Wilkhoo Speciality Clinic

Diabetes is a scourge that has been spreading like wildfire across the globe. It is one of the major public health concerns of the modern era. Diabetes not only causes damage to your internal organs but will also take a toll on your eyes if left unchecked. Retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and blurry vision are common phenomena accompanying diabetes. 

You may not notice it at first. Symptoms can include:

1. Blurry or double vision

2. Rings, flashing lights, or blank spots

3. Dark or floating spots

4. Pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes

5. Trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes

Thus Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam plays an important role to detect it.

Here are some common Diabetic Eye Problems:

1. Blurry Vision: Do things turn blurry for you at times? Well it is not your glasses which are at fault but your high blood sugar count swelling up the lens within your eye and changing your ability to see. In order to correct your vision, you need to try bringing your sugar level back to the optimal range, which is 70 to 130 milligrams per deciliter. Do call on a doctor if the situation persists or deteriorates further.

2. Cataracts: Your eye lens is just like a camera that enables you to see through it by focusing on a particular object. If you have cataract, your otherwise clear lens gets shrouded a layer making it opaque and cloudy. You tend to face difficulties in the form of glares, blurred or clouded vision, and blind spots among other problems. Diabetics are prone to acquiring cataract much earlier than others, with the condition worsening subsequently. They are removed via surgery where your doctor substitutes your hazy lens with a new artificial one.

3. Glaucoma: You eye transmits images to your brain through the optic nerve. Pressure may build up within the optic nerve resulting in damage and ultimately causing total or partial blindness. This is a fairly common disorder with diabetics and a large number of cases pertaining to blindness due to diabetes are caused by this. Usually, glaucoma can be treated with laser, surgery, eye drops or medicines.  It is important to visit a doctor as it can help stop the progression of the disorder much earlier.

4. Diabetic Retinopathy: The retina is a cluster of cells behind your eyes that absorbs light and converts them into images that are sent to the brain via your optic nerve. High blood sugar count can actually wreak havoc on the tiny blood vessels within your retina giving rise to diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms may include blurry vision, seeing spots, blind spots and difficulty in low light or night time. Retinopathy can cause you to progressively go blind and thus it is imperative that you go for periodic check-ups and keep your diabetes under control.

Control and Prevention

If you have diabetes, you are not doomed to develop diabetic eye disease. Although you are at risk, you have the ability to control your diabetes so your vision is not compromised. Controlling diabetes requires you to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Follow some steps to help you control and preserve your vision:

1. Taking your Medicines regularly as prescribed by your doctor. Skipping of medication may leads to irregular control and is more hazardous.

2. Eating Right food is essential when trying to prevent or control diabetes. Eat a diet that is high in nutrients, low in fat and moderate in calories. A high-fiber diet with low glycaemic index foods (slow-release carbohydrates) will keep blood sugar steady and make you feel full. Although you do not need to eliminate sugar completely, you must limit sugar to a small serving. The good news is that as you cut sweets, your cravings will change and you will naturally desire more healthy foods.

3. Keep your A1C level under 7%: A1C is a test you have during a visit to your endocrinologist to determine how well-controlled your diabetes has been during the previous 2-3 months. Keeping your blood glucose in this target range means less damage to the delicate blood vessels around your eyes.

4. Control blood pressure and Cholesterol Levels: People with diabetes have a greater chance of having high blood pressure and Cholesterol, which can cause eye blood vessel damage.

5. Regular Physical Exercise can help you control your blood sugar, increase fitness and reduce your risk for heart disease and nerve damage. You must track your blood sugar before, during and after exercise to prevent hypoglycaemia.

6. Annual comprehensive eye exams: If you are pre-diabetic or diabetic, it is even more important to have Complete Dilated eye exam to initially get baseline recordings of the eye conditions and then regular yearly follow-up visits to monitor changes in your vision. If you notice blurred vision and you have had diabetes for a length of time, it might be a signal you need to keep tighter control of your glucose levels.

A skin inflammation, eczema, also known as atopic eczema, refers to the changes that occur in the upper skin layer. These skin changes can be thickened and cracked skin, skin redness, crusting of the affected area and swollen raw skin, among others. The exact cause of this skin condition is not yet known but a mix of factors have been found to be behind this health problem.

Eczema can be treated in many ways, but opting for homeopathy treatment proves to be most beneficial. This mostly happens as homeopathy mostly considers that each person is unique and should be given treatment specific to his/her health needs and addresses the problem accordingly.

