Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

You Are Much Less Likely To Get Opioid Prescriptions For Lower Back Pain Than Before- Is Healthcare Getting Better?

Emergency rooms are handing out significantly fewer <span>opioid prescriptions</span> to people experiencing <span>lower back pain</span>. Researchers reported in the Annals of Emergency Medicine on July 12 that the rate of opioid prescriptions for back pain in ERs dropped by more than half between 2016 and 2022. 

<h2>Dramatic <span rel="noindex">Decline in Opioid Prescribing</span> </h2>

Just a few years ago, in 2016, almost one out of every three visits to the ER for back pain ended with a prescription for opioid painkillers. But by 2022, that number had fallen dramatically to just over one in ten visits. This big drop means that doctors are learning from the available information and changing the way they practice medicine, especially as more people become aware of the widespread problems caused by opioid addiction. It's a positive sign that medical professionals are actively working to curb the opioid crisis. 

<h2>Understanding the Study and Patient Experience </h2>

To figure this out, researchers looked at records from nearly 53 million ER visits for low back pain that happened between 2016 and 2022. These records were gathered by a national health statistics centre. The study found that when people went to the ER for back pain, they were usually in a lot of discomfort, rating their pain at more than 7 out of 10. On average, they had to wait about 37 minutes before a doctor saw them and spent around four hours in the emergency room getting treatment. 

<h2>Why Opioid Usage Is Risky For Patients</h2>

A 2023 study even found that opioids may not be as effective for back pain. Published in the JAMA network, a 2023 study conducted a trial on those who were experiencing back pain. The trial involved 347 adults who had been experiencing pain for up to 12 weeks. Everyone in the study received standard care, which included reassurance, advice to avoid bed rest, and encouragement to stay active. Half of the participants also received a combination of oxycodone and naloxone (an opioid), while the other half received a placebo (a dummy pill).

The study also revealed that while side effects were similar for both groups, there was a significant difference in the risk of opioid misuse. One year later, 20% of the participants who took opioids were at risk of misusing them, compared to only 10% of those who received the placebo. This suggests that even for short-term pain relief, opioids carry a greater risk of future misuse.

<h2><span rel="noindex">NSAIDs</span> Emerge as Preferred Treatment </h2>

Now, when you go to the ER with low back pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often called NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), are the most common painkillers prescribed. They're given to almost 29% of patients. It's not just about prescriptions either; fewer patients are actually given opioids while they are being treated in the ER. That number went down from 35% of cases in 2016 to less than 25% by 2020, showing a clear shift away from immediate opioid use during emergency care for back pain.

Even though there's good progress with reducing opioids, ER doctors still have some areas where they could improve how they treat back pain. For example, many patients with back pain are still getting X-rays that they don't really need. In 2022, about 37% of patients had an X-ray, which is pretty much the same as in 2015. In fact, in 2021, almost 44% of cases involved an X-ray, which was the highest rate. It's tough to get this number down because deciding whether to order an X-ray can be complicated and depends on what both the doctor and the patient think is best.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Opioid Prescriptions

