Archive for the ‘Health’ Category
Tell Your Teen Why Indoor Tanning Is OUT!
March 16th, 2010
by Guest Blogger
[Today's guest blogger is Janet from the Federal Trade Commission]
It’s the depths of winter. It’s been overcast for weeks. The local tanning salon is advertising an all-you-can-tan deal for $30, and your teen wants to get a tan before the prom. Is it safe?
You can tell your teen the answer is a resounding no. According to the Federal Trade Commission, indoor tanning can cause melanoma and squamous cell skin cancer. In fact, the FTC recently settled charges that a major player in the indoor tanning industry misrepresented the risks of indoor tanning.
The FTC is not the only agency warning about the risks of indoor tanning. The Food and Drug Administration and the National Cancer Institute both advise that you avoid tanning beds entirely. The FDA cites a recent study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer finding that the use of tanning beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75%. What’s more, the FDA site provides a real life example of the potential consequences of indoor tanning. It features the story of a former Miss Maryland who was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 20, after years of indoor tanning. Since her diagnosis, surgeries have left her with about 25 scars. Visit the FDA site to learn more.
Tags: cancer, kids, tanning, tanning beds, teens
Posted in For Kids, Health | 1 Comment »
Skepticism: The Best Remedy for Miracle Cures
February 26th, 2010
by Lisa
One of my funniest memories of my dad is how he would frequently have me pick up a bottle of turpentine when I did his shopping. After ruling out the possibility that he was opening a hardware store or polishing an entire log cabin, I finally asked what the heck he was doing with that stuff. Turns out he used it for “Old Arthur,” his nickname for arthritis. Whatever turpentine’s imagined or real effect, Pop was convinced it did the trick.
As a city girl with country roots, I’ve heard of (and laughed at) lots of other outlandish home remedies and “miracle cures” for almost anything — from headaches to diabetes. And although I pressed my dad to put down the polish and see his doctor, it’s sometimes hard for me to ignore the ads for powders, pills and potions that are “guaranteed” to burn my stubborn belly fat or give me 48 hours of energy for my 18-hour day.
But, too often, these products are not effective, rob consumers (despite meaningless money-back guarantees) and, most tragically, can deceive consumers into forgoing proper medical treatment for life-threatening conditions. What’s more, they may interact dangerously with medicines that someone is already taking.
The FTC’s Health page includes red flags to look for and other advice to consider before purchasing health products. The site also tells consumers how they can file a complaint if they’ve been taken in by a company selling phony products.
If I didn’t inherit (all of) my dad’s eccentricities, thank goodness I have his sense of frugality. So “four easy payments of $59.99” is enough to turn me off. If you know someone who’s not as skeptical or cheap, pass this along. You might save their health (or, at least, a few hundred bucks.)
Tags: arthritis, diabetes, diet, infomercials, lose weight, marketing, miracle drugs, remedies, weight loss
Posted in Health | 1 Comment »
Who Cares About Your Health?
February 3rd, 2010
by Amy
Patience is a virtue, particularly when it comes to my friends. Whenever they’ve got news or a good story to pass on, I’ve got questions — and lots of them: who said it, what exactly did they say, and, most important of all, where did everybody get their information? After all, how can you trust the information if you don’t know the source?
Maybe a bit much for everyday life, but one place this kind of skepticism can pay off is when you’re searching for health information online — especially when you’re talking about the enormous amount of health information relevant to seniors. The waters can get murky awful quick in an online search. How do you know you’re getting reliable information and sort out useful health products and services from those that don’t work or aren’t safe?
There’s no substitute for talking about your health-related decisions with your doctors and other health care providers you trust. But one great resource older consumers and their family and friends also can use is Who Cares: Sources of Information About Health Care Products and Services.
Who Cares is a “short list” of places to go to get information on a variety of health topics, including generic drugs, hormone therapies, hiring caregivers, Lasik and cataract surgery, and alternative treatments for diseases like cancer. You’ll learn what medical identity theft is and what to do about it; how to safely buy prescription drugs online; what to do if you find unfamiliar charges on your Medicare statements; and how to search for other health information online.
Read Who Cares online, or order copies of the Who Cares booklet to give out in your community at ftc.gov/bulkorder.
And for a little extra health-related fun, match wits with an opponent and an array of guest stars in the FTC’s Follywood Squares online health game.
Tags: Health, seniors
Posted in Health | 6 Comments »
My New Year’s Resolution: Eat Less, Exercise More, and Lose a Few (or more) Pounds
December 29th, 2009
by Colleen
Sound familiar? If you’re like a lot of people (including me), you start off the new year with good intentions. You load up on healthy food at the grocery store, hit the gym a few times a week, and then a few weeks or months go by and, ouch, you’re back to some of your old ways.
Whether you want to look better, feel more energetic, or improve your health, you may be thinking that a weight loss program could help you stay on track and achieve your goals this year. But with so many weight loss products and services out there – each promising the best results – how do you navigate your way through the maze of choices? Glad you asked!
The FTC’s free publication, Weight Loss: Finding a Weight Loss Program that Works for You, has information to help you evaluate weight loss products and services, including the right questions to help you choose a safe and effective weight loss method.
Now, I’m almost certain you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: Before you begin a weight loss program, see your doctor. Ask his or her advice about your overall health and the weight loss options that are best for you.
When you start shopping for a weight loss program, get answers to questions about how the product or service works, how much it costs, how well it works and whether there are any risks in following the program. I think the Checklist for Evaluating Weight Loss Products and Services on page 9 is a handy cheat sheet when talking with representatives from weight loss programs. For more information, check out these other weight loss resources.
Please check back for more consumer tips and discussions. In the meantime, here’s to your (and my) weight loss success in the New Year!
Tags: diet, exercise, lose weight, new year's resolution, weight loss
Posted in Health | 14 Comments »