What are The Best Ways to Prevent Sunburn and Skin Damage?

Walking outside for a few hours can lead to sunburn. It is not a severe condition but can lead to skin damage. Sunburn is inflamed and the person can feel pain when touching the skin. People face sunburn problems when they walk for a few hours on a sunny day. If your skin is prone to sunburn then you should always take care of your skin. You should talk about self-care measures, cooling pads, etc. If the sunburn patches cause pain then you should keep pain relievers. Most people don’t feel pain on sunburn patches but the skin gets damaged. Your skin may take a few days or weeks to recover.

Common symptoms of sunburn

  1. Skin feels hot or warm when touch
  2. Inflamed skin
  3. Swelling
  4. Pain
  5. Tenderness or itching
  6. Fluid-filled blisters
  7. Headache
  8. Nausea
  9. Eyes can feel gritty

You can get sunburn on any body part that is exposed to the sun such as the face, earlobes, lips, scalp, etc. Sometimes covered areas can also burn when you are wearing loose weave clothes. You can get sunburn within a few hours of sun exposure. The skin starts healing itself by peeling the damaged skin. If a person has a bad sunburn then it may take several days to heal.
If the sunburn is very severe then you must visit a doctor. You can adopt homeopathic treatment Pennsylvania for good skin repair. Look for immediate help when the skin develops large blisters on the face, hands, or genitals. Some people also experience swelling or infection in the affected areas.

What are the causes and risk factors for sunburn?

The cause behind sunburn is too much exposure to UV light. This UV light can be natural (the sun) or artificial (tanning beds or sunlamps). These rays penetrate the deep skin layers and damage the skin. The immune system increases blood flow which leads to inflamed skin known as sunburn.

Common risk factors for sunburn are:

  1. Having white skin
  2. Living or vacationing at a sunny location
  3. Working outside
  4. Having red hair
  5. Swimming in the sun
  6. Regular exposure to UV light
  7. History of sunburn

Best ways to protect your skin from sunburn

Always use sunscreen

The primary and most effective method to protect your skin from sun damage is sunscreen. These sunscreens are assigned an SPF number that shows their effectiveness in blocking UV rays. A higher SPF number means better protection. A person should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has at least SPF 15. Wear light sunscreen even if it is cloudy or you are at home. This broad-spectrum label means the sunscreen filters UVA and UVB radiation exposure. Put a thick layer of sunscreen on all body parts that are exposed to the sun. You should remember that sunscreen wears off if you are staying in the sun for a long time or you are sweating.

Avoid walking out in the sun

Try to avoid the sun as much as possible. If you have any work, do it before the peak sun or delay it to the evening. Don’t walk outside between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduce sun exposure to protect your skin from sunburn. If you are walking outside, try to look for shade. Too much skin exposure not only causes skin damage but can also increase the risk of skin cancer. If you are standing, look for any shade such as a tree, umbrella, or any shelter.

Wear right outfits

If you are walking outside; work on your outfits. Wear long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants to protect the skin from the sun. Also, check for the weaving of your clothing. Wear tight women’s fabrics for better protection. Some people wet their shirts to get a cooling effect. But it can increase sun damage.

Wear a hat and mask

Finding shade while walking outside is difficult. To protect your face from the sun; wear a hat. A big hat can protect your face, ears, or even the back of your neck. People often wear straw hats on beaches. These hats look good but have holes that lead sunlight through. If you are wearing a baseball cap then you should also wear a mask to get better protection.

Wear sunglasses

Sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays and reduce the chances of getting cataracts. Sunglasses also protect the skin under your eyes. Under-eye skin is very sensitive. Using too much sunscreen under eye skin is also difficult as it may go into the eyes. Sunglasses are a good catch to protect the sensitive skin.

Is There a Definitive Treatment for Anemia?

Anemia is a condition that appears due to a lack of healthy RBCs to carry adequate amounts of oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemic means you have low hemoglobin which can make you feel weak and tired. There is no definitive cure for anemia but certain treatments can help in managing the symptoms and RBC level. RBCs are disc-shaped blood cells that carry oxygen to various organs and tissues of the body. Every body part requires a sufficient supply of oxygen to function properly. Some common symptoms of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, etc. These symptoms appear due to low oxygen delivery to the vital organs and tissues. RBCs contain an iron-rich protein known as hemoglobin that binds to oxygen in the lungs. With the help of hemoglobin, RBCs carry and deliver oxygen to the body.

Anemia condition is measured depending on the hemoglobin level in the blood. Women are prone to develop anemia. There are various types and causes of anemia. Some anemia types are easily treated whereas some types may cause serious health issues.

