Sunday 1 December 2013

Muscae Volitantes (Floater) - The Symptoms and Causes

Muscae volitantes or Floater is defined as a condition of pathol moving black specks or threads seen before the eyes, as results of opaque fragments floating in the vitreous humour or a lens defect due to degeneration of the vitreous humour.  Floater as it suspends in the vitreous humour, it tends to drift  and follows the rapid motions of the eye as a result of damage of the eye that causes material to enter the vitreous humour.

II. Symptoms
1. Seeing a spot or spots, other shapes such as black or gray dots, squiggly lines, threadlike strands, ring shaped, etc. before the eyes    
2.  Movement of the spots or shapes that parallels eye movement.
3. Etc.


A, Causes
There are many causes of floater, including
1.  Eyes diseases
Eye diseases can cause damage to the eye of that can lead to muscae volitantes.
2. Vitreous cyst
Vitreous cyst is associated to the cause of floater, although it is rare. The etiology has been theorized to be both congenital and acquired. Acquired cysts may be due to trauma or other forms of intraocular inflammation. Pigmented cysts are believed to originate from the pars ciliaris and nonpigmented cysts are likely to be derived from the remnants of the hyaloidal artery system. The appearances of the cysts are striking and are often seen as clear spherical bodies in the vitreous with interesting interlacing surface patterns. The cysts are benign and are of little significance, except when they encroach on the visual axis and produce visual disturbances (usually floater symptoms)(1).

3.  Vitreous syneresis
vitreous normally will undergo liquefaction and changed from jellylike material to fluid like material in a process called syneresis of vitreous and this will cause the collage fibers within the vitreous to form strands. With each eye movements, those strands will also move, causing eye floaters(2).

4. Posterior vitreous detachments (PVD)
Posterior vitreous detachments can cause uscae volitantes. It is a condition of the eye in which the vitreous humor separates from the retina due to aging as the condition is common in older adults and over 75% of those over the age of 65 develop it(3).

5. Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment associated to the causes of floater, is a eye disorder in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue(4) and affected mostly in middle-aged or older population.

6. Hyaloid remnant
A rare condition in which there remain some parts of the hyaloid artery. Posteriorly there may be a vascular loop or the thread of an obliterated vessel running forward from the optic disc and floating freely in the vitreous. Anteriorly there may be some fibrous remnants attached to the posterior lens capsule and others sometimes floating in the vitreous. The anterior attachment of the hyaloid artery to the lens may also remain throughout life as a black dot, called Mittendorf's dot, and can be seen within the pupil by direct ophthalmoscopy (it appears as a white dot with the biomicroscope). There is rarely any visual interference although patients may sometimes report seeing muscae volitantes(5).

7.  Other causes of Muscae volitantes
a. Patient with oily tears and inpissated meibomian glands may also accumulate debris within the tear layer, which can be reported as floaters.
b. Patients with ocular allergies may also be prime candidates for this phenomenon, since the eye produces excess mucus in order to soothe the eye from the allergic assault.
c. Vitreous haemorrhage. A PVD that encounters an area of vitreoretinal adhesion can cause a tractional tear in the retina. If a retinal blood vessel is involved, subsequent leakage into the vitreous cavity and retrohyaloid space will occur.
d. A relatively common vitreous anomaly that occasionally causes floaters is asteroid hyalosis. Asteroid bodies are calcium soaps that attach to the vitreous framework(6).

8. Etc.

Eating Disorders: Binge eating disorder

Eating Disorders are defined as a group of abnormal eating habits associated to a person preoccupation weight, involving either insufficient or excessive food intake.
Binge eating disorder is defined as a condition of compulsive eating huge amounts of food while feeling out of control and powerless to stop. It is the common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and 2% of males. Binge eating disorder is different from bulimia, as binge eating disorder do not involve self induced vomit regularly or use other ways to get rid of calories. Please see Bulimia vervosa for more information at http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/general-health.html

