Sunscreen is a staple in skincare routines worldwide, serving as a vital shield against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. One of the most talked-about aspects of sunscreen is its Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which indicates the level of protection it offers against UVB rays, the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. But is investing in a higher SPF sunscreen really worth the extra cost?

Firstly, let’s understand what SPF actually means. SPF measures how long a sunscreen will protect your skin from UVB rays compared to not wearing any sunscreen at all. For example, if you would typically burn after 10 minutes in the sun without protection, using a sunscreen with SPF 30 theoretically extends that time to 300 minutes (10 minutes multiplied by SPF 30). However, this calculation assumes perfect application and doesn’t account for factors like sweating, swimming, or towel drying, which can reduce sunscreen effectiveness.

Now, back to the question at hand: is a higher SPF worth it? The answer depends on various factors, including your skin type, sun exposure habits, and personal preferences.

For those with fair or sensitive skin, a higher SPF sunscreen may offer additional protection against sunburn and skin damage. Dermatologists often recommend SPF 30 or higher for such individuals, especially if they spend extended periods in the sun or have a history of skin cancer.

However, it’s essential to note that the increase in protection isn’t linear. While SPF 30 filters out about 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 filters out roughly 98%, and SPF 100 filters out around 99%. The difference in protection between SPF 50 and SPF 100 is minimal, leading some experts to question whether the higher cost justifies the marginal increase in effectiveness.

Moreover, higher SPF sunscreens tend to be thicker and may feel greasier on the skin, which could discourage people from applying an adequate amount. Proper application, rather than just relying on a high SPF, is crucial for effective sun protection.

Another consideration is cost. Higher SPF sunscreens often come with a higher price tag. While some may argue that the added protection justifies the expense, others may opt for a lower SPF sunscreen and compensate by reapplying it more frequently.

In conclusion, the SPF in sunscreen plays a significant role in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. For individuals with fair or sensitive skin or those with a high sun exposure, investing in a higher SPF sunscreen may provide added peace of mind. However, it’s essential to remember that proper application and reapplication are key regardless of SPF level. Ultimately, whether a higher SPF sunscreen is worth the cost depends on individual preferences, skin type, and budgetary considerations.

As winter bids adieu and the vibrant hues of spring start to adorn Houston, many residents find themselves in the clutches of seasonal allergies. While the city’s blossoming landscapes bring joy to many, for others, they herald the onset of sneezing, itchy eyes, and stuffy noses. But what exactly triggers these allergies during this time of the year?

1. Pollen Galore: Spring in Houston witnesses an explosion of pollen from various sources, including trees, grasses, and weeds. Trees like oak, cedar, elm, and ash are prolific pollen producers in the area, blanketing the surroundings with their microscopic particles. Grasses like Bermuda grass and Timothy grass add to the pollen count, aggravating allergy symptoms for many.
2. Mold Spores: The humid climate of Houston provides an ideal breeding ground for mold spores, which thrive in damp environments. Spring showers and high humidity levels encourage mold growth, both outdoors and indoors. Mold spores become airborne, infiltrating homes and exacerbating allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
3. Temperature Fluctuations: Spring in Houston is characterized by erratic weather patterns, with temperatures fluctuating between cool and warm spells. These fluctuations can trigger the release of pollen and mold spores into the air, catching allergy sufferers off guard and intensifying their symptoms.

Managing Spring Allergies: While it may seem like Houston’s spring allergies are an unavoidable nuisance, there are steps individuals can take to alleviate their symptoms:

• Monitor pollen counts and try to stay indoors during peak pollen times.
• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent outdoor allergens from entering your home.
• Use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in air conditioning units to trap airborne allergens.
• Regularly clean and vacuum indoor spaces to reduce dust and pet dander accumulation.

While seasonal allergies commonly manifest with symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and sometimes coughing or wheezing, there are several symptoms that are generally not associated with seasonal allergies. These symptoms may indicate other health conditions or underlying issues. Some examples include: fever, persistent sore throat, body aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and widespread rash or hives.

