Cavities/tooth decay

 

Cavities/tooth decay

Overview

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.

Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants.

If cavities aren't treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of cavities vary, depending on their extent and location. When a cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause
• Tooth sensitivity
• Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
• Visible holes or pits in your teeth
• Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
• Pain when you bite down

When to see a dentist

You may not be aware that a cavity is forming. That's why it's important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings, even when your mouth feels fine. However, if you experience a toothache or mouth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Cavities are caused by tooth decay — a process that occurs over time. Here's how tooth decay develops:

• Plaque forms. Dental plaque is a clear sticky film that coats your teeth. It's due to eating a lot of sugars and starches and not cleaning your teeth well. When sugars and starches aren't cleaned off your teeth, bacteria quickly begin feeding on them and form plaque. Plaque that stays on your teeth can harden under or above your gum line into tartar (calculus). Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and creates a shield for bacteria.
• Plaque attacks. The acids in plaque remove minerals in your tooth's hard, outer enamel. This erosion causes tiny openings or holes in the enamel — the first stage of cavities. Once areas of enamel are worn away, the bacteria and acid can reach the next layer of your teeth, called dentin. This layer is softer than enamel and less resistant to acid. Dentin has tiny tubes that directly communicate with the nerve of the tooth causing sensitivity.
• Destruction continues. As tooth decay develops, the bacteria and acid continue their march through your teeth, moving next to the inner tooth material (pulp) that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp becomes swollen and irritated from the bacteria. Because there is no place for the swelling to expand inside of a tooth, the nerve becomes pressed, causing pain. Discomfort can even extend outside of the tooth root to the bone.

Risk factors

Everyone who has teeth is at risk of getting cavities, but the following factors can increase risk:

• Tooth location. Decay most often occurs in your back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have lots of grooves, pits and crannies, and multiple roots that can collect food particles. As a result, they're harder to keep clean than your smoother, easy-to-reach front teeth.
• Certain foods and drinks. Foods that cling to your teeth for a long time — such as milk, ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, dried fruit, cake, cookies, hard candy and mints, dry cereal, and chips — are more likely to cause decay than foods that are easily washed away by saliva.
• Frequent snacking or sipping. When you steadily snack or sip sugary drinks, you give mouth bacteria more fuel to produce acids that attack your teeth and wear them down. And sipping soda or other acidic drinks throughout the day helps create a continual acid bath over your teeth.
• Bedtime infant feeding. When babies are given bedtime bottles filled with milk, formula, juice or other sugar-containing liquids, these beverages remain on their teeth for hours while they sleep, feeding decay-causing bacteria. This damage is often called baby bottle tooth decay. Similar damage can occur when toddlers wander around drinking from a sippy cup filled with these beverages.
• Inadequate brushing. If you don't clean your teeth soon after eating and drinking, plaque forms quickly and the first stages of decay can begin.
• Not getting enough fluoride. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities and can even reverse the earliest stages of tooth damage. Because of its benefits for teeth, fluoride is added to many public water supplies. It's also a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouth rinses. But bottled water usually does not contain fluoride.
• Younger or older age. In the United States, cavities are common in very young children and teenagers. Older adults also are at higher risk. Over time, teeth can wear down and gums may recede, making teeth more vulnerable to root decay. Older adults also may use more medications that reduce saliva flow, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
• Dry mouth. Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, which helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from your teeth. Substances found in saliva also help counter the acid produced by bacteria. Certain medications, some medical conditions, radiation to your head or neck, or certain chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of cavities by reducing saliva production.
• Worn fillings or dental devices. Over the years, dental fillings can weaken, begin to break down or develop rough edges. This allows plaque to build up more easily and makes it harder to remove. Dental devices can stop fitting well, allowing decay to begin underneath them.
• Heartburn. Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause stomach acid to flow into your mouth (reflux), wearing away the enamel of your teeth and causing significant tooth damage. This exposes more of the dentin to attack by bacteria, creating tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend that you consult your doctor to see if gastric reflux is the cause of your enamel loss.
• Eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia can lead to significant tooth erosion and cavities. Stomach acid from repeated vomiting (purging) washes over the teeth and begins dissolving the enamel. Eating disorders also can interfere with saliva production.

Complications

Cavities and tooth decay are so common that you may not take them seriously. And you may think that it doesn't matter if children get cavities in their baby teeth. However, cavities and tooth decay can have serious and lasting complications, even for children who don't have their permanent teeth yet.

