The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Summer Skin

Ahh, summer. This sunny season usually bears fond memories of long days at the beach, amazing backyard barbeques, and perfectly warm weather. With all the great things summer entails it’s no wonder why it’s a personal favorite among many. However, not everyone is so quick to jump on the summer bandwagon. For many of us, summer means intense sun exposure, dehydration, and painful burns. It may come as no surprise that summertime is the most dangerous time for your skin. With high UV levels and the tendency to expose more skin, the summer is when most people develop skin cancer, severe burns, and even cataracts! Bummer, right? While it may seem like these problems are unavoidable during the hot season, fear not, there are several methods to avoid skin damage and repair areas that have been overexposed. Your skin is your biggest organ and one of the most important, so remaining adamant on proper skin care during long sunny days is crucial for your short and long term health. Follow our tips below and be on your way to enjoying a pain-free summer in minutes! 

  

Wear Sunscreen! This has probably been drilled into your head since you were a little kid, and rightfully so, as wearing sunscreen is the best way to prevent burns and other sun-related skin damages. It’s important to remember that while we may love being out in the sun and how we look with a golden-brown tan, there are serious health consequences that result from overexposure to the sun. Sunscreen is noted to be the single best way to combat Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer and the leading cause of death from skin diseases. Melanoma spreads extremely fast and although it is less common than other types of skin cancers, the rate of it is steadily increasing every year.

Sunscreen protects your skin from ultraviolet rays (UV rays), as well as similar sunrays like UVA, UVB, and UVC. Try to apply just the right amount of sunscreen before heading out in the sun. As a general rule of thumb, use an ounce (about a handful) to cover your entire body. Pick a sunscreen with an SPF that best suits your skin type: if you have naturally darker skin, opt for SPF 5-15. If you have sensitive or fair skin, go for SPF 30. There are a wide variety of sunscreen types to choose from today. With dry-sprays, to unscented lotions and even water-resistance formulas, finding the perfect sunscreen has never been easier. Applying sunscreen may be an annoying process, but trust us—your skin will thank you later!

Drink lots and lots of Water. Dehydration is extremely common in the summertime and can affect everyone, regardless of age, psychical activity, or skin sensitivity. Dehydration is often brought on by feelings of dizziness or fatigue and often prompts diarrhea, vomiting, severe headaches, and fevers. This means that making sure you get enough water throughout the day is vital to your overall wellbeing. It is key to drink plenty of water before, during, and after long periods of exercise, especially if you are outdoors in the direct sunlight. Try to take a swig of water or a sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes during periods of activity. Drinking a sports drink, like Gatorade which is chuck-full of electrolytes, is recommended if you plan on exercising for more than an hour. Refrain from using salt tabs during exercise routines. While many athletes use these tabs as a way to replenish the salt they lose through your sweat, they can easily dry-out your body and cause dehydration. Sports drinks offer an effective solution for replacing the minerals and salt you lose during intensive workouts. Another way to prevent dehydration is by avoid high-protein diets. Foods that are high in protein tend to make you thirstier and soak up a large portion of your body’s water. If you do choose to adhere to a protein rich diet, make sure you are consuming at least 8 to 12 glasses of water every day. Most importantly, always stop working or exercising outdoors if you begin to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or fatigued.

It is also a good idea to drink plenty of water if you get a sunburn. Burns draw fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so dehydration tends to be very common among sunburned individuals.

Treating Skin Damage. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there—you’re spending a relaxing day at the beach and somehow sunscreen didn’t make its way into your beach bag. Now you’re stuck with a lobster-red back that is sore to the touch. Before you panic and start figuring out ways to cover you crimson tan, consider the tips listed below to help you on your path to recovery!