Here are some of the advantages of using homeopathy treatment for eradicating eczema:

1. Excellent for eliminating chronic conditions - Homeopathic medicines prove to be excellent in treating chronic diseases whose symptoms have been recurring over the years. We often find that the cause of an allergy is a hyperactive immune response of our body. In Homoeopathy, instead of treating the symptoms of allergy, we try to treat the very basic cause of the problem and set right the immune system. Once the immunity is in order and stops over reacting to ordinary stimuli, the allergy is cured and so are the symptoms of eczema. This is where Homeopathy has an edge over other branches of medicine. Homeopathy treatment of eczema does not believe in suppressing the disease, but curing the disease from its root cause, thereby causing permanent cures.
2. Doesn't have any negative impact on your immunity - Unlike allopathic drugs, homeopathic medicines don't harm the immune system of your body. They have a gentle effect on your body. In addition to this, these medicines are responsible for stimulation of your body's self-healing mechanism, which adds to its efficacy against diseases like eczema.
3. Provides long term cure - Traditional homeopathy effectively provides relief from conditions and prevents them from coming back. The approach of treatment followed by homeopathy is to provide remedies matching an individual's physical, emotional, genetic and medical conditions rather than providing a common treatment for a specific set of symptoms. This approach effectively works on many skin conditions like eczema and starts showing visible results within a few weeks. More importantly, it ensures that you don't experience the symptoms again. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a homeopath.

Eczema is a common chronic skin condition, which is characterized by skin inflammation and irritation. The most prevalent type of eczema is Atopic dermatitis. It is not a communicable disease and is usually caused, owing to immunological alterations within the body. Eczema can be cured if the persistent immunological disturbances get corrected by internal medications like homeopathy treatment, which is known for providing safe and effective treatment. The presence of red, inflamed and itchy skin can trigger psychosocial and emotional stress in the patients suffering from eczema and can become a dominant cause of severe discomfort.

Homeopathy treatment for eczema
In homeopathy, Eczema is considered as an external demonstration of an internal disease; it requires internal and deep cleansing to tackle the problem effectively. The treatment of eczema begins with the assessment of initial symptoms in order to identify the root causes of the disorder effectively.

The fundamental characteristic of homeopathy treatment is that it targets:

1. Genetic components
2. Coping mechanism with sentimental triggers

Major advantages of homeopathy include:

1. It treats the disturbances of immune system and treats the roots of this disease
2. In most of the cases its effects are long lasting
3. It is non-toxic and causes zero side effects

The following are effective homeopathic remedies to treat eczema:

1. Excessive itching: Sulphur is a Natural Homeopathic medicine, which is considered one of the most effective remedies for eczema. It provides instant relief from burning sensation and excessive itching. It is also beneficial in the case of eczema that has worsened due to the indiscriminate usage of external ointments.
2. Weeping type of eczema: Graphite is an effective homeopathic medication that treats the weeping type of eczema that usually occurs between fingers or toes, behind the ears and scalp. It provides effective relief from eczematous eruptions that discharge sticky fluid and eczema that develops on eyelids.
3. Dry eczema in knees joints and bents of elbow: Sepia officinalis is an ideal homeopathic remedy for eczema in knees and bends of elbow. It provides relief from severe scratching that occurs due to dry skin.
4. Gastric or urinary trouble: Lycopodium clavatum is an effective remedy for patients suffering from some sort of urinary or gastric trouble. It is also known to provide effective relief from severe itching and bleeding resulting from eczematous eruptions. It also provides relief in cases of deep fissures and hardening of skin.

Eczema is a chronic skin disease, which presents itself in 4 ways, viz, redness, boils, discharge (clear or sticky), crusts or scales and cracks/ fissures.

Common types of eczema
atopic dermatitis: primary eczema characterized by itchy, inflamed, leathery skin
contact eczema: a localized lesion characterized by redness, itching, and burning,
When skin comes into contact with an allergen chemicals or metals like ornaments.
seborrheic eczema: inflammatory condition of skin presents yellowish, oily, scaly
Patches generally on the scalp, face, and occasionally other parts of the body
Covered by hair.
neurodermatitis: scaly patches of skin on the head, lower legs, wrists, or forearms
Characterized by itch.
dyshidrotic eczema: irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the feet
Characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn

Common characteristics of eczema
A. Intense itching
B. Dry or moist (with or without discharge)
C. Rashes or boils of variant forms, eg; vesicular, papular,
D. Characteristic rash in locations typical of the disease
E. Chronic or recurrent symptoms
F. Personal or family history
#1;

