Tips for Healthy Eyes

Vision is something that may be easy to forget about when there isn’t a problem. The eyes are a very important part of the body for daily life, so it is important to know how to keep them healthy. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your vision safe.

 

  1. Get regular eye exams. Many people who say their eyesight is the sense they value most don’t think about preventative care and haven’t been to the eye doctor in three years. Unfortunately, many eye diseases can abruptly result in vision loss, so it is always best to get regular check-ups to ensure no diseases are present in your eyes. Adults over 40 need to have yearly eye exams to prevent age-related conditions that cause eyesight to deteriorate. Children need their first eye exam between six and twelve months of age.
  2. Let your eye doctor know your health history. Many conditions such as hypertension, blood pressure, and diabetes can affect eyesight. Alert your doctor to your health history so they can better identify, treat, or prevent any damage to the eyes as a result of other conditions.
  3. Control air quality in the home and office. Winter leads to home and office heating systems creating dry air that can cause strain on your eyes. Consider getting a portable humidifier to prevent irritation and dry eyes.
  4. Have a medical kit in your home and include saline solution. When doing anything that involves chemicals, dust, or other airborne particles, wear safety goggles. If you accidentally splash soap in your eye at home, rinse thoroughly with saline for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinsing is the best way to clear the eyes. See a doctor if any irritation persists or if you believe your sight is in danger.
  5. If you wear contacts, replace the case. One main reason people experience issues with their eyes is because they don’t maintain their contacts properly. If you have lenses, store the case in a dry space that isn’t a breeding ground for bacteria. Completely rinse and dry the case before storing the lenses in it each time. Replace the case after no more than two months.
  6. Drink a little caffeine… only a little. Two servings of caffeinated beverage each day can help protect against dry eyes. However, more than two can deplete the tear film in your eyes and cause dryness and irritation.
  7. Regularly eat leafy greens, dark berries, and fish. Eating carrots does NOT improve your vision (even though they can’t hurt). Spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts, dark berries such as blueberries and blackberries, and foods rich in omega-3s can reduce inflammation in the blood vessels in the eye. Berries also contain lutein, which protects against the destructive eye condition macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss for people over the age of 60. Include these foods in your diet to help keep your eyes healthy.

 

Contact your physician or eye care professional with any questions you have about eye health. Vision is a vital part of life for most people. Protect it by taking a few easy steps.

 


 

Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

 

Summertime Stings

Summer is a time of year when people enjoy being outside. Whether you spend time having picnics, mowing the lawn, or walking through your neighborhood, summer is a favorite season for fun in the sun. A common health hazard that few think of, however, is the bug bite or sting. For most people a bee, hornet, or wasp sting is just painful, but three in 100 people have allergic reactions to insect stings. Often, people with allergies don’t know they have them until the sting occurs. In many cases, these allergies can be life-threatening.

There are some simple steps to keeping insects away. First, avoid wearing heavy perfumes or colognes, wear light colors and avoid floral patterns (both dark colors and florals attract stinging insects), and be sure to guard your sugary drinks like soda. For most people, a sting will cause pain and swelling of the affected site. See a doctor or the ER immediately if you have:

  • Hives, itchiness, or swelling over large sections of your body.
  • Tightness in your chest or trouble breathing.
  • Swelling of your tongue or face.
  • Dizziness or the feeling you will pass out.

Being outside in the summer can be a lot of fun, so don’t let insects get in your way. Just know how to deal with a sting. See your physician if you have any questions about a big bite or sting.


 

Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

Beat the Heat: Some Tips about Heat Exhaustion

Summer brings hot temperatures that can cause trouble for anyone outside for long periods of time. Heat exhaustion is a common illness that many experience each summer. There are two types of heat exhaustion.

– The first, called water depletion, is a case of severe dehydration. Symptoms include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.

– The second type is salt depletion, which has symptoms of nausea, muscle cramps, and dizziness.

Heat exhaustion is not as bad as heat stroke, but it can lead to heat stroke. If you or someone you are with shows symptoms of heat exhaustion, get out of the heat and cool down in an air-conditioned room. If you can’t go inside somewhere, find the nearest shady spot. Drink some cool fluids, remove any tight-fitting clothing, and use ice towels to lower your body temperature. To prevent heat exhaustion, it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluid, avoid caffeine and alcohol before being in the sun, wear loose clothing that breathes, and use fans or ice towels to keep yourself cool. If you have heat exhaustion and can’t cool down after 15 minutes of being inside, seek emergency medical help to prevent heat stroke. After you recover from heat exhaustion, your body will be more sensitive to high temperatures for about a week, so be careful when going back outside in the heat. Contact your doctor with any questions you have about ways to beat the heat.

 


 

Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

July – Sun Safety Month

With summer in full swing, be sure you protect yourself, and everyone you know. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. There is more you can do than just applying sunscreen.

Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade or bring an umbrella, slide on some stunning shades. Always keep sun protection handy- keep it in your car, your bag, or even your child’s backpack. You ARE a role model for your children and grandchildren.

Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Tanned skin is damaged skin. A sunburn or even a suntan indicates damage from UV rays. Even if the weather is cool and cloudy, children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage.

Remember that if you must be outdoors, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Wear protective clothing when possible, and always keep a wide-brimmed hat on hand. Sport those stylish sunglasses and look for those that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. When choosing a sun block, choose at least SPF 15 with UVA/UVB protection. Do not forget to address the ears, nose, lips and tops of feet – common areas that are often overlooked and unprotected. Reapply sunblock after a few hours and especially after you swim or exercise.


Medical Information Disclaimer

The health-related information and linkages to other sites on the Josefs Pharmacy website is meant for basic informational purposes only. Josefs Pharmacy website is NOT designed or intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, services, or substitute for a doctor’s appointment or medical care. Due to the ever changing nature of medical information, information on this site or linkages to other sites should NOT be considered current or exhaustive or be relied on for any recommendation.  Josefs Pharmacy does not recommend or endorse any products or services or information provided on linked websites.  The linked websites may have graphics or content you find offensive: Josefs Pharmacy, its affiliates, and vendors, have no control over such content and accept no responsibility for such materials.  Josefs Pharmacy is NOT liable for any advice, information, products, or services you obtain through this site.

Users of this website are advised to consult with their physician before making any decisions concerning their health. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR YOUR PHYSICIAN

If you have any questions about sun safety, please feel free to email or contact us at the Pharmacy