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Can
Alternative medicine help in the treatment of Glaucoma? |
By Edward C. Kondrot,
MD(H), CCH
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a poorly understood disease in which the optic nerve
of the eye begins to lose its function. The optic nerve is the transmitter
of visual images from the eye to the brain. In the early stages
damage of the nerve results in loss of peripheral vision; in later
stages blindness may result. Abnormality in the circulation of the
optic nerve appears to be the reason for damage to the optic nerve.
Elevated intraocular pressure is felt to be the main contributing
factor, although there are patients with glaucoma who have low or
normal intraocular pressure. Other factors, which make the nerve
more susceptible to damage, are arteriosclerosis and diabetes mellitus.
What other treatments
are available?
Diet
You should shift your diet away from meats and dairy products towards
a largely vegetarian diet that includes cold water fish and eggs.
There is evidence that this type of diet will help in weight reduction,
reduce the risk of arteriosclerotic vascular disease, lower blood
pressure, reduce the incidence of diabetes and improve blood flow
to the eye.
Exercise
Aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce mean intraocular pressure
by 4.6 mm Hg when compared to previously sedentary glaucoma patients.
This has the same result as the pressure lowering properties of
glaucoma medication.
If you do not have a
regular exercise program now is the time to start. You should begin
slowly under your physician’s supervision. Begin with 10 to
15 minute several times a week. This should gradually be increased
to 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday. The ideal exercise
will increase your heart rate a small amount without producing undue
fatigue.
Moderate exercise improves
your cardiovascular system, helps keep off extra pounds, lowers
cholesterol, reduces high blood pressure and improves retinal circulation.
Exercise also helps to improve your mental outlook and reduces stress.
These factors are important in helping the body fight disease. This
is probably the best thing you will do for your health!
Coffee
Coffee should be reduced or eliminated. Studies have shown that
coffee can produce a 13% reduction in retinal blood flow. This is
especially important in patients that have existing retinal damage
and who are losing vision.
Smoking
If you smoke please do everything possible to stop. Some studies
show that there is a 2.9 increase in risk in developing glaucoma
in smokers. While smoking, each cigarette can raise the intraocular
pressure by 5.0-mm Hg or more. Nicotine has been shown to reduce
retinal blood flow by 16%. Tobacco also robs the body of 25 mg of
vitamin C per cigarette. Smokers have an increase in lipids (both
fat and cholesterol) which increase the risk of severe cardiovascular
disease. These factors produce narrowing of the retina blood vessels
that carry valuable nutrients to the eye.
Sunlight
UV and Blue Violet sunrays increase the risk of developing free
radicals. A good pair of sunglasses which block 100% of UVA and
UVB and block at least 85% of blue violet sun rays
Hypothyroidism
If you have glaucoma it is important to have your thyroid checked.
Many cases of low-tension glaucoma have been reported related to
low thyroid functioning. Hypothyroidism can lead to a condition
called myxedema, which results in a buildup of mucopolysaccharides
throughout the body. Increase in mucopolysaccharides in the eye
may block the outflow of aqueous producing elevations of intraocular
pressure.
Reducing levels of Mucopolysaccharides
Proper thyroid functioning is important to prevent increase levels
of mucopolysaccharides. A high fiber diet, vitamins A and C have
also been shown to reduce these levels.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants may help improve outflow of fluid in the eye and lower
the intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork is the drain of
the eye. There have been some studies, which have shown that when
the antioxidants are blocked the intraocular pressure will be increased.
Antioxidants may also
protect the optic nerve by blocking oxygen free radical vasoconstriction,
which may lead to ischemia. Antioxidants may also protect the optic
nerve from the inflammatory affects of infection and inflammation.
Recommended antioxidant
vitamins include Vitamin E, C and Beta-carotene.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 may have a protective effect on the optic nerve and
prevent visual loss in glaucoma. A Japanese study showed that people
who took 1500 Meg. had a much lower visual loss. It protects the
myelin sheath or covering around the optic nerve.
Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is associated with systemic hypertension. It
may have a role in blocking the affect of calcium, which causes
vasoconstriction of blood vessels. The use of magnesium has been
shown to improve retinal circulation in some cases of retinopathy.
Physical or emotional stress also causes an increase in the need
for magnesium.
Chromium
Studies have shown that Chromium will lower lipid levels in the
body and increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Chromium
may be especially important in patients taking beta-blockers. Timoptic
has been shown to increase the levels of lipids and lower the levels
of HDL. All individuals who are taking Timoptic should consider
supplemental Chromium.
Coleus Forskohlii
It is an extract from the Coleus, a variety of the mint plant. It
has been used by Hindu practitioners for the treatment of cardiac
disease, asthma and high blood pressure. It relaxes smooth muscles
and produces vasodilatation of blood vessels. It has been reported
is several studies to lower the intraocular pressure in patients
with glaucoma. Forskohlii was an experiment eye drop found to reduce
eye pressure. It was abandoned because the eye drops produced a
milky covering over the eye. Taking the herb orally eliminates this
side affect.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is scientific method of therapy based on the principle
of stimulating the body’s own healing processes in order to
accomplish cure. The basic system was devised and verified by Samuel
Hahnemann, a German physician, nearly 200 years ago. Homeopathy’s
astounding success rates in both chronic and acute diseases has
resulted in not only standing the test of time, but also rapidly
achieving widespread acceptance in Europe, India and South America.
In Homeopathy (“homeo-”
means “similar”), each of us is a total complete individual,
no aspect of which can be separated from any other. To be effective,
any valid therapy must be based on a deep understanding of and respect
for the uniqueness of each individual. In Homeopathy each patient
is evaluated as a whole person- mental, emotional and physical.
The prescribing remedy is based on the unique patterns found on
all three levels. This means that each person is given a remedy
that will stimulate his or her particular body to heal. Ten people
with glaucoma might each receive a different homeopathic remedy..
Homeopathy has been carefully
researched and its effectiveness has been reported in the following
well respected national medical journals: Jacobs J, Treatment of
Acute Childhood Diarrhea with Homeopathic Medication. Pediatrics
1994; 93:719-7255, Reilly DT , Is Homeopathy a Placebo Response?
Lancet 1986; Oct: 881-886 and Kleijnen J, Clinical Trails of Homeopathy.
British Medical Journal 1991; 302: 315-323.
Homeopathy can be a very
valuable adjunct in your treatment of Glaucoma.
The following products
are recommended for glaucoma:
• Glaucoma Nutritional formula- 2 capsules with each meal
• Glaucoma Aid sublingual spray- 5 sprays under the tongue
a day
• Glaucoma Homeopathic Formula- 1 pellet under the tongue
twice a day
These can be ordered at Nutritional Research at www.nutritionalresearch.net
or call (877) 341-2703
Dr. Edward Kondrot is
a board certified Ophthalmologist and is certified in classical
homeopathy. He is the author of the best selling book- Healing the
Eye the Natural Way: Alternative Medicine and Macular Degeneration,
and Microcurrent Stimulation: Miracle Eye Cure. He is a contributing
author in the Clinician’s Rapid Access Guide to Complementary
& Alternative Medicine, Mosby.
Be sure to listen to
Dr. Kondrot’s weekly radio show “Healthy Vision”
which can be heard every Weds. 8:00 to 9:00 AM on Phoenix station
KFNX 1100 or on the internet at www.nabcinc.com For more information
on alternative medicine and the eye you can contact his Phoenix
office at 1-800-430-9328 or visit his web page at www.kondrot.com
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