Eating Disorders: Bulimia nervosa - Treatments In Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Bulimia nervosa is defined as a medical condition of  consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time or one setting (binge eating), followed by self induced vomiting, taking a laxative or diuretic and/or excessive exercise, etc. to compensate for the binge. Bulimia nervosa also effects almost 90% of female. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people suffering from bulimia nervosa are usually normal or slightly over weight.
Treatments
In Traditional Chinese medicine perspective
According to Perspectives on Eating Disorders (bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Norman Kraft, LST, DCH, MTOM, Dipl.Ac., L.Ac(51) 
1. Kidney deficiency 
a. Kidney deficiency (primarily of Yin and Essence) leads to Empty Fire (pathological Will) and poor control of the Heart’s Fire.
b. Chinese herbal formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, ingredients include
b.1. Sheng Di Huang (Rhemannia) 15-20 gm
b.2. Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus) 12-15 gm
b.3. Shan Yao (Dioscorea) 10-15 gm
b.4. Ze Xie (Alisma) 9-12 gm
b.5. Mu Dan Pi (Moutan) 6-9 gm
b.6. Fu Ling/Fu Shen (Poria/Poria Spirit) 9-12 gm
Fu Shen is preferred over Fu Ling in this formula

2.   Kidney Yang Deficiency 
a. But One must be careful in using Yang tonics and warming herbs with bulimia in particular, for while the overall picture may be Yang Deficiency the constant abuse of the stomach tends to quickly lead to Stomach Yin Deficiency with Heat.
b. Chinese herbal formula: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, ingredients include
b.1. Fu Zi (Aconite) 6 gm
b.2. Rou Gui (Cinnamomum)  6 gm
b.3. Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) 20-30 gm
b.4. Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus)  10-15 gm
b.4. Mu Dan Pi (Moutan) 10-12 gm
b.4. Fu Ling/Fu Shen (Poria/Poria Spirit) 10-15 gm
b.5. Shan Yao (Dioscorea) 10-15 gm
b.6. Ze Xie (Alisma) 10-15 gm

3. Fire/Heart deficiencies
a. Fire/Heart deficiencies than Water/Kidney issues,
b. Chinese Modification of Gui Pi Tang, ingredients
b.1. Ren Shen (Ginseng) 6-9gm
b.2. Huang Qi (Astragalus) 9-12gm
b.3. Bai Zhu (Atractylodes)  9-12gm
b.4. Dang Gui (Angelica) 6-9gm
b.5. Fu Shen (Poria) 6-9gm
b.6. Suan Zao Ren (Zizyphus) 9-12gm
b.7. Long Yan Rou (Euphoria) 9-12gm
b.8. Yuan Zhi (Polygala) 3-6gm
b.8. Mu Xiang (Saussurea) 3-6gm
b.9. Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza)  3-6gm
b.10. Hong Zao (Jujuba) 3-5 pc
b.11. Bai Zi Ren (Biota) 6-9gm
b.12. He Huan Pi (Albizzia) 6-9gm
b.13. Shi Chang Pu (Acori) 6-9gm
b.14. Bai He (Lilii) 6-9gm

4. The author also notes that with care in formulation taking into account the cold temperature of the herb, Bai He could be added to the other two formulas above as well. In Liu Wei Di Huang Wan I usually combine Bai He with Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) as these two herbs work very well together to calm Shen disturbed by interior Heat due to Deficiency of Yin.

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Sources
(51) http://www.myacudoc.com/images/ED.article.pdf

Eating Disorders: Bulimia nervosa - Treatments In Herbal Medicine Perspective

Bulimia nervosa is defined as a medical condition of  consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time or one setting (binge eating), followed by self induced vomiting, taking a laxative or diuretic and/or excessive exercise, etc. to compensate for the binge. Bulimia nervosa also effects almost 90% of female. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people suffering from bulimia nervosa are usually normal or slightly over weight.
Treatments
In herbal medicine perspective
Herbs can be used to strengthen and tone the body's systems
 1. Ashwagandha also known as Withania somnifera is a nightshape plant in the genus of Withania, belonging to the family Solanaceae, native to the dry parts of India, North Africa, Middle East, and the Mediterranean. It has been considered as Indian ginseng and used in Ayurvedic medicine over 3000 years to treat tumors and tubercular glands, carbuncles, memory loss and ulcers and considered as anti-stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging herbal medicine. According to the article of "Steroidal lactones from Withania somnifera, an ancient plant for novel medicine" by Mirjalili MH, Moyano E, Bonfill M, Cusido RM, Palazón J.(37). Ashwagandha root may be used to treat the stress and antioxidants causes of anorexia nervosa(38)

2. Milk thistle  
In the observation of the active extract of milk thistle, silymarin, is a mixture of flavonolignans and its antioxidant effect found that Exposure to light significantly reduced sprout growth and significantly increased the polyphenol content and antioxidative capacity. The polyphenol content was 30% higher in seeds originating from purple inflorescences than in those from white ones. We thus found milk thistle to be a good candidate source of healthy edible sprouts, according to "The potential of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.), an Israeli native, as a source of edible sprouts rich in antioxidants" by Vaknin Y, Hadas R, Schafferman D, Murkhovsky L, Bashan N.(39)

