Tag: wellness

Emphysema causes and treatment

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Today I am looking at Emphysema which is a long-term lung condition and a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It damages the tiny air sacs in the lungs, reducing the surface area available for oxygen exchange and making it difficult to breathe out fully. The damage cannot be reversed, but treatment can relieve symptoms, slow further decline and improve quality of life.

What causes it are things like

Smoking: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause. Cigars, pipes and repeated exposure to second-hand smoke can also contribute.

Airborne irritants: Long-term exposure to dust, chemical fumes, smoke or air pollution—especially in some workplaces—may damage the lungs.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: This uncommon inherited condition can cause emphysema, sometimes at a younger age or in people who have never smoked.

Age and susceptibility: Risk rises with age and may be influenced by genetics, childhood lung development, recurrent respiratory illness and other individual factors.

Most people with emphysema are diagnosed after age 40, commonly in their 50s, 60s or later, because lung damage usually develops slowly and symptoms may be present for years before diagnosis. People with inherited alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can develop emphysema earlier, sometimes in their 30s or 40s, especially if they smoke or are exposed to lung irritants. Age alone does not confirm emphysema; diagnosis usually involves breathing tests such as spirometry and sometimes chest imaging.

Symptoms often develop gradually and may include shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, tiredness and unintended weight loss in advanced disease. A clinician may use a medical history, examination, breathing tests such as spirometry, oxygen measurements and chest imaging. Blood testing may be recommended when alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is suspected.

How does someone treat this condition well here is what I found.

Stop smoking: Quitting is the most important step for people who smoke. A GP or pharmacist can discuss counselling, nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medicines.

Inhaled medicines: Bronchodilators relax the airway muscles; some people may also benefit from inhaled corticosteroids, particularly when exacerbations are frequent or asthma features are present.

Pulmonary rehabilitation: Supervised exercise, breathing techniques, education and nutritional support can improve stamina and confidence.

Vaccination and infection management: Recommended influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccination may reduce complications. Respiratory infections should be assessed promptly.

Oxygen therapy: Long-term oxygen may help selected people with persistently low blood oxygen levels, but it must be prescribed after proper testing.

Specialist procedures: For severe disease, selected patients may be considered for lung-volume-reduction surgery, bronchoscopy valve procedures or lung transplantation.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency care: Management includes avoiding smoke, specialist monitoring and, in some settings, disease-specific augmentation therapy.

Airway Problems

~ joannerambling ~ 6 Comments

Today I am looking at the problems we can experience with our airways, ya know those passages that carry air into and out of the lungs.

Problems can arise when said passages become narrowed, blocked, irritated, or inflamed. These passages include the nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, bronchi, and smaller breathing tubes in the lungs. When airflow is reduced, a person may find it harder to breathe, speak, sleep, exercise, or clear mucus from the chest.

The common causes are infections, allergies, asthma, chronic lung disease, smoke exposure, choking, swelling, injury, or structural narrowing of the airway. Some problems are short-term, such as a cold or allergic reaction, while others can be long-term and need ongoing medical care.

The signs and symptoms to look for include

·       Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

·       Noisy breathing, such as wheezing, whistling, or stridor

·       Persistent coughing or chest congestion

·       Tightness in the chest

·       Difficulty speaking, swallowing, or sleeping because of breathing symptoms

·       Blue, grey, or pale lips, gums, or fingernails in severe cases

As a severe airway problem can be life-threatening, we need to call for help sooner than often we may if someone is choking, cannot breathe or speak, has swelling of the face or throat, becomes confused or very drowsy, or develops blue, grey, or pale colouring around the lips or fingernails. It is time to stop scrolling and time to ring your emergency number here in Australia that is 000.

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include inhalers, allergy medicines, antibiotics for certain infections, oxygen support, removal of a blockage, or procedures to open a narrowed airway. Prevention can include avoiding smoke and known allergens, following an asthma or lung disease action plan, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, and seeking medical advice when breathing symptoms are new, worsening, or unusual.

Next week we will look at specific conditions that block our airways.

Our Lungs

~ joannerambling ~ 3 Comments

This week we are looking at our lungs.

The human lungs are a pair of soft, spongy organs located inside the chest, protected by the rib cage. They are an essential part of the respiratory system, which allows the body to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Every breath brings fresh air into the lungs, where oxygen moves into the bloodstream and is carried to cells throughout the body.

The rib cage plays an important role in protecting the lungs. The ribs form a strong, curved frame around the chest that helps shield the lungs and heart from injury. The rib cage also helps with breathing because the ribs move up and out when a person breathes in, allowing the lungs to expand, and move down and in when a person breathes out.

