Solar Eclipses: Causes Corneal Flash Burns

Total Solar Eclipses

A very rare phenomenon will take place in Indonesia on March 9, 2016. We will see a total solar eclipse in Indonesia on that day at some area traversed by it. The Indonesia Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) said that it takes 350 years to be able to see the total solar eclipse in the same place. That means, the opportunity to witness this phenomenon in one place might be only happens once in a lifetime.

Observing the sun at any time, including during a total solar eclipse without any protective equipment is very dangerous and can cause serious damage to the eyes. It is happened when sunlight (ultraviolet) with high intensity go through the eye pupil, focused on the retina, then can lead to an increase in free radicals and the damage to the thermal / photo-chemical against photo-receptor cells in the retina. This kind of injury is called Corneal Flash Burns or Ultraviolet Keratitis.

Radiation damage to the cornea leading to a flash burn can be caused by ultraviolet light from various sources:

• Direct sunlight
• Solar eclipse
• Welding torch
• Reflection of sunlight off water
• Reflection of the sun off the snow at high elevation (snow blindness)
• Photographer’s flood lamp
• Halogen lamp

Symptoms of Corneal Flash Burns:

At the time of corneal flash burns occur then the symptoms will appear as:

• Pain that can be mild to very severe
• Light sensitivity
• Excessive tearing (watery eyes)
• Blurry vision
• Bloodshot eyes

First Aid For Corneal Flash Burns:

First aid if you are experiencing this kind of condition:

• If you are experiencing eye pain and wear contact lenses, remove them immediately.

• Sunglasses may help if your eyes are sensitive to light.

• Over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricants may improve the discomfort in your eye.

• In most cases it is advisable to consult a doctor.

To prevent damage to the cornea, wear protective eyeglasses that are coated to protect the cornea from ultraviolet light. The labels on the sunglasses indicate the level of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection.

Cholesterol: How To Lower it

Cholesterol - Definition:

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance found in the blood. Cholesterol is also present in every cell in the body including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestine and heart. Cholesterol isn’t all bad. In fact, cholesterol is an essential fat. 

Cholesterol is essential to the formation of bile acids, vitamin D, progesterone, estrogens, androgens , mineralocorticoid hormones (aldosterone, corticosterone), and cortisol. It provides stability in every cell of our body. 

Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. It must be transported through bloodstream.  To travel through the bloodstream, cholesterol has to be transported by helper molecules called lipoprotein, which got their name because they’re made of fat (lipid) and proteins.  

Two important kinds of lipoproteins are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – “The Good Cholesterol”

High density lipoproteins are the smallest and densest lipoproteins, and contain a high proportion of protein. They are synthesized in the liver as empty proteins and they pick up cholesterol and increase in size as they circulate through the bloodstream. This is a good cholesterol.

To counteract the disease process, a type of white blood cells macrophages go into artery walls and the apoA on the HDLs interacts with cholesterol transport proteins located in the outer cell membrane of the macrophages. Through this interaction, HDLs draw cholesterol out the macrophages and bring it back into solution in your blood and then to your liver. 

Because HDL can remove cholesterol from the arteries, and transport it back to the liver for excretion, they are seen as "good" lipoproteins. 

The other functions of HDL are:

• HDLs can deliver triglycerides and cholesterol to your liver, where the triglycerides can be used for energy and the cholesterol can be used in the formation of bile.
• HDLs can also participate in some of your immune response to pathogen. For examples, they can bind to and neutralize bacterial toxins and suppress the development of infections.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – “The Bad Cholesterol”

LDL is called low-density lipoprotein because LDL particles tend to be less dense than other kinds of cholesterol particles. LDL collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing the blockages of atherosclerosis. Here’s how high amounts of LDL cholesterol lead to plaque growth and atherosclerosis:

• Some LDL cholesterol tends to deposit in the walls of arteries. This process starts as early as childhood or adolescence.
• White blood cells swallow and try to digest the LDL, possibly in an attempt to protect the blood vessels. In the proses, the white cells convert the LDL to a toxic (oxidized) form.
• More white blood cells and other cells migrate to the area, creating low-grade inflammation in the artery wall.
• Over time, more LDL cholesterol and cells collect in the area. The process creates a bump in the artery wall called plaque. Plaque is made of cholesterol, the body’s cells and debris.
• The process continues, growing the plaque and slowly blocking the artery.

An even greater danger than slow blockage is a sudden rupture of the surface of the plaque. A blood clot can form on the ruptured area. And that can lead to a heart attack.

