HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Health Conditions

Decoding Sunscreen Labels

MEDICAL NEWS

You may already know you should wear sunscreen to decrease your risk of skin cancer and sun damage. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation says that wearing sunscreen regularly can decrease your chance of getting melanoma (the deadliest skin cancer) by 50 percent. Wearing sunscreen regularly will also help you avoid signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots.

But the sunscreen aisle at the store leaves many people feeling overwhelmed. There are so many choices, different labels, numbers and ingredients. How do you choose one?

The best sunscreen is one you like, because you should use it every day, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Here’s how to narrow it down and choose the sunscreen that’s right for you:

BROAD SPECTRUM

Always look for the words “broad spectrum.” This means it protects against both kinds of UV rays, and it’s important for proper protection.

SPF

Choose an SPF of at least 30.

SPF NUMBERS

Don’t let high numbers fool you. The Skin Cancer Foundation says higher SPF sunscreens do protect more, but not by much. No matter what the SPF number says, you still need to reapply at least every two hours, and always after toweling off, sweating or swimming.

WATER RESISTANT

If you’re going to be sweating or swimming, choose one that says “water resistant.” There is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen. The bottle will say how long the sunscreen will remain water resistant. It may say “40 minutes” or “80 minutes.” That’s how often you need to reapply it when you’ve been in the water.

LIPS

Choose a sunscreen for your lips too. A lip balm with broad spectrum SPF 30 is also important. Skin cancer can – and does – affect the lips.

GELS vs CREAMS

Sunscreen gels are great for oily skin, while creams work well for dry skin.

SENSITIVE SKIN

If you have sensitive skin, consider a physical-only sunscreen. This means the active ingredients on the bottle will only include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, or both. While chemical sunscreens work well, they can irritate some sensitive-skin types.

PRICE TAG

Expensive doesn’t always mean better. A higher price tag may be due to the brand name or certain extra ingredients that make it feel nicer or smell good. It doesn’t mean it will protect you more than a cheaper bottle.

NO COMBINATION

Don’t choose a combination sunscreen and insect repellant. The AAD says sunscreen should be reapplied liberally every two hours. But insect repellant should only be applied lightly every several hours as needed.

BABIES

Most sunscreens are only approved for babies over 6 months of age. Look for a physical-only sunscreen or one formulated for babies. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept in the shade and covered with lightweight protective clothing and hats, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Kidney Stones Hurt

MEDICAL NEWS

Although they can be painful, kidney stones rarely cause permanent damage, and you may be able to prevent them, according to the National Institutes of Health. Back or side pain that won’t go away is the primary symptom of a kidney stone. You may also have pinkish or foul-smelling urine, a fever, or painful urination. Caucasians are more prone to kidney stones than African Americans, and men are more prone than women. Age is also a factor. The chance of getting a kidney stone rises as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the risk peaks in their 50s.

Each day, about 50 gallons of blood flows through your kidneys. The kidneys remove waste products including various minerals and other substances from the blood and transfer them into urine so your body can get rid of these waste products. In people who get stones, certain minerals in the urine combine with other waste products and start to form a stone.

Kidney stones aren’t all the same. The most common type is made of the mineral calcium, combined with either oxalate or phosphate. Less common types of stones are made of uric acid or other chemicals, all of which are naturally found in the body. No one knows why these substances form kidney stones in some people but not in others, since we all have them in our urine.

Most kidney stones eventually pass out of the body during urination. But some can grow large enough to begin blocking the flow of urine. That causes intense pain and may also put you at risk for infection. Most kidney stones that don’t pass on their own are treated in an outpatient setting. The most common procedure is called lithotripsy. Greek for “stone crushing,” this technique uses shock waves to reduce kidney stones into small fragments, which then easily flow away in urine.

If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, you’re at higher risk for forming another. But there are ways to help prevent most types of kidney stones. First, your doctor needs to know what type of stone it is. If you pass a stone, try to catch it in a strainer. A laboratory analysis can help your doctor plan a strategy to prevent more stones. Other tests, which may include urine and blood tests, can help your doctor figure out why you had a kidney stone.

Drinking more water may help prevent kidney stones. Depending on the type of stone you’re at risk for, your doctor may also advise you to avoid certain foods or drinks. For example, people prone to forming calcium oxalate stones should avoid spinach, peanuts, and chocolate. People prone to forming uric acid stones should cut back on meat. Doctors can also prescribe certain medications to help prevent these types of stones.

