Age Related Macular Degeneration, and how to treat it

Age Related Macular Degeneration (A.R.M.D.) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in Ireland. Macular Degeneration is the deterioration or breakdown of the Macula. The Macula is the part of the eye responsible for fine vision. When the Macula does not function correctly, your central vision can be affected by blurriness, dark areas or distortion. Age Related Macular Degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities like reading difficult or impossible.

                Although Macular Degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it usually does not affect the eyes side, or peripheral vision. For example you can see the outline of a clock but not be able to tell what time it is.

                The major risk factors for A.R.M.D. are smoking, artheriosclerosis and blood pressure.

                Apparently, the degeneration is a result of free radical damage; similar to the type of damage that induces cataracts (the primary cause of decreased vision in the elderly). However, decreased blood and oxygen supply to the retina is the prelude and key factor leading to Macular Degeneration.

                Because the Macula is very rich in antioxidants, scientists think that giving the right nutritional supplements to people at risk might help slow the process.

                A Queens University Belfast trial gave a supplement containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc and the Carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin which are found in leafy vegetables such as spinach, to 400 volunteers. These 400 volunteers, who have A.R.M.D. in a least on eye, found the supplement slowed the degeneration and sharpened vision.

                The two most common types of A.R.M.D. are ‘dry’ and ‘wet’.

                The ‘wet’ form accounts for about 10% of A.R.M.D. It results from the growth of abnormal blood vessels underneath the retina. These new blood cells leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe. This type can be treated quite effectively with laser photocoagulation therapy. Quick treatment of the ‘wet’ type is important.

                Treatment of the ‘dry’ type is with supplements. In the USA a number of large scientific studies have found that people with a risk of developing A.R.M.D. lowered their risk by about 25% when treated with a high dose combination of vitamin C and E, beta-carotene and Zinc.

                A fruit with a long history of use in treating eyesight problems is the Blueberry or Bilberry. It has a special role to play in protection the small blood vessels of the retina of the eye. These berries in addition to protecting the blood vessels of the eyes also increase blood supply to the retina, one of the major causes of macular degeneration. Blueberries are also advised if you suffer from diabetes, due to the protective effect on the blood vessels of the retina which can become damaged in people with diabetes.

                The effects of taking a good eye health supplement and blueberries can be dramatic in people with failing eyesight, but the real benefit is over years it’s even more effective -studies over a period of five years gave the best results.

David Foley MNIMH, MRCHM, Medical Herbalist

Allergies

Every spring we see may people enduring weeks of sneezing and sniffing as the hay fever season sets in.
   What's more, more and more people seem to be falling prey to hay fever. It seems that up to 12% of the population now gets hay fever here in Ireland. The hay fever season is also getting longer too.
   Sniffing and sneezing are the most common symptoms, but for some the problem can be worse - itching eyes, nose and throat are often experienced, while chronic tiredness, poor appetite, nausea and headaches are also reported by hay fever sufferers.
   Hay fever is an allergy, an overreaction of an immune system to a particular substance in the environment. It is not known exactly what causes the immune system to react so strongly, but the number of allergic responses is definitely on the rise, indicating environmental and lifestyle causes. There is now a theory that our over - clean lifestyle may be a cause to the increased allergy in children. Studies which follow children health and the environment that they live in, had found that children that live on farms are less likely to suffer hay fever than children from cities with little or no contact with animals.
   Hay fever is arguably the most common allergy in Ireland, with up to 1 in 400 - 21 year olds experiencing symptoms. Pollinating trees and flowers irritate the mucus membranes in early spring, and freshly cut grasses and weeds tend to be more of a summer problem.
   Symptoms can be worse when our immune system is not working well. Eating a diet of refined carbohydrates (white bread, cakes, biscuits and sugar), saturated fats (animal fats), transfatty acids, artificial flavourings and colorants, with little or no fruit and vegetables - a common diet of today’s children will simply not supply the nutrients that our body and immune system needs to work optimally. Also today, we are exposed to a host of environmental toxins, pollutant, irritants and potential allergens that were not in existence even 20 years ago.
   This combination of poor diet and continual onslaught to our immune systems from today's environment is laying the basis for weakened immunity.
   So what can be done? If you suffer from hay fever, its best to start early in the season, so that our immune system is working well before the allergens start flying.
   Begin treatment with a short, cleansing juice fast, with drinks made from chlorophyll - rich green and leafy vegetables to help purify the blood. Avoid fatty meats and processed dairy products which are mucus forming. Stop sugar if possible, eliminating sugar from the diet, including natural sugar from concentrated fruit juices goes a long way towards helping normalize the immune system.
   Herbs that can normalize, or strengthen our immune systems should be taken before the hay fever season starts for best results, but if it's already started they will give excellent results.
   Two herbs which I have found very useful in treating allergies are Reishi mushrooms and Astragalus.
   Astragalus has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years to treat allergies and weakened immunity. It can be taken by anyone, it has very few side - effects and can be taken over a very long time without any side - effects. It is very useful for children with allergies.
   Reishi mushrooms also have a long history of use by both the Chinese and Japanese. It has a great reputation for preventing cancer and normalizing ones immune system. It is very effective in preventing allergies such as hey fever or chronic sinusitis.

David Foley MNIMH, MRCHM Medical Herbalist

Welcome!

Welcome to The Natural Way Blog! On here we will have health information, news on products and special offers on our Webstore. Watch this space!