Wellness Matters

Wellness Matters: Stay Safe in the Sun

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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The following weekly column is written and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center, a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals for the third year in a row.

After a long, cold winter, the summer sun is a welcome relief. But beware! Overdoing it can lead to trouble.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin, weakening its natural barrier and raising your risk of sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer. Too much fun in the sun can also cause eye problems, such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Exposure adds up – the more time you spend outside, the greater your chance of problems down the road.

At Virginia Hospital Center, we recommend the following tips to stay safe in the sun:

  • Sunscreen offers good protection against UV rays. Use a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply it 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply after swimming or other vigorous activity.
  • UV rays can penetrate the clouds, so be sure to use sunscreen whenever you go outside.
  • Wear clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. UPF garments disrupt UV radiation and provide built-in sun protection that won’t wear off. The higher the rating, the higher the protection from UV rays.
  • Don’t forget your eyes! Wear polarized sunglasses that block between 95 percent and 100 percent of UV rays.
  • Wear a hat. Hats with a two- to three-inch brim are ideal because they protect areas often exposed to intense sun, such as ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
  • Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. They emit UV rays that can damage your skin and raise your cancer risk.

When to See a Doctor

According to the American Cancer Society, more than one million skin cancers are found each year in the United States. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer and rates have doubled in the last 30 years. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also on the rise. Ozone depletion allows more UV rays to penetrate the atmosphere, so the sun’s effects are much stronger today than even a decade ago.

The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change to your skin. If you notice a spot or lump that is growing, bleeding, constantly itching or otherwise changing, you should make an appointment to see a dermatologist. When caught and treated early, most skin cancers are curable.

Damage Control

Sun damage is often invisible to the naked eye. But just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Virginia Hospital Center Health Promotion Department offers DermaScan™, a fast, easy way to assess potential or existing problems. This non-invasive scanning device features a black light that illuminates your head and neck to reveal what’s really going on beneath the skin’s surface. Schedule your one-on-one screening today: 703.558.6740.

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Wellness Matters: Travel Smart, Get Vaccinated

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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The following weekly column is written and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center, a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals for the third year in a row.

Passport? Check. Plane ticket? Check. Hotel reservation? Check. Ready to go? Not quite. There’s one more item for your travel checklist: Visit the Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group Travel Clinic for your vaccinations.

Before you plan your next vacation, consider this: some types of international travel carry health risks. Many serious illnesses, including typhoid and yellow fever, are widespread in developing countries. Diseases that are rare in the United States, such as polio, can still be found in other parts of the world. Measles occurs in many countries, including common travel destinations in Europe and Asia. Even domestic travel may put you at risk for certain infections depending on your planned activities.

Immunization is one of the best ways to protect yourself. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider before your trip to ensure you are ready to travel. Discuss your itinerary and determine if any special immunizations are required. In addition, make sure you are current on all your routine vaccines, such as polio, tetanus and MMR (measles).

Immunizations are most effective when given four to six weeks before traveling. A good rule of thumb: book your shots when you book your flight. If your departure date is sooner, have the shots anyway. The protection will still be beneficial.

Typical travel vaccines include:

  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Influenza
  • MMR (measles)
  • Pneumonia
  • Polio
  • Rabies
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
  • Typhoid
  • Yellow Fever

When you get your vaccines, ask about medications, preventive care and other recommendations to keep your travels healthy. Depending on your destination, for example, you may want to bring along remedies for diarrhea, allergies or altitude sickness. In some areas, it’s wise to only eat food that is cooked or drink bottled water that is sealed. Your needs will be different if you are camping versus staying in a resort. To read more, click here.

The Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group Travel Clinic has the vaccines and expertise you need for a safe and healthful vacation. We follow CDC guidelines and can accommodate next-day appointments if necessary. Located on the Virginia Hospital Center campus at 1715 George Mason Drive, Suite 305, the clinic is open Monday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Make your appointment today: 703.717.7851.

Bon voyage!

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Wellness Matters: Flip Flops = Foot Flops

By ARLnow.com Sponsor

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The following weekly column is written and sponsored by Virginia Hospital Center, a proud member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and one of America’s 100 Top Hospitals for the third year in a row.

Thwack-thwack, thwack-thwack.

Hear that sound? It’s flip flop season. The summertime staple with the distinctive soundtrack may be synonymous with laid-back fun, but the flimsy footwear is actually putting your body at risk. The more you wear the sandals, the greater those risks grow.

Flip-flops offer no ankle or arch support, heel cushioning or shock absorption – all of which cause problems in both the short and long term. Issues range from sore or injured feet to more serious health concerns such as stress fractures, joint pain and spinal injuries.

Feeble Footwear

With your feet unprotected and exposed, you’re susceptible to a host of trouble including stubbed or broken toes, blisters, cuts and scrapes, even bacterial infections. Poor arch support puts stress on your feet and ankles, which can lead to misalignment in other parts of the body. Lack of ankle support means one false step off the curb and you could find yourself with a painful sprain. Likewise, if you step on something sharp, it will easily puncture the thin piece of rubber between you and the ground.

Heel cushioning is critical to protect your feet. Without it, you risk pain when the ligaments are stretched too far or too tight. Severe overstretching can cause plantar fasciitis – painful inflammation of tissues on the bottom of the foot. Shock absorption protects more than just your feet. If the shock is not absorbed appropriately from the ground it gets transmitted to other parts of the body such as the legs, hips, knees and back. Over time, the simple act of wearing flip-flops could turn into painful spinal injuries.

Flip flops can even change the way you walk. Studies show you take shorter strides when wearing the sandals which causes your toes to curl too tightly. Long-term arch and heel pain can lead to bone spurs and even stress fractures of the metatarsals, the five long bones that reach out to the toes. 

Highway Hazards

You don’t have to be walking to be at risk. There’s growing evidence that flip flops make driving more dangerous. Every year, thousands of motorists report getting one stuck under a pedal, and research shows that they may be even more hazardous than high heels when it comes to braking effectively.

Prevention Tips

How do you prevent problems and still enjoy your summer friends? “You must support the arch to have a pain free foot so wear flip flops on a minimal basis during the summer season,” recommends Rudolph Anderson, Jr., DPM. Wear your flip flops for short periods of time and replace them frequently. If you want longer wear, shop for brands that offer arch support. Never wear flip flops while driving.

If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, don’t ignore it! Foot bone alignment guides body alignment, so pain that begins in the feet can move to other areas such as your legs, hips, knees and spine. Rudolph C. Anderson, Jr., DPM with the Virginia Hospital Center Physician Group – Podiatry can identify and correct small problems before they become big ones. Schedule an appointment today: 703.940.3810.

For more information about Foot & Ankle conditions and treatment options, please visit VirginiaHospitalCenter.com.

The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.