What are the causes of Anemia?

RBCs are produced in the bone marrow and have a lifespan of 100-120 days. On average, the bone marrow produces about 2 million RBCs each second, and approximately the same amount of RBCs are removed in the circulation process. About 1 percent of RBCs are removed from circulation and replaced each day. Any type of process or condition that has a negative effect on balancing the cycle can cause anemia.

Factors that reduce RBC production

Anemia occurs when RBC production is lower than the normal rate and more RBCs are leaving the body. Factors that reduce RBC production are divided into two main categories:

  • Acquired
  • Inherited

Acquired factors that decreased red blood cell production:

  1. Poor dietary intake of nutrients that are crucial for RBC production like iron, vitamin B12, etc
  2. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
  3. Kidney disease
  4. Types of cancer like lymphoma, leukemia, etc
  5. Hypothyroidism
  6. Infections like tuberculosis and HIV
  7. Aplastic anemia
  8. IBD like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  9. Certain medications or treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy
  10. Exposure to toxins like lead

Genetic conditions that can decrease RBC production:

  1. Shwachman-Diamond syndrome
  2. Fanconi anemia
  3. Dyskeratosis congenita
  4. Diamond-Blackfan anemia
  5. Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia

Factors that increase RBC loss or destruction

A person can get anemia when the rate of RBC loss is faster than production. Certain factors can increase the destruction of RBC that can be inherited or acquired.

Acquired factors that increase RBC destruction:

  1. Surgery
  2. Injuries or accidents
  3. Childbirth
  4. Endometriosis
  5. Heavy menstrual bleeding
  6. Heavy nosebleeds
  7. Gastrointestinal lesions
  8. Frequent blood donation

Inherited factors that increase RBC destruction:

  1. Sickle cell disease
  2. Thalassemia
  3. Hereditary spherocytosis
  4. Pyruvate kinase deficiency
  5. Hereditary elliptocytosis

Common risk factors for Anemia

  1. Having menstrual periods
  2. Pregnancy
  3. Taking poor diet
  4. Age (over the age of 65)
  5. Certain chronic diseases like cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, etc.
  6. A certain gastrointestinal disorder like Celiac disease
  7. Genes
  8. Certain medications or treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc.
  9. Exposure to toxic chemicals
  10. Alcohol abuse

Common symptoms of anemia

  1. Fatigue
  2. Headache
  3. Weakness
  4. Shortness of breath
  5. Cold hands and feet
  6. Chest pain
  7. Fainting
  8. Lightheadedness
  9. Dizziness
  10. Pale skin and gums
  11. Fainting
  12. Irregular heartbeat

Some uncommon symptoms of anemia are:

  1. Brittle nails
  2. Cracks on the sides of your mouth
  3. Heart murmur
  4. Inflammation on the tongue
  5. Trouble concentrating
  6. Enlarged lymph nodes
  7. Jaundice
  8. Trouble concentrating
  9. Unusual craving
    If you are facing these symptoms (especially chest pain) then you should visit a doctor.

Types of Anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia

This is the most common type of anemia that appears when the person is not getting enough iron. Certain factors can reduce the iron level in your blood such as:

  1. Blood loss
  2. Health issues that make iron absorption difficult like IBD
  3. Having a diet with poor iron content

Usually, people with mild to moderate iron deficiency do not show any anemic symptoms. Some symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Vitamin-deficiency anemia

This type of anemia occurs when the person has a lower than normal folate level. Some common symptoms of vitamin-deficiency anemia are color changes in skin, hair, or nails. Some people also get symptoms like soreness in the mouth.

Hemolytic anemia

In this type of anemia, RBCs start destroying at a faster rate than the body can replace them. Some common causes of hemolytic anemia are autoimmune activity, inherited conditions, side effects of certain medications, physical damage of RBCs, infections like malaria, exposure to toxins, etc.

Aplastic anemia

This condition appears when the bone marrow can’t produce enough RBCs. This occurs when the stem cells in the bone marrow get damaged and produce fewer red blood cells. Aplastic anemia mainly occurs due to autoimmune activity when the immune system starts attacking stem cells in the bone marrow. Some other potential causes include medications and exposure to toxins.

Treatment options for Anemia

If a person has aplastic anemia then he may need medication or blood transfusions. If the condition is severe then he needs a bone marrow transplant. For hemolytic anemia, doctors usually prescribe medications that can hold back the immune system from killing the RBCs.

