Costco Connection

By Gina Cannova-Phalen for your Keeping it fun in the summer sun health

YOUR HEALTH CARE PLAN

NOTHING CAN ruin a vaca-
tion quicker than a painful
sunburn, whether it hap-
pens to you or your child.
Here are some easy, reliable
ways to avoid this common
mistake and protect your
family from long-term sun damage while at
the beach, golf course or pool.

As skin cancer statistics start to hit closer to home for most people ( 40 to 50 percent of Americans who reach the age of 65 will be diagnosed with skin cancer), new and innovative products are making it easier to play outdoors with confidence. Here are a few favorites.

• Sunscreen wipes. These wipes come in a small package that is easy to carry in a golf bag, carry-on luggage (they are not a liquid, so airlines allow them in carry-ons), a child’s backpack or a purse. They are mess free and easy to apply.

• Sun protection clothing. Increasingly popular, sun protection swimsuits and shirts are made to block 99 percent of the UVA/UVB rays. While a normal white T-shirt is only UPF 5 to 7, these special clothes are UPF 50, so they block almost all UV penetration. In addition,

they will not wash off or have missed spots.

• Laundry detergent additive. Rit SunGuard gives everyday clothing added sun protection of UPF 30. It’s great for a favorite golf shirt, cruise attire or lighter-colored clothes (darker clothes usually have a tighter weave and inherently greater sun protection than lighter-colored clothes).

• Organic, all-natural sunscreens. Many companies offer organic and/or all-natural sunscreens that contain only titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients. These natural physical barriers reflect the sun’s rays, unlike chemical sunscreens that are absorbed into the skin. They are also better for the environment, as sunscreen chemicals can be damaging to coral reefs. One drawback: They often leave a white residue if they are not rubbed in well.

STOCKBYTE
Sun protection is imperative at any age.
Contrary to myth, most sun damage is not
done during childhood. In fact, adults over the
age of 40 have the highest UV exposure, and
the risk of developing melanoma (the deadliest
form of skin cancer) doubles if you have five or
more severe sunburns anytime in your life.

If you plan to spend time outdoors
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., plan to wear a
wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses with 100 per-
cent UVA and UVB protection, and SPF 30 sun-
screen. It is important to use sunscreen in
conjunction with hats and sunglasses, because
sand, water and snow reflect the sun’s rays so
you are protected not only from the top but
also from rays reflected from the ground.

Costco member Gina Cannova-Phalen is a skin cancer survivor and president of SunSational Style LLC, a retailer of sun protective products and sun-safe educational resources (www.Sun SationalStyle.com).

May
Stroke Awareness
and High Blood
Pressure Education
Month

A STROKE OCCURS when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. As a result, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and glucose needed to survive. If stroke is not treated in time, permanent brain damage can result. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 140,000 deaths from stroke each year.

A stroke can occur at any age, but nearly 75 percent of incidents occur in people 65 or older. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade past the age of 65.

People with high blood pressure
(hypertension) are four to six times more
likely to have a stroke. Doctors have long
referred to high blood pressure as “the
silent killer,” because individuals can have
it without any other symptoms. If left undi-
agnosed and untreated, high blood pressure
can weaken artery walls, contributing to
blood vessel rupture, or thicken artery walls,
impeding blood flow to the brain; both are
leading risks for stroke.

Stroke warning signs

Successful stroke treatment is time sensitive. If you experience any of the following signs, call 911 immediately.

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, an arm or leg

• Sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes

• Inability to move part of the body

• Sudden dizziness or headache with nausea and vomiting

• Difficulty speaking or understanding words or simple sentences

• Difficulty swallowing

• Dizziness, loss of balance or poor coordination

• Brief loss of consciousness

• Sudden confusion

Stroke prevention means lifestyle changes

As many as 50 percent of strokes are preventable. To prevent stroke, take measures to:

• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol if they are elevated

• Control diabetes

• Quit smoking

•Get plenty of exercise

•Maintain a healthy weight
For more information, visit the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention at www.
cdc.gov or the National Stroke Association
at www.stroke.org.—David Wight

The Costco Connection All Costco locations carry a selection of blood pressure monitoring devices. Members will also find sunscreen at most locations.