Tag: smoking

Top Tips for UV Protection and Eye Health

UV Awareness Month highlights the risks of ultraviolet radiation, which can damage skin and lead to cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology advises practicing sun safety by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. Healthy Vision Month emphasizes eye health, also by sun protection, healthy habits and smoking cessation to protect vision.

It’s UV Awareness Month!

What is UV, you ask? UV is ultraviolet radiation. We need to be aware of it because UV radiation, aka sunlight, can cause damage to human skin, including cancer.

This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.

UV is the root cause of most skin cancers. The American Academy of Dermatology, AAD, encourages us to take precautions. The AAD recommends that the public #PracticeSafeSun year-round by following three simple steps while outdoors:

  • Seek shade when appropriate
  • Wear sun-protective clothing
  • Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher

Here are some examples of suitable products to consider, which include affiliate links.

SUNGLASSES

HATS

SUNSCREEN

Healthy Vision Month

This year for Healthy Vision Month, learn why you should make eye health a priority. Protecting your overall health preserves your vision health.

UV radiation can damage eyes as well as skin. Protecting the eyes from sunlight with quality sunglasses is just as important as wearing sunscreen.

Healthy habits like eating well and being active can lower your risk for diseases and conditions that can lead to eye or vision problems, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Follow these tips for healthy vision:

  • Eat healthy foods. Include plenty of dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. Eat fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna, and halibut.
  • Get active. Being physically active helps you stay healthy. It lowers your risk of conditions that can cause vision problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
  • Quit smoking. Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs — it can hurt your eyes, too! Smoking increases your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

When you’re ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free support. You can also check out the resources on Smokefree.gov

a vision refractor

Take an Eye Health Trivia Test

Read more about sun and smoking here

Protecting Your Skin: Risks of Smoking and UV Exposure

Skin health is a significant concern for many, reflected in the multi-billion dollar skincare industry. Common skin issues can arise from lifestyle habits, notably smoking and excessive sun exposure. Smoking accelerates aging and skin diseases, while UV light causes damage and skin cancers. Preventative measures are essential for maintaining skin health.

Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.'s avatar by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Dr. Vivek H. Murthy-Our “Family” Doctor

Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, serving since March 2021, addresses public health crises, including mental health, addiction, and social isolation, while advocating for healthier connections.The Surgeon General’s recent report highlights alcohol as the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S.

The Surgeon General has released a new report about alcohol use– Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., after tobacco and obesity.

Alcohol use has caused nearly 1 million preventable cancer cases over 10 years in the U.S. While most of these deaths per year occur at levels above current U.S. Dietary Guidelines (2 drinks daily for men, 1 drink daily for women), 17% occur at levels within those recommended limits.

I’ll write more about that in a subsequent post, but here I want to answer the question

Who is the Surgeon General?

Since March 2021, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has served as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. As the Nation’s Doctor, the Surgeon General lays the foundation for a healthier country, based on the best scientific information available.

Dr. Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States

A renowned physician, research scientist, entrepreneur, mango aficionado, and author of the bestselling book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Dr. Murthy is a trusted voice in America on public health. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Dr. Alice Chen, and their two children.

Read or listen to a sample of the book at this affiliate link.

Social connection is like a garden, nurturing your connections can improve your garden's health!
Humans are wired for social connection, but we’re becoming more isolated over time. Loneliness and social isolation represent significant threats to individual and societal health and well-being. Social connection can lead to healthier, more prosperous and resilient individuals and communities.

Dr. Murthy’s U.S. Public Health Actions

As the Vice Admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Dr. Murthy commands a uniformed service of over 6,000 dedicated public health officers, serving the most underserved and vulnerable populations here and abroad.

As the 21st Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy addressed several critical public health issues, including health misinformation, the youth mental health crisis, well-being and burnout among health professionals, and social isolation and loneliness. He is a key advisor to President Biden’s COVID-19 pandemic response operation.

While serving as 19th Surgeon General, under President Obama, Dr. Murthy helped lead the national response to the Ebola and Zika viruses, the opioid crisis, and the growing threat of stress and loneliness to Americans’ physical and mental well-being.

Substances in e-cigarette aerosol-flavorings, ultrafine particles, nicotine, cancer-causing chemicals, heavy metals

Dr. Murthy continued the office’s legacy of preventing tobacco-related disease, by releasing a report on e-cigarettes and youth. He issued the first Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, challenging the nation to expand access to prevention and treatment and recognize addiction as a chronic illness, not a character flaw.

Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body. You can quit. for free help 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Dr. Murthy’s International Projects

Before entering government service, Dr. Murthy co-founded VISIONS, a global HIV/AIDS education organization; the Swasthya Project, training women in South India to become community health workers and educators; TrialNetworks, a technology company improving collaboration and efficiency in clinical trials; and Doctors for America, a nonprofit mobilizing physicians and medical students to improve access to affordable care.

Raised in Miami, Dr. Murthy received his BA from Harvard, and his MD and MBA from Yale. His scientific research has focused on vaccine development and clinical trials involving women and minorities.

Dr. Murthy cared for thousands of patients and trained undergraduates, medical students, and medical residents at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and at Harvard Medical School.

He will leave office when the new Surgeon General appointed by President-elect Trump takes office.

Exploring the HEART of Health

This blog’s “Featured Image” is an AI depiction of Dr. Murthy. I welcome your comments about it.

You can also find Dr. Murthy’s books at my online bookstore, on Bookshop.org.

Thank you for reading this post. I strive to make them worth your time.

I share information and inspiration that sparks transformation in your body, mind, and spirit.

You can follow this blog in two easy ways. One is to put your email address into the box below.

Another way is to follow me on Facebook, where I share new posts, timely topics, photos, and an occasional cartoon.

Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

Dr. Aletha