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Learning About Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment and Research

Welcome to my site, my name is Jess Indaja. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after struggling with my weight throughout my teen years and adulthood. My doctor informed me about all of the dangers associated with my diet and exercise habits. I was encouraged to change the way I ate and moved in an effort to reverse my blood sugar problem. I made the changes, but still struggle with controlling my blood sugar. After going through this trying situation, I decided to make a site that may help others with problems associated with type 2 diabetes. I will discuss diagnostic procedures, treatments and medical research concerning this disease. I hope you visit often and learn all you can to control your type 2 diabetes or help others with this condition.

Learning About Diabetes Diagnosis, Treatment and Research

Everything You Should Know About Cataracts

by Carla Hudson

As many people get older, their vison may start to degrade. However, in some cases, it's actually cataracts that are making you think you need glasses. Cataracts are incredibly common, and while harmless, they can be annoying and make life hard. If you would like to know more, keep reading.

What Causes Cataracts?

Your eye has a clear lens that it uses to see the world. However, as many people get older, the proteins and fibers in the lens may gradually break down. This thickens the lens and causes it to become less flexible. As a result, a cataract forms, clouding the lens.

While they are more common in older Americans, cataracts can affect younger people who have experienced damage to the lens. Similarly, you can be born with congenital cataracts or cataracts may develop in childhood. These are typically caused by genetics or intrauterine trauma.

As with any condition, there are many risk factors that increase your chances of getting cataracts. Besides getting older, the biggest risk factor is an unhealthy lifestyle. Smoking drastically increases your risk but having an unhealthy diet can also increase your risk because you are more likely to struggle with diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Other risk factors include lots of exposure to sunlight, eye surgery, eye injury, and drinking.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts develop slowly. Therefore, at first, you may simply believe your vision is getting worse. You may experience blurring, which can be corrected with glasses and light. However, as the cataracts advance, glasses and light won't be enough to see clearly.

Major symptoms of cataracts include clouded vision, difficulty seeing at night, dim vision, seeing halos around lights, sensitivity to glare, and double vision. In severe cataracts, people can see them because they visibly make your lens look clouded or white.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Your doctor will easily be able to spot if you have cataracts, and some tests include visual acuity test to see how well you can see letters and a retinal exam for the doctor to see your retina. At first, you can fight minor cataracts with glasses, but cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts and treat severe symptoms.

During the procedure, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one. This is an outpatient procedure, and you don't need general anesthesia for the treatment, so you don't need to worry about the risks that come with most surgeries.

Cataracts may be common, but that doesn't mean you have to live with them. Many Americans undergo cataract surgery to regain their vision. If you would like to know more, contact an eye doctor in your area today.

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