Do not leave macular degeneration of the retina to chance, it can lead to complete loss of vision

Without the retina, the image would not be able to be transformed and projected. Simply put, the person would not be able to see anything.

Therefore, it is only natural that if you notice any symptoms of retinal disease, it is necessary to urgently begin its treatment.

Therefore, in this article we will look at how to treat macular degeneration of the retina with folk remedies.

Stages of pathology development

Cardiac muscle dystrophy is not associated with inflammatory or degenerative tissue changes. It develops as follows:

• Metabolic imbalance causes a defect in the nervous regulation of the myocardium, the production of adrenaline increases, which leads to increased heart rate. Systematic tachycardia contributes to the “wear and tear” of tissues, due to which the walls of the heart are depleted.
• Weak tissues are not able to absorb the required amount of oxygen, the ischemic effect leads to the fact that the myocardium suffers from hypoxia.
• Oxygen deficiency leads to an increase in calcium levels in the blood. An increased content of this element complicates tissue respiration. Harmful substances that deform cells begin to be produced. Deformed lysosomes produce enzymes that adversely affect the structure of cardiomyocytes.
• Lipid metabolism suffers and is disrupted. As a result, free radicals accumulate in the tissues and can deform the myocardium.

The changes that have occurred lead to a sharp shortage of viable cardiomyocytes.

When diagnosing myocardial dystrophy, symptoms and treatment will directly depend on the causes that provoked the pathology. The disease is classified according to the same causal principle.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of pigmentary abiotrophy is made on the basis of a comprehensive examination, which includes various diagnostic methods:

• visual acuity test;
• measurement of intraocular pressure;
• perimetry, or assessment of visual fields;
• examination using a slit lamp and an ophthalmoscope.

The most informative way to diagnose the disease is ophthalmoscopy - examination of eye tissue using a special device (ophthalmoscope), which allows you to examine the entire retina.

Characteristic signs of retinitis pigmentosa are pigment deposits in the form of white or yellowish spots, vasoconstriction, and changes in the optic nerve.

Additional diagnostic methods include general blood and urine tests, glucose level tests, etc.

Important! If there are difficulties in making a diagnosis, it is recommended to examine the patient’s close relatives , since the disease is hereditary.

Classification of myocardial dystrophy

The classification, which is based on provoking factors, looks like this:

1. Dyshormonal myocardial dystrophy. This variant of pathology always develops against the background of one or another hormonal imbalance. Menopausal changes in the body of women, age-related decreases in testosterone production in older men, pathologies of the thyroid gland, and other endocrine disorders cause metabolic disruptions in the body. As a result, the heart does not receive enough nutrients in full, and myocardial dystrophy develops.
2. Dysmetabolic myocardial dystrophy. This form develops due to metabolic disorders caused by poor nutrition. A deficiency of certain elements in the diet leads to anemia, vitamin deficiencies, and, as a consequence, metabolic disorders. Protein deficiency, diabetes, and other important components can be included in this group. For example, an adult who has chosen veganism, or a woman who is trying to lose weight and is constantly following a strict diet, should remember that a lack of nutrients is fraught with serious heart problems.
3. Myocardial dystrophy of mixed origin is a condition that occurs as a result of other established causes, with the exception of dyshormonal and dysmetabolic disorders. Mixed or complex genesis includes the consequences of intoxication, infectious diseases, and neuromuscular pathologies.

A separate group includes myocardial dystrophy of unspecified origin, i.e. a condition the cause of which could not be determined after a comprehensive examination and the use of all known diagnostic methods.

The above classification in cardiological practice can be significantly expanded. That is, working with a specific patient, a cardiologist can more accurately identify the cause that provoked cardiac dystrophy. Practitioners distinguish:

• Tonsillogenic MCD. If a child or adult often suffers from sore throats or is diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis, as a result of constant inflammation of the tonsils, the activity of some parts of the brain is activated, which are responsible for the increased production of adrenaline and norepinephrine, causing the myocardium to contract in an enhanced manner. Increased load causes overstrain of muscle fibers, and myocardial dystrophy develops.
• Anemic MCD. With anemia, the heart muscle, like other tissues, suffers from hypoxia. The fact is that it is hemoglobin that transports oxygen to tissues, and with its deficiency, hypoxic phenomena begin to develop. The myocardium tries to compensate for the oxygen deficiency and contracts faster than usual. Systematic increased load leads to myocardial dystrophy.
• MKD sports overloads. If an athlete constantly exceeds his biological capabilities and trains intensely, the heart is forced to beat faster than usual. A natural consequence of increased load leads to myocardial dystrophy.
• Alcoholic MKD. The cause of the pathology is alcohol abuse. Do not think that problems with myocardial activity occur only in people who drink heavily. If the patient has a weakened immune system, is subject to frequent stress or has other chronic diseases, the alcohol factor will be important even with small but regular intakes of alcohol.
• Toxic MCD. This form of the disease is provoked not only by toxic and narcotic substances. This also fully includes medications, such as glucocorticoid hormones and some chemotherapy drugs.
• Menopausal MCD. Occurs against the background of estrogen deficiency.
• MCD for thyroid diseases (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism). The development of myocardial dystrophy is provoked by a deficiency or excess of thyroid hormones.
• Neuroendocrine MCD. The cause of this form of pathology is considered to be chronic stress. The myocardium, forced to work under conditions of chronic stress, contracts in an intensified mode, mobilizing its “emergency” capabilities and experiencing constant tension.

Types of macular degeneration

At this stage of time, experts distinguish two forms of macular degeneration of the eye: dry and wet . Each of them has its own characteristics.

As a rule, the first type of disease is diagnosed much more often than the second, but it is more difficult to treat.

There is another form of this pathology - senile macular degeneration . It can be characterized as follows: the blood vessels of the eye become more fragile and thinner.

In this case, the nutrition of the eye noticeably deteriorates, and the effectiveness of the macula decreases.

Diagnosis of the disease

This procedure is not difficult at all . However, it is necessary that it be carried out by an ophthalmologist, since he will use various techniques and devices.

For example, a doctor needs to do a mandatory examination of the fundus of the eye to clarify the diagnosis. In this case, the doctor uses special drops to relax and dilate the pupil.

Also during the examination, an Amsler grid and fluorescein angiography are used. Good results can be achieved if you use computer diagnostic techniques.

The standard examination time is approximately 15 minutes.

Features in children and adolescents

Myocardial dystrophy has no age limit. The most common age group in which the pathology occurs are people over 40 years of age, but MCD develops in newborns, preschoolers and schoolchildren.

Features of pediatric MCD include difficulties in therapy. In children, the disease is more difficult to treat, since the growing body needs a more resilient heart, and due to dystrophy, the myocardium cannot meet high demands.

In a newborn, MCD develops as a result of intrauterine infections or perinatal encephalopathies, and the syndrome of maladaptation of the heart and blood vessels can also be the cause. A teenager can receive a diagnosis of MCD due to the following reasons - infections, frequent sore throats, anemia, myocarditis, intense physical training, metabolic disorders. Sometimes the disease is caused by some acute process that was previously diagnosed - rheumatism and similar pathologies.

Traditional therapies

How to treat macular degeneration of the retina? Traditional treatment methods include surgical and conservative treatment.

The vast majority of specialized medical institutions begin treatment of macular degeneration of the eye with conservative methods.

Thus, the patient is prescribed drugs to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, antioxidants, immunomodulators, vitamins A, E and group B. In addition, a patient with macular degeneration will need drugs that reduce swelling of the retina.

If a dry form of the disease is detected, low-intensity laser therapy is used as treatment. Using a laser, the drusen are removed during the procedure. However, such a procedure cannot restore visual acuity.

Laser coagulation is an effective method that is used in the treatment of wet forms of macular degeneration. This procedure allows you to stop the process of hemorrhage into the eye from the vessels. In addition, laser coagulation can slow down the process of vision deterioration.

There is another method of treating the wet form of macular degeneration, in which the drug is administered intravenously, and then its therapeutic effect in the eyes is activated using a laser.

Causes

Among the causes of the development of myocardial dystrophy, cardiac, extracardiac and external factors can be distinguished. Let's take a closer look at them.