3. Catnip 
Catnip is to calm the nerves and soothe the digestive system. The alcohol extract of catnip has a biphasic effect on the behavior of young chicks. Low and moderate dose levels (25--1800 mg/kg) cause increasing numbers of chicks to sleep, while high dose levels (i.e. above 2 g/kg) cause a decreasing number of chicks to sleep, according to the study of `The effect of an ethanol extract of catnip (Nepeta cataria) on the behavior of the young chick`by Sherry CJ, Hunter PS.(40)

4. Grape Seed Extract is the commercial extracts from whole grape seeds that contains many concentrations, including vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins(OPCs), etc..The herb has been used in traditional medicine as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agents and to treat skin wounds with less scarring, allergies, macular degeneration, arthritis, enhance circulation of blood vessels, lower cholesterol, etc.
a. Ulcer
in the comparison of effects of Grape Seed Extract (GSE) and vitamins C and E on aspirin- and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and associated increases of lipid peroxidation in rats, found that GSE protected against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers more effectively than VC or VE, while its protection against aspirin ulcers was comparable for all treatments. GSE produced the greatest reductions of gastric MDA in both models, according to" Effects of grape seed extract, vitamin C, and vitamin e on ethanol- and aspirin-induced ulcers" by Cuevas VM, Calzado YR, Guerra YP, Yera AO, Despaigne SJ, Ferreiro RM, Quintana DC.(41)

b. Antioxidant Activity
in the assessment of phenolic content, antioxidant activity of White and red wines spiked with green tea extract and grape seed extract found that the green tea extract and grape seed extract increased antioxidant activity dose-dependently and the CRTs varied considerably between the Korean and Australian groups, with Koreans preferring wines spiked with green tea extract and Australians showing a preference for wines spiked with grape seed extract, according to "Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity and Cross-Cultural Consumer Rejection Threshold in White and Red Wines Functionally Enhanced with Catechin-Rich" by Yoo YJ, Saliba A, Prenzler PD, Ryan DM.(42)


5. Lavender is a flower plant of the genus Lavandula, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, native to Asia. The herb has been used in traditional medicine to treat painful bruises and aches, to relieve various neuralgic pains, sprains, rheumatism, etc.
a. 'Subsyndromal' anxiety disorder
In the investigation of orally administered Lavandula oil preparation and its effect on'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder, found that Lavandula oil preparation had a significant beneficial influence on quality and duration of sleep and improved general mental and physical health without causing any unwanted sedative or other drug specific effects. Lavandula oil preparation silexan is both efficacious and safe for the relief of anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. It has a clinically meaningful anxiolytic effect and alleviates anxiety related disturbed sleep, according to "Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial"by Kasper S, Gastpar M, Müller WE, Volz HP,
Möller HJ, Dienel A, Schläfke S.(43)
b.  Antidepressant-like effect
In the classification of the antidepressant effects of essential oils of Anthemis nobilis (chamomile), Salvia sclarea (clary sage; clary), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)found that clary oil could be developed as a therapeutic agent for patients with depression and that the antidepressant-like effect of clary oil is closely associated with modulation of the DAnergic pathway, according to "Antidepressant-like effect of Salvia sclarea is explained by modulation of dopamine activities in rats" by Seol GH, Shim HS, Kim PJ, Moon HK, Lee KH, Shim I, Suh SH, Min SS.(44)
 
6. Etc. 

Eating Disorders: Bulimia nervosa - Treatments In Conventional Medicine Perspective

Bulimia nervosa is defined as a medical condition of  consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time or one setting (binge eating), followed by self induced vomiting, taking a laxative or diuretic and/or excessive exercise, etc. to compensate for the binge. Bulimia nervosa also effects almost 90% of female. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people suffering from bulimia nervosa are usually normal or slightly over weight.
Treatments
A. In Conventional Medicine Perspective 
A.1. Non medication Therapies
1. Group therapy
In the study to evaluate the Guided self-help versus cognitive-behavioral group therapy in the treatment of bulimia nervosa, showed that A mixed-effects linear regression analysis indicated that subjects in both treatment conditions showed a significant decrease over time in binge eating and vomiting frequencies, in the scores of the EDI subscales, and in the BDI. Both treatment modalities led to a sustained improvement at follow-up. A separate analysis of the completer sample showed significantly higher remission rates in the self-help condition (74%) compared with the CBT condition (44%) at follow-up(45).
.
2. Cognitive behavioral guided self-help
In the study of 123 individuals (mean age = 37.2; 91.9% female, 96.7% non-Hispanic White) were randomized, including 10.6% with bulimia nervosa (BN), 48% with binge eating disorder (BED), and 41.4% with recurrent binge eating in the absence of BN or BED. Baseline, posttreatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-up data, showed that Cognitive behavioral guided self-help is a viable first-line treatment option for the majority of patients with recurrent binge eating who do not meet diagnostic criteria for BN or anorexia nervosa(46).

