Health
Elton John’s vision loss: How an eye infection can cause blindness
World-renowned singer-songwriter Elton John confirmed he has lost sight in his right eye after suffering from a severe infection.
On the opening night of his musical adaptation of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London, John shared, “I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I have lost my eyesight.”
“So, it’s hard for me to see it, but I love to hear it and, boy, it sounded good tonight,” he said.
ELTON JOHN HAS ‘LOST MY EYESIGHT’ FOLLOWING SEVERE INFECTION
John first posted to his Instagram account in September that he had been dealing with a “severe eye infection” over the summer that has “unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.”
“Since Sir Elton John did not state what type of eye infection he has, it is unclear whether he has complete blindness in his right eye or if there is still some partial vision,” Dr. Thuy Tran, optometrist and founder of Oculist in New York City, told Fox News Digital.
“It is possible that he may still be able to perceive light and motion, but is unable to discern enough details to read letters or musical notes,” added Tran, who did not treat the singer.
“He may also be experiencing other signs and symptoms, such as thick mucous discharge, pain, irritation, excessive tearing and redness.”
Types of eye infections
The most common types of eye infections are viral conjunctivitis and bacterial conjunctivitis, according to Tran.
“Viral conjunctivitis, caused by adenovirus, are like common colds and typically resolve on their own within a few weeks,” he said.
“When caused by herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus (same virus that is responsible for chicken pox and shingles), or cytomegalovirus (seen in immunocompromised individuals i.e. those with HIV/AIDS), more serious complications, such as corneal scarring, retinal damage and vision loss, may result.”
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Bacterial eye infections usually resolve within a week with proper antibiotic treatment, usually eyedrops or ointment, the doctor noted.
“A hyperacute bacterial eye infection, however, can be severe and rapidly progressive,” Tran warned. “If not treated immediately, it can lead to corneal ulcers, scarring and blindness.”
“This condition is most commonly caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a type of bacteria that can be transmitted through sexual contact.”
Fungal eye infections are often caused by fungi that are naturally present in our environment, according to Tran.
“Common risk factors include trauma to the eye with plant material, extended contact lens wear and diabetes,” he said.
Fungal infections are usually treated with topical or oral antifungal therapies.
“Rarely, they can lead to a medically-urgent condition known as endophthalmitis, which often requires hospitalization for administration of intravenous medications.”
Potential for permanent damage
Dr. Derek Cunningham, eye doctor and director of Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, Texas, also spoke with Fox News Digital about the dangers of both internal and external infections in the eyes.
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An internal infection can be caused by a virus, said Cunningham, who also did not treat Elton John. If it reaches the retina, or the back of the eye, permanent vision loss can occur.
More commonly, eye infections are the result of external triggers and trauma to the front of the eye, like scratches, chemical splashes or the misuse of contact lenses, he noted.
These incidents then allow bacteria and other foreign organisms to “colonize in the eye,” Cunningham said.
“Because [the eye] is specifically designed to transmit light, the cellular structure of all the tissues is very precise, and it cannot be altered.”
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“So, any amount of immune response or even bacterial or viral infection is going to cause not only a disruption in the cells, but it could potentially cause scarring – and that is going to reduce vision, very often on a permanent level,” he went on.
While the eye is sensitive and may have a harder time warding off infection since it’s a “compartmentalized” system, Cunningham said, the cornea is also the “fastest-healing tissue in the human body.”
But as people age, the body heals more slowly – so someone like John, who is 77 years old, will be at a higher risk of elongated infection compared to those who are younger.
“A little kid can scratch their eye and within hours be completely healed,” Cunningham said. “In an elderly person, [injury] can last for days, and that’s where the chance of infection builds up – every minute that the tissue is still compromised.”
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Some eye complications can be spotted and addressed early on during routine eye exams.
Cunningham recommends paying attention to visual function – and if vision is compromised, symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
“If there is … anything really infectious in the eye, the potential for vision loss is extremely high — and it’s permanent. It very often doesn’t ever come back.”
Representatives for John did not return Fox News Digital’s immediate request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Stanton contributed to this report.
Health
The 6 most common headache types — and when to see a doctor
Headaches are one of the most common medical conditions, with 96% of people having at least one in their lifetime, according to Cleveland Clinic.
About 40% of people globally experience what are known as “tension headaches” and about 10% suffer from migraines, the same source noted.
There are more than 150 different types of headaches, ranging from a mild annoyance to debilitating pain.
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For some, headaches can be wrongly diagnosed.
