Thyroid Eye Disease, or TED, is an autoimmune eye disorder that causes swelling and damage to the muscles & other tissues surrounding the eye and is often associated with thyroid and Graves disease.

There are 2 phases of TED: active & stable. The active, or inflammatory, phase can last for up to 3 years, followed by the stable phase which occurs when the swelling has subsided.

TED affects women more often than men & usually occurs around middle age. People with thyroid disease, Graves disease, family history of thyroid issues, & people with low levels of selenium in their blood are more likely to experience Thyroid Eye Disease.

Symptoms of TED range from dry, itchy, red, watery, or gritty feeling eyes, & bulging eyes to double vision, pain behind the eyes, painful eye movements, difficulty closing, & possibly vision loss.

As with the symptoms for Thyroid Eye Disease, the treatments range, as well, depending upon phase & severity. Treatments include lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medication such as selenium supplements & eye drops, & prescription medications to surgery & radiation.

If you or a loved one think you have TED or would like a second opinion, please reach out to the many doctors online now at www.secondopinions.com for peace of mind.

According (National Cervical Cancer Coalition) over 13,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Most cases can be prevented with the HPV vaccination and annual PAP screenings. We encourage women to learn about cervical cancer prevention.

Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, and it’s the fourth most common type of cancer for women worldwide. Cervical cancer  is one of the most preventable types of cancer and  over the years, it has declined by approximately 2 percent a year. The decline is due to the Pap screening that detects cervical abnormalities and allows for early treatment. According to the NCCC ‘’Most women who have abnormal cervical cell changes that progress to cervical cancer have never had a Pap test or have not had one in the previous three to five years.’’ Cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44.

What causes cervical cancer?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. Although there are over 100 different types of HPV, most considered low-risk, high-risk HPV types may cause cervical cell abnormalities or cancer.

It is estimated that HPV is  now the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Approximately 80% of women in their 50s, have been infected with some type of HPV. The majority do NOT develop cervical cancer. For most women the HPV infection does not last long; 90% of HPV infections resolve on their own within 2 years.

Screening Tests

Two tests help prevent cervical cancer or find it early

• The Pap test (or Pap smear) detects cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer.
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancers. HPV can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women.

If you or a loved one have concerns about cervical cancer please contact a healthcare professional or get a second opinion for peace of mind