Lower Back Pain

Opioid Prescriptions For Lower Back Pain

Healthcare

Decline in Opioid Prescribing

NSAIDs

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Emergency rooms are handing out significantly fewer opioid prescriptions to people experiencing lower back pain. Researchers reported in the Annals of Emergency Medicine on July 12 that the rate of opioid prescriptions for back pain in ERs dropped by more than half between 2016 and 2022. Dramatic Decline in Opioid Prescribing Just a few years ago, in 2016, almost one out of every three visits to the ER for back pain ended with a prescription for opioid painkillers. But by 2022, that number had fallen dramatically to just over one in ten visits. This big drop means that doctors are learning from the available information and changing the way they practice medicine, especially as more people become aware of the widespread problems caused by opioid addiction. It's a positive sign that medical professionals are actively working to curb the opioid crisis. Understanding the Study and Patient Experience To figure this out, researchers looked at records from nearly 53 million ER visits for low back pain that happened between 2016 and 2022. These records were gathered by a national health statistics centre. The study found that when people went to the ER for back pain, they were usually in a lot of discomfort, rating their pain at more than 7 out of 10. On average, they had to wait about 37 minutes before a doctor saw them and spent around four hours in the emergency room getting treatment. Why Opioid Usage Is Risky For PatientsA 2023 study even found that opioids may not be as effective for back pain. Published in the JAMA network, a 2023 study conducted a trial on those who were experiencing back pain. The trial involved 347 adults who had been experiencing pain for up to 12 weeks. Everyone in the study received standard care, which included reassurance, advice to avoid bed rest, and encouragement to stay active. Half of the participants also received a combination of oxycodone and naloxone (an opioid), while the other half received a placebo (a dummy pill).The study also revealed that while side effects were similar for both groups, there was a significant difference in the risk of opioid misuse. One year later, 20% of the participants who took opioids were at risk of misusing them, compared to only 10% of those who received the placebo. This suggests that even for short-term pain relief, opioids carry a greater risk of future misuse.NSAIDs Emerge as Preferred Treatment Now, when you go to the ER with low back pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often called NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), are the most common painkillers prescribed. They're given to almost 29% of patients. It's not just about prescriptions either; fewer patients are actually given opioids while they are being treated in the ER. That number went down from 35% of cases in 2016 to less than 25% by 2020, showing a clear shift away from immediate opioid use during emergency care for back pain.Next Issues People Must Tackle Even though there's good progress with reducing opioids, ER doctors still have some areas where they could improve how they treat back pain. For example, many patients with back pain are still getting X-rays that they don't really need. In 2022, about 37% of patients had an X-ray, which is pretty much the same as in 2015. In fact, in 2021, almost 44% of cases involved an X-ray, which was the highest rate. It's tough to get this number down because deciding whether to order an X-ray can be complicated and depends on what both the doctor and the patient think is best.

you are much less likely to get opioid prescriptions for lower back pain than before- is healthcare getting better?

Ishita Roy

Health News

US Surgeons Try Simpler Heart Transplant Methods to Boost Donor Pool

us surgeons try simpler heart transplant methods to boost donor pool

'Three-Parent-Baby' Technique: How UK Is Making Healthy Babies With DNA From Three People To Avoid Genetic Mitochondrial Disease

'three-parent-baby' technique: how uk is making healthy babies with dna from three people to avoid genetic mitochondrial disease

Air Pollution Is Doing More Than Clogging Your Lungs, It Is Now Linked To Brain Tumour

air pollution is doing more than clogging your lungs, it is now linked to brain tumour

BMI Calculators Cannot Predict Your Risk Of Death - Which Metric Can We Use?

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In a major step forward for heart transplants, doctors at two leading U.S. hospitals — Duke University and Vanderbilt University — have developed simpler and potentially life-saving methods to recover hearts from donors whose hearts have already stopped beating. Their research, published Wednesday in the <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em>, could expand the pool of viable donor hearts, especially for babies and young children who often face the longest waits and highest risks.

<h4>Rethinking Heart Donation After Cardiac Death</h4>

Most donor hearts used for transplants come from people who are declared brain-dead but whose hearts are still beating. In these cases, organs are kept alive on a ventilator until they’re retrieved. However, another type of donor, someone whose heart has stopped after life support is withdrawn, often goes unused. These are known as DCD (donation after circulatory death) donors.

While DCD organs are commonly used for kidneys and livers, using their hearts is more complicated. Once the heart stops, oxygen is cut off, and even a short delay before retrieval can make the heart unusable. That’s why new methods are needed to safely assess and preserve these hearts for transplant.

<h4>Controversial and Costly Options</h4>

One current method to save DCD hearts is called normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). It involves restarting blood flow to the heart and other organs, but only after clamping off the arteries leading to the brain. While effective, this technique is ethically controversial because it reintroduces circulation after death, which some hospitals do not allow.

Another alternative is to use high-tech machines to “reanimate” the heart outside the body, pumping it with blood and nutrients to keep it functioning until it reaches the transplant hospital. These machines, however, are expensive and complex, and not suitable for infants, whose small hearts can’t be supported by the equipment.

In response to these challenges, the Duke team developed a new, less invasive technique. Instead of reanimating the heart or using costly machinery, they simply removed the heart and briefly tested it by pumping blood and oxygen through it on a sterile table. This short test, done without restoring full-body circulation, was enough to confirm the heart was still viable.

The method was first tested on piglets and then used in a real case: a 1-month-old infant at another hospital became a donor, and Duke surgeons transported the heart to save a 3-month-old baby. The retrieval took just minutes and the heart showed clear signs of life , “it’s pink, it’s beating,” said Dr. Joseph Turek of Duke.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s team took an even more streamlined approach. They simply flushed the heart with a cold, nutrient-rich solution, similar to what’s done for brain-dead donors, before transporting it. “You don’t necessarily need to reanimate the heart,” said Dr. Aaron Williams, the lead author of the Vanderbilt study. The hospital has already completed about 25 such heart transplants using this method.

