About.com Health: Hello, Sunshine

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor The weather has been so nice in my city that I finally got the chance to break out one of my favorite warm weather dresses - too bad my paste-tone legs didn't get the memo that they were making an appearance again so soon. Actually, I try my best to keep them that way even through the sunniest months. OK, that's a half lie: I do my best to protect them from the sun's harmful rays, but have been known to sport some faux tan every now and again. Minimize UV Exposure Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. And as this article points out, knowing about sun safety may save your (and my) life. 8 Shocking Facts About Skin Cancer Are Your Moles Normal? (with photos) Fake Bake Dangers I know, I know - "say no to tanning beds" is so ingrained in your head by now that you're wondering if it too was a Reagan-era public health slogan. But it still seems that these salons are popping up on every corner. The dangers are real - and serious. Get to know more about some alternatives: Sunless Tanning Products Video: What Happens During Airbrush Tanning? Can Spray Tans Cause Cancer, Too? Sunny D Sunlight's role in the production of vitamin D has gotten a lot play, but don't use that as an excuse to break out the sun reflector and baby oil. You need just about 15 minutes of walking-around-the-neighborhood type exposure daily to do the trick. Wrinkle in Time... I remember a group of girls in high school who were always so bronzed that my friends and I referred to them as "The Tan Clan." I bumped into a member on a hometown visit - her skin, perhaps not so oddly, now resembles that of a shar pei. Take some advice she clearly didn't. Common Sunscreen Mistakes Sunscreen for Kids Sunscreen When You're Prone to Breakouts Health Ads Health County Health Dept It for Health Private Health Gov Health Plus Health Featured Articles Reasons to Call 911 Natural Ways to Get Bugs to Buzz Off Surgery for Knee Pain COPD or Asthma? Sewing Tips for People With Osteoarthritis IBD: When to Get a Second Opinion   More from About.com Great Stuff Kids Love From the hottest tunes and best online videos to favorite books and classic toys, here are our top picks for the kids in your life. More > Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Reader to Reader Review a Marathon You Ran Share a Fad Diet Story "One Year Smoke-Free!" Advertisement

About.com Health: Family Ties - Genes and Your Health

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor There has been a lot of buzz in the past few days about Walgreens' plan (now defunct, due to an FDA challenge) to sell over-the-counter, at-home genetic tests. The kits, if they ever hit shelves, would essentially allow users to get a sense of their genetic risk factors for a laundry list of disease and conditions. Opinions on these aren't in short supply. But one thing is indisputable: Genetics play a role in our risk for many health concerns. Now, we can't change our DNA. But we can work to reduce the risks that are within our control. Reduce Your Risk: Heart Disease Family history is one of the strongest risk factors for developing cardiovascular trouble (thanks, Gramps). Tease out if you truly have genes working against you, then do what you can to put them in their place. Heart Attacks Run in My Family. Am I Next? Reduce Your Risk: Colon Cancer This is one of the most preventable cancers. Screening is #1 when it comes to prevention tips, but there are other things you can do, too. Important Family History Facts to Know Video: What to Expect at a Colonoscopy Who Should Consider Genetic Counseling for Colon Cancer Reduce Your Risk: Diabetes Having a genetic disposition toward type 2 does not guarantee a diagnosis. Lifestyle plays an important part in determining who gets diabetes. Family History, Ethnicity and Diabetes Risk Reduce Your Risk: Breast Cancer Women with a first-degree relative -- such as a mother or sister -- who had breast cancer have an approximately 30% chance of developing the disease, too. Here's what you can do to help beat the odds. Myths About Your Breast Cancer Risk Should You Have the Breast Cancer Gene Test? Health Ads Health Heart Disease Health Health Sexual Health Flu Health Risk Daily Health Tips Featured Articles Follow About.com Health on Twitter! Graduating? Important Health Insurance Info Quick Zit Fix Before Prom Essential Tips for Monitoring Asthma What to Know About Depression Meds Cut Calories from Pizza   More from About.com Disney Trip Planner Everything you need to plan the perfect Disney vacation -- from when to go and what to do, to saving money and picking a hotel. More > Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Reader to Reader Experiences With Head Lice Using At-Home A1c Test Kits "I Had My Tubes Tied" Advertisement