Air enters through the nose or mouth, travels down the trachea, and then passes into two main bronchi, one leading to each lung. These bronchi branch into smaller tubes called bronchioles, which end in tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by small blood vessels, making them the main site where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

A person’s lung capacity or the amount of air the lungs can hold varies from person to person depending on age, body size, fitness level, and overall health. People who exercise regularly often use their lungs more efficiently, while smoking, illness, or pollution can reduce how well the lungs work. Measuring lung capacity can help doctors understand how healthy a person’s breathing system is.

The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes to make room for the heart.

The diaphragm, a large muscle below the lungs, helps pull air in and push air out during breathing.

Healthy lungs help supply oxygen for energy, remove waste gases, and support the body’s overall function.

The History of Glue

~ joannerambling ~ 11 Comments

Glue may seem like an ordinary household item, but its history stretches back thousands of years. Long before modern bottles of white glue, super glue, or tape, people discovered that sticky natural substances could help them build tools, repair objects, make art, and construct furniture. The story of glue is really the story of human ingenuity: finding ways to make things hold together.

Some of the earliest adhesives were made from materials found in nature, such as tree resin, plant gums, tar, and animal products. It is believed that prehistoric people used sticky substances like birch tar to attach stone points to wooden handles, helping them make stronger spears, axes, and other tools. It is known that Egyptians used animal-based glues in woodworking, furniture making, papyrus production, and decorative objects, while Greeks and Romans used adhesives in mosaics, construction, and everyday repairs.

For many centuries, the most common glues were made by boiling animal hides, bones, or connective tissue to extract collagen. These “hide glues” were widely used by cabinetmakers, instrument makers, bookbinders, and artists. Although they were not waterproof and had to be heated before use, they were strong, reliable, and could be softened again with heat and moisture, making repairs possible.

It was during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, glue changed dramatically.  It  was in the 1800s that natural rubber adhesives appeared, and with the growth of chemistry came new products such as casein glue, nitrocellulose glue, epoxy, polyurethane, and synthetic rubber adhesives.

Of course, wars and industrial manufacturing speed  things up as stronger, faster, and more specialised adhesives were needed for vehicles, aircraft, packaging, and construction.

Today, adhesives are everywhere: in schools, homes, hospitals, electronics, cars, packaging, and even spacecraft. Modern glues can be waterproof, heat-resistant, flexible, instant-drying, or specially designed for medical use.

So from way back when to now and beyond there will many different types of ways to stick on thing to another.

The Role of the Mouth and Nose When Breathing

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

This week we are looking at the role of the mouth and news when breathing.

The nose and mouth are the two main entry points for air when we breathe. Although both can bring air into the respiratory system, they have different roles. The nose is usually the preferred pathway because it filters, warms and moistens the air before it travels down the throat, through the windpipe and into the lungs. Tiny hairs and mucus inside the nose help trap dust, germs and other particles, making the air safer and more comfortable for the lungs.

The mouth acts as a second pathway for breathing. It is especially useful when the nose is blocked, such as during a cold or allergies, or when the body needs more air during exercise. However, air that enters through the mouth is not filtered, warmed or moistened as well as air that enters through the nose. This means frequent mouth breathing can sometimes lead to a dry mouth, throat irritation or poorer sleep.

Overall, the nose and mouth work together to help the body take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The nose protects and prepares the air for the lungs, while the mouth provides an extra route for airflow when needed.

When we have a cold, the inside of the nose can become swollen and filled with extra mucus. This makes it harder for air to pass through the nose, so breathing can feel blocked or stuffy.

Because the nose is blocked, we often start breathing more through the mouth. Mouth breathing lets air still get into the lungs, but it does not filter, warm, or moisten the air as well as the nose does. That is why a cold can sometimes make your mouth or throat feel dry.

A cold can also make us sneeze, cough, or have a runny nose because the body is trying to clear away germs and mucus.

Diabetic Retinopathy

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Let’s start with what the hell is wrong with me I wrote this and forgot to hit   publish on Tuesday and the Wednesday and now here we are at Thursday, talk about getting distracted and having a scatter brain. 

This week we are looking the eye condition called Diabetic retinopathy. This is a condition that some who has diabetes may develop it causes damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina and can lead to vision loss or blindness if untreated.

It’s a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes where high blood glucose gradually harms the retinal blood vessels. These vessels can:

Swell and leaks

Close off, stopping blood flow

Grow abnormal new vessels that bleed easily

Over time, this damages the retina and affects vision.

There are two stages the first is non‑proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). In this stage the following may happen

The blood vessels weaken and leak

The retina swells

The macula may swell known as macular oedema, this causes blurred vision.

The next stage is proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in this advanced stage, the following happens new fragile blood vessels grow, these can bleed into the vitreous (causing floaters or major vision loss) and scar tissue can form and pull the retina away as in retinal detachment.

Early on, there may be no symptoms at all.