By understanding seasonal allergy triggers and implementing appropriate preventive measures, individuals can better manage their allergy symptoms and enjoy the beauty of spring in the Bayou City. If you are unsure if your symptoms are allergy related or over-the-counter remedies aren’t helping, make an appointment with a PremierCare provider today!

Staying healthy during the holidays is one of the biggest challenges of the season. There are plenty of excuses to overindulge, traditions based on eating and drinking, and of course, the urge to be a good guest and enjoy what’s being offered. There are ways to be healthier though, without being rude to the cook or host, and without sacrificing all your favorite holiday activities.

Utilize the following 7 tips for healthy holiday eating and survival from a leading Houston primary care physician who’s familiar with helping their patients navigate this difficult period for health and wellness.

1. Bring a Healthy Choice: When each person is responsible for bringing a dish to serve to a holiday event, you have some control. Bring a healthy choice based on a personal favorite ingredient or recipe, and when in doubt, rest easy knowing at least one menu item will be light and nutritious.
2. Don’t Hover Near the Snacks: Standing and chatting near the snacks is a common reason so many people overindulge. Instead of hovering, take a few choice items on a plate, and then go sit down with them.
3. Consider Your Options Before Starting: Before loading up that plate, be sure to survey all of the available options. This will allow you to see which choices are the true must-haves, and which could actually be passed up on if only there weren’t already three on the plate. Look at the entire buffet or snack setup before making any decisions.
4. Eat Thoughtfully: Enjoy the meal and the food. Savor the flavors, chew slowly, and take time in between bites. This will not only increase appreciation of the food, but also will slow down overall eating, and help the body to catch up and feel fuller instead of aimlessly overeating.
5. Pick a Dessert: It would be rude to not have any dessert, right? Chances are, most people won’t be able to stop from having at least one anyway. So pick the absolute favorite, and save a few bites of space for it. Skip the rest.
6. Don’t Starve Yourself Before or After: Some people try to make amends for holiday overeating by eating excessively little in the days before or after and event. This actually shuts down your body’s metabolism, while also making it more likely to overeat and gorge due to being overly hungry. Make healthy choices and be moderate, but don’t go into starvation mode.
7. Beware The Beverages: Eggnog is just as bad for a person’s health as it seems. While that one is obvious, other less obvious choices such as hot chocolate or apple cider, or even just glass after glass of wine, come with a big dose of calories. Limit your alcoholic beverage intake, and consider a few glasses of water for a healthier holiday.

PremierCare has several locations in and around Houston, making them a convenient choice as a local family doctor in communities such as Katy, Sugarland, El Campo, Rosenberg, Richmond, Wharton, Needville, Pasadena and Guy. With extended hours, they’re also a go-to destination for Houston urgent care. Call 713.777.3131 (Braeswood) or 281.633.0148 (Richmond/Rosenberg).

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Low testosterone, or low T, afflicts more than 10 million adult men in the United States. Yet, due to a perceived stigma surrounding this condition, many men never go to the doctor to get treated, and instead simply struggle with the symptoms. However, by learning more about the warning signs involved, and how they’re related to a legitimate condition and not merely a personal fault, men will hopefully be motivated to seek the assistance they need to improve their health and wellness.

Utilize the following tips and warning signs of low testosterone to learn more, and from there, consider scheduling an appointment with a local primary medical care office to be examined.

