Nystagmus: An Overview Of Eye Shaking And 4 Natural Treatments

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

Imagine your eyes doing a cha-cha without your permission; that’s nystagmus for you. Nystagmus involves involuntary, rhythmic eye movements - side to side, up and down, or even in circles. The eye condition, commonly characterized by involuntary, rhythmic oscillations of the eyes, poses a diagnostic and management challenge for clinicians. Nystagmus affects approximately 1 in 1,000 individuals (usually over age 60) so it’s not as unusual as you might think.

It may have a significant impact on your vision, including impaired visual acuity and compromised depth perception. Imagine trying to catch a ball thrown to you, but it’s playing tricks on your eyes. Even dogs get nystagmus, which often points to inner ear problems.

Nystagmus affects about 1 in 1,000 people and can either be congenital, appearing within the first six months of life, or acquired later in life. It’s not really a condition by itself. It’s almost always a sign of another underlying condition or a medication side effect. If you’d like to know the 12 most common drug offenders, visit my website suzycohen.com and read the longer, more comprehensive version of this article.

I think treatment should center around the root cause. For that reason, I’d like to go over the major influences of this condition. Regarding acquired nystagmus which is the most common type, I’d say etiological factors include drug side effects that impact your CNS (central nervous system), inner ear disorders, autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), head trauma, vitamin defi ciencies (particularly the B vitamins like vitamin B12 and B1).

If the jittery eyes stem from MS, or brain lesions, please let a neurologist take the lead. Finally, Wernicke’s encephalopathy which occurs with chronic alcohol intake depletes B1 and increases risk for nystagmus.

Now I’d like to discuss just a few options for treatment, and of course speak to your practitioner about all of these.

And as you might have guessed, Mother Nature’s not sitting this one out. I found some natural remedies that can help including:

1. Ginkgo Biloba (which I put into my Vision Script) increases blood flow*

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in fish oils regulate inflammation chemicals*

3. Chamomile tea often used for upset tummies may lend a helping hand.

4. Magnesium is integral to muscle and nerve function*

To summarize this, nystagmus is not the bad guy, it’s a messenger. It tells you something’s amiss in your body. These involuntary eye movements are a symptom indicative of underlying ocular or total-body disease. So you should consult all your health professionals, and be persistent. Don’t accept “this is your life and learn to live with it” comments. That just means they don’t know what else to test for. Management of nystagmus is 100% contingent upon you or your doctor identifying and addressing the underlying cause. There are wonderful communities and resources like the American Nystagmus Network, National Eye Institute, and even online forums for sharing experiences and knowledge.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2023 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

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Tips To Save Money And Energy During Hot Summer Days

MAYS LANDING – With cool spring temperatures giving way to hot summer days, Atlantic City Electric wants to help customers save both money and energy by offering the following tips:

• Check your thermostat. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher if health permits. You can save about two percent on your bill for every degree you raise your thermostat. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can adjust the temperature while you are away and can connect to your mobile devices should your plans change.

• Adjust your blinds and drapes. Lower the blinds and close your drapes during the day to keep cool air inside and to keep the heating effects of the hot sun out.

• Turn on ceiling fans to evenly distribute cool air throughout your home. If reversible, make sure the fans are spinning counterclockwise for summer.

• Maximize efficiency. Ensure that ducts and fans are not blocked by furniture. This will enable cool air to circulate freely, making your home more comfortable. Consider a tune up for your air conditioner and change air filters as well to improve efficiency.

• Check housing vents. Some homes have top and bottom return vents with levers. In the summer, open the top vent and close the bottom vent since heat rises.

• Manage appliances. Run appliances that produce heat (such as clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.

• Manage your bill on My Account. Atlantic City Electric’s online energy management tools show you how much energy you are using. You can also get tips based on your energy saving goals.

• Sign up for usage alerts. Customers can sign up for energy usage alerts to better understand how and when they are using energy, get an early warning when they are headed toward a bill that is higher than usual and fi nd smart ways to make their home more efficient. Sign up at atlanticcity electric.com/Alerts.

With hot weather on the way, Atlantic City Electric recognizes its responsibility to help customers use less energy, keep bills as low as possible and to support customers who may be facing fi nancial challenges.

Atlantic City Electric is committed to keep every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and programs like Budget Billing, where customers can avoid seasonal peaks in their energy bills by dividing their payments evenly over the course of the entire year. Atlantic City Electric also offers energy efficiency programs and energy saving information to help customers reduce their energy usage. Information regarding these programs can be found at atlanticcityelectric.com/ WaysToSave.

In addition to Atlantic City Electric programs, the company works with community and government partners to get funding into the hands of those customers who need it most to help meet their energy needs. The company continues to encourage residential customers to apply for energy assistance and take advantage of the millions of dollars that remain available through programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers can visit atlanticcityelectric.com/ EnergyAssistance or call 800-642-3780 to learn about additional energy assistance programs.