Complications of cavities may include:

• Pain
• Tooth abscess
• Swelling or pus around a tooth
• Damage or broken teeth
• Chewing problems
• Positioning shifts of teeth after tooth loss

When cavities and decay become severe, you may have:

• Pain that interferes with daily living
• Weight loss or nutrition problems from painful or difficult eating or chewing
• Tooth loss, which may affect your appearance, as well as your confidence and self-esteem
• In rare cases, a tooth abscess — a pocket of pus that's caused by bacterial infection — which can lead to more serious or even life-threatening infections

Prevention

Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay. Here are some tips to help prevent cavities. Ask your dentist which tips are best for you.

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner.
• Rinse your mouth. If your dentist feels you have a high risk of developing cavities, he or she may recommend that you use a mouth rinse with fluoride.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Get professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams, which can help prevent problems or spot them early. Your dentist can recommend a schedule that's best for you.
• Consider dental sealants. A sealant is a protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of back teeth. It seals off grooves and crannies that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends sealants for all school-age children. Sealants may last for several years before they need to be replaced, but they need to be checked regularly.
• Drink some tap water. Most public water supplies have added fluoride, which can help reduce tooth decay significantly. If you drink only bottled water that doesn't contain fluoride, you'll miss out on fluoride benefits.
• Avoid frequent snacking and sipping. Whenever you eat or drink beverages other than water, you help your mouth bacteria create acids that can destroy tooth enamel. If you snack or drink throughout the day, your teeth are under constant attack.
• Eat tooth-healthy foods. Some foods and beverages are better for your teeth than others. Avoid foods that get stuck in grooves and pits of your teeth for long periods, or brush soon after eating them. However, foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow, and unsweetened coffee, tea and sugar-free gum help wash away food particles.
• Consider fluoride treatments. Your dentist may recommend periodic fluoride treatments, especially if you aren't getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water and other sources. He or she may also recommend custom trays that fit over your teeth for application of prescription fluoride if your risk of tooth decay is very high.
• Ask about antibacterial treatments. If you're especially vulnerable to tooth decay — for example, because of a medical condition — your dentist may recommend special antibacterial mouth rinses or other treatments to help cut down on harmful bacteria in your mouth.
• Combined treatments. Chewing xylitol-based gum along with prescription fluoride and an antibacterial rinse can help reduce the risk of cavities.

 

Teeth Pain: Common Causes and Ways to Address Them

What kind of pain is it?

Tooth pain can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint. You may experience a radiating ache or nagging pain in your teeth, jaw, ear, forehead, face, or neck. You may also have trouble determining where exactly it’s coming from. Your symptoms may help provide clues. These could include:

• sudden, sharp pain in one or more teeth while running or upon exertion
• sensitivity to temperature changes, such as hot and cold
• persistent, dull ache, ranging from mild to severe (this can be centralized in one tooth or may radiate to or from the ear or nose)
• pulsating, intense pain, which may be accompanied by swelling (this pain may radiate to the ear, jaw, or neck on one side of the head)

Reasons for teeth pain

Some causes of tooth pain include:

Tooth decay

Cavities(dental caries) are holes in the teeth that are caused by decay. Not all cavities hurt at first, and only your dentist can tell if you have one. If pain occurs in just one tooth, you may have a cavity that is becoming large or deep, or is affecting the inside of the tooth. Tooth decay can be caused by poor dental hygiene and by eating sugary foods. It can also be caused by medications that cause dry mouth, such as antacids, antihistamines, and blood pressure medication.

Abscess

A pocket of pus, called a tooth abscess, can occur in various parts of the tooth. Abscesses are caused by bacterial infections. They can also originate from periodontal disease or cavities that have been left untreated. There are two types of abscesses: periodontal abscesses, which occur alongside a tooth near the gum tissue, and periapical abscesses, which are usually caused by decay or injury and are located at the root of the tooth.

Pulpitis

Pulpitis is inflammation of a tooth’s pulp — the tissue within a tooth where the nerves and blood vessels are located. Pulpitis can be caused by untreated cavities or, less commonly, periodontal abscesses. If left untreated, cavities and pulpitis can eventually cause a tooth to die, which would also cause intense pain.

