Health Briefs TV Reviews Sun Protection Information

There are many sunburn protection products on store shelves. All of them list a Sun Protection Factor or SPF number.  Health Briefs TV reviews what consumers need to know about the SPF number and which products work best to prevent sun-related skin cancers.

Medical experts and doctors advise consumers to look for and buy a sun care product which states it is a broad spectrum item.  This means that the product protects against the sun’s UVA rays, which cause skin aging and wrinkles, and also covers the UVB rays which can cause sunburn.

Contrary to common belief, a sun care product with a high SPF number does not mean that the product will be better at protecting skin from sunburn.  For example:  a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 means one can stay out in the run 30 times longer without getting burned. Thirty times is 300 minutes or five hours.  A key note to remember is that sunscreen only works if used properly:

Apply one ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) to cover every exposed area of the body.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Remember to use on bare skin on the head, on ears, noses, and feet.

Use a sunscreen lip product to protect the sensitive skin on lips from sunburn.

Health Briefs TV recommends taking advantage of the sales on sun care products now. Buy in bulk to keep enough on hand for the next few months.  There are many good products available for children as well.

*************************

Visit Health Briefs on Google+
Watch Heath Briefs videos on You Tube

View Heath Briefs Blogs 

Health Briefs TV shares How to Beat Dehydration

Summer inevitably brings high heat and the possibility to become dehydrated. Luckily, there are some easy ways to tell if you are and easy ways to prevent it. Health Briefs shares what these are.

If you are exercising or working outdoors in the sun, you may experience some of these symptoms of dehydration:

A headache – Sweating can cause the body to lose valuable salt and potassium. Salt loss causes a change in the chemistry in blood. Your brain is super sensitive to this and a headache starts. The more water the body loses, the more the blood volume lowers which causes a drop in oxygen to the brain. So, drink plenty of water when working outside.

Urine is yellowish – This basically means your urine is over-concentrated with waste. Drink plenty of water to fully flush out the waste.

Constipation – Sure, there are other factors which can cause constipation. However, a lack of water in the body can block things up. Water helps waste move through the colon and out of the body efficiently. So, drink up and things will loosen up.

There are some tasty ways to stay hydrated over the summer months. Health Briefs suggests enjoying some homemade lemonade, a glass of iced sport drink (the potassium helps prevent leg cramps too), and of course, plenty of water. Make it taste better with a squeeze of lemon or lime, cucumber slices and some strawberries or a sprig of fresh mint. Beat hydration this summer and all year round.

***********************************************

Visit Health Briefs on About.me
View pins on Heath Briefs on Pinterest
Visit Heath Briefs on Myspace

Health Briefs and How to Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

Summer brings hot and humid air and plenty of rain to fill spaces on porches, balconies and in yards where mosquitoes lay eggs. HealthBriefs shares some suggestions about how to protect yourself from mosquito bites this summer.

The chikungungya virus is a mosquito born virus which is mainly contained in the Caribbean. However, there have been some cases of it reported in some southern states. This virus produces headaches, muscle pain, swelling of the joints or a rash, all of which can be managed with pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The symptoms usually last about three to seven days. Take time before going out to be sure you are protected from getting bit from mosquitoes:

Use bug repellent with DEET, an insecticide that deters the biters. Be sure to spray your hands and then pat the face, ears and neck.

Wear lightweight long sleeved shirts and long pants if going outside when the bugs are most present: dawn and dusk.

Remove standing water from objects near the home like birdbaths, water bowls, empty flower pots, wheelbarrows, holes in the ground, etc. Dump water out after every rain storm.

Health BriefsTV encourages readers to always protect themselves from all the bugs that annoy us in the summer.

***********************************************

Visit Health Briefs on About.me
View pins on Heath Briefs on Pinterest
Visit Heath Briefs on Myspace

Health Briefs TV Asks if More Moles Mean Breast Cancer Alert

Two recent studies are out that mention how skin moles might affect a person’s chance of developing breast cancer. Health Briefs TV digs deeper to find out if more skin moles might mean a higher chance of getting cancer.

