Kansas Senior Press Service Weekly Newsletters Kansas Senior Press Service Weekly Newsletters By: Annette McDaniel
Entertainment was simple and inexpensive six decades ago. We told jokes, played word games, and, by the glow of a bare light bulb, created shadow puppets against the wall. Birds, rabbits, and kangaroos cavorted as we positioned our hands together to form a menagerie. It took only one hand to project a barking dog, but most animals took two hands and some nimble finger maneuvering.
Well, the shadow critters are back!
From the corner of my eye, I see a dark shape skitter across my shoulder. I brush it off, only to have it reappear. Now there is one on my right shoulder! Strange forms float before my eyes as I gaze into space.
But these shapes aren’t before my eyes, they are in my eyes. Called “vitreous floaters,” they are made up of sloughed-off cells or clumps of protein suspended in the gelatinous material, called the vitreous humor, that fills our eyeballs. My personal zoo consists of wiggly lines, small splotches, and amoeba-shaped creatures. Once, a large form appeared and stayed long enough to send me running to the ophthalmologist to ask whether I had a cataract.
“Perhaps the beginnings of one,” I was told.
I’d prefer a straight yes or no. What I’m looking for is reassurance. My vision is important to me.
Four months later, the big floater had disappeared, leaving me with only my miniature menagerie. Those I can live with. Actually, they can be quite entertaining. If I am required to wait for an appointment, I simply focus on a bare surface and watch the circus performance begin. Any pale-colored background, or even the sky, can be a projection screen. Shifting your eyes back and forth activates the show. If people give you funny looks, smile mysteriously. It’s fine to entertain yourself in the doctor’s office (folks think you are there for that annoying eye twitch), but do not do this in line at the bank, unless you are looking for real excitement.
The shapes you see are really just shadows of the actual floaters cast on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining at the back of the eye. As we age, the vitreous humor thickens, causing clumps of protein or cells to float free. While unnerving, they are usually harmless, though it’s a good idea to see an eye specialist if they persist or are accompanied by flashes of light.
Sometimes medications can trigger the slide show. Food allergies may be the culprit. Stress can be a factor, but floaters are usually just the normal tissue breakdown of aging.
When I first became aware of my floaters some years ago, I was not alarmed. My mother had mentioned her own. I thought at the time that the condition was unique to her, as she tended to collect any number of strange objects. My husband, on the other hand, having arachnophobia, had a difficult time with his first experience. He jumped up, batting at his shoulder in alarm. Later he went for the fly-swatter when a floater appeared on the wall. Now he ignores them.
Numerous methods are suggested for ridding oneself of the floater phenomenon. They run the gamut from the extreme (surgery) to psychological conditioning (pretend they’re not there) and everything in between.
“Naturally reverse your floaters without surgery!,” we are advised by a company selling expensive eye-drops and custom-formulated vitamins. My suggestion? Learn to love your critters and spend your money on a good antioxidant— and a hot-fudge sundae!
Annette McDaniel is a former elementary teacher, former accountant, and sometime poet and writer, who lives in Edgerton.
One of every five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime, and the percentage will probably get higher. With global warming on the rise, the risk of skin cancer will be greater than ever. In addition, the hole in the ozone layer has expanded, exposing us to more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation forms “free radicals” in our bodies which damage healthy cells, increasing cancer risk.
Sun exposure is responsible for between 80 and 90 percent of skin cancer cases, so it is crucial to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Eating a healthful diet can also protect against skin cancer. Taking both of these precautions may significantly decrease your chances of developing skin cancer.
Slather on sunscreen when you go outdoors, even during the winter, and make sure the SPF is at least 15. Reapply the sunscreen at least every three hours. Remember that swimming and sweating will shorten the duration of its effectiveness.
People often assume that they are immune to skin cancer if they have naturally dark skin or if their skin does not burn. It might seem reasonable that fair-skinned people, or those whose families have a history of skin cancer, are more likely to develop skin cancer--but studies show that the overall intensity of sunlight exposure over a lifetime that determines actual risk.
Once you have taken the necessary steps to protect your skin, evaluate your diet. Are you a big fan of cocktails? You may want to consider cutting back on alcoholic drinks. One study claims heavy drinkers have a 65 percent greater risk of developing melanoma than do light or non-drinkers.
The ingredients in the food you eat may also influence skin cancer risk. Polyunsaturated fats, consumed in excess, may weaken your immune system and expose
Your body to the free radicals associated with cancer. These types of fats are heavily present in most vegetable oils. They are healthy fats, but must be consumed in moderation.
Antioxidants in some foods may help prevent cancer, too. Antioxidants are a current hot topic in the news because recent studies show that some (e.g., carotenoids, vitamins E and C, and selenium) contain cancer-fighting properties. These antioxidants are found in a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Some studies assert that a diet high in these nutrients is helpful for cancer prevention.
If you absolutely insist on having a sun-kissed tan, apply a self-tanner. These contain ingredients that oxidize the skin, making it look tan. By eating well and avoiding sunburn, you may save yourself from being among the one-fifth of all Americans who are afflicted with skin cancer.
Source: The American Institute for Cancer Research
By: James A. Wise, PhD, CCC-A, and Tim Steele, PhD, CCC-A
As audiologists who have treated thousands of patients over the last 25 years, we have learned that hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ability to hear; it affects your quality of life.
A common misconception is that hearing loss only occurs as we age. In fact, hearing loss has many different causes, including noise exposure, and it is more common now than ever before. Today’s baby boomers are more likely to have a hearing loss than their parents were at the same age. Here are some interesting facts:
We know from working with our patients that many people procrastinate about having their hearing tested and about the decision to purchase hearing aids once they are diagnosed with hearing loss. We understand their reluctance, but we always try to educate our patients regarding the negative effects that untreated hearing loss can have on an individual’s life so they can avoid experiencing these unfortunate outcomes.
Maintaining our hearing is as important as other aspects of healthful living, even though many of us don’t recognize that fact until it is too late. Environmental noise and noise encountered in our recreational pursuits are often detrimental to our hearing.
Loudness is measured in units called decibels (dB). Normal conversation measures about 60 dB. Sounds above 75 dB can cause hearing loss by damaging the hair cells in the inner ear. These hair cells help sound waves reach the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. When the cells are damaged, optimum hearing ability is compromised.
If you will routinely take two simple precautions, you’ll help to minimize the effect of noise on your hearing. First, wear custom hearing protection when mowing, hunting, attending concerts and the speedway, or in any other noisy setting. A variety of filters are available in custom hearing protection so that you can still hear conversation but are protected against the most damaging noise levels.
Second, turn down the volume of everything! Have you ever turned up the volume on the TV, radio, or an iPod to hear over the noise of the mower or the hair dryer? Most of us have. Prolonged exposure to unsafe levels of noise can injure the hearing mechanism. It is never too late to form habits that will help maintain your ability to hear. Start working on it today!
It may be difficult for you to tell that you are losing your hearing. Frequently our patients tell us that their spouse or significant other is the first to notice their hearing loss. If someone is always telling you to turn the television down, or you think everyone is mumbling, you should have your hearing evaluated. Other signs that you might have a hearing loss:
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic hearing evaluation. To learn more about hearing loss, there are many Web sites with abundant information, including:
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/toc.html
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/types.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddhi.htm
James Wise and Tim Steele are president and vice president, respectively, of Associated Audiologists, which has offices in Olathe, Overland Park, and Prairie Village; www.hearingyourbest.com.