Healthy Living AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
JULY 14 - 20, 2021
SUMMER SKIN CARE
Teens and Marijuana Use Swim Safety
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Skin Protection Tips For An Enjoyable Summer BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
Specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
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s we enter summer, everyone needs to prepare for exposure to skin hazards while enjoying sunny weather and outdoor activities. Dr. Mark Halsey of Halsey Dermatology of Sag Harbor shares his knowledge and recommendations for protecting one’s skin from the dangers and damage this summer. Halsey has tips for skin conditions that frequently occur during summer months: Protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful ultra violet (UV) radiation: • Keep skin covered as much as possible when out in the sun (wear sun blocking clothing and hats). • UV light from the sun causes sunburn and damages skin cells. UV light is strongest during the middle part of the day and is lower around sunrise and sunset. Watch weather reports to find out the daily UV index and use this to plan outdoor activities. Know when the sun will be strongest and limit activities during these times and make sure skin is protected. • Use the proper sunscreen; be mindful of the differences between sunscreen, sunblock and suntan lotion. Use a sunscreen or sunblock product labeled with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or above. Sunblock that provides a “broad spectrum” of coverage (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays) offers better protection. “Suntan lotion” products, since they usually have an SPF of less than 15, are not as effective in terms of protection. • Reapply sunscreen after swimming, even if the sunscreen is waterproof. • Use ample amounts of sunscreen to completely cover exposed skin. Use an appropriate amount of sunscreen for protecting the face and neck specifically. Generously spread the sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin. • Parents should apply sunscreen thoroughly to cover children’s exposed skin. The skin of children is very sensitive. Children’s sunscreen should be put on about 15 to 30 minutes before they go outside. Cover ears, hands, feet, shoulders and behind the neck. • Apply sun protection each time before venturing outdoors and be prepared to reapply every few hours depending on length of time spent in the sun and product directions. • Long-term exposure to the sun creates the risk of skin cancer or other
issues. Individuals with lighter skin a plant oil. Moisturizers, calamine tones are more susceptible to getting lotion, hydrocortisone creams and sun burns and sun damage on their short lukewarm baths are some of skin. People with darker tones are the best ways to sooth irritated or generally at lower risk because skin inflamed skin. Cover any rash areas pigment works as a partial barrier to with a bandage, which will also help UV light. prevent against bacteria forming. If • When sunburn occurs, there are rashes and itching become severe, several ways to manage it. Cool baths seek medical attention. or showers relieve sunburn pain. Use • Watch out for any shrub or plant with of moisturizers containing aloe or “leaves of three” since this is often soy also help soothe skin irritations. a sign of poison ivy. Gardening or Ibuprofen reduces swelling and discomfort. Make sure skin, especially the burned area, is covered whenever outdoors. Sunburn can be severe, causing second degree burns and blistering. Accidental burns from barbecue grills and firepits • Summer is barbeque season and is a great time to roast marshmallows over a fire pit. However, without care these activities can lead to burns. A minor first-degree burn will show reddened skin while a second-degree burn is Ruth Poniarski’s first book, Journey darker red and often accompanied of the Self: Memoir of an Artist Artist, is a by blisters that don’t penetrate deep stunning and unflinchingly honest into skin layers. In the case of minor memoir that challenges the stigma burns, apply cold water or ice on the placed on mental illness. area immediately to reduce swelling It started as a college prank; a and pain. This will also prevent the friend offered Poniarski a brownie burn from getting worse. Apply an that, unbeknownst to her, was laced antibacterial ointment to prevent inwith angel dust. What resulted was fection. Afterward, put a sterile pad or a debilitating accident and the first bandage loosely over the burn and let of many mental breakdowns that any blisters heal on their own. Severe spiraled into diagnoses of psychosis, second- or third-degree burns require schizophrenia, severe anxiety and immediate medical attention. bipolar disorder. Irritations and rashes caused by For years, Poniarski, of Westbury, poisonous plants struggled to cope with her new • Poisonous plants such as poison reality as she undertook a rigorous ivy or poison oak can cause an itchy architectural program, sought out rash as part of an allergic reaction to
walking in wooded areas can expose the skin and clothing to these poisonous plants. After exposure, remove and wash clothes immediately. Oils may be present on clothing that could later come in contact with the skin directly and it can even be spread onto furniture and other surfaces. Blisters from yardwork, outdoor activities, sports, hiking and walking • Blisters are caused by friction on the skin. It is important to wear proper fitted shoes, socks and clothes to prevent blisters. • Cover blisters to keep them clean and to prevent them from getting worse. If pain is severe, swelling occurs or blistered areas look infected then medical attention may be needed. Summer is a time to enjoy the weather as well as be with friends and family. Protecting the skin is an important part of long-term health and well-being. Keep skin health in mind this summer. The skin protection tips provided from Halsey are intended as a helpful guide for general purposes. Any specific skin concerns should be addressed between patients and their personal doctors. Visit www.markhalseymd.com or call 631-731-1099 to reach Dr. Halsey.
