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Remember to Apply Sunscreen While Driving

Monthly Archives: June 2012

Remember to Apply Sunscreen While Driving

Summer has arrived, so it’s an especially good time to stock up on sunscreen, especially if you’re planning to spend time outside. But don’t forget to apply sunscreen for the drive; either unilateral dermatoheliosis, or skin damage on one side of the body, is an often overlooked consequence of riding in motor vehicles without proper sun protection. It serves as a reminder that ultraviolet radiation penetrates the glass in our cars, particularly the side windows.

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a photograph of a 69-year-old man who developed unilateral dermatoheliosis from years of driving a commercial truck without sunscreen. The man’s right side had not been damaged as severely because it was blocked from the ultraviolet rays coming in through the vehicle’s window. However, the left side exhibits wrinkles, sagging and cysts from sun damage.

Cell damage from exposure to the sun can occur any time the sun’s rays make contact with the skin’s surface. Applying (and re-applying) sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting exposure to the sun is important during all seasons and even while driving. A good quality topical antioxidant, such as Skinceuticals Vitamin CE Ferulic or Phloretin, reduce the damaging effect of UV rays that get through a sunscreen. For more information about keeping your skin safe and young, contact Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today.

Skin Cells Used for Heart Tissue Regeneration

Recently published research has provided yet another reason to take care of your skin. In a clinical study conducted in Israel, skin cells were used to help regenerate heart muscle. The research could help develop procedures that aim to heal and replace damaged heart tissue.

The study used fibroblasts, a certain type of cell that has plays an integral role in healing, much like collagen. The fibroblasts were re-programmed to regenerate as stem cells, and then researchers induced to become functioning heart muscle cells. Although normally operations like this run the risk of developing cancerous cells, researchers modified the cells by leaving out a specific gene linked to cancer.

The European Heart Journal published the research in late May, and the developments will likely spur on further research regarding skin cells and organ regeneration. Because the skin cells come from the patient’s own body, the risk of rejection is eliminated. For more information on keeping your skin safe and healthy, contact Zimmet Vein & Dermatology today.

Does Sugar Affect Mental Functioning?

Limiting added sugar intake is important for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing health issues like diabetes. New research is revealing that consuming too much sugar may be detrimental to your cognitive functions as well. According to a study recently published in the Journal of Physiology, a high-fructose diet negatively affects the brain’s ability to learn and retain information.

For the purposes of the study, researchers used high-fructose corn syrup, a sweetener that is much less expensive than cane sugar and is commonly used in processed foods. Before consuming the corn syrup, rats were taught to navigate a maze and remember paths. Then, researchers fed the rats for six week on a diet of either a high-fructose corn syrup solution or high-fructose corn syrup with omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in fish oil.

The rats that had not received omega-3 fatty acids displayed much more difficulty navigating the mazes after six weeks. The study suggests that the rats developed an insulin resistance that changed the way brain cells process information. The rats that took omega-3s performed better during the later trials, suggesting that the acids help to protect and heal brain cells.

Zimmet Vein & Dermatology offers cosmetic, spa, and health services for every body type. For more information, contact us today.

Z-Pak Linked to Heart Problems in Adults

Almost every day, scientific journals publish more research indicating that antibiotics are creating serious public health problems. While over-prescription of the drugs is the main concern, a new study has revealed yet another reason to take antibiotics only when necessary. The study, which will soon be published in the New England Journal of Medicine, links the “Z-Pak,” or azythromycin, to heart problems and sudden death in adults.

For individuals with no previously existing health problems, the risk of abnormal heart behavior is small. However, for patients with a history of heart disease, heart attack, diabetes or those who have had heart surgery, avoiding azythromycin may be necessary to prevent potentially dangerous abnormal heart rhythms.

The “Z-Pak” is normally prescribed to patients who are allergic to penicillin, but it is also used out of convenience because patients only need to take it for five days (most antibiotic treatments conclude after ten days). The study concluded that doctors should seek out a different antibiotic for individuals who have pre-existing health conditions, especially those with heart problems.

When doctors prescribe antibiotics for non-bacterial illnesses like colds or viruses, or when patients only take some of the antibiotics prescribed to them, bacteria evolve to become more resistant to the medication. Dr. Zimmet recommends that patients seek out physicians who prescribe antibiotics only when necessary. At Zimmet Vein & Dermatology, we pride ourselves on crafting individualized treatment plans for each of our patients. For more information, contact us today.

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