3. Psychoeducational therapy
In the assessment of 241 seeking-treatment females with bulimia nervosa completed an exhaustive assessment and were referred to a six-session psychoeducational group, Regression analyses of treatment response were performed. Childhood obesity, lower frequency of eating symptomatology, lower body mass index, older age, and lower family's and patient's concern about the disorder were predictors of poor abstinence. Suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, higher maximum BMI, higher novelty seeking and lower baseline purging frequency predicted dropouts. Predictors of early symptom changes and dropouts were similar to those identified in longer CBT interventions(47).

4. Psychodynamic therapy
In the examined 14 bulimic clients' experiences of individual psychodynamic psychotherapy through semistructured interviews, which were analyzed using qualitative methods. The results showed that the psychodynamic approach was a challenge to most of the clients. Yet, most clients profited from therapy both symptomatically and with regard to interpersonal relations and affect regulation. There were, however, marked differences in the clients' experiences. One subgroup rather quickly felt that the therapy met their needs, another initially felt challenged by the approach and the therapeutic attitude but ultimately succeeded in using this particular kind of therapy. A third group remained predominantly critical of their therapies. The clinical implications and possible explanations of the results are discussed(48).


5. Relational theory
In the article to explain how the psychology of women can inform group treatment by translating relational theory (RT) into practice within a short-term outpatient bulimia group. First, the article provides a brief overview of a relational understanding of women's psychological development, the etiology and maintenance of bulimia nervosa, and group psychotherapy. Then, clinical vignettes illustrate the application of RT in practice through discussion of four main healing factors at work in the different stages of the group. Through promoting validation, self-empathy, mutuality, and empowerment, the leader helps group members identify and change relational patterns that have kept them connected with food and disconnected from themselves and others. The goal of treatment is to help members move toward mutually empathic and empowering relationships inside and outside the group(49).

6. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy(CBT)
In the study to examine the potential efficacy of CBT for eating disorder individuals with bulimic symptoms who do not meet full criteria for bulimia nervosa. Twelve participants with subthreshold bulimia nervosa were treated in a case series with 20 sessions of CBT. Ten of the 12 participants (83.3%) completed treatment. Intent-to-treat abstinent percentages were 75.0% for objectively large episodes of binge eating (OBEs), 33.3% for subjectively large episodes of binge eating (SBEs), and 50% for purging at end of treatment. At one year follow-up, 66.7% were abstinent for OBEs, 41.7% for SBEs, and 50.0% for purging(50).

7.  Etc.
 
A.2. Medical treatments
Fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, the only antidepressant approved by the Food and Drug Administration may help to ease the symptoms of bulimia.

Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve 
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to General health http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/general-health.html

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca  
Sources
(45) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15101068
(46) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20515207
(47) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501787
(48) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21198236
(49) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9766090
(50) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22290037
 

Eating Disorders: Bulimia nervosa - Antioxidants to prevent bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is defined as a medical condition of  consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time or one setting (binge eating), followed by self induced vomiting, taking a laxative or diuretic and/or excessive exercise, etc. to compensate for the binge. Bulimia nervosa also effects almost 90% of female. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people suffering from bulimia nervosa are usually normal or slightly over weight.
Antioxidant to prevent bulimia nervosa 
Please read Antioxidant to prevent anorexia nervosa
http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/2013/12/anorexia-nervosa-antioxidants.html

Eating Disorders: Bulimia nervosa - Diet and nutritional supplements

Bulimia nervosa is defined as a medical condition of  consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time or one setting (binge eating), followed by self induced vomiting, taking a laxative or diuretic and/or excessive exercise, etc. to compensate for the binge. Bulimia nervosa also effects almost 90% of female. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people suffering from bulimia nervosa are usually normal or slightly over weight.
Diet and nutritional supplements to prevent anorexia nervosa

The aim of the diet and nutritional supplements is to provide enough nutrients as for people with anorexia nervosa are more likely to have vitamin and mineral deficiencies which can lead to certain symptoms of the diseases.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine intake increased over time between ages 9 and 19 years across all groups and this trend was not moderated by diagnostic status. For anorexia nervosa, relative to the non-eating disorder group, the proportional intake of caffeine from soda increased significantly before onset to onset to after onset and ingestion of chocolate-containing foods decreased sharply over time(42).

