meat.

Corns and Calluses

Corns and calluses are painful, hard patches of dead skin that are the result of bony areas of the toes and feet getting repeatedly rubbed, usually by tight shoes. Corns often form on the sides and tops of toes as well as in between toes. Calluses usually form on the bottom for the heel and ball of the foot.

Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis

Both heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are painful foot conditions that affect the heel. A heel spur is where pieces of bone that grow at the base of the heel bone. Plantar fasciitis is the painful inflammation of the fascia, the tendon that connects the hell and ball of the foot.

Taking care of your feet are important. Regular washing and drying of feet, wearing and changing socks, early treatment and wearing properly-fitting footwear can help stem the formation of many of these common foot problems.

If you experience chronic pain and discomfort, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your podiatrist.

Best Shoes to Ease Plantar Fasciitis

If you experience the excruciating heel pain of plantar fasciitis, wearing shoes and going about all day on your feet can be challenging.

Despite the many exercises you do and the countless orthotics you use, it's hard for you to find a shoe that is both stylish and comfortable.

As you've gone out shoe-shopping, you notice that shoes that are designed for this foot issue can be quite expensive.

While there aren't any shoes that can treat or cure your plantar fasciitis, there are plenty of shoes that can help minimize your pain. Before taking the plunge into the investment of a pair of expensive shoes, here are things to look for in a shoe that can ease your pain and discomfort:

Arch support
Provide a rocking motion
Proper alignment
Easy to slide on and off
Closed-in heel that makes the heel stay on your foot
Firm, yet flexible mid-sole
Deep heel cup
Removable insole
Available in wide sizes
Shock absorption
Rounded toe box
For professional women, it can be even more difficult in finding shoes that are appropriate for the office as well as being comfortable. Many think that heels and plantar fasciitis don't mix. This, however, is only partially accurate. While very high heels will cause aggravation and pain, heels two inches or less commonly provide relief.
Most shoes that are designed to relieve this condition will give added support and comfort that takes the pressure, stress and shock off the fascia.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

You likely have heard of plantar fasciitis or know of at least one person who has it. Maybe you have experienced severe pain in your heel or in the arch of your foot. While it is recommended that you talk to your podiatrist about your foot issue, as he or she will be able to properly diagnose your foot condition.

Here is a brief description of what this condition is:

Plantar fasciitis is a painful, common foot condition where the fascia in the heel becomes inflamed, irritated or overly thickened. The fasciitis is the ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, starting at the heel and going to the ball of the foot.

When the fasciitis pain occurs, it is usually felt in the heel and the arch of the foot. Painful flare-up occur right when one gets up from bed in the morning or who has just stood up after a long time of sitting. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by a variety of things including working long hours on the feet, being overweight, exercising too rigorously, experience an injury, having flat feet or too high of arches in the feet or a shortened Achilles tendon.

While living with plantar fasciitis is a painful challenge, there are shoes out there that can provide much-needed relief. Shoes designed for plantar fasciitis problem relief can also be stylish and appropriate for work.

Certain stretches and exercises and orthotics can complement your shoes to give your feet the comfort and support they need, which in turn can help you go about with your life.

If you have any questions about plantar fasciitis or shoe or orthotic recommendations, contact your podiatrist.

Common Heel Ailments

Your feet are important and when you experience pain or discomfort that limits your ability to use your feet, daily life can become difficult. In fact, your overall quality of life may be lowered.

While something wrong with even your small toe, or a blister on the heel can negatively impact your proper mobility, it isn't any wonder the great extent something like heel pain can do.

If you have pain or discomfort in your heel, there are many causes. If the pain is chronic and severe enough to greatly impact the daily use of your foot, it is highly recommended that you see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

For other heel pain ailments, you may be able to get relief and treatment in a variety of ways from stretches to orthotics.

Not every heel pain ailment can be effectively treated in the same manner. It is important, then, to know what the cause of your heel ailment is.

Below are common heel ailments that you may be suffering from:

Stone Bruise

This common heel ailment occurs when you step on a hard or sharp object such as a stone or pebble. A bruise on the fat pad of the heel can result, with some, temporary minor pain and discoloration. The pain typically goes away with rest.