However, as it progresses, people may notice:

Blurry or fluctuating vision

Floaters (dark spots or cobweb-like shapes)

Dark or empty patches in vision

Poor night vision

Sudden vision loss

How is this diagnosed?

To start with a dilated eye exam is essential during this the eye specialists may use the following.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure retinal swelling

Fluorescein angiography to detect leaking or blocked vessels (the dye test shown in the widget above)

Treatment depends on the stage, usually starting with

Control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol which is the foundation of preventing vision loss

Anti‑VEGF injections (e.g., Eylea, Lucentis) to reduce swelling and stop abnormal vessel growth

Laser therapy to seal leaking vessels or shrink abnormal ones

Vitrectomy surgery for severe bleeding or retinal detachment

Your risk increases when these things apply

Long duration of diabetes

Poor blood sugar control

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Smoking

Beechband

~ joannerambling ~ 2 Comments

Today I am writing about the Beechband, what is it you may wonder well it is a device to help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

The Beechband works by delivering steady, rhythmic vibration pulses on your wrist to help calm and regulate movement, speech, and anxiety symptoms—especially for people with Parkinson’s.

It’s essentially a wearable version of a therapeutic tapping technique that its creator originally used manually.

It produces rhythmic pulsing vibrations (around 85 beats per minute in many cases). These pulses mimic a metronome‑like tapping that can help the brain stabilise movement patterns and reduce anxiety.

For some people, the effect is immediate, while for others it builds gradually over several weeks.

It can help with the following symptoms anxiety and stress, dyskinesia, rigidity, freezing of gait and other walking problems, speech difficulties, sleep issues and tremor of course.

However not everyone experiences the same benefits—some feel a big change, others only subtle effects, and some none at all.

You wear it on your wrist (or try switching wrists or even the ankle if results vary). Turn, it on and ignore it—most people stop noticing the vibration after 15–30 minutes.

It is recommended to use it daily for at least 6 weeks to judge whether it helps. Friends or family often notice improvements before the wearer does.

The vibration can be loud for some people; the battery life is often short around 3–4 hours.

Some users report major improvements in gait and freezing; others report no change.

The Beechband is a non‑medical wearable that uses steady vibration cues to help regulate movement and reduce anxiety. It doesn’t treat Parkinson’s itself, but for some people it provides meaningful day‑to‑day relief.

I have this device and it works great for me it calms my body, stops the internal tremor and helps clear my mind allowing me to focus and connect.

Glaucoma

~ joannerambling ~ 4 Comments

Today I am writing about glaucoma, I always thought it to be a single disease concerning the eye; however, my research says it is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually because of increased pressure inside the eye.

It’s one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide but with early detection and treatment, most people keep their vision.

The optic nerve is like a high‑speed cable carrying visual information from your eye to your brain. When pressure inside the eye rises (or when the nerve is unusually fragile), those nerve fibres slowly die. Once they’re gone, they cannot be repaired.

Your eyes are filled with fluid that constantly flows in and out of your eyes, bringing nutrients to your eyes.

If the fluid doesn’t leave your eye as easily as it enters, pressure can build up inside the eye.

The increase in eye pressure can damage your optic nerve. Your optic nerve links the back of your eye to your brain and allows you to see. Damage to your optic nerve results in damage to your vision.

Glaucoma can sometimes occur even when the fluid pressure in your eye is normal.

Most glaucoma develops silently over years, which is why it’s often called the “silent thief of sight.”

There are 2 main types of glaucoma.

Open-angle — where fluid pressure builds up in the front part of your eye, even when the fluid drainage pathways are open.

Closed-angle (or angle-closure) — where the eye’s fluid drainage pathways are narrowed or closed, so fluid pressure builds up quickly. This may cause pain in the eye and sudden loss of vision.

It can also be categorised as either, primary glaucoma, with an unknown cause or secondary glaucoma, caused by an eye condition, such as surgery, trauma, drugs or eye disease

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma in Australia.

Usually, the deterioration in vision is very gradual and not noticeable. From the age of 40 regular eye examinations.

Once found, glaucoma can be treated to prevent or delay further vision loss.

You are at higher risk of developing glaucoma if you:

have a close relative with glaucoma

have high eye pressure

are aged over 50 years

are either short or long sighted

use (or have used) cortisone (steroid) medicines for long periods

have diabetes or either high or low blood pressure

get migraine headaches

have had an eye operation or eye injury

If you have chronic angle-closure glaucoma you sometimes get vision problems. This may be halo-like images around lights or you may have no symptoms.

If you have acute angle-closure glaucoma you may get:

sudden, severe eye pain

nausea and vomiting

headache

watery eyes

blurred vision

halos around bright lights

Since acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency, you should seek treatment straight away so you don’t lose vision. You need urgent treatment if:

one or both of your eyes quickly becomes painful and red

your vision gets blurred

you notice halos (rings) around lights

Treatment for chronic angle-closure glaucoma is designed to prevent or slow further damage, mainly by reducing the pressure in the eye. This may involve, eye drops, oral medicine or laser surgery or other surgery to open or create a new drainage channel. The surgery is usually an outpatient or day-surgery procedure.