You can also adopt dynamic medications for anemia. Homeopathic treatment Pennsylvania can help in maintaining the RBC level in your blood. These medicines can also treat the underlying causes. Homeopathic medications for anemia are safe and you can easily take them for a long time.

If a person gets anemia due to blood then he needs surgery to fix the bleeding. For iron-deficiency anemia, you have to change your diet. Add food items that contain good iron. You can also take iron supplements.

For sickle cell anemia treatment, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to manage the symptoms. Some common medications are painkillers, intermittent antibiotics, and folic acid supplements. Your doctor may suggest oxygen therapy. Hydroxyurea is often prescribed to decrease sickle cell pain crises.

Voxelator is a type of medicine that helps in keeping red blood cells in shape. If a person has vitamin B12 or folate deficiency then your doctor will prescribe simple supplements. Thalassemia condition doesn’t require any treatment but if the condition is severe then the person may need blood transfusions.

What Causes Dark Circles and How to Manage Them?

When you sleep too little during exams, you can see dark circles under the eyes. But poor sleeping is not the only cause behind dark circles. It can appear due to allergies, aging, and genetics. Changing your habits and using some remedies can help in removing dark circles. Having dark circles problems under the lower eyelids is very common. Sometimes, you can also see bags under your eyes that make you look like a panda. This is a sign that you’re tired. But there can be a few other reasons behind this problem. Dark circles are common in older adults, people who have dark skin tones or have a genetic predisposition. Meanwhile, fatigue is the most well-known cause of dark circles. Usually, dark circles are not a serious condition and do not need medical attention. However, it can make you look tired or aged.

Common causes behind dark circles

Fatigue

Staying up the whole night, oversleeping, extreme fatigue, or anything can cause dark circles under the eyes. Sleep deprivation leads to skin dullness. Due to fatigue, dark tissues and blood vessels beneath the skin start appearing. When you sleep less, fluid starts to build up under the eyes which makes them puffy. Sometimes, dark circles can be the shadow of your puffy eyes.

Eyestrain

Your eyes can strain when you are watching too much TV or a computer screen. Nowadays, people spend their whole day in front of their laptops or phones. This can enlarge the blood vessels around the eyes and make the skin around the eyes darker.

Age

Another common reason behind dark circles is age. Your growing age is the natural factor behind dark circles. With age, the skin starts getting thinner. This happens due to a decrease in fat and collagen. Due to this, the dark blood vessels under the skin become more visible and cause dark circles.

Allergies

Any kind of allergic reaction can trigger your dark circles. When a person has an allergic reaction, the body releases histamines to fight off the allergens. Due to this, the person may face some symptoms like redness, itchiness, and puffy eyes. Histamines may also cause blood vessel dilation that is more visible beneath the skin. When a person has allergies, he often is urged to scratch and run the itchy skin around the eyes. These actions can worsen the condition and can lead to dark shadows beneath the eyes.

Dehydration

You can get various skin conditions due to dehydration. When the body is not hydrated, the skin beneath the eyes starts looking dull. Your eyes also start looking sunken as the eye’s proximity is clone to the underlying bone.

Genetics

Skin conditions can be genetic. If anyone in the family has dark circles problems then you can face the same problems. The inherited traits start appearing in childhood. But over time, the condition may reduce or can get worse.

Sun exposure

Sun is bad for your skin. When your skin gets exposed to the sun, it starts producing excess melanin. It is a pigment that gives color to the skin. But when the person is too exposed to the sun (usually for the skin), it can cause pigmentation and the exposed skin to look dark.

Anemia

It is a condition where the red blood cells are less than normal. Due to this problem, you can feel dizzy, lightheaded, weak, short of breath, and tired. When a person has anemia, he can notice the paleness in the skin but dark circles under the eyes. Holistic doctors New Jersey may prescribe iron supplements to manage the condition.

Treatment options for dark circles

Chemical peeling

If a person is facing dark circles issues due to skin conditions like pigmentation then a chemical peel may help to reduce it. In this treatment, the damaged skin cells get removed and healthier skin appears. Some other medical options are laser surgery, surgical implants, carboxytherapy, etc.

Apply a cold compress

If you get dark circles due to poor sleep then you can try a cold compress to reduce swelling. Take a few ice cubes and wrap them in a cloth. Now apply it to your eyes. Apply a cold compress for about 10 minutes. You can also dampen the cotton pad with cold water and keep it on the eyes for 20 minutes. It will reduce puffiness and dark circles.

Get good sleep

If you are noticing dark circles then you should manage your sleep time. Go to the bed timely and try to get good sleep for about 8 hours. Keep your bedroom cool and dark to get good sleep. It will reduce your face stress and dark circles.