Cool showers. When you get a sunburn, heat gets trapped inside your skin. By taking cool showers, you can temporarily lower the temperature of your skin. Not only will the water provide relief from your burn’s stinging sensation, but it may also help the burn heal faster! First set your shower to a normal temperature—one that is not too hot, but not too cold. Gradually adjust the temperature lower and lower until you feel comfort and relief. If your sunburn starts to itch, do not continue to take cold showers. In this event, switch back to warm showers. The warm water will help greatly reduce itching.

A&D cream. While this multi-purpose ointment is typically used for babies with diaper rash, A&D cream is also a miracle worker for sunburns. This cream is formulated with vitamins A and D and helps soothe the skin from cuts, scrapes, and burns. Not only does this cream prevent your sunburn from itching, but it also provides your skin with the nutrients it needs to recover from the burn quickly. Evenly coat the burned area with the cream and wait until it dries. After it dries completely, re-apply the cream as often as you’d like!

Peppermint Oil. Sunburns HURT. Luckily for you, Peppermint oil provides instant relief for even the most painful burns. Peppermint oil is an essential oil that can be found at a variety of retailers who regularly sell oil kits, vitamins, or other health-related supplies. To use, simply apply 2 or 3 drops onto the affected area and gently rub it into the skin. Upon completion, you will immediately feel a cool sensation run over your burn, reducing the stinging sensation and allowing you to carry on with your everyday tasks with ease!

Take Advil or Ibuprofen. When you first start to feel your sunburn sting, try taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen or Advil. Taking these drugs will help diminish feelings of discomfort and can greatly reduce skin inflammation. The effects may be subtle, but anti-inflammatory drugs like the ones listed above are guaranteed to offer some form of relief from mild to severe burns.

Aloe Vera. If you’ve ever gotten a sunburn the chances are you are well acquainted with Aloe Vera. A popular choice among many sunburned beach bums, Aloe Vera is a cactus plant that grows in dry climates such as those found in Africa and India. These plants have been used medicinally for centuries and are widely recognized for their clear gel that heal wounds and soothe skin. Aloe Vera helps with sunburns through its powerful healing activity at the epithelial level of the skin, which is the layer of cells that cover the body. The aloe acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish the moisture it loses when burned. Because of its nutritional and antioxidant properties, this plant extract helps the skin heal quickly and efficiently.

Skin protection is vitally important all year-round, but especially in the summer. Make sure to keep all of these tips in mind as you head out on various outdoor activities and expose your skin to the sun’s powerful rays! Have another sure-fire method of preventing skin damage in the summertime? Share your ideas in the comment section below!

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How to Keep Healthy Hamstrings

At one point or another in our lives, we have all experienced the excruciating pain that
comes with a leg cramp. Why does it hurt so much? Oftentimes, this pain is due to an
involuntary muscle contraction of the hamstring muscles from the back of the thigh.

If after experiencing pain in your hamstrings, your first instinct is to stretch them, you might want to stop. The nervous system controls tension in the hamstrings and stretching them to alleviate pain or make them “longer” can be dangerous. Hamstring muscles are connected to the rest of your body and play an important role for knee and hip motion. Stretching them might put you at risk of injuring your spine or lower back, tearing your tendon, or rupturing discs.

If you are trying to alleviate pain in your hamstring muscles or simply trying to keep them healthier, try one of these methods instead:

Walk it Out

Walking, even if done in a leisurely manner, is the fastest way to stretch your legs

without doing any heavy exercise. Research suggests that walking can improve blood

circulation and strengthen your muscles. This can even be done while taking a lunch

break or by frequently taking 5-10 minute breaks during the middle of the workday. Try

to find as many reasons as you can to get up from your working area, so you can be as

active as possible.

Drink Water

Drinking water during the day can help you stay hydrated and aid in the delivery of rich

nutrients from your body to your muscles. Doctors recommend to drink anywhere from

8-16 cups of water per day, depending on your body type and needs. However, keep in

mind that drinking too much water can also dilute the level of sodium in your blood

stream and cause severe muscle spasms.

