You may eat clean, hit the gym five days a week, clean your teeth like nobody’s business, and still be missing one of the biggest health indicators in the body. Eye health is critical to your enjoyment of life, and one of the earliest indicators that something’s wrong in other body systems.

Do not neglect – 5 “Dangerous” eye health issues which may be life-threatening.

Many people neglect their eye health or simply forget to maintain it with the same care and frequency they pay to other aspects of their health. Age-onset vision degeneration is common and in many cases, inevitable, and poor eyesight can be a genetic or age-related condition. It’s easy to forget that you can damage your sight because of lifestyle and environmental factors, and that it can be damaged by other conditions that should be treated.

See an optometrist or “eye doctor” on a regular basis, and an ophthalmologist by referral when necessary. Think of it like your annual dental visit. You know your oral health is important and maintain your teeth on a regular basis. You need to do the same for your vision. Here are five reasons not to neglect eye health.

Five ways to maintain your eye health

It’s an early disease or imbalance indicator

Your eyes are the most sensitive, delicate organ in your body and the most readily accessible. Changes to your body systems often show up first in the eyes. A regular visit to the optometrist can identify conditions that are developing but have not yet reached a critical stage, or that are not yet causing identifiable symptoms elsewhere in the body.

A visit to the optometrist can turn up pre-diabetic tendencies and early stages of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision degeneration or blindness if not caught and treated early. Early markers of heart disease and other conditions can show up in the tissues around the eyes. Liver and kidney-related problems cause visible changes. Twitching around the eyes or drooping eyelids can be early warning signs of neuromuscular degenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis or brain tumors.

Problems are often degenerative

You use your sight constantly. It supports your work, your leisure and your ability to move confidently through the world. While there is an increasing array of assistive technologies available to the vision-impaired, they cannot replace many experiences you treasure. Many eye conditions are degenerative, meaning they worsen over time. Ignoring your eye health could allow a condition to proceed past the point where it is possible to slow, reverse or even heal it.

Glaucoma is the number one international cause of blindness, but scientists are making progress with treatment. Research by Rohit Varma has led to the development of imaging techniques to detect nerve damage early, and if the disease is identified and treated early enough, blindness may be postponed or even prevented. His innovative work has also spurred a unique implant-based treatment that will be able to monitor and drain damaging pressure to maintain vision.

It’s easy and painless

Optometrist appointments are some of the most pleasant, accessible and painless available in the health and medical world. Non-invasive screening tests rely on mostly visioning techniques such as the use of specialized cameras, pressure sensors and lenses to closely examine the eye. These tests are easy, faster, less invasive and much less uncomfortable than a trip to the dentist or your annual physical exam.

It requires professional support

While it’s a good practice to keep an eye on any changes in your body, including in and around your eyes, many early signs of illness are neither known by the general public nor even visible without the use of specialized equipment. This is not a DIY at-home health area; you need to visit a professional.

Early detection saves vision and lives

Degenerative conditions are less likely to lead to irreversible damage up to and including blindness if caught and addressed early enough. The same goes for a whole host of other diseases and conditions around the body. Professional eye exams can identify many diseases in their earliest phases, and even identify an increased risk of a condition developing before it has fully emerged, making it your go-to solution for finding, treating, and in some cases, curing illness and damage before it even occurs.

Maintaining your eye health is part of living a healthy lifestyle. Schedule annual optometrist visits even if you have never experienced any form of vision loss or eye-related conditions. Regular monitoring can identify diseases and vision degeneration in the earliest stages, when they are still treatable, and even reversible. It’s one of the easiest and most proactive ways you can safeguard your health.

The post Why you should not neglect your eye health appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is alternative medicine important

Alternative treatments are becoming more popular as they’re cheaper and more effective than traditional therapies. Unfortunately, many patients have died as a result of side effects like allergic reactions. There are also alternatives that may be more effective.

Alternative medicines can also be dangerous if you don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. Vitamin supplements aren’t controlled as pharmaceuticals so it is easy to get too high on vitamins. Other remedies, however, can be toxic.