Actress Ashley Judd recently shared her story on Instagram how her “epic headaches” went misdiagnosed for eight years.
“For those eight miserable years I had been treated, at some of our finest medical institutions, with medication for a type of headache that I do not have,” she posted on Instagram in October.
Her doctors eventually diagnosed her headaches as status migrainosus, which is a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours.
What is a headache?
A headache is a pain in the head, neck or face that is often described as a sensation of pressure that varies in location, frequency and severity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“For those eight miserable years I had been treated … with medications for a type of headache that I do not have.”
“Headaches are one of the most common symptoms experienced by many people, often brushed off as just a minor inconvenience,” Dr. Fred Cohen, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, told Fox News Digital.
They are divided into two main categories – primary, caused by overactivity or dysfunction in the pain-sensitive areas of the head, or secondary, where an underlying medical condition causes the pain, Cleveland Clinic adds.
Certain types of headaches may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm, especially if the pain is sudden or severe, according to Cohen.
“This highlights the importance of a thorough evaluation to differentiate between primary headaches and secondary causes, ensuring appropriate treatment and management,” he noted.
6 common types of headaches
The three most common types are tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches, according to Cohen.
1. Tension headaches
“Tension headaches are among the most frequent types and are what most people consider a typical ‘headache,’” Cohen said.
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Many describe the pain as a tight band around the head, often caused by stress and muscle tension.
Treatment typically focuses on addressing the underlying causes, such as reducing stress or doing physical therapy, but prescription medications may be used if the headaches are frequent, Cohen noted.
2. Migraines
Migraines disproportionately affect women – up to 18% in the U.S. — and are the leading cause of disability among females aged 18 to 50 globally, research has shown.
“Migraine is considered a neurological disease, with multiple stages during an attack,” Cohen said.
People may experience warning symptoms right before the headache, such as excessive yawning, increased hunger or tearing of the eyes.
“Some individuals also experience aura, a neurological phenomenon that can include visual disturbances — like zig-zag lights or blind spots — or sensory changes, like tingling or numbness,” Cohen pointed out.
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Migraine causes a “severe throbbing or pounding headache with light or sound sensitivity and sometimes nausea,” noted Dr. Timothy A. Collins, chief of the Division of Headache and Pain at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
These symptoms typically last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but migraine pain can last longer — from four hours to three days, Cohen noted.
A status migrainous is a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours.
When attacks last longer than this, it is known as “status migrainosus,” which is what Judd experienced.
“Unfortunately, many people mistake migraine for ‘regular headaches,’ and are unaware of the many effective treatment options available, including daily medications, supplements, monthly injections and even Botox injections,” Cohen told Fox News Digital.
3. Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches, which are rare, cause severe, overwhelming pain around one eye multiple times a day. The condition is “very disabling,” according to Collins.
The sharp pain is combined with eye redness, tearing, facial flushing and nasal congestion.
The pain can be so intense that it can be mistaken for a brain aneurysm, Cohen noted.
“Cluster headaches usually last from 15 minutes to three hours and tend to occur in cycles lasting days or weeks,” he said.
Cluster headaches are commonly misdiagnosed as migraines.
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The main difference between the two is that cluster headaches tend to occur in cycles, while many patients with migraines have headaches for a few days in a row once a month, Collins said.
Treatment options for cluster headaches include medications to abort an attack and preventive therapies to reduce the frequency of cycles, according to Cohen.
4. Rebound headaches
People with headaches often take over-the-counter (OTC) medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to “abort” the headache, according to Healthline.
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But experts caution that frequent use of these medications may lead to more frequent headaches by causing withdrawal symptoms when they are not taken, the same source noted.
People may also get a headache if they consume large amounts of caffeine and then suddenly miss their morning coffee or quit the drug suddenly.
5. Sinus headaches
Sinus congestion from allergies or an infection may cause pain that is localized around the front of the head in the sinuses, according to Healthline.
The pain typically goes away after the sinus congestion is resolved.
6. Exertion headaches
Intense physical activity can trigger this type of headache by increasing blood flow to the brain, per Healthline.
The symptoms usually go away within minutes to hours, but if they last more than several hours or have never been experienced before, it’s best to get checked out by a doctor, experts advise.
When to see a doctor
“Normal” headaches do not cause loss of consciousness, confusion, slurred speech or weakness in one arm or leg, all of which could be a sign of a stroke, experts say.
People who experience any of the following warning signs should see a health care provider immediately or call 911 to rule out a more serious medical condition.
