SUNSCREEN SMARTS: THE TRUTH BEHIND THE CLAIMS

Consumers assume they're getting adequate protection against sunburn, skin cancer, and wrinkles when they opt for a high SPF sunscreen. But research indicates that consumers might be getting less than half the sunburn protection shown on labels because they don't apply enough. Moreover, Consumer Reports' tests of 19 sunscreens found that some provide minimal protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. UVA is not considered in the sun-protection factor (SPF), which refers to protection against UVB radiation, a different wavelength that can also cause skin cancer, plus sunburn. Consumer Reports also looked at eight sunscreens that claim to have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which absorb UVA, and had an outside lab test them for microscopic particles of those compounds. Whether such nanoparticles pose health risks is a subject of debate. CR recommends seven tips for preventing sunburn:

  1. Use sunscreen but know its limits.  Check the label for products that
     help protect against UVA and UVB rays, since both types can cause
     potentially cancerous changes in cells.  Choose a sun protection factor
     (SPF) of at least 30.  Apply an ounce of sunscreen on all exposed skin
     a half-hour before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours and after
     swimming or heavy sweating. Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m.
     and 3 p.m. Wear sun screen on overcast days, too, since a substantial
     amount of the sun's radiation penetrates clouds.
  2. Wear the right clothing. Opt for tighly woven fabrics for better
     sun protection.
  3. Shield your eyes.  Wear a broad-rimmed hat and choose large-frame,
     wraparound sunglasses for maximum sun protection.  Sunglasses that
     block UVA and UVB rays may reduce the cumulative effect of UV damage
     linked to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
  4. Don't rely on shade.  Just because you're sitting under a leafy tree
     doesn't mean you're shielded from the damage of the sun's UV rays.
  5. Stay hydrated.  Thirst can lag behind dehydration so in warm weather,
     drink before you become thirsty.
  6. Recognize heat-stroke symptoms.  Swelling of the hands and feet,
     fatigue, and prickly heat (a rash caused by blocked sweat pores) are
     signs that you need to cool off.
  7. Check medication side effects.  Certain drugs can increase sensitivity
     to sunlight, sometimes resulting in severe burns or other skin
     reactions.  Examples include acne drugs, such as tretinoin (Renova,
     Retin-A); antibiotics, such as tetracycline (Sumycin) and ciprofloxacin
     (Cipro); and certain blood pressure drugs, such as chlorothiazide
     (Diuril) and hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril). Take
     protective steps if a medication you're taking lists sun sensitivity as
     a side effect.

CONSUMER REPORTS ANSWERS NINE THORNY HEALTH CARE QUESTIONS

According to a recent poll by Consumer Reports, most Americans are rattled by rising health care costs and feel uneasy about the system's future. To help consumers negotiate the health care system with as few headaches as possible, the July issue of Consumer Reports on Health tackles nine thorny questions. The special report looks at issues in the doctor's office, making transitions from one insurer to another, and insurance decisions. One of the more surprising pieces of advice---consumers may not know that there's a significant downside to those free drug samples they might receive during a visit to the doctor. This gift can be a real Trojan horse; just because your doctor can give you a week's free supply doesn't mean that's the best drug for a patient or that it will save them money in the long run. Consumers should keep in mind that drug companies typically use free samples to introduce new and expensive drugs. Once consumers use up the samples, they'll be paying full price for a brand-name medication. Older drugs can be just as effective as new ones, have a longer safety record, and cost less. For information about the best and most cost-effective drugs, log on to http://www.consumerreports.org/health and click on the Drug Guide.

ARTHRITIS THERAPY: A Matter of Personal Choice

Research suggests that some doctors may downplay joint pain that's not confirmed by X-rays, while others may recommend invasive procedures if they see severe joint damage. But since arthritis pain and disability are subjective, it's up to the patient to decide how aggressively to treat arthritis pain. As detailed in a special report about arthritis therapy in the July issue of Consumer Reports on Health, how each patient experiences arthritis pain depends on joint damage in addition to several other factors such as emotional health, weight, pain tolerance, exercise, and an individual's willingness to participate in their own care. Consumer Reports looks at all the options for consumers, from alternative therapies to drug therapy to invasive treatments. Consumer Reports emphasizes that all arthritis medications pose health risks, especially to the gut, heart, liver and kidneys. Consumers should factor their vulnerability to those risks versus their need for relief. The entire report is available online at CR's health portal at http://www.consumerreports.org/health.

PRESCRIPTION FOR TROUBLE

Consumer Reports has identified 12 relatively common prescription-drug types linked to serious risks--including an increased likelihood of heart attack, stroke, cancer, or suicide--that were undetected or underestimated when they were approved for use. Many of those drugs are still being advertised, and some lack a "black box" warning that our chief medical adviser says is needed. By logging on to Consumer Reports' health page (see link below), consumers can access information about these common drugs identified as having known or suspected serious risks that were undetected or underestimated when the FDA approved them. Note that the list is not all- inclusive. As a general rule, Consumer Reports recommends that people ask their doctor about the risks associated with the drugs being prescribed and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. Visit http://www.consumerreports.org/health for more information.

Source: Consumer Reports

Web site: http://www.consumerreports.org/health