Plantar Fasciitis (Subcalcaneal Pain)

With plantar fasciitis, the tissue band (fascia) that connects the heel bone to the toes becomes inflamed and irritated. The pain is located under the heel and is worse with the first few steps in the morning. Heel pads, medication and certain exercises can help reduce the severity of pain and inflammation flare-ups.

Heel Spur

Heel spurs often form as a result of chronic plantar fasciitis. They are calcium deposits formed on the fascia tissue. There may not be pain associated with heel spur.

Pain Behind the Heel

Pain behind the heel can have multiple causes, with the most common being a tear or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The heel pain tends to build over time and the skin behind the heel can become thick, red and swollen.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a common sports injury caused by the overuse of the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Sharp, debilitating pain from the back of the heel may result.

Heel Bone Fracture

It takes a lot of force and pressure to fracture your heel bone. Falls from ladders, jumps from high heights and victims of car accidents are common causes of heel bone fracture. Heel fractures are painful and severe, requiring prompt treatment, which is usually heel reconstruction surgery.

Heel bone fractures can lead to future heel issues including chronic pain, swelling, loss of motion in the foot and arthritis.

Cracked Heels

Heels with severely cracked skin and open sores can make walking difficult, especially with the rubbing of shoes. Cracked skin can be treated by avoiding open-backed shoes, weight loss, and moisturizing lotion. While cracked heels can be simply dry skin, it can also be a symptom of diabetes and the loss of foot nerve function.

Haglund's Deformity

Those with Haglund's Deformity develop a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that causes painful irritation and inflammation of the bursa (the fluid-filled sac that lies between the Achilles tendon and heel bone. The bony enlargement also rubs against the back of shoes, causing blisters.

Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment

Those who have constant pain regardless of whether they're standing or sitting and have pain that's made worse with moving the ankle, wearing certain shoes or physical activities such as running may have medial or lateral plantar nerve entrapment. With this nerve entrapment, the nerves between the bones, ligaments and other connective tissues of the foot are pinched, or compressed, causing near constant pain.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

With tarsal tunnel syndrome, there is a tingling or a numbness that originates at the heel and moves to the toes before ending up by the ankles. Orthotics, better shoes, ankle braces, physical therapy and surgery are common treatments for tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Heel pain can be debilitating and greatly affect your mobility and quality of life. There can also be numerous causes behind your heel pain. It is important to make an appointment with your podiatrist to figure out what is specifically causing your heel pain and to learn about the best, appropriate treatment.

What Causes Varicose Veins Might Surprise You

You might have noticed that over time, your legs have been covered with little blue lines, and maybe you've even panicked because you feel as though it came out of nowhere. You may have even thrown your hands up in the air in frustration and asked, "What causes varicose veins?" It's not a bad question to ask if only for the reasoning that says if you know what causes them, you can avoid getting them, right?

Well, it's not quite that simple. First, it's important to think about whether or not there is a danger in their appearance. The truth is that it is rare for varicose veins to pose a serious danger. However, no two human beings are alike, and these variations throw a proverbial wrench into things, so it's important to maintain a conversation with your doctor about what course of action is best for you.

Regarding causes, medical experts agree that, for the most part, varicose veins can be caused by:

Age Leading to Vein Elasticity - When a blood vessel is compromised by time, it can lead to a vein being unable to maintain its shape. This, in turn, causes blood to actually pool in the veins and become varicose. While this can affect younger patients, it is a condition that is usually associated with an older individual.

Pregnancy and Circulation - The human body goes through a number of changes during pregnancy, and this includes how blood flows in the legs. However, the one advantage to having an onset of varicose veins during pregnancy is that they usually subside on their own without medical treatment over the course of a few months to one year after giving birth.

Not Staying Healthy - Your hear it on the news all the time about the onset of obesity in everyone from children to adults & how it leads to some major health issues. What's more, the toll that it takes on your health can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight. As it turns, though, you also have varicose veins to look forward to if you carry excess weight.