<h4>A New Chance for Patients Waiting in Line</h4>

The need for more donor hearts is urgent. Each year, around 700 children in the U.S. are added to the transplant waiting list, and nearly 20% of them die before receiving a new heart. Infants are especially vulnerable due to their small size and limited donor pool.

Last year, 43% of organ donors were DCD, yet only 793 out of 4,572 heart transplants came from this group. That’s a huge gap many experts hope to close.

Brendan Parent, a transplant ethics expert at NYU Langone Health, called the research “promising and essential.” He added, “Innovation to find ways to recover organs successfully after circulatory death is key to reducing the organ shortage.”

As these new techniques continue to be tested and refined, they may offer fresh hope to thousands of patients, especially the youngest ones, waiting for a second chance at life.

heart health

health and wellness

us health

us health news

preserving heart

In a major step forward for heart transplants, doctors at two leading U.S. hospitals — Duke University and Vanderbilt University — have developed simpler and potentially life-saving methods to recover hearts from donors whose hearts have already stopped beating. Their research, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, could expand the pool of viable donor hearts, especially for babies and young children who often face the longest waits and highest risks.Rethinking Heart Donation After Cardiac DeathMost donor hearts used for transplants come from people who are declared brain-dead but whose hearts are still beating. In these cases, organs are kept alive on a ventilator until they’re retrieved. However, another type of donor, someone whose heart has stopped after life support is withdrawn, often goes unused. These are known as DCD (donation after circulatory death) donors.While DCD organs are commonly used for kidneys and livers, using their hearts is more complicated. Once the heart stops, oxygen is cut off, and even a short delay before retrieval can make the heart unusable. That’s why new methods are needed to safely assess and preserve these hearts for transplant.Controversial and Costly OptionsOne current method to save DCD hearts is called normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). It involves restarting blood flow to the heart and other organs, but only after clamping off the arteries leading to the brain. While effective, this technique is ethically controversial because it reintroduces circulation after death, which some hospitals do not allow.Another alternative is to use high-tech machines to “reanimate” the heart outside the body, pumping it with blood and nutrients to keep it functioning until it reaches the transplant hospital. These machines, however, are expensive and complex, and not suitable for infants, whose small hearts can’t be supported by the equipment.Simpler, Safer Methods EmergingIn response to these challenges, the Duke team developed a new, less invasive technique. Instead of reanimating the heart or using costly machinery, they simply removed the heart and briefly tested it by pumping blood and oxygen through it on a sterile table. This short test, done without restoring full-body circulation, was enough to confirm the heart was still viable.The method was first tested on piglets and then used in a real case: a 1-month-old infant at another hospital became a donor, and Duke surgeons transported the heart to save a 3-month-old baby. The retrieval took just minutes and the heart showed clear signs of life , “it’s pink, it’s beating,” said Dr. Joseph Turek of Duke.Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s team took an even more streamlined approach. They simply flushed the heart with a cold, nutrient-rich solution, similar to what’s done for brain-dead donors, before transporting it. “You don’t necessarily need to reanimate the heart,” said Dr. Aaron Williams, the lead author of the Vanderbilt study. The hospital has already completed about 25 such heart transplants using this method.A New Chance for Patients Waiting in LineThe need for more donor hearts is urgent. Each year, around 700 children in the U.S. are added to the transplant waiting list, and nearly 20% of them die before receiving a new heart. Infants are especially vulnerable due to their small size and limited donor pool.Last year, 43% of organ donors were DCD, yet only 793 out of 4,572 heart transplants came from this group. That’s a huge gap many experts hope to close.Brendan Parent, a transplant ethics expert at NYU Langone Health, called the research “promising and essential.” He added, “Innovation to find ways to recover organs successfully after circulatory death is key to reducing the organ shortage.”As these new techniques continue to be tested and refined, they may offer fresh hope to thousands of patients, especially the youngest ones, waiting for a second chance at life.

new hope for heart transplants: researchers look at methods that could preserve heart for longer duration

Dr. Jeyhan B. Dhabhar

Not All Cancers Start Inside: The Case Of 'Forgotten Cancer' - What Makes Sarcoma Different From Other Forms Of Cancers

not all cancers start inside: the case of 'forgotten cancer' - what makes sarcoma different from other forms of cancers

Working 60-Hour Weeks Caused This Man To Almost Ignore A Bump That Turned Out To Be Cancer

working 60-hour weeks caused this man to almost ignore a bump that turned out to be cancer

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Medical Memoir: The History Of Period Care Through Years Of Menstrual Products' Evolution

medical memoir: the history of period care through years of menstrual products' evolution

<span>Soft tissue sarcoma</span> (STS) is a rare type of cancer that can quietly grow in the connective tissues of the body—such as fat, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, or beneath the skin. Although it represents less than 1% of all cancers, its quiet nature often leads to late detection, making treatment more challenging. 