Cardiac factors

This includes all pathologies of the cardiovascular system that led to the development of MCD, these are:

1. Heart disease.
2. Circulatory disorders.
3. Pulmonary heart.
4. Arterial hypertension.
5. Myocarditis and others.

Extracardiac factors

The most extensive group, which includes numerous chronic and congenital pathologies:

1. Chronic anemia.
2. Metabolic diseases – hypothyroidism and others.
3. Hormonal pathologies - menopause, problems during puberty.
4. Chronic gastrointestinal diseases - malabsorption disorders, pancreatitis.
5. Tumor diseases.
6. Vitamin deficiencies, lack of nutritional components caused by chronic pathologies.
7. Congenital pathologies.

External factors

This includes all provoking factors associated with defects in behavior, lifestyle and load distribution. This:

1. "Sports" heart.
2. Neuroses, chronic stress, depression.
3. High physical activity.
4. Toxic, alcoholic, medicinal effects.

Structure of the macula of the eye

Some structures must be responsible for the perception of color. As for the eye, in this case these are the so-called cones. They are located in the macula in large numbers, and together with the rods, which are located on the periphery of the retina, ensure the recognition of small objects of various colors during daylight hours and at dusk.

Lutein and zeoxanthin are the pigments that color the macula yellow. These substances are found in certain foods: green and yellow vegetables (broccoli, spinach, corn).

Since the macula is a very important structure of the eye, it must be well protected from damage and external influences. Pigments are responsible for this protection. However, in some cases, problems with the retina still arise.

Stages and symptoms

During myocardial dystrophy, there are 3 stages.

Stage 1 of the disease is called the compensation stage. It is characterized by the destruction of cardiomyocytes in certain areas of the heart muscle. To eliminate the defect that has arisen, the cells surrounding the damaged area enlarge and proliferate. As a result, the volume of the myocardium becomes larger. If you begin treatment of the pathology at this stage, the myocardium is able to fully recover.

Heart with myocardial dystrophy

Symptomatic manifestations of the compensation stage are rapid fatigue, inability to work for a long time, pressing pain, shortness of breath with minimal increases in load.

Stage 2 is called the subcompensation stage. Areas of non-viable cardiomyocytes become larger, merging with each other.

At the same time, healthy cardiomyocytes begin to work harder, trying to compensate for deficiencies, and increase in volume even more. Contractile function is impaired due to too much volume of the myocardium, and the volume of blood that the heart can pump out decreases.

A characteristic symptomatic sign of stage 2 is shortness of breath, which occurs both during and after exercise. Later, the heart rhythm is disturbed - tachycardia or bradycardia occurs. Sometimes already at this stage the patient develops swelling of the lower extremities. With adequate treatment, good results can be achieved and normal contractile activity can be restored.

The last, stage 3 of myocardial dystrophy is a state of decompensation. The patient's myocardial structure is disturbed; even on an x-ray, an expansion of its boundaries is noticeable. A large and weak heart muscle is not able to contract well. Blood circulation in the body is disrupted, irreversible changes occur, as a result of which the patient’s death is possible.

Symptoms of stage 3 are as follows: severe pallor of the skin, weakness, constant shortness of breath, serious disruptions in the functioning of internal organs, arrhythmias, and congestion in the lungs.

Prevention measures

Today, even fairly young patients are faced with ocular maculopathy, and therefore, from their youth it is necessary to take preventive measures to prevent the disease. In general, they combine tips for maintaining the health of the vascular system and visual organs:

1. Avoid smoking. It primarily affects small vessels, and it is these (capillaries) that form the basis of the tissues of the eye, including the retina. By the way, being in a smoky room is just as unsafe for health.
2. Enrich your diet with foods containing vitamins, minerals and other beneficial components. Nutrition should bring health, and not slowly kill the body.
3. Maintain visual hygiene, that is, do not read in the dark, do not strain your eyesight in semi-darkness. Lighting should be selected according to the tasks.
4. In summer, use sunglasses to reduce eye strain.
5. Regular examination by an ophthalmologist. It should take place at least once every six months. This will allow you to diagnose the smallest changes, begin treatment of maculopathy at an early stage and prevent complications (blindness).
6. Visit a specialist for any discomfort or noticeable changes, even if they are not so significant and cannot qualitatively worsen a person’s life.
7. If there is a predisposition, taking special multivitamins with components “for the eyes” is indicated. The medications, duration and frequency of such vitamin courses should be prescribed by a doctor.