Stone watch

Call a doctor if you have any of the following signs of a kidney stone:

* Extreme pain in your back or side that won’t go away

* Blood in your urine (it will look pink)

* Fever and chills

* Vomiting

* Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

* A burning feeling when you urinate

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Got Breakouts? Proven Tips For Clear Skin

SELF-CARE CORNER

Acne can be an emotionally challenging condition for people of almost any age. The American Academy of Dermatology says acne affects up to 50 million people each year.

Fortunately, there are a variety of products that can help you manage acne. If you or your child is dealing with acne, check out some of the most popular options to treat this condition.

Salicylic acid

What it does:Reduces redness and unclogs pores.

Side effects:Minor redness, peeling or stinging.

How to get it:Drugstore acne cleansers, toners, pads and creams. Dermatologists offer higher strength products and peels.

Benzoyl peroxide

What it does:Kills bacteria in the pores that causes acne.

Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling or stinging. May bleach hair or clothing.

How to get it:Drugstore acne washes, creams and gels. Dermatologists offer products that combine benzoyl peroxide with other ingredients, such as an antibiotic.

Retinoid

What it does:Decreases the buildup of cells within pores.

Side effects:Dryness, redness, peeling and burning that can be severe. Should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or women who may become pregnant.

How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Usually used for moderate to severe acne only.

Antibiotics

What it does:Kills acne bacteria on the skin.

Side effects:Dryness and irritation. Some antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, especially if not used as directed by a doctor. This means the bacteria is no longer affected by the antibiotic and the medicine will no longer work correctly.

How to get it:Only available from a dermatologist. Some antibiotics are applied to the skin. Others are taken as a pill.

Getting breakouts under control can improve self-confidence and emotional well-being. If drugstore products don’t work for you, ask your doctor about stronger options. If your acne treatment is too drying, try a facial moisturizer labeled “non-comedogenic,” which means it won’t clog pores.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Too Loud

SELF-CARE CORNER

Noise-induced hearing loss is the only type of hearing loss you can prevent. If you understand the hazards of noise and how to practice good hearing health, you can protect your hearing for life. Here’s how:

* Know which noises can cause damage (those at or above 85 decibels, such as a motorcycle).

* If you can’t reduce the noise or protect yourself from it, move away from the source.

* Wear earplugs or other protective devices when involved in a loud activity, even Zumba class (activity-specific earplugs and earmuffs are available at hardware and sporting goods stores).

* Be alert to hazardous noises in the environment.

* Protect the ears of children who are too young to protect their own.

* Have your hearing tested if you think you might have hearing loss.

About sound

Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds of less than 75 decibels, even after long exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. But long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the amount of time it takes for hearing loss to happen.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Zika Virus: What To Know

MEDICAL NEWS

According to the CDC, Zika has not yet been spread by mosquitoes in the U.S., but cases have been reported here. These occurred in people who recently traveled to one of the known Zika areas.

Treatment

At this time, there is no vaccine for Zika.

* Rest

* Drink water

* Take medications for pain and fever

* Call your doctor

Prevention

* Use an insect repellent regularly on yourself and your children. Use one registered with the EPA.

* Wear light-colored clothes that cover as much of your body as possible.

* Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are sleeping outside or not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

* Get rid of standing water. This is where mosquitoes breed. Cover rain barrels and other containers that store water.

* Protect windows and doors with screens or mosquito nets. Use air conditioning, if possible.

* If you’ve recently been to a known Zika area, are pregnant or are having symptoms of Zika, call your doctor.

Sources: World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bad Breath

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Bad breath (halitosis) is a social concern. It can be a health issue, too.

Signs & Symptoms

* A bad odor from the mouth. To detect this, wipe the back of your tongue with a piece of white, sterile gauze. After 5 minutes, smell the gauze for an odor.

* An unpleasant taste is in the mouth.

* You are told you have bad breath.

Causes

Bacteria on the tongue, dry mouth, and strong odors of food, such as garlic and onions, are common causes of bad breath. Other causes are smoking, alcohol, ill-fitting dentures, and infections of the gums or teeth. Less often, bad breath is due to another problem, such as a sinus infection or indigestion.

Treatment

TheSelf-Care/Preventionitems listed on this page treat most cases of bad breath. If not, your dentist can prescribe:

* A special toothpaste.

* A mouth rinse.

* A special brush.

* A tongue scraper.

* An antimicrobial solution.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Practice good oral hygiene.

* If you wear dentures, clean and care for them as advised by your dentist.

* Don’t smoke. Limit or avoid alcohol.

* To prevent dry mouth, drink plenty of water and other liquids.

