by Ryan Miller, O.D.

“Pink eye,” the common name for conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the outer, normally clear covering of the sclera (the white part of the eye). The eye appears pink when you have conjunctivitis because the blood vessels of the conjunctiva are dilated. Pink eye is often accompanied by a discharge, but vision is usually normal and discomfort is mild.
 
Either a bacterial or a viral infection may cause conjunctivitis. Viral conjunctivitis is much more common. It may last several weeks and is frequently accompanied by a respiratory infection (or cold). Antibiotic drops or ointments usually do not help, but symptomatic treatment such as cool compresses or over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops can be used while the infection runs it course. Unlike viral conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with a variety of antibiotic eyedrops or ointments, which usually cure the infection in a day or two.  Conjunctivitis can be very contagious. People who have it should not share towels or pillowcases and should wash their hands frequently. They may need to stay home from school or work, and they should stay out of swimming pools.
 
Not all cases of conjunctivitis are caused by an infection.  Allergies can cause conjunctivitis, too. Typically, people with allergic conjunctivitis have itchy eyes, especially in spring and fall. Eyedrops to control itching are used to treat allergic conjunctivitis. It is important not to use medications that contain steroids (names of steroids usually end in “-one” or “-dex”) unless prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
 
Finally, not all cases of pink eye are caused by conjunctivitis. Sometimes more serious conditions, such as infections, damage to the cornea, very severe glaucoma, or inflammation inside the eye will cause the conjunctiva to become inflamed and pink. Vision is usually normal when pink eye is caused by conjunctivitis. If your vision is affected or you experience eye pain, it is recommended that you see an eye care professional. 

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Ryan G. Miller, O. D. is with LoBue Laser and Eye Medical Centers Inc., 40700 California Oaks Road,  Suite #106, Murrieta   - Phone: (951) 696-1135 or website: wwww.lobue2020eyes.com

 

by Lisa Musick

And I'm not talking about that outdated jacket with shoulder pads from the eighties…

If you want to boost your metabolism without taking pills that might have some unwanted side effects, there is a way.  Changing your lifestyle eating habits can be accomplished with a variety of spices from your local organic food store.  Spices such as Tabasco sauce, red pepper flakes, horseradish, hot mustards, and ginger can increase total calories burned and help to metabolize fat for energy. 

Fat, of course is the stuff we add to our midsections.  Your choice is to burn it or wear it.

Thermogenesis is the process of burning fat for energy.  You do it when you work out, clean house, work in the garden, or make love.  According to recent studies, that fiery liquid that graces the table of many a diner can really be a good friend.  It can significantly boost the heat-burning capacity within your body and increase its ability to oxidize unwanted fat. 

An added benefit of these hot foods is that they can also improve your digestion.  Take ginger, for example.  It's been called a "warming spice," and it comes from the same family as cardamon and tumeric.  You can find it in ginger ales, ginger brews and teas, pickled ginger served with sushi and simple ginger capsules.  A recent study from the Oxford Polytechnic Institute in England reports dieters who added a teaspoon of pepper sauce to each meal raised their metabolic rate by as much as 25 percent. 

So, incorporate a little more zest in your meals with additional spices of the hot variety.  With a good exercise buddy, you might quicken that slim waist line faster than you can rip out those shoulder pads...

Massage Envy has great news for the millions of people who suffer from tension headaches and migraines. Studies show that regular massage offers much needed relief, and can even eliminate the need for pain medication.

Local resident, Lezle Ferguson, is a shining example of the benefits of therapeutic massage. Lezle suffered from chronic migraine headaches. After years under a doctor’s care, unable to find a drug that alleviated the debilitating pain, a friend suggested that she try massage. “I thought of massage as a treat for a special occasion,” said Lezle. “I did not know about the therapeutic benefits of massage until I went to Massage Envy in Murrieta. After four months of having a massage every two to three weeks, I stopped getting migraines. I’ve now been migraine free for over three years. I don’t need drugs to prevent the migraines, I use regular massage to prevent them instead.” Lezle became so passionate about therapeutic massage that she and her husband, Larry, opened their own Massage Envy clinic in Wildomar in April, 2008.

Lezle’s experience is not unique. A recent study showed that massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality during the weeks they received massage, and even during the three weeks following the massage. Massage therapy also increased serotonin levels believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

Massage therapy decreases the pain that occurs during a migraine or tension headache by relaxing muscle spasms and reducing headache trigger points. Maintaining a level of relaxation and stress relief through regular massage can ultimately reduce the occurrence of tension headaches and migraines.

Massage Envy’s professional, licensed therapists customize each massage to fit the needs of each individual client, and Massage Envy’s Wellness Program makes regular massage affordable. Get more information by calling any of the following Massage Envy locations: Temecula at 951-302-6002, Murrieta at 951-698-2888 or Wildomar at 951- 677-7781.