Health News May 27, 2009

Is There Any Way to Get a Golden Tan Without Getting Skin Cancer?, By Therese Griffin Hicks, RN, DC, FIACA

Getting ready for summer leaves many women (and men) wishing for a safe way to get a tan without the over-exposure to ultraviolet rays. Some real sunshine is quite good for your body as it is an excellent source of Vitamin D. However, there have been medical warnings for years about the down side to too much time in this hot Arizona sun, UV rays, and the potential for skin cancer. In Arizona the sun is especially damaging and many medical practices have seen a dramatic rise in cases of skin cancer. It is suspected that changes in our climate may be responsible for the increase in cases of skin cancer. What to do? First of all, unless you want your skin to be dried out, parched and ragged looking before its time, always wear a sunscreen, protective clothing and a hat when outdoors for prolonged periods of time. Second avoid tanning beds that use ultraviolet lights as they do essentially the same thing, and can be very damaging. What we feel at this point in time is one of the safest alternatives for achieving a beautiful tan is using a spray on skin bronzer that is derived from a natural source. Recently Adobe Ranch Spa in Globe installed a spray booth that uses a blend that is primarily DHA, a substance derived from beets. These booths have become very popular in recent years as they can provide a person with an instant tan for a special occasion or just because it’s time for shorts. Generally the tan lasts for about a week depending on your own body’s metabolism and how quickly your skin cells slough off. So for those of you who want a safe alternative for a glowing beautiful tan, consider using a spray tanning facility that uses DHA based skin bronzers. There are some in the valley but until very recently there hasn’t been one in the Globe-Miami area. For more information or to try a beautiful spray on tan yourself call Adobe Ranch Spa at 138 South Broad Street in Globe. The number is 928-425-3632. They will be happy to assist you and the spray tanning literally only takes a few seconds. Remember, many people will do anything for a beautiful body, think carefully when you have options and choose the healthiest alternative for a beautiful you.

Ten Tips for Weight Training, By Janet Trimble Gila Community College Wellness Center Facilitator

It's summer and if you don't think too kindly about your body and a bathing suit, one way to help insure your cardio workouts are of maximum advantage is to train with weights. Your workouts don’t have to be heavy lifting or beyond a reasonable length of time. These tips will assist you in a weight training program to rev up your metabolism: 1 - Check with your doctor if you’re over 40 and inactive. Ease your mind. 2 - Set goals that make sense for you. Muscle toning and overall fi tness is different than body building. Know what you want to accomplish. 3 - Breathe freely and fully during weight training exercises. Complete breaths are good for your body and your blood pressure. 4 - Seek balance in your body by working all major muscle groups – abdominals, legs, chest, back, shoulders, and arms. Attain the balance you're seeking by strengthening opposing muscles equally; for example the bicep and tricep. 5 - Lift an appropriate amount of weight by working muscles so they feel tired after 10 to 15 repetitions. With fatigue at 12 repetitions you are effectively stimulating muscle strengthening and toning. 6 - Spend the time necessary, but not too much. One good set of exercises to the point of muscle fatigue will contribute benefits to your fitness. 7 - Don’t rush through weight training, it's counterproductive. You’ll improve stability and isolate working muscles effectively with a slow controlled lifting and lowering of weight. This method keeps you from relying on momentum. 8 - Rest for a day between same muscle group workouts to give your body a chance to recover and gain strength. 9 - Be consistent by planning three workouts per week to build muscle or two workouts per week to maintain strength gained. 10 - Wear shoes to protect your feet. Training with weights is fun and effective. Come on by and I'll help you get started.

Boys & Girls Club Of Globe Launches Smart Moves Program

The newly revised SMART Moves program will begin at the Boys & Girls Club of Globe, a unit of the Boys & Girls Club of the San Carlos Apache Nation, during the Summer Day Camp. In response to the changing needs of the young people it serves, the Boys & Girls Club of Globe is introducing the newly revised, award winning prevention program SMART Moves. Developed by Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA), SMART Moves (Skills, Mastery and Resistance Training) is one of the few national prevention programs currently addressing the problems of alcohol and other drug use and teen pregnancy in one comprehensive curriculum. Unlike other programs, SMART Moves confronts young people in a positive way, equipping them with basic life skills and problem-solving skills to boost self-confi dence and self-esteem. For more than a decade SMART Moves has been successfully used by hundreds of Boys & Girls nationwide. In a study conducted by Columbia University, SMART Moves was shown to dramatically reduce the use of drugs and the fate of crime in public housing communities ( 13 percent drop in youth crime, 22 percent drop in drug activity, 25 percent decrease in crack usage over a three-year period ). The program has also been recognized as one of 10 exemplary primary prevention programs by the U.S. Offi ce of Substance Abuse Prevention and singled out for praise in The Making of a Drug Free America: Programs That Work by Mathea Falco (former Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Narcotics Affairs). The SMART Moves prevention program has been scientifi cally evaluated and documented for its effectiveness by exposing young people to protective factors that promote positive behavior, health, well-being and personal success. The new edition builds upon this experience, incorporating the latest research about problems confronting young people and provides viable solutions to help them handle challenging circumstances while avoiding risky and unhealthy behaviors. SMART Moves sessions will be taught by the Boys & Girls Club of Globe Prevention Team. The Prevention Team are volunteers from The Arizona Youth Partnership and they are William Herrera, Lucy Gomez, Cecilie Hudson, Teresa Martin Del Campo and Julie Craig. If you are interested in volunteering in the SMART Moves Program, and would like to receive free training, contact LaToya Tewawina at 475-2798 ext. 1900 or D.J. Lott @ 475-2798 ext. 1511.

Ticks May Carry Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is more common in cool forest states, but in every state, including ours, deer ticks are spreading this bacterial disease to humans. Caught early, only a course of oral antibiotics is needed. Undetected, Lyme disease can be serious. Grassy forests and back yards can be good hiding places for ticks. Use protective clothing and tick repellent: 10 to 30% DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus (but not on kids under 3). Trim brush and mow wild backyard grass low. If you get a tick, grab it fi rmly with tweezers and draw out all you can. Watch for symptoms later. In 70 - 80 % of cases (but not all) a bump turns into a bulls-eye. Fever, chills or aches are common, If antibiotics are not administered, severe knee pain and chronic faitgue may follow. Such cases are rare where citizens are educated and watchful. of the danger of the disease.