Do Light Stretches

Doing a couple of easy and simple stretches can help loosen up your hamstring

muscles. For example, many experts recommend starting the day by stretching in the

morning. A good exercise provided by Health Magazine involves “a slight bend in the

knees, core flexed and weight in the heels, reach your rear backwards while lowering

your chest toward the ground.” Other good exercises that are light and easy for your hamstring muscles are hamstring door way stretches and chair hamstring stretches. 

Heating Pads

Using a heating pad under your legs can help loosen your hamstrings, particularly when

they are feeling too tense or tight. While heat can be a great way to loosen a sore or

cramped muscle, it is often advised to avoid using it for more serious muscle injuries.

Using heat for serious injuries may cause swelling and increase pain.

Get More Sleep

Getting your full 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night can be very important when trying to heal

any type of muscle pain. During sleep, the body undergoes a restorative and biological

maintenance done by the brain. Therefore, sleeping the recommended hours by your

doctor can give your brain the opportunity to do this correctly and heal your body.

In all, leading a healthy and active lifestyle is the biggest key to having healthy

hamstring muscles. This might be especially true for individuals that spend too much

time sitting down in an office environment or in their daily lives. Listening to the tips

mentioned above and taking frequent walking breaks or stretching while you sit may

help more than you think. We would love to hear your thoughts, so please let us know in

the comments section below! 

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What Is Shoulder Subluxation and How Is It Treated?

What is shoulder subluxation?

Shoulder subluxation, more informally referred to as shoulder instability, occurs when the upper arm partially dislocates from the shoulder socket. Many people confuse shoulder subluxation with a shoulder dislocation, but there are a few key differences. Think of your shoulder joint like a golf ball sitting on a tee. The golf ball is the humerus and the tee is the socket, or glenoid. When the shoulder dislocates, the humerus or “ball” becomes dislocated from the shoulder socket and requires a professional to reset it. A subluxation, however, is when the humerus is partially dislocated but naturally pops back into place. It can occur during sports that involve throwing like football and baseball, and it’s usually accompanied by a weak, numb feeling as well as a sharp pain in and around the shoulder.

Causes of Shoulder Subluxation

The most common cause of shoulder instability is a traumatic injury to the shoulder. This is one of the reasons why this injury is most common among boxers and football players. For non-athletes, it is usually a hard fall or accident. However, there are also people who have naturally looser ligaments in their shoulders and are more susceptible to injury. No matter the cause, many people suffer from shoulder instability and do not appropriately take care of it.

Recurrence

Similar to a twisted ankle, once a person suffers a dislocated shoulder the chances of it happening again are very likely. The recurrence rate in patients under 20 is 95% and 40-50% in patients 40 and over. The reason for this is that when the injury occurs, the tendons and ligaments in the shoulder socket are torn and then heal back in a stretched position. This gives the shoulder a wider range of motion as well as less stability. If not treated properly, the shoulder can continue to sublux and lead to multi-directional instability (MDI), which can be especially harmful. This is why treatment and rehab are absolutely key in preventing further injuries.

Treatment Options

The first action one should take is to ice and rest the shoulder to help with the swelling and pain, as well as taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. Immobilization of the shoulder is important in helping the muscles and tendons heal. A shoulder brace of some kind, like our DonJoy Ultra Sling, will be beneficial in this regard. The brace should typically be worn for about 3-6 weeks to allow the ligaments and tendons to heal properly and to prevent re-aggravating the injury. If the shoulder does not heal and chronic pain persists, surgery may become necessary, but this is not common.

Rehabilitation

Because of the nature of the injury, it is difficult to say when one should begin rehabilitation for shoulder subluxation. On average we recommend at least 6-8 weeks after the injury before beginning rehab, but prefer up to three months to be on the safer side. After you have allowed the shoulder to rest and the pain has subsided, you will need to start strengthening the muscles in and around the shoulder socket. Begin lightly and slowly increase the weight and intensity until the shoulder begins to feel strong and secure. It may take several months until the shoulder is fully healed, so remember to take care and abstain from activates that could re-aggravate the injury such as contact sports or movements that exert extreme torque on the shoulder like tennis or golf. Proper treatment and rehabilitation will greatly reduce your chances of recurring injuries and complications. However, the shoulder will most likely never be as strong as before so remember to treat it accordingly when performing physical activities going forward.

