Sun, skin and aging
Dr Gurinderjit Singh

Our bodies are pre-programmed to age. As we age, it takes both knowledge and a sustained daily programme to maintain the good health and appearance that we took for granted for so many years. The skin aging is of two kinds. The first is the inevitable, natural, biological aging — the “intrinsic aging”. The second kind — the “extrinsic aging” — is an aging over which we have certain control. Extrinsic aging accelerates the intrinsic aging. Exposure to ultraviolet sun-rays is responsible for 90 per cent of extrinsic aging, which leads to the thickening of the outer skin layer, making it feel rough and dry. On the other hand, with intrinsic aging, the skin’s outer layer is thinned, thus giving it a smooth feeling.

On sunny days, most of us are filled with a sense of joy and well-being. But the sun is a fickle friend, which can do considerable damage to the skin. Medical science has proved beyond doubt that the sun not only accelerates the visible signs of aging, but also causes distinct, irreversible skin damage. The sun also causes freckles, dark spots, especially on the face, chest and hands as well as mottled discoloration in sun-exposed areas. Today’s tan is tomorrow’s wrinkle!

Sun exposure also causes skin cancer, though it is less common in dark-skinned people since their skin contains more of the protective pigment called melanin. It is true that to expose yourself to sun is more dangerous now than it was a couple of years ago. This is because of the depletion of the protective ozone layer, which acts as a filter to save us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The ozone depletion may be due to the release into the atmosphere of chemical chlorofluorocarbons from refrigerants and aerosol sprays. The sun’s gaseous emissions also cause natural cyclical variations in the earth’s atmosphere, thus decreasing a great part of the ozone layer. Not only does sand (desert) reflect 17 per cent, but water (sea-beach) and snow (hill station) also reflect as much as 85 per cent of the sun’s radiation, thus increasing the exposure to ultraviolet rays. One should keep in mind that even on a cloudy day up to 80 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet reaction is not filtered.

The following are the basic rules one should follow to observe considerable, if not complete, sun protection:

Don’t roast yourself

However tempting it might be on a Goan beach, don’t ever lie in the sun. If you do it for short periods, all proper precautions like wearing protective clothing, a hat and a sunscreen should be taken.

Mind the mid-day madness

You must avoid the sun as much as possible during the peak radiation hours of 10 am to 4 pm. One should follow the “shadow rule”. If the shadow is shorter than the person, he should be indoors since the sun is directly over head.

Keep the cover on

You should be aware that loosely woven or see-through fabrics do not protect from the sunlight. The clinging bathing suits are often transparent enough to the harmful ultraviolet radiation, which may be responsible for causing even an acute sunburn.

Shelter the kids

The tender skin of babies and young children is especially vulnerable to sunburn. Sunscreen should be applied to the exposed parts of babies only after they are above six months of age and that too in moderation.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses should be worn by all those who go outdoors and are exposed to solar radiation. The eyes as well as the delicate skin around the eyes need protection. Without protective sunglasses, sunlight makes us squint, giving both “crow’s feet” wrinkles alongside our eyes and extra wrinkles across the forehead.

Supplements

Taking vitamin E 400 IU daily is like applying a sunscreen of sun protection factor 4. Also, the essential trace mineral selenium decreases skin damage after sun exposure.

Always use protective sunscreen

Use a protective sunscreen all year round. Apply liberally 15-30 minutes before exposure and re-apply every two hours when you are in the sun. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) tells how much longer it would take to get a sunburn when protected by a sunscreen as opposed to being unprotected. For example, if you would naturally burn after 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, with the application of a sunscreen of SPF 15, you would suffer the same degree of burn after 15 x 20 minutes which equals five hours.

As a dermatologist, I recommend a minimum sunscreen of SPF 15 at all times and an SPF of 25-30 when you are exposed to bright sun. Application of an SPF of more than 30 is not necessary and, in fact, can sometimes be detrimental since the additional chemicals in these preparations may actually be irritating to the skin.

Whenever you are exposed to sun, do as the Australian do. “Slip on a beach robe, slap on a hat and slop on sunscreen.”

The writer is Chief Dermatologist, Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, Ludhiana.

Aging spine — relief with lumbar stabilisation exercises
Dr Ravinder Chadha

Osteoarthritis of the spine is a common form of arthritis generally afflicting individuals above the age of 50 years. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is basically arthritis of the disc and a normal aging process. As age advances the disc loses water thereby becoming dried and brittle as a rubber band when left in the sun. When dried out, the rubber band loses its ability to stretch and breaks.

Aging of the spine with disc degeneration reduces the intervertebral space thereby reducing an individual’s height. In women suffering from osteoporosis this could be doubly distressing (due to the generally shorter height in females) as they may face difficulty reaching high shelves, driving a car, etc. Protruded abdomen is common due to the fact that the intestines can go nowhere except moving forward. This is due to the shortening of the spine that the individual has a potbelly. An X-ray may show the loss of disc space height, irregularity and erosion of the vertebrae. MRI is more specific in diagnosing/confirming degeneration.

The symptoms

Low back pain, which may radiate to buttocks, groin and thigh.

Pain may occur on prolonged sitting/ standing/ while getting up, lifting heavy weights, etc.

Maximum pain is experienced while sitting/ standing as compared to when lying down (due to a decrease in pressure).

Limited range of motion, difficulty during bending/walking.

Conservative treatment

Analgesics for pain relief.

1. Physical therapies: It has been confirmed that individuals who are well conditioned suffer less pain than those who are de-conditioned. The conditioning should be of low impact so that it is well tolerated by the back and the discs. Walking is an excellent example of low impact aerobic exercise followed by stationary cycling and swimming. Physical therapy is advised keeping in view the curvature of the spine, muscle strength, etc.

2. Dynamic lumbar stabilising exercises:

Lumbar stabilising exercises help the small muscles of the spine to maintain a comfortable position. Encouraging a daily exercise regimen will effectively reduce frequency, severity and duration of the episodes of pain. These include the following:

• While on back with knees bent, arms at sides, tighten stomach muscles and slowly raise alternate legs three to four inches from the floor.
• Lying on the back, knees bent, abdomen contracted - alternate arm raises followed by alternate arm/leg raises.
• Lying on the back, knees bent, one knee up towards the chest, extend the knee with pelvic tilt.
• Quadruped — arm raise/alternate arm, leg raise.
• Lying on the back — hands behind neck-chin touched to the chest.

Arthritis may be a natural process of aging but it does not imply that one has to live with pain. It is, in fact, not a death sentence. Proper treatment and physical activity can enable an individual to live a normal, healthy, pain-free active life. Hence the importance of being aware and undergoing proper treatment.

Premature birth affects personality development

LONDON: Researchers conducting a study on premature babies have concluded that being born very premature can affect the child’s personality in adulthood.

The study was conducted on adults in their late teens born before 33 weeks and compared to those born at full term.

The study published in the American journal Pediatrics said premature babies, particularly girls, were found to be more likely to be anxious and withdrawn, and potentially at a higher risk of depression. The study showed the those born prematurely have less confident, outgoing personalities, increased anxiety, lower mood and lower self-esteem.

This could possibly lead to psychological trauma stemming from something highly invasive, like intensive care and should not be ignored.

The researchers, led by psychiatrist Dr Matthew Allin, said the scores suggest being born very premature might predispose someone to the kind of personality likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders.

“It’s possible that being born very small might be linked to some damage to the brain, possibly an infection. It might be that being in an incubator makes it difficult to bond with parents, and for them to bond with you. While another possibility is that personality is in the genes to some extent, so could be inherited to some degree,” BBC quoted him as saying. — ANI