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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

Warning Signs Of Vision Problems In Children

by Valerie Stevens

As children are still learning, growing, and developing, they may not know how to tell you something is wrong with their vision. This is especially true if you have a child who has not learned how to speak. Fortunately, there are a handful of warnings signs which could indicate your child has a problem with his or her vision.

Eyes That Don't Focus

Having crossed eyes is known as a condition called Strabismus. It is caused by the brain not communicating with the muscles that control eye movement. When the eye is developing in a baby, it is normal for it to be cross-eyed. After your child is four months old, you should consider taking to a doctor if he or she still crosses his or her eyes a lot.

Having strabismus will certainly cause a child to have problems in school with bullies. It will also cause double vision, headaches, and eye strain. Treatment includes eye drops and eye patches. In the most severe cases, surgery may be considered.

If it is left untreated, a condition known as amblyopia may form due to the reliance on one eye without bothering to force the other to focus. This will result in vision loss in the long term. In order to prevent that, a patch may be used to force the child to rely on the bad eye in order to get it in form with the good eye.

Bulging Eyes

Bulging eyes may involve one or both eyes bulging out. The most common cause of bulging eyes in children is Graves Disease. Other causes are Glaucoma, Hypothyroidism, and Leukemia.

With bulging eyes being a symptom of something else, it is important to get that treated. In the meantime, children will be self-conscious, as well as a possible target of bullying at school. Creating a safety network of emotional support is important during this vulnerable time.

Watery Eyes

Itchy, watery eyes may be temporary. In some cases, such as ocular conjunctivitis, watery eyes are nothing more than an allergic reaction to something in the environment.

If your child has been diagnosed with this condition, there are some changes to the environment that you can make to try to make your child feel more comfortable. Use hypoallergenic pillows and wrap mattresses to prevent dust mites. Use air conditioning during the time when your child's allergies are triggered. Avoid opening windows for natural air.

Near Sighted, Far sighted, or Astigmatism

The most common causes of eye problems in children are easily correctable. Near sighted children are easily spotted because they have trouble seeing things across the room such as the blackboard at school. In all cases, eyeglasses will be prescribed for near sighted, far sighted, and astigmatisms.

While you are trying to determine whether or not your child has an issue with his or her eyes, remember to build a supportive network for your child. Your child needs to know wearing glasses is not the end of the world should it be determined he or she has a vision problem. Contact a business, such as the Montgomery Eye Center, for more information.   

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