The 7 Risks of Sun Exposure

In the summer, many people find themselves meandering over to neighboring pools or vacationing to beaches to escape the heat. You have just entered into the risky territory of sun exposure. The problem is that you forgot the sun block or you simply stay out too long in very sunny conditions. Either way, skin conditions may begin to develop. In today’s culture, the tanned skin is all the rage, but is it worth risking your life? Is it worth the chemotherapy and horrid treatments you must endure when you are diagnosed with skin cancer? Is it worth the painful blisters and burns? What is it worth to you? Let’s take a closer look at the dangers of those sunny skies.

1. Sunburns

A sunburn is actually a first-degree burn. Although it does lead to that “natural glow” that everyone seems to want, burning the epidermis (top layer of your skin) is not always the best way to go. Reach for the aloe cream and remember sun block next time. Sunburns leave you at risk for developing skin cancer, melanoma.

2. Blisters

Blisters are second degree sunburns. They are more severe and instead of just redness and peeling, these burns tend to leave blisters when they heal. It is important that you don’t try to pop these blisters for they are providing your body with necessary moisture and protection. Enjoy those big blisters; they are protecting your skin when you don’t…and remember next time, use sun block!

3. Age Spots

Visible skin damage can occur and stay much longer than the usual burn of blister. Age spots, for example, do not occur because of old age. It is because of excessive sun exposure.

4. Uneven Skin Tone/Freckles

Uneven skin tone and freckles are due to the different pigments in your skin reacting differently to the sun. While all of these may seem very innocent, it is a harsh reality that skin cancer can easily hide in an age spot or one misshapen freckle. You must be very careful and see you dermatologist for a full skin care screening.

5. Wrinkles

Wrinkles are mainly due to sun damage. In fact, over 80% of skin damage in later years is because of the tans you received before you even hit the young age of 18. The less you protected your skin back then, the more you’ll regret it now. I’m sure now you’d give anything for a little bit of good sense and SPF 30 back when you were a teenager.

6. Cataracts

Looking directly into the sun with no protection is a great way to develop cataracts. Cataracts occur over the lens of your eye and cause double vision, blurred vision, or glares from light. It can be surgically fixed, but a pair of protective sunglasses will be a lot cheaper. Invest in a pair.

7. Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is obviously the largest concern from sun damage. Any time you are out in the sun, unprotected, you are at risk for contracting any of the many forms of skin cancer. Wouldn’t it just be easier to lather up in sunscreen and take on the fall, pale but knowing that you will be safe?

Yes, a sunburn is painful but most of all it puts you at significant risk for the development of skin cancer…treatment of skin cancer is no walk in the park so if you can do your part and protect your skin in the first place, then you will be a much happier camper!

Sleep Deprivation Treatment: Why Sleep Is Important

Sleep deprivation…the bane of many a nighttime battle. You get up at five in the morning. The kids are off to school, you’re off to work. Your meeting runs late and you’re not home until 6. The children need dinner; time to clean up those plates. Who needs help washing their hair? You want two bedtime stories tonight? Boss says he needs you to finish that proposal tonight to have on his desk in the morning. You need a shower. Well, you get the picture.

Sleep is such an important part of your life and while we all know we can’t live without it, each and every day we try to fit more into the minutes of our day, which really only takes away from our time to sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation did some research and learned that 60% of women surveyed only get a “good night’s” rest 2-3 nights a week. That’s not nearly enough for all of those busy days ahead of you!

Luckily, if you can keep your eyes open long enough to read this article, you will find that help has arrived. The first step to sleep deprivation treatment or insomnia treatment is you need a reality check. Lack of sleep isn’t a good thing and although you may get more done, it’s not done at the level of quality it could be if you were fully energized.

In fact, you’ve got more to worry about than a couple baggy eyes. Insomnia can lead to serious weight gain. According to a study from the journal, Sleep, a little shut-eye less than 7 hours a night is associated with higher body mass index, which as we know, can lead to obesity.

The truth is that sleep deprivation effects don’t stop there either. Not enough sleep can precede cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure. The National Sleep Foundation says an increased risk of diabetes, psychiatric problems such as depression and substance abuse, and a greater risk of motor-vehicle accidents are also effects of not enough sleep.