<h4>When a Lump Deserves Closer Attention </h4>

It’s common for people to dismiss a lump under the skin as harmless—perhaps a cyst or muscle knot. However, some features can indicate something more serious. You should consult a doctor if the lump is: 

<ul><li>Larger than 5 cm (roughly the size of a golf ball), </li><li>Located deep under the muscle, </li><li>Firm and doesn’t move easily, </li><li>Or steadily increasing in size.</li></ul>

Pain is not always present in the early stages. Often, discomfort only appears when the lump starts pressing against nearby nerves or tissues. Unfortunately, the absence of pain can lead to delayed diagnosis. 

<h4>*Aryan’s  Story: The Power of Acting Quickly </h4>

Twelve-year-old a=Aryan's parents noticed a firm swelling on his thigh. At first, they thought it was a sports injury as he had a recent fall while playing football. Since it didn’t hurt, they waited. But the lump continued to grow. When Aryan finally underwent imaging, doctors diagnosed him with a high-grade synovial <span>sarcoma</span>. 

It was a heart-wrenching moment no parent is ready for. Yet, prompt medical attention changed everything. Aryan received surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation over several months. Now, two years later, he’s cancer-free and back on the football field. His story is a powerful testament to timely diagnosis, expert medical care, and quiet strength. 

<h4>Diagnosing STS: A Careful, Coordinated Approach </h4>

Diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma involves multiple steps: 

<ul><li>MRI or CT scans to assess the tumour’s size and how far it has spread. </li><li>A biopsy, performed or guided by a cancer specialist, to avoid compromising future surgery. </li><li>PET-CT scans in aggressive cases to check if the cancer has spread.</li></ul>

It’s crucial to involve a specialized sarcoma team—surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists—for accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

The main treatment for STS is surgery to remove the tumor completely. Depending on the type and grade of the sarcoma, doctors may recommend radiation or chemotherapy before or after the operation. 

For advanced or metastatic sarcomas, new therapies such as targeted drugs and immunotherapy are sometimes used. Research shows that outcomes are significantly better when patients are treated at specialised sarcoma centres. 

<h4>Don’t Ignore a Suspicious Lump </h4>

Most lumps are harmless. But overlooking a cancerous one could be life-changing. If a lump is growing, unusual, or doesn’t go away—get it checked.

<strong>Golden rule:</strong> “If it’s growing, deep, or persistent—see a doctor.” 

<em>*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the individual. </em>

Sarcoma awareness month

soft tissue sarcoma

sarcoma

sarcoma case study

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare type of cancer that can quietly grow in the connective tissues of the body—such as fat, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, or beneath the skin. Although it represents less than 1% of all cancers, its quiet nature often leads to late detection, making treatment more challenging. When a Lump Deserves Closer Attention It’s common for people to dismiss a lump under the skin as harmless—perhaps a cyst or muscle knot. However, some features can indicate something more serious. You should consult a doctor if the lump is: Larger than 5 cm (roughly the size of a golf ball), Located deep under the muscle, Firm and doesn’t move easily, Or steadily increasing in size.Pain is not always present in the early stages. Often, discomfort only appears when the lump starts pressing against nearby nerves or tissues. Unfortunately, the absence of pain can lead to delayed diagnosis. *Aryan’s  Story: The Power of Acting Quickly Twelve-year-old a=Aryan's parents noticed a firm swelling on his thigh. At first, they thought it was a sports injury as he had a recent fall while playing football. Since it didn’t hurt, they waited. But the lump continued to grow. When Aryan finally underwent imaging, doctors diagnosed him with a high-grade synovial sarcoma. It was a heart-wrenching moment no parent is ready for. Yet, prompt medical attention changed everything. Aryan received surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation over several months. Now, two years later, he’s cancer-free and back on the football field. His story is a powerful testament to timely diagnosis, expert medical care, and quiet strength. Diagnosing STS: A Careful, Coordinated Approach Diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma involves multiple steps: MRI or CT scans to assess the tumour’s size and how far it has spread. A biopsy, performed or guided by a cancer specialist, to avoid compromising future surgery. PET-CT scans in aggressive cases to check if the cancer has spread.It’s crucial to involve a specialized sarcoma team—surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists—for accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Treatment: Experience Matters The main treatment for STS is surgery to remove the tumor completely. Depending on the type and grade of the sarcoma, doctors may recommend radiation or chemotherapy before or after the operation. For advanced or metastatic sarcomas, new therapies such as targeted drugs and immunotherapy are sometimes used. Research shows that outcomes are significantly better when patients are treated at specialised sarcoma centres. Don’t Ignore a Suspicious Lump Most lumps are harmless. But overlooking a cancerous one could be life-changing. If a lump is growing, unusual, or doesn’t go away—get it checked.Golden rule: “If it’s growing, deep, or persistent—see a doctor.” *Names have been changed to protect the identity of the individual. 