Factors that aggravate eczema!
Many factors or conditions can trigger & intensify the symptoms of eczema, aggravating the itching-scratching and increasing damage to the skin. These aggravating factors can be
Classified into two main categories; irritants and allergens. Emotional factors and some infections can also influence eczema.
#1;

Common skin irritants to cause eczema
Irritants are substances that has a direct affect on skin, and when used in high concentrations for long duration can cause the skin to become red and itchy or to burn.
Specific irritants affect people with atopic dermatitis to different degrees. Over time, many patients and their families learn to identify the irritants that are most troublesome to them.
For example, wool or synthetic fibers may affect some patients. Rough or poorly fitting clothing can rub the skin, trigger inflammation, and prompt the beginning of the itchscratch
Cycle. Soaps and detergents may have a drying effect and worsen itching, and some perfumes and cosmetics may irritate the skin. Exposure to certain elements, such as
Chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents, or to irritants, such as dust or sand, may also aggravate the condition. Cigarette smoke may irritate the eyelids. Because irritants vary from one
Person to another, each person has to determine for himself or herself what substances or circumstances cause the disease to flare.

Common irritants
wool or synthetic fibers
soaps and detergents
some perfumes and cosmetics
substances such as chlorine, mineral oil, or solvents
dust or sand
cigarette smoke

What are allergens?
Allergens are substances from foods, plants, or animals that provoke an overreaction of the eczema immune system and cause inflammation (in this case, the skin). Inflammation can occur
Even when the person is exposed to small amounts of the allergen for a limited time. Some examples of allergens are pollen and dog or cat dander (tiny particles from the animal's
Skin or hair). When people with eczema come into contact with an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation- producing cells permeate the skin from elsewhere
In the body. These cells release chemicals that cause itching and redness. As the person scratches and rubs the skin in response, further damage occurs.
Certain foods act as allergens and may trigger eczema or exacerbate it (cause it to become worse). Food allergens clearly play a role in a number of cases of eczema, primarily in
Infants and children. An allergic reaction to food can cause skin inflammation (generally hives), gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea), upper respiratory tract symptoms
(congestion, sneezing), and wheezing. The most common allergy-causing (allergenic) foods are eggs, peanuts, milk, fish, soy products, and wheat. Although the data remain
Inconclusive, some studies suggest that mothers of children with a family history of eczema should avoid eating commonly allergenic foods themselves during late pregnancy and (if
Breast feeding) while they are breast feeding the baby. Although not all researchers agree, most experts think that breast feeding the infant for at least 4 months may have a
Protective effect for the child. If a food allergy is suspected, it may be helpful to keep a careful diary of everything the patient eats, noting any reactions. Identifying the food allergen may be difficult if the
Patient is also being exposed to other allergens, and may require supervision by an allergist. One helpful way to explore the possibility of a food allergy is to eliminate the
Suspected food and then, if improvement is noticed, reintroduce it into the diet under carefully controlled conditions. A two week trial is usually sufficient for each food. If the
Food being tested causes no symptoms after two weeks, a different food can be tested in like manner afterwards. Likewise, if the elimination of a food does not result in
Improvement after 2 weeks, other foods may be eliminated in turn. Changing the diet of a person who has eczema may not always relieve symptoms. A change
May be helpful, however, when a patient's medical history and specific symptoms strongly suggest a food allergy. It is up to the patient and his or her family and physician to judge
Whether the dietary restrictions outweigh the impact of the disease itself. Restricted diets often are emotionally and financially difficult for patients and their families to follow. Unless
Properly monitored, diets with many restrictions can also contribute to nutritional problems in children.

What are aeroallergens?
Some allergens are called aeroallergens because they are present in the air. They may also play a role in eczema. Common aeroallergens are dust mites, pollens, molds, and dander
From animal hair or skin. These aeroallergens, particularly the house dust mite, may worsen the symptoms of eczema in some people. Although some researchers think that
Aeroallergens are an important contributing factor to eczema, others believe that they are insignificant. Scientists also don't understand the way in which aeroallergens affect the
Skin; whether the aeroallergen affects the person internally after being inhaled, or whether the aeroallergen actually penetrates the patient's skin.
No reliable test is available that determines whether a specific aeroallergen is an exacerbating factor in any given individual. If the doctor suspects that an aeroallergen is
Contributing to a patient's symptoms, the doctor may recommend ways to reduce exposure to the offending agents. For example, the presence of the house dust mite can be limited
By encasing mattresses and pillows in special dust-proof covers, frequently washing bedding in hot water, and removing carpeting. However, there is no way to completely rid
The environment of aeroallergens.

