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Hot Weather Vision Threat
Feeling the heat? In our area we have had a scorching summer.
I'm gonna keep this brief because it's just too darn hot to be sitting here typing on such a warm day (way over 100 degrees F!) I need to go splash in the pool.
Besides heat exhaustion and dehydration there is a different kind of health threat generated by extreme termperatures - Uhthoff's Phenomenon (pronounced OO-toffs). It was first described in 1890 by Wilhelm Uhthoff - who else?
This relates mostly to people with previous bouts of optic neuritis or full-blown Multiple Sclerosis. Perhaps you have a loved one being treated for these conditions.
A rise in the body's core temperature can lead to a temporary loss of vision in folks with demyelinating disorders like MS. Vigorous exercise and hot tubs can provoke Uhthoff's Phenomenon but severely warm weather can also be responsible.
Although the textbooks describe this form of blindness as temporary there have been reports of prolonged vision loss and rare permanent blindness attributed to Uhthoff's Phenomenon.
Remember that I said I'd keep this brief? Take it easy and don't overdo things when it's hot outside.
Related Topics: High Humidity Boosts Heart Attack Risk, Emergency First Aid for Heatstroke
Technorati Tags: heat wave, multiple sclerosis, Uhthoff's Phenomenon
I'm gonna keep this brief because it's just too darn hot to be sitting here typing on such a warm day (way over 100 degrees F!) I need to go splash in the pool.
Besides heat exhaustion and dehydration there is a different kind of health threat generated by extreme termperatures - Uhthoff's Phenomenon (pronounced OO-toffs). It was first described in 1890 by Wilhelm Uhthoff - who else?
This relates mostly to people with previous bouts of optic neuritis or full-blown Multiple Sclerosis. Perhaps you have a loved one being treated for these conditions.
A rise in the body's core temperature can lead to a temporary loss of vision in folks with demyelinating disorders like MS. Vigorous exercise and hot tubs can provoke Uhthoff's Phenomenon but severely warm weather can also be responsible.
Although the textbooks describe this form of blindness as temporary there have been reports of prolonged vision loss and rare permanent blindness attributed to Uhthoff's Phenomenon.
Remember that I said I'd keep this brief? Take it easy and don't overdo things when it's hot outside.
Related Topics: High Humidity Boosts Heart Attack Risk, Emergency First Aid for Heatstroke
Technorati Tags: heat wave, multiple sclerosis, Uhthoff's Phenomenon
