What is cholesterol?

Cataract is an eye disease characterized by clouding of the lens, the biological lens of the eye, which interferes with the normal perception of images. As a result of this process, vision gradually worsens, which may eventually lead to complete blindness if not treated in time. The main symptom of cataract is the gradual decline in vision, and the disease often develops without pain. Initially, the deterioration of vision may be barely noticeable, but over time it progresses. The world around you starts to appear blurry, as if the person is looking through fogged glass or a screen of falling water. Colors become dull, and details become less sharp. Glasses do not help in this case, as the issue is not related to refraction. An important symptom is that, at the beginning of the disease, vision for nearby objects may even improve. This happens because cataract often causes myopia (nearsightedness), which improves the visibility of objects at a close distance. However, as the disease progresses, the situation worsens, and later, patients begin to suffer from vision loss both near and far. Other characteristic signs of cataract include: • The appearance of halos around bright light sources, such as street lamps or car headlights, especially at night. • Double vision. This is also often observed under bright light and in low-light conditions. • Reduced contrast sensitivity. Patients with cataract may have difficulty distinguishing shades of similar colors, such as blue and purple. • Increased sensitivity to light. Even ordinary daylight may irritate the eyes. • Difficulty reading, sewing, or working with small details. These difficulties are related to focus and clarity issues. The symptoms of cataract vary depending on its type and stage. For example, in nuclear cataract (clouding of the central part of the lens), vision for nearby objects may improve at first, but later, a loss of visual acuity occurs. In cortical cataract (clouding at the lens periphery), changes in vision occur more slowly, and the patient may not notice vision deterioration for a long time. As the disease progresses and the clouding of the lens continues, vision can decline to the point where the person loses the ability to distinguish objects and orient themselves in space. In mature cataract, vision is completely lost, and the pupil takes on a milky-white hue. Treatment of Cataract Currently, the only effective treatment for cataract is surgical intervention, as no other methods, such as medication or folk remedies, can restore the transparency of the lens. Surgical Treatment The main method of treating cataract is surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. This surgery is called phacoemulsification. In this method, ultrasound is used to break up the lens, after which the fragments are removed from the eye, and an artificial lens (intraocular lens, IOL) is placed in its place. Phacoemulsification is a modern and minimally invasive method that preserves vision and ensures a fast recovery period. The operation is performed through a small incision, only 2-3 mm, which minimizes the risk of complications and promotes quick healing. It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia, making it accessible even for elderly patients. Moreover, after such an operation, stitches are not required, as the incision heals on its own. It is important that the postoperative period usually goes without complications, and patients often regain their vision within a few days. Artificial Lenses After cataract surgery, an artificial lens is placed in the eye. Today, there are several types of intraocular lenses: • Monofocal lenses, which provide clear vision at one distance (e.g., for distance or near vision). • Multifocal lenses, which provide good vision at different distances and can replace glasses for near and far vision. • Astigmatic lenses, intended for patients with astigmatism. The choice of lens depends on the patient’s condition and needs, as well as consultation with an ophthalmologist. It is important to note that even after successful cataract lens replacement surgery, patients may need additional glasses for certain tasks, such as reading.Conclusion Cataract is a common disease that impairs daily life and can lead to blindness if left untreated. However, with modern treatment methods, including cataract surgery with artificial lens implantation, most patients regain their vision and return to normal life. Early detection of the disease and consultation with an ophthalmologist are key to successful treatment and preventing the development of serious complications.

Esophageal reflux is a condition where stomach contents, including acid, digestive juices, or sometimes food remnants, rise up into the esophagus. The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach, and normally, there is a special circular muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, which opens only during swallowing and then closes to prevent stomach contents from returning. When this muscle weakens or does not close fully for any reason, stomach acid can rise upward, causing irritation, heartburn, pain, or other discomforting sensations. Main Causes of Reflux 1. Weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the most common cause. 2. High stomach pressure, caused by excess weight, pregnancy, or consuming heavy food. 3. Certain foods and drinks, including coffee, alcohol, carbonated beverages, chocolate, fatty, and fried foods, that can increase the likelihood of reflux. 4. Smoking and alcohol, which weaken the sphincter. 5. Medications, such as certain anti-inflammatory drugs or blood pressure medications. 6. Stress and anxiety, which affect the digestive system and can contribute to the development of reflux. Main Symptoms • Chest burning, especially after eating or when lying down. • Bitter or sour taste in the mouth. • Itching or pain in the throat. • Hoarse voice or cough, especially in the morning. • Bloating or gas, nausea. • Rarely, difficulty breathing or throat pain that does not go away. If left untreated, the acid can damage the esophageal lining, leading to esophagitis, ulcers, and bleeding, Barrett’s esophagus, or even respiratory problems, such as asthma flare-ups and chronic cough. Diet and Lifestyle • Avoid overly spicy, fatty, and sour foods. • Do not eat before bedtime, as it can lead to excessive acid in the stomach. • Eat smaller portions more frequently, as consuming less food reduces the likelihood of reflux. • Reduce coffee, chocolate, and carbonated beverages. • Eat lighter foods, such as oats, bananas, vegetables, boiled meats, and soups with plain water. • Avoid eating before lying down to reduce the chances of acid rising. • Raise the head of the bed while sleeping, to help the sphincter stay closed and prevent stomach contents from rising. • Lose weight gradually if overweight, as excess weight can contribute to reflux. • Avoid tight clothing that can put pressure on the stomach. • Do not smoke or drink alcohol, as both weaken the lower esophageal sphincter. Treatment Esophageal reflux is a common but manageable condition. It requires a consistent treatment approach, which may involve medications and lifestyle changes. The treatment may include proton pump inhibitors, eliminating alcohol and smoking, as well as a reflux-friendly diet. If symptoms persist or frequently return, it is essential to consult a doctor for appropriate treatment options.

