What's Your UV: IQ?

“Read about how you can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.”

— Dr. Dale

From What's Your UV: IQ? 

The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. Yet, some of us don't consider the necessity of protecting our skin.

It's just smart to take good care of your skin

The need to protect your skin from the sun has become very clear over the years, supported by several studies linking overexposure to the sun with skin cancer. The harmful ultraviolet rays from both the sun and indoor tanning “sunlamps” can cause many other complications besides skin cancer - such as eye problems, a weakened immune system, age spots, wrinkles, and leathery skin.

How to protect your skin

There are simple, everyday steps you can take to safeguard your skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun.

• Wear proper clothing Wearing clothing that will protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is very important. Protective clothing are long-sleeved shirts and pants are good examples. Also, remember to protect your head and eyes with a hat and UV-resistant sunglasses. You can fall victim to sun damage on a cloudy day as well as in the winter, so dress accordingly all year round.

• Avoid the burn Sunburns significantly increase one's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. It is especially important that children be kept from sunburns as well.

• Go for the shade Stay out of the sun, if possible, between the peak burning hours, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can head for the shade, or make your own shade with protective clothing - including a broad-brimmed hat, for example.

• Use extra caution when near reflective surfaces, like water, snow, and sand Water, snow, sand, even the windows of a building can reflect the damaging rays of the sun. That can increase your chance of sunburn, even if you’re in what you consider a shady spot.

• Use extra caution when at higher altitudes You can experience more UV exposure at higher altitudes, because there is less atmosphere to absorb UV radiation.

• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen Generously apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to cover all exposed skin. The “broad spectrum” variety protects against overexposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The FDA recommends using sunscreens that are not only broad spectrum, but that also have a sun protection factor (SPF) value of at least 15 for protection against sun-induced skin problems.

• Re-apply broad-spectrum sunscreen throughout the dayEven if a sunscreen is labeled as "water-resistant," it must be reapplied throughout the day, especially after sweating or swimming. To be safe, apply sunscreen at a rate of one ounce every two hours. Depending on how much of the body needs coverage, a full-day (six-hour) outing could require one whole tube of sunscreen.

• We now offer Alastin Skin Care, one of the highest rated skin care brands on the market with an amazing sunscreen.

When to protect your skin

UV rays are their strongest from 10 am to 4 pm Seek shade during those times to ensure the least amount of harmful UV radiation exposure. When applying sunscreen be sure to reapply to all exposed skin at least 20 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

Protecting your eyes

UV rays can also penetrate the structures of your eyes and cause cell damage. According to the CDC, some of the more common sun-related vision problems include cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium (non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva that can obstruct vision). 

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat To protect your vision, wear a wide-brimmed hat that keeps your face and eyes shaded from the sun at most angles.

• Wear wrap-around style sunglass with 99 or higher UV block Effective sunglasses should block glare, block 99 to 100% of UV rays, and have a wraparound shape to protect eyes from most angles.

Using the UV index

When planning your outdoor activities, you can decide how much sun protection you need by checking the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) UV index. This index measures the daily intensity of UV rays from the sun on a scale of 1 to 11. A low UV index requires minimal protection, whereas a high UV index requires maximum protection.

Treatment Options for Ulcerative Colitis

Because I specialize in treating digestive disorders, ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most common conditions that I see in my practice.  UC is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, leading to inflammation in the lining of the colon or rectum. Patients with UC may experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in the stool.

Every patient with UC is different, with unique treatment goals and needs.  Additionally, UC symptoms can range from mild to severely debilitating, depending on the patient.  Therefore, I prefer to use a patient-centered approach when treating UC. This means that I work with my patients to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to each patient’s particular needs.

Medications are the mainstay of UC treatment, and are prescribed with the aim of controlling inflammation.  Once inflammation in the colon or rectum is under control, UC symptoms should decrease as well. There are six main categories of medications that may be used for this condition:

• Aminosalicylates, which are typically used to limit inflammation in mild to moderate UC.

• Corticosteroids, which can be used to get inflammation under control quickly.  However, corticosteroids work by suppressing the immune system and thus have the potential to cause serious side effects, so they should not be used long term.    

• Immunomodulators.  These are a long-term treatment option for UC, as they work to calm the immune system but may take 3–6 months to fully take effect.

• Biologics, which are targeted medications typically reserved for controlling inflammation in moderate to severe UC.

• Janus kinase inhibitors, which block a specific pathway in the body responsible for inflammation, and are typically reserved for moderate to severe UC.

• Antibiotics, which may be used to treat certain infections that are common in patients with UC.

In addition to medications, diet and stress management may be recommended to help get symptoms under control.  For example, some patients find that avoiding common trigger foods (such as gluten or dairy) or practicing yoga for stress can be helpful.  Sometimes, patients with severe disease may also require a surgery called a colectomy, in which all or part of the colon is removed.

Regardless of the specific approach that we choose, treatment for UC typically has three main goals: achieving remission (eliminating symptoms), maintaining remission (preventing symptoms from returning), and improving the patient’s quality of life.  

It’s important to keep in mind that treatment for UC may be a “trial and error” process, meaning that we may need to try a few different treatments before we find the right one.  Along with my staff, I’ll be here to guide you through this process. We’ll work together to find the very best treatment option for your unique needs.

Click below if you would like to schedule an appointment online to discuss your treatment options.

Hemorrhoid Self-Care Tips

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the lower rectum and anus, which can cause pain, itching, and bleeding.  Fortunately, although hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable, there are some simple self-care strategies that you can use at home to manage these symptoms.  If this is your first time dealing with hemorrhoids, make sure that you schedule an appointment to get a proper diagnosis before using these strategies.

Increase Your Fiber Intake

Dietary modifications, including drinking more water and increasing fiber, are one of the easiest ways to manage hemorrhoids. Water and fiber both make stools softer and easier to pass, which reduces pressure and irritation on hemorrhoids.  Make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Foods that are good sources of dietary fiber include oats, whole grains, beans, and fruit. You can also try taking a fiber supplement with psyllium husk, such as Metamucil.

Practice Healthy Bathroom Habits

Modifying your bathroom habits can also make a big difference in preventing and managing hemorrhoid flare-ups.  Try to go to the restroom as soon as you have the urge, as waiting can worsen constipation and lead to hemorrhoids. You should also avoid straining when using the restroom, as well as sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time, for the same reason.

Try a Sitz Bath

A warm water soak is a good way to cleanse the area and relieve pain and inflammation related to hemorrhoids. A sitz bath is a small basin that fits over the toilet, which can make warm water soaks easier and more convenient. Sitz baths can be purchased at most pharmacies, and are typically used two to three times per day for 10 to 15 minutes.

Try an Over-the-Counter Remedy

There are a number of over-the-counter remedies that can be used for mild to moderate hemorrhoid symptoms.  These include witch hazel and medications like Preparation H, which contain an ingredient that can temporarily shrink hemorrhoids.  Keep in mind that these medications are not a cure for hemorrhoids, but can be used to manage symptoms for a period of time.

Know When to See Your Doctor

If you’ve tried these treatment strategies and are still dealing with hemorrhoid pain, bleeding, or other symptoms, it may be time to schedule an appointment.  There are many safe and effective procedures that can be done in-office to remove hemorrhoids, such as rubber band ligation (also known as “banding”). You can contact the office at 310-360-6807 to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions about hemorrhoid treatment.  You can also book an appointment online by clicking below.