Wet ARMD
Seeing eye drugs clearly
By now you've probably heard of or met someone suffering from age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), which is the leading cause of blindness among seniors. Its worst form -- called "wet" ARMD -- is difficult to treat, and often includes painful, dangerous treatments like surgery or injections of medication.
One of the most popular of these treatments, an injection called Macugen, was recently discovered to cause some serious side effects that I think you should know about -- and speak to your doctor about -- if you're seeking treatment for ARMD.
In a recent letter to doctors, drug giant Pfizer -- Macugen's maker -- revealed that some patients have suffered from angiodema, a hives-like reaction beneath your skin that causes swelling around the eyes, lips, genitals, hands, and feet. This problem can also creep into your tissues and, if untreated, can obstruct your airways and lead to suffocation.
If your doctor advises Macugen injections, make sure that he tests you for any allergies or sensitivities that could put you in danger.
In the meantime, here are some natural remedies that, while not proven, may be able to help prevent macular degeneration without putting you at risk for other complications.
The AREDS formula -- In a recently concluded clinical trial called the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), government scientists discovered that nutritional therapy can diminish the effects of ARMD. The end result was the AREDS formula, which has become popular among ARMD sufferers. Its contents include high doses of beta-carotene, vitamins C (500 mg) and E (400 units), zinc (80 mg), and copper (2 mg). The actual formula used in the study is widely available and is sold as Ocuvite by Bausch and Lomb, but I believe you're better off with a formula called EyePromise, which has extra zeaxanthin and a lower dose of zinc (only 30 mg). Make sure you're getting copper from a multivitamin, because zinc can deplete the copper you store in your body. You'd also be better off including at least 1,000 mg daily of EPA from fish oil, which has also been shown to help fend off ARMD.
Foods high in carotenoids -- Carrots, zucchini, red peppers, blueberries, and other yellow-orange and leafy green vegetables all contain high levels of antioxidants and carotenoids that are useful in protecting your eyes from ARMD.
Zeaxanthin and lutein - The buzz about these two nutrients has grown so widespread that the government is sponsoring a second clinical trial (AREDS II) to study their protective benefits to the eye. Try ZeaVision's EyePromise formula, which contains one of the largest dosages of zeaxanthin available.
To learn more about ARMD, be sure to read the June issue of my newsletter. I'll go into detail about the different risk factors you may face for developing this disease, and how to head macular degeneration off at the start.
A peppermint pick-you-up to reduce daytime drowsiness
If you're struggling just to keep your eyes open, don't worry. There's an interesting and completely natural cure for drowsiness.
In a recent study, English scientists decided to investigate whether peppermint really has invigorating qualities that can fight off drowsiness. To figure it out, researchers asked a group of people to listen to a sleep-inducing tape, while having some of them inhale peppermint oil.
When the test was over, the people who inhaled the peppermint showed fewer signs of sleepiness. And since peppermint oil is harmless, easy to find, and cheap, I say try it.
One peppermint product that I like -- and that I use myself -- is called Sports Inhaler from a company based in Seattle called Healthcare International. The vapors from this little inhaler are pure peppermint, and some athletes use the inhaler as a natural alternative to banned performance-enhancing drugs. To find a store near you, go to www.sportsinhaler.com.
Quit smoking, naturally
Even though I'm not a smoker, watching hundreds of patients try and fail (and try and succeed) at quitting has taught me a thing or two about how difficult is can be to kick the habit.
The fact is, nicotine gum doesn't taste good and most people don't want to wear a patch. In the end, it all comes down to determination. Here's some advice I give to patients who are interested in quitting, but who can't seem to muster up the will power.
Change your environment. If your patio and living room is littered with ashtrays and lighters, and your house reeks of smoke, you're going to face constant reminders of the habit you're trying to give up. So throw out all that smoking paraphernalia and get your carpet and upholstery steam cleaned. It will be much easier to forget your bad habit when you're no longer breathing in its lingering odor.
Keep a journal. No, not a "Dear Diary" type of journal, but a log of what triggers your urges to smoke. Is it a stressful conversation with an overbearing mother? Financial issues? A fight with a friend? Know what causes your craving and you'll have a better idea of how to control it.
Get support. Tell your friends, your doctor, your family, and your coworkers that you're quitting, and ask them to help you stick to it. That may mean getting pestered when you slip up and smoke. Well, too bad. That's what friends are for. And if their pestering bothers you, use that as additional incentive to quit smoking.
Cut down on stress. The majority of smokers cite stress as one of the biggest obstacles in quitting. Identify the most stressful parts of your life and try to fix them. If they're unfixable, try to learn good coping mechanisms.
Take supplements. One reason that medications prescribed for quitting smoking work is that they increase the your brain's levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps us regulate our thoughts and behaviors. But if you don't want to go the prescription route, there are some vitamins and supplements thought improve your dopamine levels, including magnesium, vitamin B complex, tyrosine, and Ashwagandha. Your local vitamin store should be able to help you track these products down.