1. Low Sex Drive: Perhaps it’s easy to write off as “just getting older”; a significant or dramatic decrease in sex drive can actually be due to solvable low testosterone. This is typically the number one warning sign and for many men, the easiest to spot. A low sex drive could even become no sex drive.
2. ED: Difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection is often directly related to low T. This may also make it more difficult to achieve orgasm.
3. Body Composition: Low T can change a person’s body composition, causing muscle mass to decrease, while also leading to more body fat to be stored. Testosterone plays a key role in the building and maintenance of muscle mass, and a shortage of the hormone could derail even a dedicated fitness enthusiast.
4. Depression: Mood changes are a common warning sign of low T. Beyond depression, fatigue, or a general malaise; additional changes could include irritability and difficulty focusing. Ask a partner for honest feedback on recent moods to see if there’s any correlation.
5. “Shrinkage”: A decrease in the size of either the penis or testicles could be a warning sign of low testosterone.
6. Bone Fractures/Injuries: Low testosterone can decrease and weaken bone mass. This could lead to an increase in injuries and bone fractures from incidents which would or should have been a routine bump or bruise.
7. Body Hair Loss: Balding may not be attributable to low T, as it’s a general symptom of aging in many men. However, the loss of body or facial hair may signify low testosterone.

Keep a close eye on yourself and feel safe and secure in seeking advice. As with all health related concerns, it is always easier to treat a condition when it is noticed earlier.

PremierCare proudly serves the greater Houston area as a local family medical center. In addition to treating individuals of all ages and backgrounds as a family doctor, PremierCare specializes in men’s health, including the treatment of low testosterone.

With multiple area locations, they’re conveniently accessible for residents of Houston suburbs such as Katy, Rosenberg, Richmond, Sugarland, El Campo, Wharton, Needville, Pasadena, Guy, and the entire surrounding region. Call 713.777.3131 (Braeswood) or 281.633.0148 (Richmond/Rosenberg) to schedule an appointment.

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Are You As Healthy as You Think?

For many adults, it’s easy to ignore warning signs of illness. Common symptoms and signs may be simply written off as wear and tear, or the daily grind of juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. That’s why so many adults are taken off guard when they end up severely ill.

It’s crucial to stay in touch with your body and to pay attention to early warning signs. Use the following tips from a Houston family doctor to notice and prevent potential illnesses before they get worse.

• Fatigue and Sleep: Today, it seems like no one gets enough sleep, so it’s easy to ignore changes in sleeping patterns, but not getting enough sleep can potentially be a symptom of another problem It could also exasperate another issue and make it far worse. Pay attention to physical and mental fatigue, and sleeping patterns, and prioritize getting enough nightly shuteye.
• Not Everything is Random: Many people will ignore a bad headache and chalk it up to a random event. Or when it happens again, or another symptom kicks in, they may consider it a coincidence. The fact is, most of the time repeated issues with something such as headaches, a cough, a sore throat, or ongoing bad heartburn aren’t random at all.
• Physical Pain & Body Chains: Sometimes a physical pain is ignored or written off, but it’s actually only one link, down a long chain, from a larger problem. A bad back turns into a bad leg or hip, and is ignored, or only the symptom is treated and not the cause. Chronic pains or aches have to be explored and fully understood in order to be solved, and shouldn’t be ignored.
• Mental Cues: Sometimes people can trick their bodies into feeling sick, by believing or saying they are. Ever tell a white lie as a kid to get out of school for the day, only to end up truly feeling sick? It can work the other way around too, tricking the body to feel better than it is. In this case though, an illness could become worse when left untreated. It’s important to be aware of how your mind can affect physical feelings of sickness or healthiness.
• The Common Cold: Stuck with another cold? Well, there’s nothing to do but grin and bear it, and stock up on tissues, right? Not necessarily. People who are prone to catching colds may have an underlying illness compromising their immune system, or could take other preventative action with their lifestyles to improve their all-around health and wellness.
• The Thermometer Isn’t Everything: Many people give themselves a one and done check when they’re concerned with being sick — they check their temperature. If they’re normal here, then they ignore everything else and carry on. But the thermometer isn’t everything, and even with a regular body temperature, there could be numerous other symptoms and signs of sickness which shouldn’t be overlooked.

PremierCare provides primary medical care services throughout Houston, including the surrounding areas of Sugarland, Rosenberg, Richmond, Katy, El Campo, Guy, Pasadena, Wharton and Needville. With several locations, they’re a convenient and trusted Houston family medical center. Call 713.777.3131 (Braeswood) or 281.633.0148 (Richmond) to schedule an appointment.

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