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Save Your Skin

When the sunshine starts to warm us up and awake nature from its winter slumber, it’s hard not to get excited to get out and enjoy it. Just remember that even the sun matched with the crisp spring air can be dangerous to your skin.

With one in five Americans estimated to develop skin cancer during their lifetime, we’re reminded that when we bask in the sun, we must also do what we can to protect our delicate skin. Use lotions and make-ups that include SPF of at least 15 to give you a basic protection each day. The St. John’s Mercy Hospital also suggests an annual check-up of your skin’s condition and for you to monitor any oddities to be able to alert your physician as soon as they appear.

I tend to grab a hat if I’m going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time. It’s an easy way to ensure my face is protected, but also a reminder to me that I need to make sure my arms and legs are also covered with sunscreen or sleeves. Prevention isn’t difficult to do, but something you simply need to make into a habit – like anything else. If you need to, put it on your list of to-dos or toss a hat and sunscreen in your car to assure that it will always be there if you need it.

Now, get out and enjoy. It’s another nice day out there!

The fight against inflammation

Chronic inflammation is becoming an increasing health risk for many, in part due to our hectic diets and lifestyles.  Inflammation is a normal process within the human body which protects us from foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria.  However, some diseases cause the immune system to attack the body’s own normal tissues, which triggers long-term inflammation and pain.

Luckily, inflammation isn’t hard to prevent. Like with the deterrence of most of the diseases inflammation causes, foods play a big role. Replace some of the highly processed meat in your diet with fish a couple times a week. Some types of red meat can be hard for your body to process and lead to inflammation, while fish is naturally rich in anti-inflammatory fatty acids.  Don’t like fish?  Consider adding a fish oil supplement to your diet.

Adding fruits, vegetables and variations of nuts to your diet can also make a big difference. Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and nuts are rich healthy fats, all of which help reduce inflammation while promoting your health at the same time. Making these few small changes in your daily diet can go a long way in reducing your chance of chronic inflammation and in turn help prevent the many diseases it may cause.

Relief for Varicose Veins

From a recent article from St. John’s Mercy newsletter, there was noted relief for those suffering from the pain, swelling, itching and cramping that can be associated with varicose veins. There are new minimally invasive treatments now available to successfully treat varicose veins.

• EVLT – (Endovenous Laser Treatment) This procedure takes less than an hour to complete and uses a laser that heats and can eliminate or close varicose veins. The blood is routed to other – more healthy – veins. It is nearly painless. You’ll have to check with your insurance company to see if it is covered under your plan, as it varies.
• Sclerotherapy – A 15 – 20 minute solution for smaller varicose veins and spider veins, this treatment uses a chemical irritant injected into the vein that causes them to gradually fade. This treatment is considered cosmetic and is often not covered by insurance.

For more information on these and other treatment options, call or schedule an appointment with a vascular surgeon. In St. Louis, call (314) 251-6840.

Getting Help

Because we invest our hearts in our families and friends, I want to share with you a story about my sister-in-law Peggy. After several years of depression that was deemed “untreatable” by many, Peggy committed suicide in 2002 before she could find the right doctor to treat her. She left behind seven children and her husband.

She’s not the only one out there that has struggled…is struggling, within.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a difficult time and simply need to talk. Please contact the Sansone Family Center for Well-Being at their helpline: (314) 362-7005.

You can find out more here.