How To Reduce LDL Cholesterol

Right lifestyle choices that can lower cholesterol and your overall risk typically start with a diet and exercise plan. LDL cholesterol-lowering diet is low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. Regular aerobic exercise lowers LDL cholesterol even further and increase HDL or good cholesterol. If diet and exercise don’t lower LDL levels enough, drug treatment may be need. 

Remember, many factors besides cholesterol affect your risk of heart disease. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and lack of exercise are also important contributors. Lowering LDL cholesterol is a good start, and it’s more important to reduce these other risk factor as well.

Constipation: Symptoms and Remedies

Definition of Constipation

Constipation is difficulty or infrequently bowel movements and is a common digestive problem. In general, you may have constipation if the frequency of bowel movements less than three times a week as well as hard and dry stool. Fortunately, most cases of constipation are temporary. Simple lifestyle changes, such as exercising more, drink more and eat high-fiber, can reduce the occurrence of constipation. For some cases are chronic and needs remedies.

Symptoms of Constipation

Complain of no bowel movement in a day does not mean constipation. You may have constipation, if you have at least two of the signs and symptoms following here:

• Defecation is less than three times a week
• Hard stools
• Excessive straining during bowel movements
• Feel like clogged anus
• Sense of incomplete defecation 
• Needs to use manual actions to defecate, like massaging fingers on the lower abdomen

Causes of Constipation

Constipation most often occurs when the stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract, causes the stool becomes hard and dried. Typically, waste product of digestion (stool) is pushed through the intestines by muscle contractions. In the large intestine, most of the water and salt will be absorbed because they are important for body function. However, when there is not enough fluids, no food rich in fiber or if the colon muscle contractions slow then the stool will harden, dry and pass through the colon very slowly.

Factors that may cause slow movement of stool in the colon are:

• Inadequate fluid intake or dehydration
• Inadequate amount of fiber in consumed food
• Ignoring or delaying the urge / sensation to defecate
• Lack of physical activity (especially in older adults)
• Gestation
• Aging
• Frequent use or abuse of laxatives
• Problems with the colon and rectum such as bowel obstruction or diverticulosis
• Hemorrhoids and anal fissures which cause muscle spasms of anal sphincter

Complications

Although constipation is annoyed, but usually is not serious. If it continues, it can lead to certain complications such as:

• Hemorrhoids or fissures in the anus, may be caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle
• Rectal prolapse, occurs when small amounts of rectal tissue is pushed out of the anus
• Lazy Bowel Syndrome, can occur if the frequent use of laxatives

Tests and Diagnosis

The doctor will look at your medical history and perform a physical exam and ask about all drugs consumed. Further testing is usually needed for people with severe symptoms or for parents with complaints of constipation that just happened.

Diagnostic procedures include:

• Barium enema x-ray, in this test the intestinal lining is coated with a contrast dye (barium) so that the rectum, colon and sometimes part of the small intestine can be seen clearly on x-ray
• X-ray of the anorectal area (defecography)
• Examination of the rectum, and sigmoid colon (sigmoidoscopy), this procedure will be lighted; flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to examine the rectum and lower part of the colon
• Examination of the rectum and entire colon (colonoscopy)
• Evaluation of anal sphincter muscle function (anorectal manometry)

Remedies for Constipation

In most cases, simple changes in diet and lifestyle can help relieve symptoms and manage constipation, include:

• Diets high in fiber: at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day; high-fiber foods for example nuts, seeds, fruits and fresh vegetables; limit foods that have little or no fiber such as cheese, meat and processed foods
  • Regular exercise: physical activity may help stimulate bowel activity
  • Sufficient fluid intake: drinking plenty of water will help soften the stool
  • Take time to defecate: do not ignore the urge to defecate
• Laxatives: use of drugs should be considered only if diet and lifestyle changes are not effective.

There are several types of laxatives:

• Fiber supplements, considered as the safest (FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl, and Citrucel)
• Stimulants cause rhythmic contractions in the intestine (Correctol, Dulcolax and Senokot)
• Lubricants allows stool to move through the intestine (Mineral Oil and Fleet)
• A stool softener serves to moisten the stool and helps prevent lack of fluids (Colace and Surfak)

If complaints of constipation still persist after lifestyle changes or medical treatment, the doctor may recommend a surgical procedure or manual.

Prevention

1. Consuming foods that are high in fiber, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grain cereals and breads from about 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day
2. Limit foods that are low in fiber such as ice cream, cheese and processed foods
3. Drink lots of water
4. Limit intake of caffeine: caffeine can worsen the symptoms of constipation by causing dehydration
5. Regular exercise such as walking, cycling or swimming to help stimulate bowel function
6. Do not ignore the urge to defecate, the longer the delay, the more water is absorbed from the feces so the stool becomes hard and tend to become constipation