Nerve cells damaged by glaucoma can’t be repaired.

Cataracts

~ joannerambling ~ 5 Comments

Hello everyone today we are looking at cataracts how many of us know what that is.

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which normally sits just behind the iris and focuses light. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision gradually becomes blurry, hazy, or dim, much like looking through a fogged‑up window. Cataracts are extremely common with age and are one of the leading cases of vision impairment worldwide.

How does having cataracts feel, well from what I could find out this, blurred or foggy vision, glare or halos around lights usually at night. There is a sensitivity to bright lights and the need for brighter light when doing stuff and reading. There can be Double vision in one eye.

These symptoms usually develop slowly, and early cataracts may cause no noticeable problems.

Why do cataracts happen well over time, the proteins that make up the lens break down and clump together, forming cloudy patches. The most common causes are ageing, UV exposure from sunlight, family history of cataracts, diabetes, long‑term steroid use, smoking or previous eye injury or surgery

In rare cases, babies can be born with cataracts (congenital cataracts).

Often an optometrist will diagnose cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam. This is why regular eye exams are recommended from age 40 onward, even without symptoms.

There is no medication, diet, or eye drop that can reverse cataracts. Treatment depends on how much they affect daily life.

In the early stage’s things like stronger lighting, updated glasses, and anti‑glare sunglasses may help.

However, when vision is significantly affected cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. This involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (an intraocular lens, or IOL)

The procedure is quick (about 30 minutes), usually done under local anaesthetic, and has a very high success rate. Most people notice clearer vision within days.

You can’t completely prevent them, but you can reduce risk or slow progression by wear UV‑blocking sunglasses and a hat outdoors, quit smoking, make sure your diabetes is under control and have regular eye exams.

Eye diseases and disorders

~ joannerambling ~ 7 Comments

This week we are looking at eye diseases or disorders at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment or eye condition that’s about 28% of the population. This figure doesn’t include things like dry eye or conjunctivitis or any other condition that doesn’t affect sight, if it did the percentage would be more like 50% of the population.

Eye diseases include any condition that affects the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, eyelids, or the visual pathways in the brain. Some are mild and temporary; others can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.

Eye conditions for into one of eight categories these are the following.

Refractive Disorders (Most Common Worldwide)

These affect how light bends in the eye.

  • Myopia (short‑sightedness) – distant vision blurred
  • Hyperopia (long‑sightedness) – near vision blurred
  • Astigmatism – uneven focus due to irregular cornea
  • Presbyopia – age‑related loss of near focus (40+)

Treatment: glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Lens Disorders

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens causing blurred or dim vision.

  • Extremely common with age
  • Treated with cataract surgery (one of the safest surgeries worldwide

Retina Disorders

These affect the light‑sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

  • Damages central vision
  • Leading cause of blindness in older adults
  • Two types: dry and wet

Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Caused by diabetes damaging retinal blood vessels
  • Can lead to blindness if untreated

Retinal Detachment

  • Retina pulls away from the back of the eye
  • Medical emergency
  • Symptoms: flashes, floaters, curtain over vision

Macular Hole / Macular Pucker

  • Distortion or loss of central vision

Optic Nerve Disorders

Glaucoma

  • Damage to the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure
  • Causes gradual, irreversible vision loss
  • Requires lifelong management

Optic Neuritis

  • Inflammation of the optic nerve
  • Often linked to autoimmune conditions

Corneal Disorders

Keratoconus

  • Cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape
  • Causes distorted vision
  • Treated with cross‑linking, contacts, or corneal transplant

Corneal Ulcer

  • Open sore, usually from infection
  • Painful and urgent to treat

Eyelid & Surface Disorders

Blepharitis

  • Inflammation of eyelid margins
  • Causes irritation, crusting, dryness

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

  • Viral, bacterial, or allergic
  • Causes redness, discharge, irritation

Dry Eye Disease

  • Very common
  • Caused by poor tear quality or quantity

Childhood Eye Disorders

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

  • Brain favours one eye
  • Treatable if caught early

Strabismus (Eye Turn)

  • Eyes misaligned
  • May require glasses, exercises, or surgery

Rare but Serious Conditions

·       Uveitis – inflammation inside the eye

·       Retinoblastoma – childhood eye cancer

·       Graves’ Eye Disease – autoimmune swelling behind the eyes

·       Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – pressure on optic nerve

When it comes to our eyes people should seek immediate help if they experience any of the following

  • Sudden vision loss
  • Flashes or a curtain over vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Sudden double vision
  • Chemical injury

These can indicate emergencies like retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or infection.