* Use a baking soda toothpaste. Brush your teeth and tongue. Do this after all meals, if you can. If not, rinse your mouth with water, chew parsley, mint leaves, celery, or carrots after meals.

* Don’t rely on mouthwash or mints. They mask bad breath and help cause it, because they dry out the mouth. Try chlorophyll tablets.

* Eat at regular times. Eat nutritious foods. Limit sugary foods.

* Chew sugarless gum or suck on lemon or other citrus drops. These help make saliva. Saliva helps deal with bacteria on the teeth and washes away food particles.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cold Hands & Feet

Skin Conditions

Signs & Symptoms

* Fingers or toes turn pale white or blue, then red, in response to cold temperatures.

* Pain when the fingers or toes turn white.

* Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

Causes

Often the cause is unknown and not serious. Cold hands and feet can be a symptom of the conditions that follow.

* Poor circulation. This is most often due to diseased arteries.

* Raynaud’s disease. This is a disorder that affects the flow of blood to the fingers and sometimes to the toes.

* Any underlying disease that affects the blood flow in the tiny blood vessels of the skin. Women who smoke may be more prone to this.

* Frostbite.

* Stress.

* A side effect of taking certain medicines

* Cervical rib syndrome. This is a compression of the nerves and blood vessels in the neck that affects the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Treatment

Emergency care is needed for frostbite. If a medical condition causes cold hands and/or feet, treatment for the condition is needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Avoid caffeine.

* Don’t handle cold objects with bare hands. Use ice tongs to pick up ice cubes, etc.

* Set your indoor thermostat at 65ºF or higher.

* Wear mittens and wool socks to keep hands and feet warm.

* Don’t wear tight-fitting footwear.

* Wiggle your toes. It may help keep them warm by increasing blood flow.

* Stretch your fingers straight out. Swing your arms in large circles like a baseball pitcher warming up for a game. This may increase blood flow to the fingers. Skip this tip if you have bursitis or back problems.

* Meditate. Learn and practice biofeedback.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Dry Mouth

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Dry mouth is an abnormal dryness of the mucus membranes in the mouth. This happens when there isn’t enough saliva or the composition of the saliva changes. Dry mouth is common in the elderly.

Signs & Symptoms

* Dry, parched feeling in the mouth

* Lack of saliva

* Problems with talking and/or swallowing

* Lessened taste

* Bad breath

* Burning sensation in the mouth

* Dry mouth is worse after sleeping

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Dry mouth can be due to a side effect of many medications. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, water pills, and medicines for high blood pressure.

Dry mouth can also result from many health conditions. These include nasal congestion, gum disease, diabetes, stroke, and Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.

Treatment is aimed at relief and/or treating the underlying cause. If not treated, dry mouth may lead to severe tooth decay, infection, and poor nutrition.

Self-Care

* Try an over-the-counter artificial saliva, such as Xerolube.

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

* Have regular dental checkups.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Avoid drinks with sugar.

* Avoid salty, spicy, or acidic foods.

* Don’t use tobacco products.

* Take a multivitamin that your doc- tor recommends.

* Use a humidifier in the bedroom.

* Keep your lips moist with lip balm.

* Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.

* Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol.

* Read about the side effects of medicines.

Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* The dry mouth is a chronic problem or there are marked changes on the tongue.

* You have any of these problems with dry mouth:

– Dry, burning eyes

– Chewing or swallowing problems

– Sore throat

– Signs of an infection, such as fever and/or redness, or pus in the mouth

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
First Aid For Choking

First Aid

The Heimlich maneuver can be used to clear an object blocking the airway in conscious adults and children ages 1 to 8. It lifts the diaphragm and forces air from the lungs to push the object that blocks the airway up and out.

Persons Over 8 Years Old

1. Ask, “Are you choking?”

The person may use the choking sign. Do not interfere if he or she can speak, cough, or breathe.

2. If not able to speak, cough, or breathe, reach around the person’s waist from behind.

Make a fist. Place it above the navel, but below the rib cage. Grasp your fist with your other hand. Press your fist into person’s abdomen and give 5 quick, upward thrusts. See image A.

Image A

3. Repeat upward thrusts until the object is forced out or the person becomes unconscious.

If the object is removed with success, the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.

4. If the person becomes unconscious, shout for help! Call 9-1-1!

Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open and check the airway. {Note: If you suspect the person has a head, neck, or spine injury, do not move him or her. Pull the lower jaw forward to open the airway.} Give 2 slow rescue breaths. If this doesn’t help, tilt the head further back (if no head, neck, or spine injury). Give 2 rescue breaths again. If the person does not respond or move, give 30 chest compressions. See image B. Repeat rescue breaths and chest compressions. Each time you open the airway to give rescue breaths, check the person’s mouth for the object and remove it if you can. Do CPR as needed, until the object blocking the airway is forced out or until medical help takes over.

