What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve of the eye. Due to elevated pressure or build-up of fluid, the optic nerve gradually deteriorates, and blind spots develop in the visual field. Furthermore, glaucoma is considered the leading cause of blindness among the senior population. This disease category encompasses many eye conditions that can affect a person without warning.
However, glaucoma doesn't only affect the elderly. Infants or children can be diagnosed with glaucoma at birth or even in the early stages of life. Underlying medical conditions in such cases may damage the optic nerve. African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics are more prone to the disease. In addition, conditions such as eye trauma, diabetes, high blood pressure, sickle cell anemia, and heart disease can contribute to glaucoma.
Oftentimes, vision changes may come on gradually, and individuals don't realize the danger until the disease is in its advanced stage.
Signs and causes of glaucoma
Modern medicine does not know precisely the reasons for the fluid pressure buildup that can cause nerve damage and lead to glaucoma. However, a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, contributes to keeping your eyes healthy. Symptoms of glaucoma vary greatly and depend on the individual's particular condition.
Some signs include:
- Blind spots or patches in peripheral or central vision
- Tunnel vision
- Blurred vision
- Halos
- Eye pain
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Eye redness
It's essential to promptly consult your doctor or even go to the emergency room as glaucoma will cause blindness if left untreated. If glaucoma runs in your family, get regular check-ups as the condition is genetic.
Treatment for glaucoma
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Because the effects of glaucoma are irreversible and lead to blindness, seniors must have regular eye exams and appropriate testing.
If caught early, glaucoma symptoms can be managed or even prevented. But, once diagnosed, the condition requires lifelong treatment and management. Doctors can lower eye pressure and manage glaucoma with medications, prescription eye drops, and sometimes laser/microsurgery.
How can acupuncture help?
Acupuncture is particularly beneficial in patients with glaucoma. Since acupuncture increases the blood flow in the arteries, the treatment optimizes brain and eye pressure.
Researchers at the Department of ophthalmology at the University Hospital in Dresden, Germany, determined positive short-term effects of acupuncture in regulating blood flow. The results were consistent and promised exponential improvement, particularly in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
Find the best acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture will provide sensory stimulation that has shown great promise for slowing down symptom progression and even reversing.
Your acupuncturist will determine the appropriate meridians for the treatment depending on your particular condition. Contact Fast Relief Acupuncture today to learn more about treatment and your specific options.
Hi,
My Name is John Kim
I have been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000. When I first started my acupuncture career, my primary goal as a practitioner was to help people anguishing from living with pain everyday of their lives. I have seen on numerous occasions what chronic pain can do to a person physically but also seen how it can debilitate a person’s psyche as well.
Throughout the years, I have studied, developed and incorporated a very unique treatment protocol that has successfully treated and effectively reduced pain levels on chronic pain patients. I have combined traditional methods of acupuncture along with modern, research proven techniques to help reduce chronic pain symptoms in a safe, non- chemically addictive, and effective process.
If you have any of the following:
- Headache/ Migraine
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Do not hesitate and contact me!
I am here to help you to feel your very best!