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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 29, 2012)
Februaiy 29, 2012___________________ P o rtla n d O bserver B la c k H is t o r y M o n t h Page 17 Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease Early detection and medical care can reduce risks T h o u s a n d s o f A m e ric a n ad u lts are at risk o f losing their v ision as a resu lt o f c o m p lic a tions from diabetes. Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. In addi tion, another 79 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at in creased risk for diabetes. All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness. “The longer a person has diabe tes the greater is his or her risk of developing diabetic eye disease,” said Dr. Suber Huang, chair of the Diabetic Eye Disease Subcommit tee for the National Eye Institute’s National Eye Health Education Pro gram. “If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Dia betic eye disease often has no early warning signs, but can be detected early and treated before noticeable vision loss occurs.” Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problem s that people with diabetes may face as a com plication of the disease, including diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy, the most com m on diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age. Ac cording to the N ational Eye Insti tute, 4.1 m illion people have dia betic eye disease, and its preva lence is projected to increase to 7.2 million by 2020. While all people with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, African Americans, American Indi ans, Alaska Natives, Hispanics, and older adults with diabetes are at higher risk of losing vision or going blind from it. vanced diabetic retinopathy can reduce their risk of blindness by 90 percent. Clinical research has shown that maintaining good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and choles terol can slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. In addition to regular dilated eye exams, people with diabetes should do the following to keep their health on track: Take your medications; reach and maintain a healthy weight; add physi cal activity to your daily routine; control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol; and kick the smoking habit. "D on’t lose sight of diabetic eye disease,” added Dr. Huang. “Don’t wait until you notice an eye problem to have an exam because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.” For more inform ation on dia Clinical research has shown that maintaining good control o f betic eye disease and tips on find blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow the ing an eye care professional or development and progression o f diabetic eye disease. financial assistance for eye care, All people with diabetes should early. In fact, with early detection, visit nei.nih.gov/diabetes or call have a dilated eye exam at least once timely laser surgery, and appropri the National Eye Institute at 301 - a year to detect vision problems ate follow-up care, people with ad 496-5248. Height Loss and Health Risks Study looks at impact on older women Most of us grow shorter as we age and some height loss is normal, but a new stu d y by K a iser Permanente researchers in Portland, found that women who lose two inches or more are at greater risk for fractures and death. The study found that women 65 and older who lost more than two inches over 15 years were 50 per cent more likely to both fracture a bone and to die in the subsequent five years, compared to women who lost less than two inches in height. Height loss may be an indicator of osteoporosis, a weakening of the bone that can lead to fractures of the spine, hip, wrist and other bones. Hip fractures are the most debilitating. Nearly 300,000 people are admit ted to the hospital each year with a hip fracture, according to the Cen ters for Disease Control and Pre vention. As many as 20 percent of them will die within a year after the fracture and many others will be come disabled, previous research has shown. “We need to do everything we can to prevent these fractures and our study suggests that clinicians don’t need to wait until they have two height measurements before they can be proactive,” Hillier said. “Most older women remember how tall they were in their mid 20s, and if Study Proves Colonoscopy Benefit (AP) — Millions of people have survival — the key measure of any endured a colonoscopy, believing cancer screening's worth. Some people skip the test be the dreaded exam may help keep them from dying of colon cancer. cause o f the unpleasant steps For the first time, a major study needed to get ready for it. “Sure, it’s a pain in the neck. offers clear evidence that it does. Removing precancerous growths People complain to me all the time, spotted during the test can cut the ‘It’s horrible. It’s terrible,” ’ said Dr. risk of dying from colon cancer in Sidney Winawer, a gastroenterolo half, the study suggests. Doctors gist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have long assumed a benefit, but Cancer Center in New York who research hasn't shown before that helped lead the study. “But look at removing polyps would improve the alternative.” they measure two inches shorter than that, clinicians should con- sider bone density testing, coun seling, and possible treatment to help prevent fractures.” Prior studies have reported that significant height loss puts men at higher risk for heart disease and death, but this is the first study to find an association between height loss and death in women. Another study found that men over 70 who lost two inches or more were also at greater risk for fracturing a hip, com pared with men who lost less height. Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 Truly making a difference in the lives of Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 We are located on the com er ofM LK and Russell Street, on the second floor above the coffee shop. Parking .Area Russell St S