2. Alcohol
While the rate of anorexia was not elevated in alcoholics after controlling for other disorders, bulimia did occur at a greater than expected rate. However, both eating disorders were relatively rare, and much of the association with alcoholism occurred in the context of additional preexisting or secondary psychiatric disorders(43).

3. Tobacco
Although malnutrition may be expected to reduce DNA methylation through its effects on one-carbon metabolism, our negative results are in line with several in vitro and clinical studies that did not show a direct relation between gene-specific DNA methylation and folate levels. In contrast, smoking has been repeatedly reported to alter DNA methylation of specific genes and should be controlled for in future epigenetic studies(44)
.
4.  Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily as water can decrease the risk of dehydration.
Caffeine, water, and aspartame consumption can be variable in patients with AN and the consumption of these substances seems to be only modestly related to purging behavior(45).

5. Promote healthy diet for maximum nutrients absorption.
6. The important of nutritional supplements
Some researchers suggested that conservation mechanisms resulting from starvation and/or self-prescribed nutrient supplements can result in laboratory values that appear within normal limits. These artificially inflated values drop to dangerous levels in some patients once rehydration and refeeding begin. Electrolyte status must be closely monitored during this time to prevent complications. Other micronutrient deficiencies can be corrected with adequate dietary intake, but patients with eating disorders are unlikely to consume such an adequate diet immediately upon entering treatment, so they may benefit from supplementation. Depleted nutrient stores require longer supplementation than acute inadequacies in nutrient intake. This review compiles the findings reported to date regarding micronutrient deficiencies and supplementation for patients with anorexia and bulimia. Because of the widely varying eating practices from patient to patient and the current lack of data controlling for nutrient self-supplementation, nutrition assessment performed by a nutrition professional via food intake history may be more practical than laboratory tests and more accurate than current food intake for determining potential micronutrient deficiencies(46).
 a.. In the study of  20 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 10 lean and 10 normal weight, healthy, female control subjects. Patients with AN had higher activities of L-gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and a higher concentration of prealbumin in serum and lower leucocyte and lymphocyte counts in blood. For the other routine clinical chemical parameters no significant differences between the groups were observed. AN patients had higher serum vitamin B12 and retinol levels. No significant differences were found for the status parameters of thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E and vitamin D. Contradictory results were obtained for the riboflavin status: AN patients had a lower level of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in blood and a lower stimulation ratio of the glutathione reductase activity in erythrocytes (alpha-EGR). Patients with AN had higher serum ferritin concentration and lower total iron binding capacity (TIBC). However, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and iron saturation were not significantly different. No significant difference was found in the concentration of zinc in plasma. In spite of the poor intake of nutrients and energy, the results obtained did not indicate an inadequate status of vitamins, iron and zinc in patients with AN(47).

b.  Other study of trace metals, vitamins, and other biochemical parameters in 30 female patients hospitalized for anorexia nervosa, showed that Anorexia nervosa patients showed hypogeusia, with the bitter and sour taste most severely affected, however plasma zinc levels did not correlate with taste recognition scores. Patients showed hypercarotenemia (214 +/- 129 microgram/100 ml; P < 0.01) with normal plasma vitamin A and retinol-binding protein levels. Total iron binding capacity was depressed (261 +/- 62 microgram/100 ml; P < 0.001) in contrast to plasma iron, ceruloplasmin and folic acid, which were normal. In nine patients, who were retested before discharge, taste function improved; plasma zinc, copper, and total iron binding capacity levels increased whereas plasma carotene and cholesterol decreased to normal levels. It is concluded that the observed zinc, copper, and iron binding protein deficiencies, and hypogeusia, reflect the self-imposed nutritional restriction of anorexia nervosa patients. Zinc and other micronutrients released from catabolized tissue along with vitamin intake may mitigate against more severe deficiency states in anorexia nervosa(48).
A daily multivitamin is an essential, as it contain numbers of vitamins and trace minerals such as vitamins A, C, E, the B-vitamins,  magnesium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, and selenium which are essential for the body needed. Other supplement include Omega-3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), Creatine, Probiotic supplement, etc.