Thinning tooth enamel

Your teeth are protected by enamel — a hard layer designed to shield the nerve endings within. When this layer wears awayyour teeth become sensitive to hot and cold foods, and cold air. Acidic, sweet, and sticky foods can also cause teeth to hurt. Brushing your teeth with too much pressure or with a hard-bristled toothbrush can also wear down tooth enamel over time.

Old dental work or cracked teeth

Very old fillings, cracked fillings, or cracks within the toothcan expose the inner layers of teeth, increasing sensitivity.

Gingival recession (receding gums)

This occurs when gum tissue rises up, pulling away from the tooth. Receding gums expose the tooth’s root, causing sensitivity and pain. It can be caused by overly vigorous brushing, trauma to the mouth, poor oral hygiene, or genetics.

Gum disease (periodontal disease)

Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontitis, a type of gum disease. If left untreated gum disease can escalate breaking down the tissue and bone supporting teeth, causing pain. Inflammation and irritation can also occur.

TMJ disorders

A type of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, TMJ disorders cause pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can also cause pain in the ear. TMJ pain can radiate to teeth and may be accompanied by facial pain or headache. TMJ has a range of causes including grinding teeth (bruxism) and clenching the jaw during sleep. People with this condition may feel more sensitivity when they wake up as a result.

Sinus congestion and infection

Your upper rear teeth may hurt when you have a sinus infection (rhinosinusitis) or your nasal cavities are swollen and feel stuffed. This may feel like dull pressure. You may also have pain around your eyes or forehead. Anything that causes sinus congestion, such as allergies or colds, can cause this effect.

Impacted tooth

Impacted teethare teeth that don’t break through the gumline but stay lodged in gum tissue or bone. Wisdom teeth are the ones most likely to be impacted. Impacted teeth sometimes cause no pain, but may crowd the other teeth in the mouth, if left untreated. They can also cause pain that ranges from a dull, unending ache, to sharp, long-lasting pain. This pain may radiate up to the ear or to one side of the nose.

Diabetes

Frequently high blood sugar can affect the saliva in your mouth, increasing bacteria and plaque. Gum disease, cavities, and tooth pain can all result.

Heart dhttp://isease

Because it’s not always easy to identify the origin of the pain in teeth, it makes sense to see a dentist or doctor. Especially for symptoms that are severe or have lasted longer than a day or two.

Jaw pain can be mistaken for tooth pain but may represent a serious condition, such as anginaor a heart attack.

Go to an emergency room or call 911 immediately if you experience any of these symptoms in addition to pain in your teeth and jaw:

• shortness of breath
• sweating
• nausea
• chest pain

Jaw pain may occur when you physically exert yourself or experience mental stress. Even if the pain comes and goes, a doctor’s immediate attention is required.

Tooth pain treatments

Tooth pain has a wide range of treatments based on the underlying cause.

• Some sinus infectionsrequire antibiotics, but others resolve on their own. Your doctor may recommend decongestants, saline solution, nasal corticosteroids, or antihistamines.
• If you have thin tooth enamel, you may get relief by using a sensitivity toothpaste.
• Sipping more water may also help reduce dry mouth.
• Reducing your intake of acidic or sugary foods can also help preserve the tooth enamel you have left.
• Make sure to brush regularly to remove plaque. This will help reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. Don’t brush too vigorously, as this may adversely affect tooth enamel.
• Have regular dental checkups so a dentist can assess the overall condition of your mouth, including old dental work.
• If you have cavities, filling them will eliminate tooth pain.
• If you have old or cracked fillings, replacing them will also eliminate pain.
• TMJ disorders are sometimes temporary and resolve on their own. If you have chronic tooth pain and jaw pain, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard you can wear at nightto reduce teeth grinding. You may also benefit from lifestyle changes that reduce anxiety and activities such as meditation, walks, and yoga.
• Gum infections and abscesses may require antibiotics or antibacterial rinses. Your dentist may also need to clean out the area around the affected tooth. 

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What a doctor can do

If you have diabetes or heart disease your doctor will determine the best course of action for your condition as well as an appropriate treatment for symptoms like tooth pain.

There are several dental procedures that can address the underlying cause:

• If you have advanced periodontal disease, your dentist or a specialist known as a periodontist may do deep cleaning procedures designed to remove tartar and plaque from below the gumline. Other procedures, such as deep cleaning or dental surgery, may be required.
• Impacted teeth are typically removed by an oral surgeon.
• A tooth that is cracked or damaged may require a root canal if the nerve has died or been damaged beyond repair. Pulpitis and dental abscesses may also be treated this way. In some instances, a tooth extraction may be used to completely remove the tooth.