The knee joint is subjected to heavy daily stress. It is a fairly large joint, surrounded inside and outside by ligaments and tendons that ensure its stability. In fact, the articular cartilage itself has no nerve supply. With age, as cartilage wears down and body weight increases, the strain on the ligamentous apparatus also increases, leading to inflammation and destructive joint processes. At this stage, the patient feels pain in the knee joint. According to global statistics, every 10th person over the age of 55 suffers from gonarthritis, and one in four of them becomes disabled and requires knee joint endoprosthesis surgery. Causes of knee pain: • Osteoarthritis, mainly caused by cartilage wear, • Arthritis or joint inflammation, which can occur in rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, septic or infectious arthritis, periodic disease, gout, and other inflammatory joint conditions, • Excess weight or obesity, which increases the load on the knees, • Vitamin D deficiency, • Impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs, for example due to varicose veins, pronounced lymphostasis, or obliterating arterial diseases of the legs, • Certain types of anemia, • Excessive physical exertion. When to see a doctor: • if the pain is persistent and gradually worsening, with only temporary relief from painkillers, • if there is redness and localized warmth, • if movement in the knees becomes difficult, especially when climbing up or down stairs, • if a cracking or grinding sound (known as crepitus) is heard or felt in the knees, • if there has been a wound or insect bite on the skin over the knee, followed by inflammation with redness and warmth. Patients with gonarthritis (inflammation of the knee joint) may also have anemia. This may be a manifestation of the main disease or, in some cases, anemia itself may provoke joint inflammation. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis, blood tests may show anemia, thrombocytosis, and elevated ESR — indicators of disease activity. In such cases, it is not necessary to treat anemia with iron supplements; rather, proper anti-inflammatory therapy to control disease activity and flare-ups is sufficient, and laboratory markers will normalize on their own. Anemia during inflammatory joint diseases may also be caused by prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, aertal, or indomethacin, which can lead to gastritis or peptic ulcers. One possible manifestation of these complications is anemia. Knee pain can also be occupational. For example, knee injuries are very common among football players, since football involves fast running, sudden stops and turns, jumping, and kicking. Players may stretch or tear cruciate ligaments, damage the menisci, dislocate the kneecap, or develop inflammation or muscle strain. A deficiency of vitamin D and magnesium can also cause knee and muscle pain. It is particularly important to replenish magnesium deficiency, as all enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism require magnesium as a cofactor. Even when magnesium levels in bone tissue decrease, its concentration in the blood may remain within the normal range — this is known as chronic latent magnesium deficiency.

Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland. Women are affected much more often than men. It usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. Causes The disease may develop after viral infections such as coxsackie virus, influenza, or adenoviral infections. General Symptoms • Fatigue • Weakness • Headache • Muscle pain • Joint pain Stages of the Disease Subacute thyroiditis generally progresses through three stages. Stage 1 – Hyperthyroidism During this phase, the following symptoms are observed: • Palpitations • Weight loss • Nervousness • Tremor • Enlargement of the thyroid gland • Pain in the thyroid area radiating to the neck, occiput, ears, or lower jaw • Sometimes difficulty swallowing • Enlargement of lymph nodes • Fever Over time, hyperthyroidism is replaced by the second (euthyroid) stage, during which the clinical symptoms subside. A third (hypothyroid) stage may also occur, which is usually temporary. The course of the disease lasts from several weeks to a few months. Diagnosis Diagnosis includes: • Laboratory tests – complete blood count, C-reactive protein level, and thyroid hormone tests. • Thyroid ultrasound (US) – the gland appears heterogeneous and hypoechoic. • Thyroid scintigraphy – damaged areas may appear as “cold nodules.” • Fine-needle aspiration biopsy – performed for histological examination. Treatment Subacute thyroiditis usually resolves spontaneously within up to 12 months. • For mild pain symptoms, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used. • In more severe cases, glucocorticoids are prescribed and must be taken only according to a medical regimen. • During the hyperthyroid phase, beta-adrenergic blockers are indicated. • In the hypothyroid phase, replacement therapy with thyroid hormones is rarely necessary. Conclusion The course of the disease is generally favorable. Only in 2–5% of cases can persistent hypothyroidism develop. If such symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist at Dalimed Medical Center.