Stay hydrated

Drink a good amount of water to reduce dark circles and keep the skin dehydrated. Try to drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day. If you can’t drink this much water, you can drink juices and high water-content fruits.

What are The Best Ways to Manage ADHD in Kids?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a chronic mental health condition that affects millions of children. This condition can use hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Kids or adults with ADHD face trouble doing a single task or sitting still for a long time. You can also notice inattention and changes in energy levels due from time to time. But people with ADHD face this problem often as compared to other people. ADHD can affect your studies, work, and lifestyle. This mental disorder is common in children. However, adults can also get ADHD. 

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

  1. Trouble in focusing
  2. Get distracted easily
  3. Difficult in sitting still
  4. Forget to complete tasks
  5. Often interrupt people while they’re talking

The kid who experiences hyperactivity and impulsivity may face symptoms like:

  1. Unable to sit or remain seated for a long time
  2. Trouble in playing or completing any task quietly
  3. Talks a lot
  4. Often interrupt when others are speaking or doing some task
  5. Hard to wait for their turn

The kid who has difficulty focusing may face symptoms like:

  1. Always make mistakes
  2. Miss small details while working or studying
  3. Hard to maintain focus while reading or listening 
  4. Difficult in managing daily tasks
  5. Lose items often
  6. Get easily distracted

Types of ADHD

Predominantly inattentive: This is a type of ADHD where the kid is unable to focus, complete tasks, or follow instructions carefully. 

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: People with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ADHD are unable to wait for a long time, can’t be seated, and always interrupt people.

Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive: People with this ADHD have symptoms of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behaviors. The common symptoms may include the inability to pay attention, an above-average energy level, and a tendency toward impulsiveness.

What are the causes and risk factors for ADHD?

There are no exact causes behind ADHD but there are a few factors that can develop ADHD:

Genetic: One of the biggest causes of ADHD can be genes. Some research shows that ADHD can run in families. If any of the parents had ADHD then their kids might get the same condition. 

The problem in the nervous system: With age, your nervous system also grows. ADHD can occur when there is a problem with the central nervous system at crucial moments during development.

Environment: Few environmental factors like lead exposure can lead to ADHD or other mental health conditions.

Risk factors for ADHD

  1. If any of your blood relatives like parents or siblings have this condition; you may get the same.
  2. ADHD can occur when the month smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs during pregnancy.
  3. Born prematurely kids can develop ADHD.
  4. Exposure to toxins like lead found in pipes or paints can grow this condition.

Common complications due to ADHD

Having ADHD can cause various difficulties in life. People with ADHD may face complications like:

  1. Poor school performance
  2. Financial issues
  3. The trouble with the law
  4. Poor work performance 
  5. Alcohol or drug abuse
  6. Unstable relationship
  7. Poor self-image
  8. Suicide attempts, etc.

Best treatment options for ADHD

Medications

Medications can be very helpful in treating and managing ADHD symptoms. You should talk to a doctor and get the best medications for the condition. Doctors may prescribe CNS stimulants to manage the symptoms. These drugs increase the number of brain chemicals such as norepinephrine and dopamine. If stimulants are not working, doctors may suggest non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, antidepressants, etc. 

These medicines can help in managing symptoms of ADHD but can have a few side-effects such as headache, irritability, trouble sleeping, weight loss, stomach upset, etc.

Homeopathy for ADHD

You can try homeopathy for ADHD. Look for homeopathy in NJ and get the best treatment for this mental condition. The homeopath will ask a few questions like your diet, environment, and other mental or physical conditions and then prescribe homeopathic medications. These medications will help to manage ADHD symptoms without causing any harmful side effects. 

Therapy for ADHD

Certain psychotherapies can help your kid to manage the symptoms of ADHD. Psychotherapy is very useful to open up the feeling and coping with ADHD. People with this mental condition often have issues with managing relationships. In psychotherapy, you learn new behavior patterns to respond properly. It teaches someone how to monitor other behaviors and change them accordingly. This is a good strategy to behave in a particular situation. Doctors often suggest CBT manages ADHD. This therapy focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking. It replaces negative thoughts with positive ones which help to improve self-confidence. 

Doctors often suggest some additional treatment options manage ADHD conditions like social skills training. If the kid has ADHD, the doctor may suggest parenting skills training. In this training, parents learn techniques to understand and manage the behavior of their kid. Some of the common techniques for parenting skills training include immediate rewards, timeout, togetherness, striving for success, stress management, etc. Sometimes joining support groups can also improve ADHD symptoms.