Common Causes Of Macular Degeneration And How To Deal With It

Age-related macular degeneration, typically abbreviated to AMD, is caused by damage to the macula's delicate cells - a process that gradually prevents it from working as the cells become worn out. This can cause vision loss if left unchecked, and age-related macular degeneration is currently the leading cause of registered blindness in the western world.

However, this is different to total blindness, since only central eyesight is affected; almost all AMD sufferers retain their peripheral vision.

Despite being one of the eye's most important components, few people know about the crucial role played by the macula. This small area in the middle of the retina governs the central part of our field of vision, processing sharp details for tasks like reading and writing.

There are two main types of macular degeneration - wet and dry. Also known as advanced AMD, the former involves leaking blood vessels under the macula, and it develops from the more common and insidious dry type, which is caused by a build97up of cellular debris. One eye often deteriorates before the other, making the condition harder to recognize, and many people's first experience of AMO is a gradually expanding blurred or dark spot in their central vision. Other early symptoms include straight lines appearing distorted, or a blurring of objects, along with light sensitivity and "Seeing" colors that aren't actually there.

The exact causes of age-related macular degeneration are not fully understood, although the elderly and people with a family history of the condition are at greater risk. Recent research has indicated a link between smoking and AMD; risk rates double and onset takes place considerably earlier, much like the established links between smoking and lung cancer.

Obesity and high cholesterol or blood pressure can also heighten the risks, whereas a diet including green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in zinc or vitamins C and E can help the eyes to fight off macular degeneration.

Since excessive exposure to sunlight over many years may contribute to the disease's onset, this is another reason to invest in effective sun protection eyewear, and perhaps stay away from cheap contact lenses which may offer little if any protection.

We can test for AMD in several ways, often by dilating the pupils and then using retinal photography to map any changes taking place in the macula. If there are any signs of damage at this stage, your Optometrist may refer you to an eye specialist.

Various treatments are currently available to slow down any deterioration or even partially reverse the onset of some types of AMD. Because age-related macular degeneration is painless and can take years to fully manifest, you may not recognize its symptoms, especially if you have been wearing discount contact lenses - and as with so many conditions, regular eye examinations are essential to assist with early diagnosis and any course of treatment.

Article Marketing Success Tips

Marketing with articles can be a little bit tricky at times. At first glance it looks really easy and simple, but there's a lot of work involved with it. Writing them properly is a bit more involved than most people even realize or know. Submission is usually more complicated than the average internet marketer counts on. But the silver lining is there are many helpful things you can take advantage of. There are services like Unique Article Wizard that can make life a lot easier, and one called Linkvana which is great for growing backlinks. Marketing with articles does not have to be intimidating or tough. So let's press on and find out some profitable tips you can put to use right away.

Every day, try to devote some time to article writing. It's really best to take your time with your article campaigns, and write over a period of time. Writing an article of two a day will help them be more interesting. When you write everything all at once, it will all start to sound the same. Your articles will perform better if they sound unique plus have different information in them. If you find yourself regurgitating information or phrases, it is a good idea to stop writing for a few hours.

Each day, only submit two or three articles to your chosen sites. Of course there is the temptation to submit everything you have all at once. But doing so will hinder your progress toward your goal. Submitting all your articles at once will cause them to fall down the list due to all the other authors submitting theirs. Also, just about all directories have limits to daily submissions.

Another good reason to limit submissions is that you'll soon be seen as a reliable source of information. It shows that you continue working on your subject, which will help people trust you. Constant submission will be seen as more authority rather than just a one-shot deal with a ton of articles submitted on the same day.

Create a well written resource box. Most content directories and article databases will allow you to create an author's resource box. Your resource box is the place to put links to your sites, blogs, etc.

You'll want to be sure your resource box copy is to the point and entices people to click-through to your site. You can't just tell people to buy your products. Never forget that you must follow all Terms of Service for any website you deal with.

Article marketing contains a wide variety of approaches. So many marketers who have never done article writing have no idea of what it really takes to write a successful article campaign. For example, writing fewer high quality articles is much better than writing a hundred poor articles. So if you just get started you'll do well with it now that you know what to do.

Understanding and Dealing With Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Every physician knows that the tendency of anxiety is to intensify any symptoms of physical disease which may be present, as anxiety is something which affects, the total individual. It may incapacitate the patient more than any actual disease present, and it is part of the doctor's job to determine how much of the patient's distress is due to anxiety and how much to an actual physical condition that exists, if one does.

Anxiety attacks characteristically produces alarming symptoms such as respiratory difficulties, discomfort in the region of the heart, dizziness, perspiration, palpitation of the heart, weakness, disturbances of stomach and intestines, muscular pain and headache.

If the patient with these anxiety symptoms is carefully questioned, he usually betrays certain fears, fears which may be of wide variety.

Many times the appearance of the patient is suggestive. He has a tense, restless, uneasy look. Examination reveals cold, moist lands and feet, dry mouth and lips, a pulse rate and blood pressure which may vary from time to time.

In the early stages of the anxiety state, the patient is tense, restless, irritable easily tired, and suffers from sleeplessness and other panic attack symptoms. He may find his memory faulty, his powers of concentration lessened, and his ability to make decisions weakened.

Later when his panic attack symptoms deepen, it may concentrate on some organ or system of the body or take the form of depression, hysteria, or the. feeling of being compelled to do certain actions or think certain thoughts.

As a rule, patients with anxiety dislike crowds, new and unfamiliar situations, tension and struggle. Since these things tire them quickly, they prefer to remain in the familiar groove with people - preferably a few or even one person - whom they know well. They show a .loss in general effectiveness, impairment in memory, concentration, sleep and appetite.

It is important to recognize that anxiety symptoms have a purpose. They serve to control some threat to the personality. Quite often they permit the patient to cut down on his activities, thus keeping him away from places, situations and relationships that, arouse anxiety.

It is of the greatest importance that such patients have a complete, careful physical examination when they first come to the physician. Unlike most persons with real organic diseases, people with anxiety states are extremely difficult to convince that their symptoms are not dangerous.

They tend to view their distress as a sign of future disaster and to try to reassure them on anything but firm factual grounds will serve to increase their anxiety and, hence, their symptoms.