Your awareness may suffer, memory could fail, and performance can droop. All in all, the benefits of sleep further outweigh the benefits of pulling “all nighters” and the right amount of sleep promotes good health!

So if you are suffering and are in need of sleep deprivation treatment, then work closely with your physician to see what options are best for you…but make sure that you do something…this is not something to ignore.

Free Stress and Anger Management Techniques

Stress is a real worry that all of us deal with on a daily basis. Sometimes it is emotional stress, sometimes it is physical. No matter the type, stress can tear you down, weakening your immune system and your emotional stability. Here are the top ten ways to live stress-free for the rest of your life. Read more

Lose Weight by Drinking Healthier

You diet. You exercise. You get plenty of sleep. You do everything right… so why can’t you seem to drop a few pounds? Well, are you thirsty? What are you drinking? That could be the cause. Read more

Lose Weight with Wii Fit

First introduced into the world of virtual fitness was Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR. DDR exposed consumers to a whole new experience, which involved stomping feet on a sensor mat to the tune of popular tunes. The concept was kind of like a technologically advanced form of Twister, but caught on very quickly. Read more

Eating Healty and Losing Weight: Diet the Health Way

You read many books and research online until you think you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. You don’t. When many people try to lose weight they seek a dieting program which forces them to give up many of their favorite foods and as I’m sure many of you know (who have tried this before) it rarely works longer than a couple of weeks. Let’s face it, the will power to deny all foods that sound good to you is more than nearly anyone can deal with. Before long, the few lost pounds sneak back and you’re as miserable as ever. Well the key to losing weight is not deprivation- it is moderation and knowing which foods to keep on hand. Read more

Pregnancy Massage: Rubbing Down The Mommy To Be

The coming of a newborn child is very exciting, but the anxieties to come for the mother-to-be are not as anticipated. In the same way that popular massage provides pain relief for us when we are tired or have aches, pregnancy massages also are able to provide relief which greatly benefits the mother.

Although many times, pregnancy massages are very helpful, there is no need to go through with the massage if you feel uncomfortable about the idea. If you are a little skeptical, consult your doctor and tell her about your concerns before scheduling your first massage appointment. Read more

Heart Failure and Long Term Heart Health

Across the board, heart failure continues to rise. In fact, in this day and age more than 50% of men will die from heart disease. It is extremely important that we watch what we eat. Otherwise, the risk continually rises that we become yet another sad but true statistic. Read more

First Chiropractic Visit

For those of you who have never gone to a chiropractor, you may have some mixed feelings about making that first visit. If you are nervous, instead of excited to feel better, this is completely normal. The cure for this type of worry is simply understanding, and preparing yourself for a first chiropractic visit.

First of all, your chiropractor will question you about your current health problems. It is extremely important that you mention everything you can think of including; the obvious, shoulder, neck, and back pain, but also frequent colds, susceptibility to infection, hearing problems, changes in weight, and even any cramping you might be experiencing. Even though you might feel silly mentioning everything, it is very important and determines the success of your session. Chiropractic practices rely on touch to relieve pain and every small detail counts. This allows your physician to alter their treatment methods to suit your health condition better.

Secondly, you will be asked a set of questions regarding your medical history and your family’s medical history. Along with these questions, there is typically also a set about the details of your current medical treatments or care which you have received in the past. It is important that you talk to your doctors, dieticians, physicians, consultants, or anyone else who has the history or records of your past medical are. Without sharing all the details, it is like leaving out the corner piece of a majestic puzzle.

Next, most chiropractic doctors will ask you about your current job and the environment you work in every day. A good doc will ask you about the job’s stress level, any physical activity the job requires, your daily lunch routine, whether you walk or sit while at work and any other questions which the chiropractor may see that pertains. Again, remember to divulge all the details of your life since each little thing can give an important clue to which plan of care your doctor needs to follow.

In general, a first chiropractic visit is very exciting for many people and is mainly composed of different types of questions to help your long term experience be more rewarding.

The goal of a chiropractic visit is to not only to reduce your current pain but more so to understand what is causing that pain. If your doctor can get to the bottom of you’re the cause of your pain, then you have a better shot at feeling better long term.

Once the source is pinpointed, you are that much closer to being pain-free, and it all starts with a first chiropractic visit. So don’t be afraid of making that first call. Here’s to feeling better sooner rather than later.