Monday, June 2, 2014

Conjunctivitis : Pink Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids. These membranes react to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, allergy-provoking agents, irritants, and toxic agents, as well as to underlying diseases within the body. 

Causes:
There are five different kinds of conjunctivitis, each with its own cause.
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis is an infection caused by bacteria, such as staphylococci, streptococci or haemophilus. These organisms may come from the patient's own skin or upper respiratory tract or they may be caught from another person with conjunctivitis.
• eye pain
• swelling
• itching
• redness

• a moderate to large amount of discharge, usually thick and yellow or greenish in color
• swelling of the lymph nodes in front of the ears.

Viral conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with the common cold. This may be caused by a virus called 'adenovirus'. This type of conjunctivitis can spread rapidly between people and may cause an epidemic of conjunctivitis.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis 
This type of conjunctivitis is caused by an organism called Chlamydia trachomatis. This organism may also affect other parts of the body and can cause the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. 
Allergic conjunctivitis 
Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who have other signs of allergic disease, such as hay fever, asthma and eczema. The conjunctivitis is often caused by antigens like pollen, dust mites or cosmetics.
Allergic pink eye
Allergic pink eye symptoms and signs are usually accompanied by intense itching, tearing, and swelling of the eye membranes. Pain is minimal or absent. Frequent causes include seasonal pollens, animal dander, and dust. It is frequently seasonal and accompanied by other typical allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose, or scratchy throat. Cold, moist washcloths applied to the eyes and over-the-counter decongestant eyedrops can provide relief. Your doctor can prescribe stronger medications if these home remedies are not adequate.
Chemical pink eye
Chemical pink eye can result when any irritating substance enters the eyes. Common offending irritants are
• household cleaners
• sprays of any kind
• smoke
• foreign objects in the eye
• smog

• industrial pollutants.
Prompt, thorough washing of the eyes with very large amounts of water is very important
Underlying diseases
Persistent pink eye (conjunctivitis) can be a sign of an underlying illness in the body. Most often these are rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Conjunctivitis is also seen in Kawasaki's disease (a rare disease associated with fever in infants and young children) and certain inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Subconjuctival hemorrhage
Bright redness of the whites of the eyes can also occur when the tiny blood vessels covering the whites of the eyes rupture from trauma or changes in pressure within the head (for example, after forceful laughing or vomiting, when diving under water, or even bending upside down). This condition is called subconjunctival hemorrhage, and while it can appear frightening, it is generally harmless. This condition is different from the inflammation of the conjunctiva seen with pink eye. It causes a local area of the white portion of the eye (the sclera) to become brilliantly reddened. It does not typically involve the colored portion of the eye (the iris) and does not affect vision.

Symptoms 
Bacterial conjunctivitis 
This is a condition that affects both eyes. The eyes will usually feel gritty and irritated with a sticky discharge. The eyelids may be stuck together particularly in the mornings, and there may be discharge or crusting on the eyelashes. 
Viral conjunctivitis
The eyes are red and there may be a watery discharge. 
Often the eyelids are very swollen and even the conjunctiva on the white of the eye may be swollen, creating a glassy appearance. 
The eyes are uncomfortable, and there may also be the generalised symptoms of a cold. Sometimes there are tender lymph nodes (swollen glands) around the ear or the neck. 
This type of conjunctivitis may also spread to affect the cornea (keratitis), and it may persist for several weeks and cause hazy vision.
Chlamydial conjunctivitis
One or both eyes will be red with a sticky discharge and, sometimes, swollen eyelids. The cornea may also be involved in this condition.
Allergic conjunctivitis 
Allergic conjunctivitis is usually associated with intense itching of the eyes. 
There may be a stringy discharge and the eyes are usually intermittently red. This may occur at particular times of the year, for instance during spring and summer when there is a lot of pollen in the air.


Remedies 

" Breast milk is the best home remedy for pink eye. Remember to use only fresh breast milk in cure for pink eye."

1. Take one cup of juice of Indian gooseberry and add two tsp of honey in it. Take this mixture twice a day for at least one week. This is one of the best home remedies for conjunctivitis
2. One should eat the food rich in Vitamin A and B2. This includes whole milk, pumpkins, almonds, curd, butter, tomatoes, carrots, corianders etc. These are very useful in treating conjunctivitis.
3.Take 60 ml of water and add handful of dried coriander. Use this infusion for washing the eyes. It will not only relieve the burning sensation in the eyes but will also reduce an inflammation. This is one of the best home remedies for conjunctivitis.
4.Make some solution of aloe vera juice in water apply it over the eyes with the help of cloth by soaking in this solution. This helps in reducing the itchiness, pain of the sore eyes. This is one of the good home remedies for conjunctivitis.
5.Ayurveda believes the fasting will help wonderfully in the case of conjunctivitis. 
6.Chamomile oil Make a warm compress with a few drops.
7.Lavender oil Make a warm compress with a few drops.
8.Rose oil Make a warm compress with a few drops.
9.Bread Apply cold bread to closed eyes to reduce the inflammation and soothe itching.
10.Castor oil Put one drop in the eye three times a day.
11.Honey You may either put a drop or two of honey directly on your eyes or put three tablespoons in 2 cups of boiling water, stir to dissolve, let it cool, then use as an eyewash several times a day. 
12.Milk Use warm(tepid) milk as an eyewash or as a compress.
13.Potato Grate a potato and place on the eye. It is an astringent and will help reduce the inflammation. 
14.Turmeric Make a solution using 2 teaspoons of turmeric to a cup of boiled water and use for a warm compress.
15.Water Washing the eyes several times a day with cool water will soothe the inflammation.

Treatment :
1. Reflexology : 1-5,8,16,21,22,23,37,35,39
2. Meridinology : sp6,p6,ub1,sj23,st1,gb1,20,li4,li11,liv3,du14

Eyedrop :
1. Honey : 70 drops
2. Rose water : 100 drops
3. Ginger juice : 10 drops
4. Onion juice : 10 drops
5. Lemon juice : 10 drops

This drop can be used till a week . It is used 2 drops twice or thrice a day . It is also used as preventives.

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