What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is just one manifestation of the diabetic state of ones body.  Diabetes is a very destructive disease in that it damage circulation throughout the body.  When that damage is in the eye, it often leads to blindness.

Symptoms  (Frequently There Are None!  In rare instances the ones below may be noticed.):

1. A sudden decrease in vision
2. Noticing distorted edges to doors, tables or objects in general
3. Cold extremities (hands and feet)  
4. General signs:  excessive hunger, thirst and urination.

Detection:

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul and that may be true but in our office they are the windows to your health.  We frequently use DRI (Digit Retinal Imaging) to allow us to see into your blood vessels and into your health.  See the picture below:

Causes:    

To this day defining the exact cause is controversial.  We do know that some people inherit a genetic form of diabetes but many more become diabetic due to lifestyle.  In America there is now an epidemic of Children who are becoming diabetic with NO family history and NO known genetic weakness.  This appears to be due to lack of exercise and obesity (being overweight). .

1. Excessive carbohydrates in diet (particularly refined products such as white flour and sweets)
2. Hormones and  other unnatural substance added to animal feed.
3. Red meat and milk products - from cows that are fed the common (fattening) artificial diet in America.  This means cows fed things like corn, soy and other things they do not naturally eat.
4. Chicken & Eggs - from poultry that was fed an artificial diet including hormones, soy and corn, while living in cages where they get no exercise or sunlight.
5. "Snack foods" such as corn chips, potato chips, cracker etc... especially those cooked in or having hydrogenated oils added to their composition.
6. Lack Aerobic Exercise:  Most people need to walk a minimum of  1 hour Every Day to stay reasonably fit.
7. Lack of sufficient fiber in your diet
8. SMOKING - a major cause.
9.  

Medications That Can Promote Diabetic Retinopathy:   

1. Blood thinners including aspirin
2. Some antipsychotic drugs

Allopathic Treatment (traditional medicine)

The common traditional medical treatments are oral drugs like Glucophage or Insulin injections when the oral drugs do not seem adequate.

Complementary - HolisticTreatment:  (This approach is offered with the allopathic approach especially when there is the danger of vision loss from currently compromised  leaky vessels).

If you are not sure which products you need,  please feel free to email us your questions.  CLICK  HERE TO  EMAIL-US

"CRITICAL" -  PRODUCTS  (or lifestyle changes) ARE THOSE WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO GOOD RESULTS:

Critical: Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil  peach or orange flavor  is in liquid form. . Omega-3 fatty acids help improve circulation, integrity of blood vessels, proper brain functioning, flexibility and permeability of cell membranes, and helps protect the retina's photoreceptor cells. Recommended dosage is 1-2 teaspoonfuls once a day.
Critical: Read And Follow:  "The South Beach Diet",  "The Atkins Program",  or other respected low carb lifeStyle.  This will help you control many of the factors that cause arterial wall hardening.
Critical: If You Smoke Seek Every Available Means To Quit: - Smoking will nearly guaranteed you will suffer many serious illnesses and many of them will relate to blood vessel damage.  As one researcher put it: "Smokers do not cost the health care system much more than average people because they die much earlier and so cost less to care of..
Critical: Learn how to purchase better quality food:  (Very Important)  ]

• a) All red meats should be from organically raised animals that are GRASS FED. Cows raised on a corn, soy, hormones etc., are fat overweight and will transfer their illness to you!  They are fed this unnatural diet because it makes them weigh MUCH more at slaughter and are therefore more profitable.
• b) Chicken should also be organically raised and fed a natural diet (so they don't look like the chickens filled with yellow globs of fat that you see in your supermarket.  Look for  Murray's  or Bell and Evans chickens, in most good supermarkets.
• c) Fish though good for your cholesterol,  is now tainted with mercury.  Only sardines are truly safe as they live in the ocean to short a time to be badly contaminated.  There are sources of fish that are safer than others and you should become knowledgeable about this.

Critical: Aerobic exercise daily.  Diabetics can greatly control their blood sugar level and reduce circulatory decline by walking regularly.  If you are diabetic, choose to live, and begin walking for at least 1 hour EVERY DAY.   A  patient of mine,  Fred Smith,  was diagnosed with diabetes before I was born.  Back then the only treatment was Insulin.  He read the literature and found that the insulin would help but he would still suffer disease and die prematurely.  He also read that losing weight and aerobic exercise could overcome his diabetes.  When I saw him last he was still walking 5 miles EVERY day,  had kept his weigh to a very trim level (5miles a day will do it!) and he needed NO medications until he was in his LATE 70's.  By then he did have to start an oral medication.  However,  he was nearly 80 and going strong!  You can do it too!  This is publication is in honor of Fred Smith!  A man who prized life.

    Things To STOP

1. Stop drinking caffeine and sodas, avoid aspartame in any form.  Avoid any modified oils and fats such as Hydrogenated oils.  
2. STOP smoking in any form as it damages eye tissues and is a major cause of macular degeneration.
3. Avoid MSG in all foods.
4. Limit Alcohol intake.
5. If you are taking allopathic medications,  try to eliminate as many as possible with your doctors help!
6. Lack Of Exercise:   Aerobic exercise is essential.  Consider 1 hours exercise 5 - 7 days a week  This may be walking,  jogging or any other form that enhances circulation. Many people achieve this by walking much of their trip, to work,  not taking elevators (using the stairs) and walking to and talking with people instead of sending emails (more fun too!).
7. Stress reduction is very helpful.  Consider meditation,  Yoga  or even simply watching videos such as comedies, before sleep.

 LifeStyle Changes    Click here for VERY IMPORTANT information that is KEY to your staying healthy and keeping your eyesight.