Sinkers vs. Floaters

August 5, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Sometimes when I have a bowel movement, my feces goes to the bottom of the toilet. At other times, it floats. Why the difference?

DEAR READER: “Floaters” have an increased level of air and gas, making them less dense. There’s also a connection with gastrointestinal infections causing buoyant feces. Diet enters the picture here and makes a difference that can vary the results from day to day. Overall, more people have “sinkers” than “floaters,” but don’t ask me who performed that survey!

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Floaters annoying but harmless

February 27, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 56-year-old male who has suffered from tinnitus for the past 15 years. Within the last year, I have noticed a lot of eye floaters, which seem to be worsening. My doctor says that my eyes are healthy. I don’t wear glasses.

I live a healthful lifestyle. I don’t smoke or drink. I have changed my eating habits and consume very little sugar and red meat. I do eat a lot of chicken, fish, juice and vegetables.

Is there anything I can do to get rid of the eye floaters? What can I do to prevent more from occurring? Is there a dietary change I can make? [Read more...]

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Daily Column

July 7, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband and I need your help. A while ago my husband had surgery to correct an eyelid problem. His eyelids and eyelashes were growing backward into his eyes causing an excessive buildup of “matter”. Following surgery, he was fine but now has “cobwebs” in his vision. This usually occurs when looking at people or walls. Sometimes he can blink and the lines disappear, other times it does not help at all.

He was seen by a board certified ophthalmologist who diagnosed him with “floaters” and said he can go blind from this condition.

DEAR READER:
Floaters are spots, strings or cobweb-like shadows that occur within the line of vision. They move as the eyes move so if trying to look at them, they disappear. They are painless and usually harmless.

Most people over the age of 40 will experience floaters to some degree. This is because of age-related eye shrinkage. [Read more...]

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