What is holistic medical opposite?

Holistic medicine, a method of health care, considers all aspects, including the spiritual, emotional, and environmental aspects. It is based on the concept that any illness must have multiple causes and requires a combination of treatments for maximum effectiveness.

Holistic medicine practitioners believe prevention is better that cure. To help patients achieve optimal health, they work closely with them.

They are trained to spot the root causes and prevent future disease. Holistic physicians look at the whole person and not just the physical organs. Holistic physicians often refer to the whole being as “the Body”.

This means that they go beyond skin care and treat the entire body holistically. The doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. He may also suggest meditation or yoga exercises, herbal supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, or other forms of alternative medicine.

What is the Difference between Naturopathic and Holistic Medicines?

The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine relies heavily on drugs and surgery to treat its patients. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. The CAM is not intended to be a replacement for conventional treatment. It is meant to assist patients who wish to have control over their own healthcare and choose what is best.

Naturopathy, on other hand, is used as a complement to conventional medical treatments. It focuses on treating the whole body, mind, and spirit. There are many forms and types of naturopathy.

It is important for you to know that some CAM modalities can overlap with conventional medicine. Naturopaths and doctors can prescribe herbal remedies. Naturopaths, however, tend to recommend lifestyle changes rather than prescription medication.

Naturopathy can be called “complementary” when it is used in combination with conventional medicine. Naturopaths can prescribe medication when necessary.

There are some differences in naturopathic medicine from other CAM modalities.

Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
Naturopathic physicians must be licensed by their provinces. CAM practitioners need to be self-regulated.
Naturopathy focuses on prevention and wellness and offers education about diet, exercise, and nutrition.
Naturopaths stress the importance of lifestyle factors. This includes nutrition, exercise and stress management.
Naturopharmacists specialize in the use of botanicals and minerals to treat specific conditions.
Naturopodists are skilled in providing personalized care that meets the needs of each patient.
Regulation bodies such as the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario issue licenses to Naturopaths.
Naturopatrists can be licensed by the provincial regulatory agencies.
Naturopaticians have been registered with The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
The College of Naturopaths of British Columbia is responsible for licensing Naturotherapists.
The United States National Board of Medical Examiners is authorized to license Naturobiotic therapists.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
The term “holistic” refers the belief that all aspects, including physical, spiritual, social, and mental, should be taken into consideration when making decisions about one’s health. Holistic doctors will take into account all aspects of life, rather than focusing on one.

What makes holistic medicine superior?

Holistic health care treats the whole person instead of just specific symptoms. This involves looking at the person’s feelings, food, lifestyle, stress levels, etc.

Holistic medicine takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life and treats them like a whole package. It may sound simple, but in practice, this approach is very difficult to achieve because most doctors focus solely on the physical side of patients.

What does complementary medicine refer to?

Complementary Medicine refers to any medical treatment that works in conjunction with mainstream medicine. It includes treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga and others.

Complementary medicines are not used instead of conventional medicine but rather alongside it. They’re also sometimes called “alternative” or “integrative” medicine because they integrate Western scientific methods with other approaches that have been proven effective in healing people.

Is it possible for a holistic doctor to prescribe prescriptions?

Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all diseases can be caused by a combination factors. This includes diet, lifestyle, environment stress, stress, emotions, genetics and other health-related issues.

This is a comprehensive approach to treating patients.

Understanding how each factor affects patients is essential for a physician to be able understand modern science as well as traditional methods such homeopathy and herbs.

Many doctors have been certified in complementary or alternative medicine (C&A). This allows them to offer a complete range of services for their patients.

Where can I find out more information about holistic healing?

Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to health care that considers all aspects, including the spiritual, emotional and mental well-being of the patient.

The goal of holistic medicine is to treat the whole person instead of treating individual symptoms. Holistic medicine isn’t about curing a disease. It is all about healing.

Holistic medicine also includes treatments for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and arthritis.