The takeaway

Maintaining good dental habitsis your best way to avoid many causes of tooth pain. Brush and floss daily, but not too hard or with a brush with stiff bristles.

Tooth pain has a wide range of causes. If your pain is constant or doesn’t resolve quickly, see a dentist or doctor. They can help you become pain free more quickly. Some causes of tooth pain are more serious than others. Seeing a professional is your best bet for determining the right fix.

दंत चिकित्सा! Dental Care

 

दंत चिकित्सा का मतलब है अपने दांतों और मुंह को स्वस्थ और साफ रखना ताकि दांतों की समस्याओं जैसे कैविटी, मसूड़ों की बीमारी और मुंह की दुर्गंध से बचा जा सके। अच्छी दंत चिकित्सा में नियमित गतिविधियाँ शामिल हैं जैसे दिन में कम से कम दो बार ब्रश करना, रोज़ाना फ्लॉस करना और नियमित रूप से डेंटिस्ट के पास जाकर जांच और सफाई कराना।

Can you heal a cavity?Can you fix cavities at home?What can you do for a cavity in your teeth?

 Can you heal a cavity?'

Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity.

Can you fix cavities at home?

The bottom line. Vitamin D, oil pulling, licorice lollipops, chewing gum, and other home remedies won't get rid of existing cavities on their own. But these methods may keep cavities from getting bigger and prevent new ones from coming

What can you do for a cavity in your teeth?

Treatment options include:

1. Fluoride treatments. If your cavity just started, a fluoride treatment may help restore your tooth's enamel and can sometimes reverse a cavity in the very early stages. ...
2. Fillings. ...
3. Crowns. ...
4. Root canals. ...
5. Tooth extractions.

Junk food effects on health/ body/ teeth and stomach

 Good Morning friends

I Hope you enjoyed junk food like i am also foody but a few day back i understand its bad effects on health.

I regularly eat pizza and macroni due to which my weight increased tremendously and i feel panic. i visited doctor and he told me stop eating outsinde food otherwise you will not live more than 6 months. after hearing the same i was shocked and stopped eating anything even homely food but later on i realised the bad and good effects of junk food and homely food.

Junk food didn't gave me any nutrient and only fulfill my hunger and create so many problems in my health but homely food give me proteins vitamins and nutrients which improved my life and i started recovering from bad life.

i advised all of you to eat homely food as it gives your body all proteins vitamins and good for healthy life.

What is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)?

 

What is acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)?

ALL is cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. The bone marrow makes white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and platelets. WBCs help fight infection. RBCs help carry oxygen throughout the body. Platelets help the blood clot. ALL causes your body to make too many immature (young) white blood cells (WBC). These cells are cancer (leukemia) cells, and cannot fight infection like healthy WBCs. Cancer cells crowd the bone marrow and prevent it from making healthy blood cells. Without enough healthy blood cells, you are at risk for infection, bleeding, and anemia. Anemia is a low level of red blood cells.

Liver disease

 

Liver disease

Overview

 

The liver is an organ about the size of a football. It sits just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances.

Liver disease can be inherited (genetic). Liver problems can also be caused by a variety of factors that damage the liver, such as viruses, alcohol use and obesity.

Over time, conditions that damage the liver can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. But early treatment may give the liver time to heal.

 

Liver problems

Liver problems that can occur include fatty liver disease and cirrhosis. The liver and its cells — as seen through a microscope — change dramatically when a normal liver becomes fatty or cirrhotic.

Symptoms

Liver disease doesn't always cause noticeable signs and symptoms. If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, the may include:

Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)

Abdominal pain and swelling

Swelling in the legs and ankles

Itchy skin

Dark urine color

Pale stool color

Chronic fatigue

Nausea or vomiting

Loss of appetite

Tendency to bruise easily

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you. Seek immediate medical attention if you have abdominal pain that is so severe that you can't stay still.

 

The liver

The liver is your largest internal organ. About the size of a football, it's located mainly in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and above your stomach.

Causes

Liver disease has many causes.