What other factors may play a role in eczema?
Eczema; in addition to irritants and allergens, other factors, such as emotional issues, temperature and climate, and skin infections can affect eczema. Although the disease itself is not caused
By emotional factors or personality, it can be exacerbated by stress, anger, and frustration. Interpersonal problems or major life changes, such as divorce, job changes, or the death of
A loved one, can also make the disease worse. Often, emotional stress seems to prompt a flare of the disease. Bathing without proper moisturizing afterward is a common factor that triggers a flare of
Eczema. The low humidity of winter or the dry year-round climate of some geographic areas can intensify the disease, as can overheated indoor areas and long or hot baths and
Showers. Alternately sweating and chilling can induce an attack in some people. Bacterial infections can also prompt or increase the severity of eczema. If a patient experiences a
Sudden onset of illness, the doctor may check for a viral infection (such as herpes simplex) or fungal infection (such as ringworm or athlete's foot).

Treating eczema in infants and children
give brief, lukewarm baths.
apply lubricant immediately following the bath.
keep child's fingernails filed short.
select soft cotton fabrics when choosing clothing.
consider using antihistamines to reduce scratching at night.
keep the child cool; avoid situations where overheating occurs.
learn to recognize skin infections and seek treatment promptly.
attempt to distract the child with activities to keep him or her from scratching.

Tips for working with your doctor
provide complete, accurate medical information about yourself or your child.
make a list of your questions and concerns in advance.
be honest and share your point of view with the doctor.
ask for clarification or further explanation if you need it.
talk to other members of the health care team, such as nurses, therapists, or pharmacists.
don't hesitate to discuss sensitive subjects with your doctor.
discuss changes to any medical treatment or medications with your doctor before making them.

Controlling eczema
prevent scratching or rubbing whenever possible.
protect skin from excessive moisture, irritants, and rough clothing.
maintain a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels.
limit exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, and animal dander.
recognize and limit emotional stress.

Eczema and homoeopathy
The treatment of eczema is positively possible in homoeopathy, but according to principles of homoeopathy no patent medicine can be prescribed for it. Homoeopathy believes in individualization of a person. A man is known
By its habits, mental buildup, temperament, constitution, liking, dislikings, aggravation and amelioration of symptoms, color of skin, texture of skin etc etc. A homoeopath prescribes medicine for a patient to patient basis
Depending on the constitution, mental and physical symptoms. Clinically it has been proved that this is one of the best form of treatment of eczema or any other skin diseases because it removes the symptoms and cures it
Permanently. It is advisable for a patient to consult a qualified physician for his or her treatment. Once your eczema is cured, the same lesion should not reappear but it is possible that depending on the above factors, there may be chances of re-occurrences on rare occasions.

Do men encounter a comparable physiological stage to what women encounter amid menopause? Alluded to as 'andropause', 'male menopause', 'man-opause', and all the more as of late, 'low T', is called as Andropause or male menopause. In any case, while all women experience menopause, not all men encounter andropause.

What Is Andropause?
Andropause is a slow, enduring disease in the male hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Testosterone naturally diminishes as men age, yet in andropause (therapeutically characterized as 'hypogonadism'), levels of the hormone drop below the ordinary range for a given age, commonly in moderately aged men.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone Level:
Do low level of testosterone deliver symptoms in moderately aged men? Actually, the exemplary symptoms were initially perceived over 70 years prior when two American physicians, Carl Heller, MD, and Gordon Myers, MD, demonstrated the adequacy of testosterone treatment for symptoms of weakness, discouragement, fractiousness, low sex drive, erectile brokenness, night sweats and hot flashes in men.

Why Do Hormones Drop?
There are various elements that can prompt to low testosterone:

1. Obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance: The level of aggregate and free testosterone is decreased in large men in extent to the level of heftiness. Weight reduction alone has been appeared to build testosterone levels by 50 percent.
2. Chronic aggravation: Insulin resistance is the key figure creating quiet irritation and lifted levels of high-affectability C-responsive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of aggravation that can be measured by a blood test.
3. Increased introduction to xenoestrogens: Certain mixes found in nourishment and the environment can increase the impacts of estrogen in men, in this manner decreasing testosterone creation. These "xenoestrogens" incorporate pesticides, phthalates from plastics, tobacco smoke side effects, substantial metals, and solvents.
4. Lack of physical movement: Participating in consistent episodes of short, extreme work out, particularly weight lifting, is one of the speediest approaches to support testosterone.
5. Stress: It negatively affects testosterone levels by expanding the arrival of the adrenal hormone cortisol.