If you are currently suffering from shoulder subluxation, we offer a fact sheet about this injury as well as a wide line of shoulder braces that can be helpful with your recovery. Leave a comment below with further questions or your own experiences dealing with shoulder subluxation!

Identifying & Treating Seasonal Depression

What Is Seasonal Depression and How Is It Treated?

Taking care of your physical body during the winter months is important, especially if you tend to become more sedentary or indulge in too many holiday treats. However, your winter behaviors aren’t the only concern. Seasonal changes can directly impact your mental and emotional health, and this, in turn, can impact your physical health in many ways.

The Winter Blues

If you find yourself feeling a little down in the dumps as the temperatures begin to drop, you’re not alone. It’s common to experience moodiness, apathy or diminished energy levels during fall and winter. Some people even develop a serious form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Making your mental health a primary concern and addressing seasonal mood changes can help you live a fuller and healthier life year-round.

What Is Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is associated with a change of seasons. It usually begins and ends at approximately the same time each year. Most people with SAD start to experience symptoms in the fall that continue through winter. Experts believe that between four and six percent of people have SAD. Another 10 to 20 percent may have a milder form of the disorder. It’s more common in women, and usually begins after the age of 20. As you age, your risk of developing SAD drops.

Symptoms of Seasonal Depression or SAD

Seasonal depression is different for each person, but it’s common to experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Feeling sad, agitated or depressed for most of the day
• Anxiety
• Low energy levels or fatigue
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Being unable to enjoy your favorite activities
• Insomnia or early waking
• Sleeping too much
• Weight gain or loss
• Appetite changes
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Preoccupation with death or suicidal thoughts
• Hypersensitivity

• Frequent arguments or relationship problems
• Overindulging in food or alcohol
• Substance abuse

What Causes Seasonal Depression?

SAD that occurs in winter is related to the reduced level of natural sunlight that accompanies the season. The reduction in sunlight can affect your body in several ways. It can disrupt melatonin production and your internal biological clock, leading to changes in your circadian rhythm or sleep-wake cycle. A lack of sun is also believed to trigger depression by reducing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is closely linked to mood and general well-being. Chemical changes in your brain can be responsible for many depression symptoms such as insomnia or food cravings, and the resulting symptoms can themselves perpetuate the cycle and deepen depression.

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Treating seasonal depression often involves an integrated approach. Lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and getting as much sunlight exposure as possible can sometimes resolve mild cases. If you can’t access enough natural sun to reduce your symptoms, consider light therapy; it simulates sunlight exposure using a special lamp or light box. Managing stress levels is also important; cognitive behavioral therapy or counseling may be effective in helping you cope. If conservative measures fail or your depression is severe, antidepressant medications can help correct the chemical changes caused by insufficient sunlight.

When to Seek Help

Mild seasonal depression is temporary and often tolerable, but if symptoms start to interfere with your daily life or well-being, ask your doctor about treatment options. Seek help immediately if your symptoms include suicidal thoughts, substance abuse or an inability to sleep or eat normally. With a little help from your doctor, you can stay afloat and even thrive until warmer days arrive.

What the Growing Orthopedic Industry Means for Patients and Practitioners

Over-the-counter, or OTC, orthopedic devices have long been recognized as an irreplaceable segment of the modern medical device market. With 2011 reports estimating that more than two percent of all osteoarthritis patients chose orthopedic surgery, devices like braces continue growing in popularity.¹ For patients, therapists, physicians and other caregivers, increased awareness of the benefits of OTC orthopedics and rising product availability could translate to improved treatment practices and better long-term outcomes.

