Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damages the optic nerve leading to vision impairment and can be especially prevalent in seniors. As people age, the fluid in their eye begins to move more slowly creating increased pressure that can damage the delicate nerves. Luckily, there are some easy ways to help prevent glaucoma. Get regular eye exams. Seniors should get an eye exam at least every year if not every six months. The optometrist will dilate the senior’s eyes to specifically check for glaucoma. Exercise. High blood pressure can be related to high pressure within the eye. Exercise is
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Monthly Archives January 2014
What Seniors Should Know About Hyperthyroidism
During Thyroid Awareness Month, we should focus on the 1% of Americans who suffer from hyperthyroidism, which is one type of thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism is especially prevalent in seniors, so know the symptoms to alert your doctor at the first sign. What is hyperthyroidism? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located on the front of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, which is how quickly each cell in the body does its job. Hyperthyroidism is when too much of the hormone is released and the cells work too much and too quickly. Why is it important that
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Understanding Hypothyroidism
It’s January which means the holidays have come and gone. It is also a great time to understand hypothyroidism and whether or not medication is right for you. Maybe you enjoyed the culinary delights of Christmas or drank a few extra glasses of champagne at New Years, and now you have gained a few extra pounds. But the holiday foods may not be to blame. The extra weight may indicate something much more serious. It could be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism commonly affects senior women, and the symptoms can be so subtle that sufferers ignore them or attribute them
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Healthy Resolutions You Can Stick To
Many of us write down a few New Year Resolutions that we’d like to accomplish, only to find we’ve completely abandoned those ideas mere weeks later. Let’s make this year different. This year will be the year that you will make a couple of small changes to your lifestyle to become a healthier senior. Just pick a couple of items off of this list and watch your health improve throughout the year. 1. Get organized. Are you someone who doesn’t keep track of medical information? Make a change. Get a binder and add all medical, doctor, and medication paperwork to it throughout the year. 2. Get moving. Be
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Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Gives Advice on Maintaining Adult Eye Health
Glaucoma is a disease that can affect people of all ages, but one that seniors are at a particularly higher risk for. It is considered the most preventable cause of vision loss, but if left untreated, can cause damage to the eye’s optic nerve and result in irreversible vision loss, and even total blindness. The disease tends to run in families and most often occurs in people over the age of 60. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and to help spread the word, we had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Director, Ocular Preventive Medicine,
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