Wellness Center

Is there really a difference between sunscreens labeled with SPF 30 versus SPF 100?

 
As spring break begins and students head to warm sunny places, it’s important to protect your skin after months of minimal sun exposure.  Choosing the right sunscreen can be confusing especially since the SPF (sun protection factor) on products is increasing to very high numbers and usually at an additional cost.  Many people are questioning whether a higher SPF such as 85 or 100 is really necessary.  The SPF is an estimation of how long a person is able to remain in the sun without burning. For example, a SPF of 30 allows someone who normally burns in 20 minutes to theoretically stay in the sun for 30 times longer before burning.  The CDC recommends choosing a product with a SPF of at least 15.  Research suggests there is a slight advantage in protection by using a product with extremely high SPF if applied adequately.  However, most dermatologists agree there is not a practical difference and a higher SPF is not as important as applying  SPF 30 in right amount and frequently. Also not as important as the higher SPF is choosing a product with UVA protection because SPF blocks only UVB rays.  Products such as mexoryl and zinc oxide block UVA rays.  Limiting sun exposure and covering up with clothing will also help prevent sun damage such as burns, premature aging and cancer. For more information visit the CDC website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/sunburn.aspx

Kristy Magulak, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. She will be answering your questions every Friday. If you would like to submit a question please email Kristy at kmagulak@luc.edu. Unfortunately, we will not be able to post every question, however you are always welcome to call Dial-A-Nurse or make an appointment for any questions or concerns you may have.

Yes!  The countdown for spring break has come — just a few more days before you can enjoy a week away from the books, papers and late night studying.  Perhaps for some of you even a time to get away to a warmer destination or see family and friends you haven’t seen for awhile.  Regardless of your spring break plans, here are a few health and saftety tips to consider.

1. Limit alcohol – if alcohol is included in part of your spring break plans, remember that it can pose harm when consumed in large quantities.   Pace yourself to 1 or fewer drinks per hour. 

2.  Be active – often times, the first thing to vanish off your busy schedule is exercise and physical activity.  With midterms this week, it is likely that a large portion of your time was spent in a computer lab or studying in the library…..perhaps that seems to be where you have spent most of your semester.  Either way, take the opportunity to get out and and get some activity.  Take a walk, play a favorite sport or even start a new fitness program. 

3.  Stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages

4.  Protect yourself in the sun by applying sunscreen often

5.  Stick with a group of friends – it’s alway safer!

6.  Make a plan before you go out and stick to it!

** tips provided by the Wellness Center and CDC

My roommate was just diagnosed with mono.  Is it contagious?  What do I need to know?

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is a common illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus usually seen in adolescents and young adults. As with other viruses it is contagious and transmission often occurs through contact with saliva or mucous of an infected person giving it the nickname “the kissing disease”. Signs and symptoms of mono can last weeks to months and include fatigue, sore throat, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, swollen tonsils, rash, and loss of appetite. The virus can be diagnosed based on symptoms and confirmed with a blood test, although, for testing to be accurate it should be done at least one week from the onset of symptoms. Treatment is often limited to self-care such as rest, increasing fluids and Tylenol/ibuprofen. There is no medication to cure or treat the mono, however, antibiotics and steroids are sometimes used to treat complications of the virus such as enlarged, infected tonsils. After a person becomes infected their immune system builds up antibodies to the virus thus making it unlikely for an individual to become re-infected. Proper cold hygiene such as covering your cough, sneeze, not sharing food, drinks, and eating utensils will help prevent transmission.

Kristy Magulak, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. She will be answering your questions every Friday. If you would like to submit a question please email Kristy at kmagulak@luc.edu. Unfortunately, we will not be able to post every question, however you are always welcome to call Dial-A-Nurse or make an appointment for any questions or concerns you may have.

It’s getting to be that time of year when you are sick of bundling up in all the winter gear, tired of looking at the snow and ready for some sunshine and warm weather.  Belive me, I’m right there with you.  Just writing about this got me sidetracked daydreaming of sunshine, runners along the lake, flowers and green grass.  But don’t worry, all it took was just one quick look out the window to bring me back to reality!  

As you can see, we’re all in this together, so check out these websites for some nutrition tips and other strategies to help beat back those winter blues for a few more weeks! 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/19/earlyshow/health/main6223437.shtml

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34509511/ns/health-mental_health/

Have you had a cold for what feels like forever?  Sneezing, congestion and maybe a runny nose?  Have you been trying decongestants and they just don’t seem to be helping?  You’re not running a fever, no headaches or classic sinus infection tooth pain either, but you can’t seem to kick the cold? Well, maybe it’s not a cold after all.  Maybe you have allergies.  You’ve never had allergies before though and now you’re wondering why you would all of the sudden develop them while you’re in college.  