Infection

Parasites and viruses can infect the liver, causing inflammation that reduces liver function. The viruses that cause liver damage can be spread through blood or semen, contaminated food or water, or close contact with a person who is infected. The most common types of liver infection are hepatitis viruses, including:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Immune system abnormality

Diseases in which your immune system attacks certain parts of your body (autoimmune) can affect your liver. Examples of autoimmune liver diseases include:

Autoimmune hepatitis

Primary biliary cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Genetics

An abnormal gene inherited from one or both of your parents can cause various substances to build up in your liver, resulting in liver damage. Genetic liver diseases include:

Hemochromatosis

Wilson's disease

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Cancer and other growths

Examples include:

Liver cancer

Bile duct cancer

Liver adenoma

Other

Additional, common causes of liver disease include:

Chronic alcohol abuse

Fat accumulation in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)

Certain prescription or over-the-counter medications

Certain herbal compounds

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include:

Heavy alcohol use

Obesity

Type 2 diabetes

Tattoos or body piercings

Injecting drugs using shared needles

Blood transfusion before 1992

Exposure to other people's blood and body fluids

Unprotected sex

Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins

Family history of liver disease

Complications

Complications of liver disease vary, depending on the cause of your liver problems. Untreated liver disease may progress to liver failure, a life-threatening condition.

Prevention

To prevent liver disease:

Drink alcohol in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. Heavy or high-risk drinking is defined as more than eight drinks a week for women and more than 15 drinks a week for men.

Avoid risky behavior. Use a condom during sex. If you choose to have tattoos or body piercings, be picky about cleanliness and safety when selecting a shop. Seek help if you use illicit intravenous drugs, and don't share needles to inject drugs.

Get vaccinated. If you're at increased risk of contracting hepatitis or if you've already been infected with any form of the hepatitis virus, talk to your doctor about getting the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines.

Use medications wisely. Take prescription and nonprescription drugs only when needed and only in recommended doses. Don't mix medications and alcohol. Talk to your doctor before mixing herbal supplements or prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Avoid contact with other people's blood and body fluids. Hepatitis viruses can be spread by accidental needle sticks or improper cleanup of blood or body fluids.

Keep your food safe. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing foods. If traveling in a developing country, use bottled water to drink, wash your hands and brush your teeth.

Take care with aerosol sprays. Make sure to use these products in a well-ventilated area, and wear a mask when spraying insecticides, fungicides, paint and other toxic chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Protect your skin. When using insecticides and other toxic chemicals, wear gloves, long sleeves, a hat and a mask so that chemicals aren't absorbed through your skin.

Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Diagnosis

Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is important in guiding treatment. Your doctor is likely to start with a health history and thorough physical examination.

Your doctor may then recommend:

Blood tests. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions.

Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.

Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that's sent to a lab for testing.

 

Ultrasound of liver tumor

An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image. This ultrasound shows a liver tumor.

 

Liver biopsy

A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. Liver biopsy is commonly performed by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver.

Treatment

Treatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may require surgery.

Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Changing certain lifestyle habits can often help improve your liver health. If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, your doctor may recommend that you:

Drink alcohol sparingly, if at all.

Avoid red meat, trans fats, processed carbohydrates and foods with high-fructose corn syrup.

Exercise 30 to 60 minutes around three to four times a week at a moderate intensity.

Cut calories by 500 to 1,000 calories daily, if you're overweight.

Alternative medicine

No alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat liver disease. Some studies have indicated possible benefits, but further research is needed.

On the other hand, some dietary and herbal supplements can harm your liver. More than a thousand medications and herbal products have been associated with liver damage, including:

Vitamin A

Ma-huang

Germander

Valerian

Mistletoe

Skullcap

Chaparral

Comfrey

Kava

Pennyroyal oil

To protect your liver, it's important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks before you take any complementary or alternative medicines.

Preparing for an appointment

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the liver (hepatologist).

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as not eating solid food on the day before your appointment.

Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment.

Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements.

Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.

Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life.

Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says.

Write down a list of questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?

Are my liver problems likely temporary or long lasting?

What treatments are available?

Should I stop taking certain medications or supplements?

Do I need to stop drinking alcohol?

I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?

Are my children at risk for liver disease?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:

When did you first begin experiencing symptoms, and how severe are they? Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?

Does anything seem to improve your symptoms, or make them worse?

Have you ever had your skin or eyes turn yellow?

What medications and supplements do you take?

How many days of the week do you drink alcohol?

