| Eye Damage On the Rise in Wales |
As First Lady Michelle Obama launches her U.S. campaign against childhood obesity with its related early-onset diabetes issues, specialists in Wales are combating one of diabetes' side effects, severely damaged blood vessels in the eye.
This condition, known as diabetic retinopathy, has been far more common in older people but is now affecting an increasing number of people in their late teens and 20's. According to a BBC report, diabetes has almost doubled in eight years and vision care professionals are dealing with younger and younger patients. This trend mirrors figures in the U.S. indicating that the link between obesity, diabetes and eye disease is not just a domestic issue.
Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eye and even blindness. Poor management of the condition is a likely factor in the trend toward younger patients. Younger people are less likely to accept advice on diet and lifestyle. They also often fail to acknowledge vision problems until they become more severe.
Younger children in Wales are now being diagnosed with diabetes, too. But awareness often lags behind disease trends. Many parents don't anticipate that their child could be vulnerable and don't request screening.
Early detection is key to prevention of eye disease at any age. The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service for Wales now offers countrywide clinics to assess for damage.
|
|
|
|
| Teen Tanning
|
As of July, 2009, 21 states have pending legislation that would make it more difficult for teens to use indoor tanning facilities. Some states would require signed parental permission, while others would prohibit all teens without a prescription.
The World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Services have declared that tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet light can cause skin damage.
Sunburns during childhood may cause more damage than during adulthood. Consider consulting us before letting your child take to the tanning bed.
| |
|
|
| H2O |
We are walking fountains of water. Whether we're sweating it out or comfortably cool, our body is losing water to the environment.
We need to drink roughly two liters of water per day (the volume of a standard soda bottle). Doing so helps our skin remain supple and flexible, look better and perform at its best.
Just applying water to our skin won't do the trick. Evaporation dries out the skin's natural protective oils.
|
|
|
