Your eyes are among the greatest assets you own, but they are often taken for granted. The only time people really understand the true worth of their eyesight is when their eyes start to give them trouble. Many Americans suffer from chronic dry eyes and are in desperate search of the root cause. In fact, studies state that nearly 48 percent of Americans aged 18 years and above face this issue, making it one of the most common health problems in the country. In this article, we list the top causes of chronic dry eyes. What causes chronic dry eyes? Contact lenses Your beloved contact lenses could be one of the causes of chronic dry eyes for you. Long-term use of contact lenses is believed to eventually lead to dry eyes among users. Exposure to smoke Constant exposure to smoke may lead to dry eyes. Smoke dries out the natural lubrication in the eyes and leads to dryness, itchiness, swelling, and redness. An easy solution to this issue is to wear protective glasses while working. The glasses prevent the smoke from coming in contact with the eyes. An added advantage is that the eyes are also protected from infections caused by carbon particles that float up with the smoke.

Our eyes are probably the most fragile organ in our bodies. They also give us one of the most important things needed to lead a normal life: sight. Life would indeed be difficult if your eyesight was affected. It is very important to take due care of your eyes. And yet, more than 48 percent of the country’s’ population over the age of 18 years suffers from the painful condition known as dry eyes. This means nearly half of America’s adult population seeks treatment and relief of chronic dry eyes at some point in their lifetimes. This is a serious problem, but one that can be solved by proper medical treatment. Dry eyes are caused when they do not receive enough lubrication. The human body produces a tear film that prevents friction between the eyes and the eyelids. If this lubrication is not produced in adequate quantities, the eyes get dehydrated and are thus called dry eyes. The causes may be related to one’s lifestyle or occupation. Sometimes this problem may also be caused because of hormonal imbalances in the body. Constant use of mobile phones and computers is one of the most common lifestyle-related causes of dry eyes. Most people need to use electronic devices for work and more and more people are putting in long hours into work.

Dyskinesia is classified as an Abnormal Involuntary Movement (AIM). There are different kinds of dyskinesias, each of them is characterized by different features and symptoms. This condition causes involuntary movements that cannot be controlled by the individual experiencing it. These movements may either be limited to one body part or sometimes even affect the whole body. Let us look at the diagnosis and treatment options of dyskinesia. Diagnosis of dyskinesia The doctor may use the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale to diagnose dyskinesia and other AIMs. The scans of the brain also show some chemical alteration or damage to the area that is responsible for controlling and learning these involuntary movements. The basal ganglia is this area of the brain. There treatment and management of dyskinesia will depend on the patient’s medical history and the severity of the dyskinesia. While some people may only experience these movements at a single part of the body, the others may experience it all over their body. Dyskinesia is common in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The condition is also caused as a side effect of levodopa, which is an extremely effective medication to treat Parkinson’s. This medicine is administered to control the dopamine levels which may become low in the brain cells of patients with Parkinson.

Fibromyalgia was once diagnosed using an 18-point pain test. Now that has been changed to a quicker diagnosis wherein a patient is believed to have fibromyalgia if they are suffering from full body pain for more than three months with no underlying condition. In order to rule out other conditions doctors prescribe a few tests, which might be: Complete blood count Rheumatoid factor Thyroid function tests Cyclic citrullinated peptide test Erythrocyte sedimentation test Once the test results clear that there is nothing wrong with the body, the doctors start the treatment for fibromyalgia. Treatment and management of fibromyalgia Treatment of fibromyalgia is more about managing the symptoms it presents. The main focus of the doctors is on minimizing the symptoms and improving general health so that the patient can go back to his routine activities. Following are a few methods that alleviate pain and manage other symptoms effectively. Medications Medications are helpful to patients suffering from fibromyalgia. They help in treating and managing fibromyalgia symptoms like insomnia, pain, and anxiety. There are mainly three types of medicines: Pain relievers Pain relievers are a must in the management of fibromyalgia given that whole body ache is one of the biggest problems of this disease.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis with symptoms like swollen or painful joints. Gout or gouty arthritis can affect both men and women, but it is a common form of arthritis in men over the age of 40 years. Gout mostly starts as swelling or pain in the big toe or the feet, and a lot of times it starts developing after a trauma or an illness. Gout symptoms, if treated in the primary stage, can be treated effectively. This can also reduce the risk of irreversible damage to the joints. Causes The main reason why gout is caused is high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid gets collected near joints in needle forms which cause pain in the affected areas. Sometimes gout symptoms are also triggered by the intake of high-sugar energy drinks or food items like high-fructose corn syrup. Some of the risk factors that increase uric acid levels are excess alcohol intake, obesity, and a purine-rich diet. Diagnosis While rheumatologists are the main specialists for diagnosing and treating gout, there are other specialists like orthopedists and general physicians who can take care of gout cases that are relatively uncomplicated. Gout treatment also involves nephrologists who administer medications for reducing the uric acid level.