The studies conducted by American and French scientists found that the more moles a woman had, the higher chance she had of developing breast cancer. While this can seem alarming to many women with moles on the arms, the researchers caution that is might have something to do with her exposure to estrogen over her lifetime. The hormone is known to feed the growth and spread many breast tumors. This is most noticeable when a woman is pregnant as her moles tend to be larger and darker.

Health Briefs knows that there are also underlying reasons for women developing moles on their arms and skin: heredity, general health condition, age, lifestyle and exposure to the sun. These studies, by no means, indicate that the more moles a woman has means her risk of developing breast cancer is greater. But all moles should be regularly checked by a dermatologist to see if they could be pre-cancerous. Skin cancer is nothing to ignore and if caught early, it is curable. Skin moles are common and do not automatically mean a predisposition for breast cancer. To ensure all is well, seek the advice of a trusted medical professional.

***********************************************

Visit Health Briefs on About.me
View pins on Heath Briefs on Pinterest
Visit Heath Briefs on Myspace

Health Briefs TV on How to Prevent Summer Health Hazards

There are certain summer health hazards will have happened to many of us throughout the years. Sunburn, poison ivy or oak rashes, heat illness, anyone? Health Briefs TV shares some ideas on how to prevent summer health hazards.

Sunburn – The best and easiest way to prevent a bad sunburn is to use a good sunscreen and stay inside during the time of day when the sun is the strongest – noon to 4. If working or enjoying the sun at the beach or pool during this time period, take precautions to protect the scalp, eyes, ears, and feet. If a bad sunburn happens, use one of the over the counter remedies to relieve the pain.

Water-borne illnesses – There is a lot of bacteria in lakes, oceans and even pools that can make us ill over the summer. The water bugs can cause gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. For most people, diarrhea is the most common issue if we accidently swallow some bad water. If this happens, visit the drug store for a good anti-diarrheal medicine. And always cover wounds with a bandage that seals it from water.

Food-borne illnesses – Summer heat can spoil almost any kind of food. To prevent food-related gastro problems, wrap meat separately and securely. Store it with other food in a cold cooler when taking on a picnic. If food is left out for more than two hours, toss it. Food-related bacteria grows fast when the outside temp is 90 and above.

Bug bites can also cause summer problems. Health Briefs TV suggests wearing lightweight and light colored clothing to prevent mosquito bites, and always be sure to check skin and scalp for tick bites after hiking in the woods. 

***********************************************

Visit Health Briefs on About.me
View pins on Heath Briefs on Pinterest
Visit Heath Briefs on Myspace

Health Briefs TV with Recent Consumer News on Best Sunscreens

Is a sunscreen with a higher SPF better than those with a lower one? Does cost matter when choosing the best sun protection? Health Briefs TV reviews the recent findings from a nationally consumer group.

Regardless of what people think, sunscreens with a higher sun protection factor (SPF) do not block the sun’s harmful UVB rays any better than those with a lower SPF. Price also does not affect the quality of the product. In recent tests, Consumer Reports found these products to be the best protection from the sun: Equate, Banana Boat, Coppertone, Neutrogena, Well, Up & Up and Bull Frog. Note that these brands are both store brand names as well as brands which can be bought at most discount stores. Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50 and BullFrog WaterAmor Sport InstaCool SPF 50+ were found to match their SPF claims. Price and higher SPF make no difference in how effective a sun protection works. An SPF 15 products blocks 93% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, while those with a higher SPF block a minuscule amount more. HealthBriefs reminds readers that the FDA has not approved new sun screen ingredients since 1999.

For the best sun protection, slather sunscreen liberally on body, face, neck, feet and ears. Use a spray lotion for the back and a special lip sunscreen for lips. Wear a tightly-woven, wide-brimmed hat to protect the scalp ears. Try to stay out of the sun from noon to 4 PM when its at its strongest. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Reapply sunscreen throughout the day if in the sun for most of it. Happy Summer!

***********************************************

Visit Health Briefs on About.me
View pins on Heath Briefs on Pinterest
Visit Heath Briefs on Myspace