– Worst headache of your life
– Headache that has abrupt change in severity or comes on suddenly
– Headache with vision problems (such as double vision)
– Fainting or loss of consciousness with a headache
– Fever and stiff neck associated with nausea and vomiting with headache
– Headache after head injury
– Headache right after weightlifting, exercise or sexual activity
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Fox News Digital reached out to Ashley Judd for comment.
Health
Best Fruits For Weight Loss: Benefits of Berries, Citrus, More
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Health
Health benefits of rhubarb and how to uniquely include the vegetable in your diet, as shared by an expert
Rhubarb is a vegetable that visually appears to resemble celery in texture — but its color and taste are differentiating factors between the two.
Rhubarb has an extremely tart flavor, and it is very rarely eaten on its own due to its sour notes. It’s often combined with sugar in sweet treats like pie or jam.
Even though rhubarb is often used in desserts, it’s actually full of health benefits.
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While combining rhubarb with sugar may not be the healthiest approach to take, there are plenty of other healthy ways to counteract rhubarb’s sour flavor.
Find out more about the health benefits of rhubarb and how you can easily incorporate it into your diet below.
- Improves bone health
- Is rich in antioxidants
- Aids digestion
- Can help regulate blood pressure
- Has the potential to lower bad cholesterol levels
1. Improves bone health
There are many different vitamins present in rhubarb.
One of these is vitamin K, an important contributor to overall bone health as well as blood clotting.
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“Just one cup of rhubarb has almost half of your vitamin K needs,” Lauri Wright, associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of South Florida and registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital.
Wright added that though most people don’t take Coumadin anymore for blood thinning, those who are on medication should be extra cautious of rhubarb consumption since vitamin K and Coumadin don’t interact well.
Calcium is also apparent in rhubarb, another contributor to bone health, as well as vitamin C, great for a nice immune boost.
“It’s also rich in calcium, which helps with bone health, and vitamin C, which boosts your immunity and is involved in collagen production for healthy skin and tissues,” Wright said.
2. Is rich in antioxidants
Rhubarb is full of antioxidants.
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The antioxidants in rhubarb do far more than just give the vegetable its color.
“Rhubarb is really high in antioxidants, and those are kind of these compounds that give the rhubarb its reddish color, but those compounds in the body help take down inflammation and protect the cells from damage… some of the damage that could eventually lead to cancer cells,” Wright explained.
3. Aids digestion
Rhubarb is a vegetable high in fiber.
“[Rhubarb is] rich in fiber, so it really helps with digestion. [It] has a pretty good source of fiber per serving,” Wright told Fox News Digital.
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That said, the amount of fiber in rhubarb shouldn’t lead to any GI issues, Wright added.
The part of the vegetable to be mindful of is the leaves. While rhubarb stalks boast impressive health benefits, the leaves should be left alone.
“The leaves actually contain oxalic acid, which, if you eat a lot of it, can be toxic, and it also, for some people, can build stones in the kidneys. So you always want to trim the leaves before you cook the rhubarb,” Wright noted.
4. Can help regulate blood pressure
Rhubarb has the potential to regulate blood pressure.
The high potassium content in the vegetable is what strongly contributes to this potential health benefit, Wright told Fox News Digital.
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“It’s high in potassium,” Wright said. “Potassium helps regulate blood pressure [and] helps with better blood pressure control.”
5. Has the potential to lower bad cholesterol levels
Rhubarb stalks may have the capability to lower bad cholesterol levels.
“Studies have actually shown that rhubarb stalks can help lower the LDL cholesterol, or the bad cholesterol … just a few, but there’s some promise there,” Wright said.
If you want to begin to incorporate rhubarb into your diet in a healthy way to see all of its potential benefits, one easy way to do so is by using it as an ingredient in salsa.
“One really fun idea is [to] add rhubarb to your salsa,” Wright said. “Dice up rhubarb along with mango, red onion, lime juice, cilantro. That makes a really tangy salsa, and it’s perfect to put on top of grilled fish or chicken.”
Another easy way to incorporate pretty much any fruit or vegetable into a diet is by blending it into a smoothie.
“Add rhubarb to your smoothie with strawberries, Greek yogurt, a little drizzle of honey and maybe some spinach, and that’s going to be like a really fun mix of flavors that is packed with nutrition,” Wright explained.
A nutrient-rich smoothie is a super simple way for those who have a hard time meeting daily recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins and minerals they need.
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