Again, you may ask yourself, "What causes varicose veins?" As it turns out, there are a number of causes including (but not limited to) age, pregnancy, and obesity. It's also important to know that women are more prone to get them, as are individuals that sit or stand for long periods of time. Family history is also a cause of which to be aware. In short, every patient is different, which means the causes and risk factors to be on the lookout for will vary from person to person. Finally, be aware that you can't fully prevent varicose veins, but you can actively participate in helping reduce the risk of getting them, as well as explore treatment options that help reduce their appearance.

Hip Replacement Surgery - Risks And Recovery

Hip Replacement Surgery is a surgical procedure, which is performed on the hip joints to substitute painful joints with the artificial joints. The procedure is compulsory for the patients, who are not getting any relief from the oral medication and are in need of the surgery to get rid of the pain. It can be performed either hemi-replacement or total replacement form that totally depends on the condition of the patient. The treatment is much complicated and requires proper medication and strict bed rest to give your joints the relief they want.

A number of risks including blood clotting, infections, fracture, change in leg length, etc. are associated with it, but they get cured with the time. To get relief from the surgery or to recover faster, you need to take some precautions even after getting discharged from the hospital and they are:

Say No To Stair Climbing: One of the main things that help you in the fast recovery of the hip replacement surgery is not climbing the stairs till you recover properly. Make sure where you stay at your home has all the arrangements on the same floor, so, you don't need to do up and down over and over again. It'll help you recover faster than before.

Cut The Clutter Out Of Your Room To Avoid Falls: Another precaution that patients must take after the hip replacement surgery is not falling over and over again, as it may put the unnecessary constraint on your muscles and affect the stitches as well. Thus, you should try to keep your room as clean as possible.

Use An Elevated Washroom: Until you get recover properly, you should not perform any exercise that includes bending, as it put pressure on the joints and damage them drastically. Even while going the washroom, try to use the elevated washroom, so, you don't need to bend too far.

These are a few quick recovery tips that the patient should follow even after getting the discharge. Apart from the above tips, try to sit on a firm chair that keeps your back straight. It'll help you avoid bending and take care of your joints. The use of recliner is a big no for the patients who just went for the hip replacement surgery until they get recover properly and get permission from the doctor. If you have any doubt regarding the risks associated with the conditions or want more recovery tips, you can freely ask them all to your surgeons.

Stop Eating for Comfort by Recognizing Your Triggers and Habits

The longer I work with clients the more I realise that most of us who have issues with food are simply hurting in some way and are looking for love/comfort. We may have a very loving relationship with someone else but if we don't love ourselves there is something missing and we use food to fill the gap. For others it could be alcohol, drugs, gambling or smoking.

However food seems to be the most common as it is quick and easy, not hurting anyone else and can be easily hidden. Unfortunately however, we only feel good for a split second with the initial taste, then the guilt sets in, we feel uncomfortable and start to beat ourselves up which simply leads to more eating or bingeing. Unfortunately eating food only keeps the emotion inside of us. Instead of facing our issues, we over eat which only creates further problems.

The only time our body actually wants food is when it is physically hungry. So when we eat for emotional reasons, it doesn't work, because our body doesn't want food, it wants comfort in some other way. So we keep eating waiting for that magic fix that never comes.

By learning how to eat "naturally" we are reconnecting with our body's natural instincts of hunger and satisfaction. This will then fill the physical need and enable us to find positive, empowering things that will serve the emotional need. The wonderful thing about natural eating is that it is based on awareness. Once you are aware of your habits/triggers around food you can make a different choice.

The key is to honour your emotions, notice that you are sad or lonely or stressed out. Sometimes a good cry is the answer as this enables you to get the emotion out of your body. Other ways of doing this is to laugh, sing, scream or do something physical like running, biking or martial arts. Then you can think clearly and find that positive thing that will comfort you and move forward.

I encourage you to start thinking about the times that you overeat or binge and look to see if you can see a pattern. You will find it is based around certain activities and events which have led to negative habits. Because once you are aware of what you are doing you can find a way to avoid those triggers and make different positive choices.

I am a wife and mother who has recovered from 20 years of food and weight related issues. I used to binge on food uncontrollably and then exercise excessively to get rid of it. After being diagnosed with depression and bulimia in 1996 I was introduced to Natural Eating. This enabled me to tap in to my natural instincts of hunger and satisfaction to develop a healthy relationship with food.