Eye maculopathy is a pathology, the consequences of which can be avoided if treatment is started in a timely manner. Despite the fact that the main reason is the aging of the body, everyone has the power to stabilize and even restore the condition of eye tissue.

Treatment and prognosis

A cardiologist treats myocardial dystrophy. For patients with stage 1 or 2 of the disease, it is important to select adequate drug therapy and adjust the regimen. They do not need to be hospitalized. It is very important to establish the cause of heart problems; its elimination is the primary goal of therapy.

Medicines are selected by a doctor and taken strictly as prescribed. Self-medication for myocardial dystrophy is unacceptable, since lost time is fraught with complications. Cardiologists use several drug groups to eliminate symptoms, these are:

• Beta blockers. “Bisoprolol”, “Metoprolol”, “Anaprilin”, “Bicard” normalize the heart rhythm and reduce the heart rate.
• Drugs that improve metabolism - Mildronate, Thiotriazolin, Riboxin. Helps improve myocardial nutrition and restore damaged cardiomyocytes.
• “Curantil”, “Dipyridamole” are drugs that improve microcirculation.
• “Panangin”, “Asparkam” - replenish the deficiency of potassium and magnesium.
• Vitamin preparations vitamin C, B vitamins.

Treatment is not limited to this small list of medications. Depending on the causative factors, the doctor may prescribe an additional drug to patients - an antihypertensive, hormonal, enzyme, antiplatelet agent, etc. You should understand how important it is to timely select not only drug therapy, but also to adjust the patient’s general regimen.

Important: If medical recommendations for lifestyle correction are not followed, drug therapy does not produce results.

Nutrition

It is of great importance for heart health. If you like salty, spicy, sweet, everything “delicious”, get ready that over the years you will develop excess weight, problems with blood pressure and other “joys”. If, on the contrary, you eat according to your own established principles, for example, you give preference to plant foods, excluding meat, you go on diets for a long time and use dubious food additives - problems also cannot be avoided.

Therefore, the conclusion is simple - nutrition for myocardial dystrophy should be complete, balanced, satisfying all the needs of unhealthy cardiomyocytes.

This is achieved through the following principles:

• Limitations of table salt. The recommended amount is 3 grams per day.
• Double the amount of vitamins. The diet is supplemented by fresh vegetables and fruits, which should appear on the menu up to 6 servings per day.
• Proper drinking regime. Drinking is plain water, fruit drinks without sugar. Soda, sugary drinks and boxed juices are prohibited. The volume of drinking per day, including first courses, is no more than 1.2 liters.
• Reducing the overall calorie content of the diet by eliminating fatty foods, smoked meats, fatty broths and sausages.

You can take the Mediterranean diet as a basis. By the way, people who adhere to it almost do not suffer from heart disease.

Prevention of myocardial dystrophy is not only a proper diet. The correct regimen plus the exclusion of all causative factors described above is the best preventive algorithm.

Prerequisites

Certain factors are considered direct sources of macular degeneration:

• smoking;
• certain diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
• atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels;
• eye injury;
• overweight with a tendency towards obesity;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• diabetes;
• persistently high cholesterol levels;
• complications of infectious diseases (flu, etc.);
• damage to the retina by ultraviolet radiation - due to refusal to use special tinted glasses;
• genetic predisposition - a history of older relatives with the same diseases.

All factors of occurrence are considered conditional; precise determination of the causes of occurrence occurs during research in a medical institution.

To Army? Need to think

Parents whose child suffered from myocardial dystrophy in childhood or whose teenager now suffers from it are always concerned about the question, what about the army? It would seem that the heart is sick, it is definitely impossible to serve.

The issue will be resolved individually, based on a detailed examination of the young man. If abnormalities in the functioning of the heart are detected, the service will be excluded. If the diagnosis was made in early childhood and was completely removed with age, then service is possible.

In conclusion, we would like to remind you that a dangerous or non-dangerous prognosis of a disease always depends on the patient’s reasonable pedantry - how correctly you follow the regimen, take prescribed medications, and take care of yourself. Take care of yourself.