Conditions

What causes COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Smoking tobacco is the most common cause of COPD. Other factors such as air pollution and genetics play smaller roles. Typically these exposures must occur over several decades before symptoms develop.  Smoking tobacco - This is the most common cause of COPD. Twenty per cent of smokers will develop COPD. Among lifelong smokers, about half will develop COPD. Women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoke than men. …

What kind of screening tests should I undergo? Here are some guidelines, according to American Diabetic Association Adults and children aged >10 years with Type 1 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist within 5 years of the onset of diabetes. Patients with Type 2 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist shortly after the diagnosis of diabetes.…

Its important to maintain good metabolic control in order to prevent or slow progression of retinopathy.  Good metabolic control is important to manage this early stage. Manage your blood glucose level and your blood pressure. Targets of HbA1c <7%, BP <130/80 mmHg (SMBP <125/75 mmHg) should be achieved to improve vision, prevent or slow progression of retinopathy. Lipid and kidney status should also be controlled. Let your doctor know if you are experiencing diminished vision or…

Treatment depends on the stage of Diabetic retinopathy  Early nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) Let your doctor know if you are experiencing diminished vision or any other eye problems like blurriness.  Retinal imaging (Fundus Fluorescein Angiography, Optical Coherence Tomography) followed by retinal laser treatment is indicated in this stage of retinopathy. Recently, Intravitreal injections (injections in the eye), which maybe Anti VEGF (Avastin, Lucentis) or steroid…

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy are:  Early nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) This is the early stage when the patient is usually asymptomatic or has mild blurring of vision. On examination, the eye care provider may find the following when looking into the patient’s eye with an opthalmoscope: Microaneurysm (small, red dots often in a punctuate pattern) with or without swelling of the retina Dot and sparse blot haemorrhages (red, round or blot-shaped in the inner nuclear layer or…

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy are: Blurring or haziness of vision Spots or lines in field of vision – Floaters Diminished vision, which may vary from mild decrease in reading vision (macular edema) to total loss of vision due to bleeding (vitreous haemorrhage).

Can it be prevented A holistic approach – controlling blood sugar, hypertension, dyslipemia  and kidney status with a good exercise routine -  is the best preventive measure. What kind of screening tests should I undergo? Here are some guidelines, according to American Diabetic Association Adults and children aged >10 years with Type 1 diabetes should have an initial dilated and comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist within 5 years of the onset of…

Are you at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy  Yes, if you have: Persistent hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)  Diabetes of more than 5-years duration Albuminuria (too much protein in the urine>30mg in 24hours) Hypertension Dyslipemia

These measures can help you manage the progression of diabetic neuropathy: Keep your blood pressure under control. Having both high blood pressure and diabetes greatly increases your risk of complications because both damage your blood vessels and reduce blood flow. Try to keep your blood pressure in the range your doctor recommends. Make sure you check in regularly.  Make healthy food choices. Eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods, especially fruits, vegetables and…