There are many different types of holistic medicine:

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Chiropractic medicine
Homeopathy
Herbalism
Naturopathy
Nutrition
Osteopathic medicine
Vedic medicine
Yoga

Statistics

An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)

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How To

What are the different types of alternative and complementary medicine?

The four major categories of CAM are natural products, energy healing, manipulation therapies, mind-body medicine and natural products. Mind-body medicine covers yoga, Tai Chi and Reiki, as well as chiropractic care, homeopathy (naturopathy), biofeedback, hypnosis and hypnosis. Natural products include herbs and vitamins, minerals as well as dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies are physical manipulations like acupuncture or chiropractic care, acupuncture or therapeutic exercise. You can also use prayer and visualization to help you heal your energy.

CAM stands for a broad range of health practices that go beyond the Western medical system. These practices vary widely regarding how much scientific evidence supports them, whether they involve drugs or surgery, and which conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners also perform diagnostic testing (e.g., blood tests) and prescribe medication. Others do both.

There are many subcategories that fall within each of these categories. In mind-body medicine there are relaxation techniques. Natural products are nutritional supplements, botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, probiotics, nutraceuticals, herbal preparations, medicinal plants, and teas. Manual, movement, manipulation, electrotherapies and soft tissue mobilization are some of the manipulative therapies. There are many spiritual healing options, such as faith healing and prayer within energy healing.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many reasons people use CAM.

To improve their overall well-being.
To manage a special condition.
To decrease pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Because it gives them more control than traditional medicine, some people choose CAM. They may believe it has fewer side effects. Others choose CAM to avoid taking prescription medications. Still, others prefer not to take pharmaceuticals if possible. And still, others seek out CAM because they have had bad experiences with conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM say they want to be sure about what they are doing before trying something new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely on friends and family for word of mouth.

Although CAM is often viewed negatively by society, most users report positive feelings toward CAM. People who use CAM tend to be healthier and happier than those who don’t. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.

The majority of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. Nearly 95% of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine at least once in their lifetime. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NCCIH, estimates that approximately 40 million people visited CAM providers in 2010.

The NCCIH estimates 10 percent of the U.S. populace uses chiropractors.

The American Medical Association reiterated its support for integrative medical care in 2013. It recognized that doctors must “integrate scientifically valid alternative and complementary medicine into clinical practices…to meet patients’ needs.”

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark 2007 report called “Relating Constraints” that concluded that there was no evidence to support the claim that any particular CAM intervention can prevent, treat, cure, or cure cancer.

CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. In 2008, CAM practitioners saw an 8 percent increase in number compared with 2007.

A recent study showed that nearly half of respondents had used CAM to supplement their primary care.

CAM therapies may include natural products and mind-body practices as well as manipulative techniques, energy healing, modalities, exercise, and dietary supplements.

Many CAM therapies can be used for pain relief, but many have other benefits such as improved mood, reduced stress and increased immunity.

Acupuncture can, for example help with chronic back pain, anxiety and depression, improve immune function as well as promote weight loss.

Many CAM therapies are rooted in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. They have been around for thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which originated in China 5,000 years back, has been practiced in China ever since.

It was not until the mid-1800s when Western science began to gain prominence, but TCM remains an important element of health care today.

TCM is used to treat a majority of Americans.

Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Around 5000 B.C., yoga was born in India. Yoga is now an accepted global practice.

Yoga is gaining popularity because of its many benefits, including spiritual, mental and physical.

Yoga can reduce stress, increase flexibility, and improve strength. It also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Even though there are limited scientific studies, yoga appears to have positive effects upon sleep33. This may make it useful for people suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine, including meditation, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are made up of herbs, spices flowers, seeds fruits, nuts, bark, leaves and roots.

They are often considered safer than prescription drugs and are used widely by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to American Cancer Society, 45% adults diagnosed with cancer reported that they used alternative medicine during treatment.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

In fact, according to a recent study, 51% of cancer survivors reported using at least one type of CAM.

However, only 8 percent of those individuals had discussed this with their doctors.

This communication gap between conventional medical providers, CAM users and traditional doctors is a major problem in healthcare delivery.

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