Homeopathic Medicines for Andropause: (Medicines should be taken on proper prescription of Doctor)

1. Ashwagandha
2. Suma
3. Avena sativa
4. Maca
5. Catuaba
6. Tongkat ali
7. Muira puama

   If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a homeopath.

Heart diseases and hypertension which lead to heart or other organ failures has been on the rise for the past 2 decades. People above the age of 35+ have been seen suffering from such problems due to their unbalanced dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Its always advisable to control these factors to reduce your risk.

An indulgent lifestyle and an inadequate diet are two major causes of heart disease which can be changed. To stay fit here are a few measures of care and control

7 warning signals to know about.

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or episodes of pain in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minutes. Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw or inside the arms or shoulders.

    Chest discomfort with light headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, vomiting.
    Shortness of breath or agonal gasp.
    Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.
    Paleness.
    Increased or irregular heart rate or flutter or palpitation
    Feeling of impending doom with sinking sensation.

Know behind the scene 

A heart attack occurs when one or more of coronary arteries (main supply to heart) become blocked. Over time, a coronary artery can narrow from the buildup of various substances, including cholesterol (atherosclerosis). This condition, known as coronary artery disease, causes most heart attacks.

A. B. C of cardiac care

- avoid tobacco (cigarette, shisha)

- be more active (cardio exercises)

- choose good nutrition (eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods.)

Cutting cholesterol

Dietary cholesterol should be 300mg per day. Since it largely comes from animal products, consumption of non-vegetarian, whole full cream milk should be restricted.

Take a health alternative like chicken, fish, beans, vegetables, fruits, breads, pulses, wholewheat flour, cereals, brown rice, millet, skimmed milk and vegetable oils like corn, sesame, soyabean, sunflower, canola, olive and mustard.

Friendly and unfriendly fats
Fat should not exceed 30 per cent of your total calorie intake. Saturated fatty acids in full-cream milk and red meat increase your cholesterol level. Use non-fat or low-fat milk and milk products instead of full-cream milk and avoid sources of saturated fatty acids like lard, butter, cream, palm oil, coconut oil, cheese, etc.

Mono-unsaturated fats that lower cholesterol as well as prevent formation of blood clots are present in olive, canola, peanut and mustard oils. Omega-3, a fatty acid that prevents atherosclerosis is present in foods like herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna, soyabean, walnuts and butternuts. Take these regularly in small quantities to prevent atherosclerosis.

Holistic way to control chest pain

    Boil 4 -5 pods of garlic in glass of milk and consume the garlic pods with milk daily to avoid chest pain.
    Pound the dates with seeds and eat them every day.
    Increase the intake of ginger and lime in your diet.
    Drink a glass of milk mixed with kadukai (ink nut) powder every night before going to be.
    Take a spoon of tulsi (india basil) juice with honey in empty stomach every day.

Counting calories is one of the most popular ways of dietary management for weight management. It is not always easy to do when you're out or pressed for time, may be in a situation like dinner party, hiking, etc.
Here are some basic guidelines to follow when straight calorie counting is impractical.
1. Eat foods that are filling and low in calories. That means, as often as possible, your meals and snacks should include whole grains, such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and oatmeal, as well as legumes, such as lentils and other beans. And don't forget to fill at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
2. When you eat meat, cut out fat and cut down portion sizes. Choose lean cuts of meat and modest amounts about 3 or 4 ounces per serving (which is roughly the size of your palm).
3. Avoid fried foods. Frying foods adds fat and calories. For stove top cooking, it's better either to stir-fry foods in a non-stick pan lightly coated with a cooking-oil spray or to braise them in broth or wine. Baking, broiling, and roasting are also great options.
4. Choose low-fat or fat less dairy foods. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of protein and calcium, but the whole-milk versions of these dairy products are very high in fat.
5. Avoid fast foods. Hamburgers, chicken nuggets, french fries, and other fast-food staples tend to promote weight gain for two reasons. First, they are high in fat, calories, or both. Second, the" value meals" available at many fast-food chains are often excessively large and tempt you to overeat.
6. Avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks. Chips and other deep-fried snacks are high in fat and therefore calories. But even snacks labelled" low-fat" are often high in calories because they contain large amounts of sugars and other carbohydrates.
7. Watch what you drink. Regular sodas, fruit juices, and, especially, alcoholic beverages are high in calories.

Source: health beat (harvard medical school)