Memoir Dismantles Stigma Of Mental Illness new friends (and the perfect mate) and battled through the depths of mental illness. Her journey led her in all directions as she sought comfort, solace, stability and love. The release of Poniarski’s memoir is particularly timely in light of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing orders. For more information about Ruth Poniarski or her book, visit www. ruthponiarski.com for more information. Her memoir is available wherever books are sold. —Warren Publishing
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wimming is one of the best forms of exercise. It’s a full-body workout that’s good for the heart and can make muscles stronger, Dr. Jesse Charnoff, a physiatrist at Hospital for SPecial Surgery (HSS) Long Island in Uniondale, said. Physiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. “Energetic swimming burns up to 30 percent more calories than running and about 40 percent more calories than bike riding,” Charnoff said, who also sees patients at HSS in midtown Manhattan. “Swimming is also low impact, so it’s easy on the joints and beneficial for people who have problems such as your muscles by moving your when people come up for air arthritis.” arms and legs. This can be and overextend their neck. Federal exercise guidelines done outside or inside the “Swimmer’s knee” is pain encourage adults to engage pool. Walk around, do circles caused by extending one’s in 150 minutes of moderate with your arms or so some knee excessively. aerobic activity or 75 minutes light stretching. • Know your limitations and of vigorous activity each week • Focus on maintaining good prior injuries, and be careful and swimming fits the bill. form. Poor technique can not to overdo it. Swimming laps, even for 10 lead to problems such as • Consider lessons if you would minutes at a time, counts as neck strain, which happens like to improve your form or vigorous exercise. “Even small amounts of physical activity can improve one’s health, and exercising for 10 minutes or so several times a day adds up,” Charnoff said. “For someone who isn’t a swimmer, a water aerobics class New York recently legalized is not only fun, but a good way the adult use of recreational to get a moderate workout.” marijuana. Whether our kids have caught a whiff of weed Tips to get the most out of while traveling Long Island’s swimming roadways, seen smoke-filled For people who have been TikTok videos or heard inactive, Charnoff cautioned neighbors debating whether against diving into swimming— its shops belong in our or any other sport—too quickly downtowns, they are starting to avoid injury. “Swimmer’s to ask questions. shoulder” is the most common Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D Cannabis has gone from condition he sees, and it’s being banned to widely the ages of 8 and 10, though caused by overuse—doing too available, which means that it’s fine to start sooner if they much, too soon. parents can no longer lead ask. Discussions with teens To decrease the risk of an inwith “it’s illegal,” though it’s and young adults should jury, he recommended listening important to remember that be markedly different, but to your body. One should never marijuana use by people should build on previous try to swim when fatigued. If under the age of 21 remains conversations. someone starts feeling that illegal. That’s the case because Tips for having age-aptheir muscles are getting tired, several studies have found propriate, educational and they should take a break. He that underage cannabis supportive conversations: also recommended engaging use—and more specifically, • Use their questions as a in exercises that strengthen exposure to tetrahydrocanspringboard for discussion. the shoulders and upper body nabinol (THC), the principal A series of short, casual outside of swimming. psychoactive component in conversations in the car will Get the most out of marijuana that produces a likely be more effective than swimming: high—impacts brain developa family meeting. • Gradually build up strength ment in unhealthy ways. • Listen as much as you talk. and stamina if you want to Parents can begin talking Find out how much your swim for longer distances and with kids about marijuana kids know about marijuafor longer periods of time. and other drugs between na, how they feel about • Before swimming, warm up
Make A Splash This Summer
Tips to get the most out of swimming and stay safe safety in the water. What to do if you get a muscle cramp Cramps are common and can be dangerous in deep water, limiting the ability to swim. “Anyone who develops a cramp should make their way carefully and safely to the side of the
pool,” Charnoff said. “They should stop swimming, get out of the water and not go back in until the cramp has gone away.” Stretching and massaging the cramp could help. If it is not getting better, applying a warm compress. Cramps are often caused by dehydration; swimmers should stay hydrated.