Where Are Trends Headed?

In October 2016, economic observers predicted that the OTC orthopedic braces market would grow by 4.8 percent annually until attaining a total value of $1.33 billion in 2021.² Globally, regions like North America and Europe were key players in the field in 2016, but demand in Asia and elsewhere is also expected to grow.

Why Are OTC Orthopedics in Demand?

What’s driving the expansion? There are a few key factors:

Increased Patient Knowledge

Some assessments pin braces’ burgeoning popularity on an expanding middle class that's more familiar with the advantages of the technology. Compared to alternatives like invasive procedures and pharmaceutical regimens, braces could seem like attractive options due to their low cost and ease of use.

Aging Populations

According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, less than 15 percent of the national population was 65 or older in 2014.³ By 2040, that number is projected to exceed 21 percent. These groups are at higher risk of falls, broken bones, sprains and other health troubles that might be less challenging with orthopedic braces.

It’s also worth noting that Medicare Part B covers many leg, neck and back braces as long as they’re medically necessary.⁴ As a result, they may be more viable treatment options for those who can’t afford other forms of health coverage.

Mounting Necessity

The number of road accident and sporting injury victims is growing. Experts believe that these incidents contribute to a higher demand for orthopedic supports that can be used to strengthen muscles and joints during the rehabilitation period.⁵ With ligament injuries being some of the most common injuries across all sports, braces play a major role in helping participants heal effectively.

Superior Manufacturing and Distribution

Technologies and business models are also improving. Along with lowering product prices, new developments in materials science and novel fabrication methods are leading to increased comfort and reducing the size of formerly bulky devices. In 2014, market analysts also identified a rise in the number of braces manufacturers that outsourced precision fabrication services.⁶ Coupled with supplier consolidation, these factors contribute significantly towards the above-market growth exhibited by many orthopedic sectors.

What Does the Expansion of the Braces Market Mean for You?

Caregivers Can Heighten Service Quality

For doctors and physical therapists, a more robust braces market is a good thing. Manufacturers that want to capitalize are likely to offer more competitive pricing and new design innovations that let physicians provide their clients with a broader range of accessible treatment options. Practitioners with problematic patients may also have an easier time persuading these individuals to adhere to their treatment regimens if they involve the use of braces and orthopedics that seem minimally life-altering.

More Options for Patients and Users

Patients stand to benefit from greater access to orthopedic products and knowledge. Although most people are already familiar with devices like leg and arm orthopedics, there are a huge variety of similar options for other parts of the body. For instance, the University of Maryland Medical Center acknowledges more than 30 types of braces for spine disorders alone.[7]

As manufacturers develop new technologies and optimize orthopedic designs, they’ll also market them to caregivers and publish information about their use in trade journals. Your primary physician may soon benefit from more comprehensive knowledge about different kinds of braces and be able to recommend a better option for your recovery. If you’re on Medicare or a private health insurance plan, your particular orthopedics are more likely to be covered if your doctor is able to justify your need, so their growing expertise definitely works to your advantage.

A Bright Future for OTC Orthopedics

The proliferation of OTC braces holds great promise for all. By letting more people take charge of maintaining their health, orthopedic devices stand to offer significant care improvements and help their users live more enjoyable lives. To see where this exciting industry is going next and to find the orthopedic brace that works for you, visit MMAR Medical today.

Sources:

[1]http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/orthopedic-device-280.html
[2]http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bxbgrn/otc_orthopedic
[3]http://www.aoa.gov/Aging_Statistics/
[4]https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/braces.html
[5]http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/3452105/orthopedic-braces-and-supports-market-by-product#rela7
[6]http://www.harriswilliams.com/sites/default/files/industry_reports/orthopedic_industry_overview_5.20.14.pdf
[7]http://umm.edu/programs/spine/health/guides/braces

How to Avoid Winter Sports Injuries

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