8 things your eyes can tell you about your health status
1. Bloodshot eyes
2. White conjunctiva
3. Red spots
4. Itchy, swollen, red eye
5. Dry eye
6. Blurry vision
7. Flashes of light
8. White rings
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{RT for awareness}
1/
Bloodshot eyes can be due to
- fumes
- eye injury
- eye allergies
- smoking e.g. marijuana
- infections like conjunctivitis or 'apolo'
- eye strain from computer use
- acute glaucoma, etc
It's one common eye hint which most people can easily trace the cause
2/
White/pale conjunctiva is a common sign of low red blood cells (anemia).
It can be caused by
• Severe malaria
• Sick cell anemia
• Massive blood loss (e.g. heavy periods)
• Hookworm infestation, etc
The whiter your conjunctiva looks, the worse the level of anemia.
3/
Red spots or 'dots of blood' in your eye, can be a sign of diabetes eye complication.
If blood sugar builds up too high, small blood vessels in the retina can get blocked, swell, burst & bleed.
If not treated, this can potentially lead to outright loss of sight!
4/
Itchy, swollen, red eyes may signify allergy
It can be due to pollen, dust, paints, fumes or other allergens. Antihistamine eye drops can help, although some oral antihistamines can cause dry eyes which may worsen the problem.
Seeing your doctor is the best option.
5/
Dry eyes can be a side effect of computer usage & some drugs like sleeping pills, pain relievers, or anti-anxiety drugs.
Some diseases called autoimmune diseases (e.g. Sjögren's syndrome), can also destroy the glands that produce tears causing dry eyes.
See your doctor.
6/
Blurry vision has many causes e.g. cataracts, which causes blurred, clouded or dim vision with difficulty seeing at night or "halos" around lights.
In people with high blood pressure or steroid abusers, blurry vision is a dangerous sign that warrants seeing a doctor urgently
7/
Seeing flashes of light may be a sign that your retina is detached esp if associated with shadows or loss of peripheral vision.
Some migraines may also cause flashes. But if there's sudden increase in the size & number of flashes, there might be something more to it.
8/
If white rings appear in your eyes, it may be suggestive of high cholesterol level.
In some patients, this comes with yellowish bumps in the eyelids.
Older patients are likely to have such rings.
Good to have their cholesterol levels checked.
There's obviously more to your eyes than you probably thought.
These are just some clues you can pick up with little or no training.
Skilled healthcare providers can see a lot more signs in your eyes including cancers, nerve problems, etc, esp if they use instruments.
I'll conclude by telling you it's good to have your eyes checked at least once a year particularly if you're 40+.
Those with existing problems like diabetes or high BP need even more checks to pick up & treat any eye issues early enough to avoid losing their sight.
Your eyes are more than a window to your soul. They're also a window to your health.
You can save your eyes by recognizing these simple eye hints and seeking timely intervention.
You can also save other people's eyes by sharing this information.
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Before you take a painkiller, always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice especially if you are;
1. 65+ 2. Pregnant 3. Asthmatic 3. Breastfeeding 5. Have allergies 6. Have peptic ulcer 7. Have upper tummy pain 8. Have any kidney problem
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RT to create awareness
The reason is that there are some type of painkillers known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and others. These drugs are very common but can be super dangerous.
For example, NSAIDs can
- cause heartburn
- irritate your tummy
- cause severe aches
- make you feel like vomiting
- cause further kidney damage
- aggravate asthma symptoms
- cause severe bleeding from your gut
If someone is shot while protesting, use these 10 tips to save their life urgently!
{A thread dedicated to #June12thProtest protesters in Ikeja, Lagos, Benin, Abuja, Port Harcourt & everywhere} #KeepitOn!
Retweet widely 🙏
Follow these steps to save a gunshot victim from dying;
1. Secure your own safety first! 2. Send a brief SOS call to alert others. 3. Look for any source of bleeding, you can remove victim's clothing if necessary #June12thProtest#KeepitOn
4. Stop the bleeding with pressure - if no medical supplies, cover wound with clot, shirt, scarf, etc 5. Keep pressing down hard on the bleeding area with both hands. Press & press! 6. If injury is very deep, press the cloth into it to pack the wound #June12thProtest#KeepitOn
Dear public,
There's a resurgence of "ice water" in Abia and some other places due to the high prices of sachet water.
Below are some health effects of ice water and what you can do about them.
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First, drinking excessively cold water can affect your gut and digestion. For e.g., it may contract your blood vessels, restrict digestion and interfere with the natural process of absorbing nutrients from the food you eat.
Next is the way it is packaged. It is highly unlikely that ice water, which is mostly wrapped in polythene sacks under unwholesome conditions, is either safe for drinking or free of germs.