Do you have any tattoos?

Does your job involve exposure to chemicals, blood or body fluids?

Have you ever had a blood transfusion?

Have you been told that you have had liver problems before?

Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with liver disease?

 

Ways to Improve Your Eyesight

 Ways to Improve Your Eyesight

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Getting regular eye checkups is just one of many ways you can improve your eyesight and prevent injuries or illnesses that could harm your vision. Keep reading to learn other ways you can improve your vision.

1. Get enough key vitamins and minerals

Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as the mineral zinc, contain antioxidants that can help prevent macular degeneration. It’s a condition in which the macula — the part of the eye that controls central vision — deteriorates.

Food sources for these important nutrients include a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits, such as:

• carrots
• red peppers
• broccoli
• spinach
• strawberries
• sweet potato
• citrus

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and flaxseed, are also recommended for better eye health.

2. Don’t forget the carotenoids

A few other nutrients are also keys to improving eyesight. Among them are lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids found in the retina. You can also find them in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, zucchini, and eggs.

Lutein and zeaxanthin can also be taken in supplement form. These carotenoids help protect the macula by improving pigment density in that part of the eye, and absorbing ultraviolent and blue light.

Yes, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help your eyes, not just your waistline. Type 2 diabetes, which is more common in people who are overweight or obese, can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the eyes.

This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Too much sugar circulating in your bloodstream injures the delicate walls of your arteries. Diabetic retinopathy causes the very small arteries in your retina — the light-sensitive back part of the eye — to leak blood and fluid into the eye, harming your vision.

Getting your blood sugar levels checked regularly and staying fit and trim can lower your odds of developing type 2 diabetes and its many complications.

4. Manage chronic conditions

Diabetes isn’t the only disease that can affect your vision. Other conditions such as high blood pressure and multiple sclerosis, can affect your eyesight. These conditions are linked to chronic inflammation, which can harm your health from head to toe.

Inflammation of the optic nerve, for example, can cause pain and even complete vision loss. While a disease such as multiple sclerosis can’t be prevented, you can try to manage it with healthy habits and medications.

High blood pressure can be effectively treated with a heart-healthy diet, exercise and antihypertensive medications.

5. Wear protective eyewear

Whether you’re playing racquetball, working in your garage, or doing a science experiment in school, it’s vital that you protect your eyes with appropriate eyewear.

Tough, protective eyewear is essential if there is a risk of chemicals, sharp objects, or materials such as wood shavings, metal shards, or even a stray elbow during a basketball game, entering your eye.

Many protective goggles are made with a type of polycarbonate, which is about 10 times tougher than other forms of plastic.

6. That includes sunglasses

Sunglasses aren’t just for looking cool. Wearing shades is one of the most important steps you can take when it comes to improving your eyesight. You want sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation from sunlight.

Sunglasses help protect your eyes from conditions that stem from eye damage. These include cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium — a growth of tissue over the white part of the eye. Pterygiums can lead to astigmatism, which can cause blurred vision.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can also help protect your eyes from sun damage.

7. Follow the 20-20-20 rule

Your eyes work hard during the day and need a break now and then. The strain can be especially intense if you work at a computer for long stretches at a time. To ease the strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule

That means every 20 minutes, you should stop staring at your computer and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

8. Quit smoking

You know smoking is bad for your lungs and your heart, not to mention your hair, skin, teeth, and just about every other body part. That includes your eyes, too. Smoking dramatically raises your risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Fortunately, your eyes, lungs, heart, and other body parts can start to recover from years of tobacco-induced harm within the first hours of quitting. And the longer you can avoid cigarettes, the more your blood vessels will benefit and inflammation will ease off throughout your eyes and the rest of you.

9. Learn your family’s eye health history

Some eye conditions are hereditary, so being aware of eye conditions that your parents or grandparents had can help you take precautions.

Hereditary conditions include:

• glaucoma
• retinal degeneration
• age-related macular degeneration
• optic atrophy

Understanding your family history can help you take early precautions

10. Keep your hands and lenses clean

Your eyes are especially vulnerable to germs and infections. Even things that just irritate your eyes can affect your vision. For those reasons, you should always wash your hands before touching your eyes or handling your contact lenses.

It’s also super important to wash your hands,

You should also replace your contact lenses as advised by the manufacturer or your doctor. Germs in your contact lenses can lead to bacterial infections of the eyes