About.com Health: Ladies Only: National Women's Health Week

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor It's National Women's Health Week, a good reminder for all of us ladies to take time out of our busy schedules and refocus on what we can do to live healthier, happier lives. So, no one look at me funny when I spend part of my break in warrior I in the spare conference room today. (Yes, I'm serious!) One Day at a Time Here at About.com, we're all about making things easier. Visit our one-stop shop -- Small Steps, Healthier Lives -- to get a jump start on eating right, getting moving, and taking charge of your wellness. (Get info on free women's health events near you, too.) Serenity Now Like many things in life, a woman's experience with stress can be quite different than a man's -- but I bet I didn't need to tell you that. Put as much effort into finding ways to manage what gets you riled up as you do trying to fit in every last to-do. How Stress Affects Your Health You vs. the Scale It always makes me sad when a friend laments over a pound or two, though I can't say that I haven't fallen into that body trap once or twice. It's so important that we all keep perspective about what a healthy weight is and really only set out to lose what we need to. The First Steps to Weight Loss Common Weight Loss Myths: Have You Been Duped? Sex Ed OK. It's time we had 'the talk.' Well, on second thought, I'm sure you are already well aware of some of the ways you can practice safer sex. (That, and I'm not your mother.) But it never hurts to review what can be life-saving tips. Protect Yourself: Questions to Ask a New Partner Health Ads Health Women Health Clinics Health Product Health Fairs Female Health Featured Articles Follow About.com Health on Twitter! Why Do I Have to See My Doc About Test Results? Cancer and Health Insurance Considerations Choosing Protective Sunglasses Causes of a Late Period Can You Really Sweat Out Toxins?   More from About.com Disney Trip Planner Everything you need to plan the perfect Disney vacation -- from when to go and what to do, to saving money and picking a hotel. More > Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Reader to Reader "How I Support a Cure for Lung Cancer" Overcoming a Fear of Flying Early Miscarriage Stories Advertisement

About.com Health: Why all the Fuss about Salt?

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Health From Kristin Kane, your About Health Editor Even if you're light-handed with the salt shaker, your diet may very well be off-the-charts when it comes to sodium intake. More than three-fourths of the sodium we consume comes from processed or prepared foods, some of which you may not even think of as containing it. That's why the FDA continues to draw attention to the dangers of having too much in your diet - and why its continued efforts to curb consumption keep making headlines. Is all the Hubbub Really Necessary? In short - you betcha. In this peak at an installment of our "Six Weeks to a Healthier Diet" e-course, you'll get the ins and outs of why excess salt can be dangerous, how much is too much, and where the culprit is hiding. Sign Up for "Six Weeks to a Healthier Diet" (Full Ecourse) Protecting Your Health High blood pressure is often the first thing that makes folks sound the alarm about salt. One look at this list of common hypertension complications makes it clear why. Diet Plan Option Following the DASH diet is one way to cut your sodium intake. Developed by the National Institutes of Health, it is also known to reduce followers' blood pressure and cholesterol. Be a Food Sleuth You can easily check out how much sodium the foods you eat contain by visiting Calorie Count. Just plug in your food of interest in the search box. (Guess I'll pass on that second helping of chicken noodle soup next time.) Free! Mobile Options for Calorie Count (New: iPhone App) Health Ads Health Clinics Health Product & Health Tips Health Inspector Sugar for Health Featured Articles Which Kids' Medications Were Recalled? Telling Mole from Melanoma Surviving a Charity Walk What Does a Hospice Social Worker Do? 8 Ways to Treat Chronic Pain Managing Anger With BPD   More from About.com Disney Trip Planner Everything you need to plan the perfect Disney vacation -- from when to go and what to do, to saving money and picking a hotel. More > Join About.com's User Panel! Share your opinions and help us make About.com more relevant, informative and enjoyable to use. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Reader to Reader Dating with MS Pilates Etiquette Anxiety and PTSD Advertisement