Mom, What’s That Smell?
How to talk with your kids about marijuana their peers who might be experimenting. • Help them understand that making marijuana legal doesn’t make it safe, especially for young people, pregnant women and those driving a car. Alcohol and cigarettes remain legal, yet we know they carry significant health consequences. Still, be careful not to exaggerate the potential dangers associated with cannabis (comparing it to heroin) and avoid demonizing the drug or those who use it. • If asked about medical use, it’s fine to acknowledge that cannabis can help with certain conditions and that people generally turn to their doctors for guidance about whether it’s right for them. • Teens often repeat social media messages proclaiming that, “it’s just a plant.” Right, but so is poison ivy. • Clarify your values and convey your expectations. You have more influence over your kids than anyone
else, including the musician with a bong on Instagram or the kid on the cul-de-sac who vapes weed on the bus. Use that influence. • Experimentation is normal. If your child is caught, this is an opportunity to talk about it, and learn why they decided to try it. Ask questions like, “What happened?” and “What are some of the reasons you used marijuana?” Ask them how they feel about it after the fact. • If your child is smoking, try to understand what’s driving their decision. Is it social pressure? Curiosity or boredom? Is it a way to cope with stress, anxiety or depression? Each conversation should convey your unconditional love, support and concern for your child’s well-being. That’s the very best antidote to marijuana and everything else that puts our kids at risk. —Dr. Reynolds is president/ CEO of Family and Children’s Association.
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COLUMN
Overweight, Diabetes Lend To Liver Disease Increase Liver disease is on the rise worldwide and it is the fastest growing cause of death in many parts of the world. Death from liver disease tend to occur in all age groups but it is significantly higher than almost all other causes of death in people ages 35 to 49. The most common causes of advanced liver disease in this age group are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol associated liver disease. NAFLD is the most common predisposing factor to the development of primary liver cancer in the United States. The greatest risk factors for the development of fatty liver are being overweight or having pre-diabetes or diabetes. While doctors are good at diagnosing fatty liver, they are not good at staging the disease and there is currently no FDA approved treatment of NAFLD. The current therapies are a combination of diet, exercise and weight loss, or being treated in a
THE SPECIALIST David Bernstein, MD
clinical trial, if you are lucky enough to live in proximity of these trials. Studies are now being performed to determine potential correctable risk factors for the development of NAFLD. The most obvious correctable factor is food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life and it refers to a lack of available
financial resources for food. Food insecurity is not hunger. It does, however, lead families to purchase less healthy, high fat, high carbohydrate, less expensive meals such as those purchased from the typical fast-food restaurants. Typically, seniors, children, AfricanAmericans and Latinos are most effected by food insecurity. In the United States, one in nine children live under these circumstances. At the most recent International Liver Congress, Kardashian et al. reported on more than 4,800 people with NAFLD who were followed for a mean of seven years. They found that food insecurity
was independently associated with a higher all-cause mortality and advanced fibrosis, independent of other known risk factors such as age, race/ethnicity, poverty-income ratio, education level, insurance status, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index and smoking. This important finding brings to the forefront recommendations that to improve health outcomes in patients with NAFLD, the issue of food insecurity should be addressed, especially among children who are more destined to develop advanced liver disease without a healthy, well-balanced diet. The effect of food in-
security can be extrapolated from children to adults. Years of food insecurity and the ingestion of inexpensive, unhealthy meals not only increases the risk of developing NAFLD and cirrhosis but also increases the risk for the development of medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and joint disease. Putting into place policies addressing food insecurity will help decrease the incidence of cirrhosis, decrease the incidence of primary liver cancer and lessen the need for liver transplantation. It should be less expensive to prevent fatty liver early in life rather than having to deal with its complications and potential long term medical treatments years down the road. David Bernstein, MD, FAASLD, FACG, AGAF, FACP, is the vice chair of medicine for clinical trials and chief of hepatology at the Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases.
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