It might sound crazy, but there is such a thing as adult on-set of allergies.  These types of reactions to outdoor allergens such as trees, grass, and pollen and to indoor allergens such as pets, mold and dust mites are called allergic rhinitis.  It has been suggested by some experts that people whose allergies begin in adulthood were never exposed to these types of allergens in childhood.  It is also possible that a person’s immune system can become more susceptible to exposure as time passes.  Often times, relocating to a new area or environment or getting a new pet can set off a new allergy. 

For more information, check out The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s website.

Want to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals but aren’t sure about how to do or which ones to add? Eat the rainbow! Try to get in one fruit or vegetable from each of the colors of the rainbow everyday. Here are a few ideas:

Red – red apples, cherries, red peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries

Orange & Yellow – apricots, butternut squash, carrots, tangerines, sweet potatoes, pineapple, lemons, winter squash, yellow peppers, and pears

Green – green apples, avocados, asparagus, green grapes, kiwi, spinach, peas, zucchini, and cucumbers

Blue & Purple – blueberries, blackberries, eggplant, plums, prunes, and purple grapes

White – bananas, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, jicama, and potatoes

This week’s recipe is a another opportunity to think outside the box when it comes to making a salad!

Salad Spinner #2

¼ cup chopped tomatoes

¼ cup canned artichoke hearts, quartered

1 cup baby arugula

½ tablespoons red wine vinegar

½ tablespoons store bought pesto sauce

Arrange tomatoes and artichoke hearts over a bed of arugula. Whisk together the vinegar and pesto and drizzle over the salad.

Recipe by Ellie Krieger

You may have heard the term “social wellness” in classes or at programs, but what exactly is social wellness? And how can you be socially well?

Social Wellness refers to a person’s ability to interact with others. There are many tangible benefits to increased social wellness, including being able to cope with stress easier, enhancing your self-esteem, and even being less susceptible to illness. Aspects of social wellness include communication skills, building meaningful relationships, and connection to the community. Today we will focus on this last aspect – connection to the community.

Loyola provides students with many ways to get involved in the Chicago community. One of the most popular ways is through Loyola4Chicago. To learn more information about this program, visit http://www.luc.edu/ministry/loyola4Chicago.shtml

Some of my friends take dietary and/or herbal supplements on a daily basis to treat their health problems. Do they work and are they safe? 

Recent studies have estimated 75% of individuals use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy including herbal supplements to prevent or treat health conditions. The increased use and promotion of supplements has led many people to feel confused and overwhelmed regarding this topic. Research has shown herbal supplements can be effective for treating a variety of conditions including insomnia, memory loss, fatigue and depression. However, there is only a small body of evidence on this topic, and safety and efficacy continue to be major concerns. Safety concerns include growing conditions of herbal products, toxicity and drug-herb interactions leading to increased adverse reactions. Herbal preparations are considered dietary substances instead of medications so purity and efficacy do not have to be proven. Finding accurate information on supplements on the web may be difficult due to websites having commercial interests in mind and therefore not providing the most objective information. It is important for an individual considering a vitamin or herbal supplement to first talk to their healthcare provider just as they would with any prescribed medication. To access more reliable, up to date information on herbal supplements you can visit the following national websites:
 -NCCAM
-National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary supplements
-FDA Office of Food Safety and Nutrition

Kristy Magulak, RN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. She will be answering your questions every Friday. If you would like to submit a question please email Kristy at kmagulak@luc.edu. Unfortunately, we will not be able to post every question, however you are always welcome to call Dial-A-Nurse or make an appointment for any questions or concerns you may have.

We all know that one of the best ways to stop the spread of cold and flu viruses is to wash our hands. However, we are not always able to find a sink and hand soap throughout the day. So what about using hand sanitizer?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are great alternative!

· When picking out a hand sanitizer from the store, make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol.

· Wet your hands completely with the hand sanitizer.

· Rub your hands together until they are dry. Make sure to get in between your fingers!

It is still important to wash your hands with soap and water as frequently as you can during the day. Also, if your hands are visibly dirty, wash them – hand sanitizers are not meant to clean your hands.

Information from www.mayoclinic.com