Skin Health– What can I do?

Environment, Health Basics

When it comes to our skin, many of us are more concerned with wrinkles, sun spots (also called liver spots), and other signs of aging than skin cancer. But skin cancer is a serious concern. It is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Research indicates that 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin

cancer at least once. Luckily, it’s easy to manage concerns about signs of aging and skin cancer at the same time. The best way to prevent signs of  aging is also the best way to prevent skin cancer:
Protect yourself from the sun.

But what about promises of instant youth in a jar? Experts say that over-the-counter creams and lotions can help ease dry skin — which is more common as you age — but they can’t turn back time. Prescription creams, chemical peels, laser treatments, Botox, and other cosmetic procedures are being used to treat sun spots, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. But results vary and some treatments remain unproven. These treatments also don’t prevent further damage.

So for now, to ward off future signs of aging and lower your risk of skin cancer:

  • Avoid the sun when its rays are strongest between 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Use a sunscreen that has a high SPF number (15 or higher).

 

Sunscreen should also protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Experts recommend using sunscreen daily, year-round — especially on your face.

If you’re out in the sun for a long time, protect your ears and scalp with a hat. For extra body protection, wear lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Checking your skin regularly is a good idea. Tell your doctor right away about skin changes, such as new growths, sores that don’t heal, or changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole. Skin changes are not always cancer. But you should have a doctor check out a skin change to be sure. Many types of skin cancer can be cured if found and treated early.

 

Do You Suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Environment, Lifestyle

Portrait of businessman closing eyes while working late at night on black background with copy space

As the seasons change from fall to winter, many people find themselves experiencing symptoms of the “winter blues.”  Prone to simply brush these symptoms off as just being in a “funk”, many people think they just have to “tough it out” and wait for the sun to shine more brightly again.  What these people may be experiencing is a form of depression called “seasonal affective disorder“(SAD).  In most cases, seasonal affective disorder symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses.

 

Symptoms specific to winter-onset SAD, sometimes called winter depression include:

  • Irritability
  • Tiredness or low energy
  • Problems getting along with other people
  • Hypersensitivity to rejection
  • Heavy “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
  • Oversleeping or having trouble sleeping
  • Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
  • Weight gain

Experts believe that a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood, might play a role in SAD.  Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may depression.

Some of the factors that increase your risk of SAD include:

Being female    Women experience SAD more than men, but the symptoms tend to be more severe in men.

Family History  People with family members who suffer from depressive disorders are more likely to be affected by SAD.

Having previously been diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms may get worse during the winter months.

Living far from the equator  SAD appears to be more common in people who live far from the equator

Treatment can help prevent complications, especially if you seek treatment before your symptoms get bad.   You can seek help from your family care provider.  In addition, you can try the following:

Make your environment sunnier and brighter  Open blinds and trim heavy tree branches away from windows.

Get Outside  Even if you’re worried about the slick roads and sidewalks, you can sit on a bench at the park or on your porch.

Exercise regularly  Exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety and it helps raise serotonin levels.

Take a trip  Even if it’s not a trip to a sunnier climate, getting out of the house seems to help many people who suffer from SAD.