understanding soft tissue sarcoma: when should you be concerned about a lump?

AI Can Now Help Identify Diabetic Eye Disease That Can Destroy Your Vision For Life

Common Tell-Tale Signs Of Prediabetes You Should Be Aware Of

common tell-tale signs of prediabetes you should be aware of

Nutrition

Intermittent Energy Restriction: How Just Two Days Of Calorie Cuts A Week Can Transform Diabetes Management?

intermittent energy restriction: how just two days of calorie cuts a week can transform diabetes management?

Ozempic, Wegovy Aren't Magic, These 5 Body Traits Predict If You’ll Actually Lose Weight

ozempic, wegovy aren't magic, these 5 body traits predict if you’ll actually lose weight

Ayurveda

This Ayurvedic Fruit Is Known For Lowering Blood Sugar And Clearing Your Skin

this ayurvedic fruit is known for lowering blood sugar and clearing your skin

Doctors may soon have a powerful new tool to help catch a serious eye disease caused by diabetes. Researchers have created an AI-powered retina tracker that is incredibly accurate at finding <span>diabetic retinopathy</span>, a condition that can lead to blindness. In a news release by the Endocrine Society, researchers detail how this new AI technology revolutionizes health and eye care, bringing it to the next level. 

<h2>Fast, Accurate, and <span rel="noindex">Accessible Eye Screening</span> </h2>

This new program, called the Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART), showed over 99% accuracy in its ability to screen for diabetic retinopathy. This impressive result was announced recently at a medical conference. 

SMART uses advanced AI to quickly and accurately look at images of the retina – the light-sensing part at the back of your eye. What makes it truly special is that it can work on any device with internet access, even basic smartphones. 

This means eye specialists can screen patients more easily and quickly. It also allows general doctors to include eye exams during regular visits. Most importantly, it helps bring high-quality eye checks to places where there aren't many eye doctors. 

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where tiny blood vessels in the eye leak and damage the retina. It's a major cause of blinedness that could be prevented, affecting over 100 million people worldwide. 

To develop SMART, researchers trained the AI using thousands of retinal images from a diverse group of patients across six continents. When they tested the AI on new images, it could detect diabetic retinopathy almost every time, processing each image in less than one second. The tracker could also tell the difference between diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions. 

<h2>Symptoms And Issues Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy </h2>

According to the US National Eye Institute, Diabetic retinopathy is an eye problem that can affect anyone with diabetes. It happens when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensing part at the back of your eye. Early detection and managing your diabetes are key to protecting your vision. 

Diabetes harms blood vessels throughout your entire body. In your eyes, this damage begins when high blood sugar changes the tiny blood vessels that feed your retina. These changes make it harder for blood to flow, leading to some blood vessels getting blocked or starting to leak fluid or blood. 

In its early stages, you usually won't notice any problems with your vision. However, some people might notice subtle changes, like difficulty reading or seeing things far away. These changes might even come and go. 

As the condition gets worse, blood vessels in your retina can start to bleed into the jelly-like fluid that fills your eye. If this happens, you might see dark, floating spots or streaks, almost like cobwebs. Sometimes these spots clear up on their own, but it's crucial to get medical help right away. If left untreated, scars can form at the back of your eye, or the bleeding might start again or get worse.

Developing this new AI has the potential to make eye care available to a vast number of people globally, simply by using mobile technology. Experts believe this innovation could screen billions worldwide, significantly cutting down <span>vision loss</span> from diabetic retinopathy. It could also completely change how healthcare is provided. 