Image B

5. Even when the object is removed with success, the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Children Ages 1 to 8

1. For a conscious child, give abdominal thrusts as for adults. Don’t be too forceful.

2. For an unconscious child, give first aid for choking as for an adult.

Babies Up to 1 Year Old

1. Do not interfere if the baby coughs strongly, cries, or breathes okay.

2. If the baby is conscious, hold the baby’s head (face down) in one hand. Straddle the baby over your forearm. Rest your forearm on your leg for support. Keep the baby’s head lower than the rest of his or her body.

3. With the heel of your free hand, give up to 5 quick, forceful blows on the baby’s back between the shoulder blades. See image C. If the object still blocks the airway, go to step 4.

4. Turn the baby over (face up). Cradle the baby on your forearm. Support the head with one hand. Keep the baby’s head lower than the rest of his or her body. Rest your arm on your leg for support. Place 2 fingers 1/2 inch below and in between the nipples on the baby’s chest. Give 5 quick downward thrusts. Depress the sternum about 1-1/2 inches with each thrust.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the object is removed or the baby is unconscious.

6. If the baby is unconscious, shout for help. Have someone call 9-1-1! If no one calls 9-1-1, give first aid for 1 minute, stop to call 9-1-1, then resume rescue efforts.

7. Put the baby on his/her back. Keep the head tilted back with one hand and give 30 chest compressions using 2 fingers on your other hand. Give 2 slow rescue breaths. If the object is expelled, stop. If not, give cycles of 30 compressions and 2 slow rescue breaths until the object is removed or help arrives.

8. Check for and remove the object in the airway, if visible. Repeat steps 7 and 8 as needed.

9. Don’t give up! Give CPR until medical help takes over or until the object is removed. Even if it is, get medical care right away.

Image C

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Hay Fever

Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions

Hay fever has nothing to do with hay or fever. The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. It is most common in spring and fall when a lot of ragweed is in the air. Some people have hay fever all year, though.

Signs & Symptoms

* Itchy or watery eyes.

* Runny, itchy nose.

* Congestion.

* Sneezing.

Causes

Hay fever is a reaction of the upper respiratory tract to allergens.

Treatment

Talk to your doctor if self-care measures do not help. He or she may prescribe:

* Antihistamines. For best results, take the antihistamine 30 minutes before going outside. {Note: Some over-the-counter antihistamines can make you more drowsy than prescribed ones. Be careful when driving and operating machinery since some antihistamines can make you drowsy.}

* A decongestant. {Note: Do not give antihistamines, decongestants, and other over-the-counter medicines for colds, coughs, and/or the flu to children less than 2 years old. For children 2 years old and older, follow their doctor’s advice.

* A corticosteroid nasal spray and eye drops, cromolyn sodium, and oral corticosteroids.

* Skin tests to find out what things you are allergic to.

* Allergy shots.

It is best to take what your doctor advises instead of testing over-the-counter products on your own.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* If you are allergic to pollen and molds, let someone else do outside chores. Mowing the lawn or raking leaves can make you very sick.

* Keep windows and doors shut and stay inside when the pollen count or humidity is high. Early morning is sometimes the worst.

* Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.

* Don’t have pets. If you have a pet, keep it out of the bedroom. When you can, keep the pet outdoors.

* Use an air conditioner or air cleaner in your house, especially in the bedroom. Electronic air filters are better than mechanical ones. Clean the filter often. Or, try a doctor-approved air purifier, especially in the bedroom. Devices with HEPA filters can be very effective in cleaning indoor air.

To limit dust, mold, and pollen:

* Put a plastic cover on your mattress or cover it completely with an allergen-free mattress cover.

* Sleep with no pillow or with the kind your doctor or health care provider recommends. If you use a pillow, cover it with an allergen-free cover.

* Don’t dry sheets and blankets outside.

* Try not to have stuffed animals kept in the bedroom. If you must, have only one that can be washed. Wash it in hot water once a week.

* Use curtains and rugs that can be washed often. Don’t use carpeting.

* Dust and vacuum often. Wear a dust filter mask when you do.

* Put an electronic air filter on your furnace or use portable air purifiers.

* Shower or bathe and wash your hair after heavy exposure to pollen, dust, etc.

Resources

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

800.7.ASTHMA (727.8462)

www.aafa.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026