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.

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Why Dirt and Dust s Good for Babies from Health Briefs TV

Sometimes, a little dirt, dust and pet dander is good for babies and kids. Health Briefs TV explains why these usual irritants can prevent allergies later in life.

When infants are around normal household irritants, they begin to develop antibodies to them. As they grow up, they become immune to the allergens and therefore have less or no allergies. Researchers from Johns Hopkins Hospital tested the amount of pollution in an infant’s home and then re-tested them a year later to measure health conditions such as sneezing and wheezing. They found that when the home had some levels of pet dander, dust and the droppings of bugs, they were less likely to suffer asthma or from allergies. Their bodies showed a stronger immune system. The Health Briefs TV show reports that children who have allergies and are prone to respiratory problems were not exposed to the allergens as infants and small children. The researchers point out that the rate of developing these health conditions is 51% to 17% if children are not exposed to the irritants. Early life exposure to a variety of allergens and germs makes infants and children healthier later. We also suggest not going overboard with hand sanitizers as they can strip hands of healthy germs. In order for infants and children to have healthy and strong immune systems, they should be exposed the germs and allergens.

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Health Briefs TV with a Warning about Secondary Drowning

Parents know to keep a close eye on their children when swimming. Drowning is one cause of death from enjoying the pool, lake or ocean. But there is another danger in which we should know. Health Briefs shares a warning about secondary drowning.

Secondary drowning is caused by a small amount of water getting into the lungs. That small amount can cause inflammation and lead to the body pushing more water into the lungs resulting in what is called pulmonary edema. If left untreated, the person will stop breathing and drown in their own body fluids. It takes a little as four ounces of water to cause this condition.

Parents and guardians are cautioned to watch kids for kids who come out of the water coughing and keep an eye on them for the next 72 hours. Look for unusual fatigue, lethargy, coughing, pale skin, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. If any of these symptoms are present, take the child to a medical care center. Health Briefs TV learns that pulmonary edema, or secondary drowning, may not occur for up to 72 hours after swimming. Swimming pools are the most common place for this kind of problem to develop. It is important to learn to know the symptoms of this kind of preventable death for both children and adults. Take care this summer when swimming in any body of water.

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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. 

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Health Briefs and Why Salad Bars are Hangouts for Norovirus

There are many news reports out that salad bars are the main culprits of the norovirus -- the debilitating medical problem is usually found on cruise ships. Health Briefs relates why salad bars are the main hangouts for norovirus.

The food in salad bars is handled by workers who may or may not use gloves and/or wash hands before handling food. The food is fresh and not cooked. Some food workers, not all though – can cause about 70% of norovirus outbreaks related to contaminated food. This is through the touching of raw foods like fresh fruit or prepping food like sandwiches with their bare hands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The center found 90% of food contamination during food prep, and 75% of food involved in outbreaks was eaten raw. So how can we prevent this from happening to us?

Health Briefs TV suggests avoiding the salad bar altogether is possible. If not, scan it carefully to be sure the food is fresh and hasn’t been sitting out too long. Observe workers preparing food for it and observe how they bring and distribute food to it. If you or someone you are with becomes ill, seek medical attention right away. The norovirus can cause terrible gastrointestinal pain which can lead to debilitating diarrhea and vomiting, which then can cause dehydration. Take extra care when choosing food from salad bars, raw fish stations, and any sandwich prep place.

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Health Briefs TV on Why We Should Eat the Egg Yolk Too

For years, we were told that egg yolks are not good for us due to its cholesterol and caloric count. However, the yolk is beneficial with a respectable dose of vitamins and healthy proteins.

Health Briefs TV recommends eating egg yolks for many reasons: they are not as bad for as once suggested. They contain 2.7 grams of protein. It has heart-healthy unsaturated fats and the essential omega-3 fats which are good for us. The yolks also contain good amounts of riboflavin, vitamin D and vitamin B-12, as well as nutrients such as choline and selenium. Choline is an important nutrient in fetal brain development, and selenium works with the immune system and helps hormone balance in women. And if that is not enough reason to consume the delicious egg yolk, consider this:  the phytochemical antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein, both members of the carotenoid family, help reduce the chance of developing macular degeneration.

The American Heart Association lists eggs as one of their “Healthy Foods Under $1.00” and even the organic varieties are not that pricey. Buy a dozen and hard boil them for a quick protein pick-me-up. Health Briefs also likes eggs soft boiled at any meal and is a firm champion of their 70 calorie goodness. It’s no yolk. Eggs can do a body good.

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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!

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