Anyone with diabetes can get diabetic retinopathy, whether they have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy). 

Your risk goes up the longer you've had diabetes. In fact, over half of people with diabetes will <span>develop diabetic retinopathy</span> eventually. The good news is that you can significantly lower your risk by keeping your blood sugar levels under control. 

Women with diabetes who become pregnant, or those who develop gestational diabetes, are at a higher risk. If you have diabetes and are pregnant, you should get a full eye exam with dilated pupils as soon as possible. 

This research highlights how AI can be a positive force, helping to bridge gaps in medical care and offering hope to millions who are at risk of losing their sight. 

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Eye Disease

vision loss

Accessible Eye Screening

AI for eye health

develop diabetic retinopathy

Doctors may soon have a powerful new tool to help catch a serious eye disease caused by diabetes. Researchers have created an AI-powered retina tracker that is incredibly accurate at finding diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to blindness. In a news release by the Endocrine Society, researchers detail how this new AI technology revolutionizes health and eye care, bringing it to the next level. Fast, Accurate, and Accessible Eye Screening This new program, called the Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker (SMART), showed over 99% accuracy in its ability to screen for diabetic retinopathy. This impressive result was announced recently at a medical conference. SMART uses advanced AI to quickly and accurately look at images of the retina – the light-sensing part at the back of your eye. What makes it truly special is that it can work on any device with internet access, even basic smartphones. This means eye specialists can screen patients more easily and quickly. It also allows general doctors to include eye exams during regular visits. Most importantly, it helps bring high-quality eye checks to places where there aren't many eye doctors. Tackling Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where tiny blood vessels in the eye leak and damage the retina. It's a major cause of blinedness that could be prevented, affecting over 100 million people worldwide. To develop SMART, researchers trained the AI using thousands of retinal images from a diverse group of patients across six continents. When they tested the AI on new images, it could detect diabetic retinopathy almost every time, processing each image in less than one second. The tracker could also tell the difference between diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions. Symptoms And Issues Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy According to the US National Eye Institute, Diabetic retinopathy is an eye problem that can affect anyone with diabetes. It happens when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensing part at the back of your eye. Early detection and managing your diabetes are key to protecting your vision. Diabetes harms blood vessels throughout your entire body. In your eyes, this damage begins when high blood sugar changes the tiny blood vessels that feed your retina. These changes make it harder for blood to flow, leading to some blood vessels getting blocked or starting to leak fluid or blood. Warning Signs In its early stages, you usually won't notice any problems with your vision. However, some people might notice subtle changes, like difficulty reading or seeing things far away. These changes might even come and go. As the condition gets worse, blood vessels in your retina can start to bleed into the jelly-like fluid that fills your eye. If this happens, you might see dark, floating spots or streaks, almost like cobwebs. Sometimes these spots clear up on their own, but it's crucial to get medical help right away. If left untreated, scars can form at the back of your eye, or the bleeding might start again or get worse. Who Will This New AI Help? Developing this new AI has the potential to make eye care available to a vast number of people globally, simply by using mobile technology. Experts believe this innovation could screen billions worldwide, significantly cutting down vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. It could also completely change how healthcare is provided. Anyone with diabetes can get diabetic retinopathy, whether they have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy). Your risk goes up the longer you've had diabetes. In fact, over half of people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy eventually. The good news is that you can significantly lower your risk by keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Women with diabetes who become pregnant, or those who develop gestational diabetes, are at a higher risk. If you have diabetes and are pregnant, you should get a full eye exam with dilated pupils as soon as possible. This research highlights how AI can be a positive force, helping to bridge gaps in medical care and offering hope to millions who are at risk of losing their sight.  

ai can now help identify diabetic eye disease that can destroy your vision for life

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You Are Much Less Likely To Get Opioid Prescriptions For Lower Back Pain Than Before- Is Healthcare Getting Better?

Quick Stories

New Hope For Heart Transplants: Researchers Look At Methods That Could Preserve Heart For Longer Duration

Understanding Soft Tissue Sarcoma: When Should You Be Concerned About A Lump?

AI Can Now Help Identify Diabetic Eye Disease That Can Destroy Your Vision For Life

Health Conditions A-Z

New Hope For Heart Transplants: Researchers Look At Methods That Could Preserve Heart For Longer Duration

Understanding Soft Tissue Sarcoma: When Should You Be Concerned About A Lump?

Persistent Nausea After Meals? For This Canadian Woman, It Was Not IBS — It Was Stage 4 Cancer