Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Hot Weather and the Impact on Blood Sugar? Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Everyone knows hot weather can make you feel hot and sticky and just plain old yucky! But what most people do not realize is that hot weather can also lead to fluctuations in …
Dehydration Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND One topic that seems to come up frequently is dehydration. This topic is important, especially in the summer weather because a common cause of dehydration is simply sweating. As we all know, the hot, humid weather that is typical of …
Humidity and our skin!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Summertime can be a time for beach going, Barbeques and just all kinds of outdoor fun! However, summer brings more than just fun outdoor activities. It also brings humidity. While most people know how high humidity affects our hair, did you know that high humidity can also negatively affect our skin? How does it affect our skin and just what can you do when summer brings humidity to town? Let us get into it, shall we?
Before I get in too deep talking about high humidity, I want to mention that low humidity can also cause its own problems for our skin. But that is a conversation for another time. For now, let us just focus on too much humidity. One of the ways that humidity affects our skin is by affecting the way the skin regulates moisture. Studies have found that excess humidity leads to excess moisture in the skin. This excess moisture can mix with sweat and dead skin cells. This mixture can lead to clogged pores which is unpleasant as we all know! Studies have found that this excess moisture can also lead to oily skin and even acne! Even fungal infections can be made worse by high humidity. In those with sensitive skin, high humidity can increase redness, itching, and there may even be a feeling of stickiness/clamminess. (1) High humidity can also change the look of our skin, making it look rough, old, and even dull. (2)
Even certain chronic skin conditions can be worse when there is high humidity. For example, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, folliculitis and even heat rash are all affected by humidity. (1, 2)
Another side effect of high humidity is how much you sweat. If you have thought that you sweat more when there is a high humidity day you would be correct! Not only do you sweat more, but the sweat also tends to stay on your skin longer. This can leave your skin feeling irritated, clammy, and even prone to infections caused by both bacteria and fungi. (3)
What are some of the signs you can look out for to determine if high humidity is a problem for you? Well to start with, have you noticed any skin changes? Have you noticed that these skin changes are worse when the weather reports indicate that there is a higher humidity day? As I stated earlier, you may notice redness, itchiness, acne, an increase in infections caused by bacteria/fungus as well as a worsening of any pre-existing skin disorders. While studies on humidity and skin health seem to be focused on eczema and even heat rash in my clinical experience, all skin conditions can be more severe when there is a high humidity day.
So, what can you do to help your skin heal?
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Super Focus IQ Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND If you have been on the Invite health website, you may have noticed a formula called Super Focus IQ. If the nutrients inside this formula seem to ring a bell that’s because it is the same fantastic …
Hemorrhoids and Veins Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Many people call telling me they have hemorrhoids and/or anal polyps. I always ask people to be specific as to exactly what is going on in their digestive tract. While to most people, hemorrhoids might seem to …
How Certain Foods and Medications Can Impact Dental Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In my last blog on dental health, I will be reviewing the foods and medications that can negatively affect our teeth and overall dental health. What can you do if you are on any of these medications that can affect your teeth and dental health? Let us get into it shall we?
To start with just what medications can negatively impact dental health? Any medication that can cause dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay. This also means that they can also increase the risk of gum disease and even cavities. Examples of medications that can lead to dry mouth include antidepressants, antihistamines, and even certain cancer treatments. (1) Other medications that can cause dry mouth include those for overactive bladder. Certain stimulant medications used to help ADHD are also known to cause dry mouth. Additionally pain medications such as opioids can cause dry mouth. In addition to antidepressants, the medications typically used for anxiety, mood stabilization and even antipsychotic meds can all increase the risk of dry mouth. Even certain blood pressure medications can cause dry mouth. Lastly certain medications for Parkinson’s disease, muscle relaxers, nausea medications and even medications used for nerve pain can lead to dry mouth. (2)
Some medications are highly acidic which can damage the tooth enamel. One example would be aspirin. It is always important to take aspirin as directed and not allow it to be near the teeth or gums. In other words, swallow it, do not chew it. Another example of medications that are acidic would be those used for asthma. (1)
Other medications impact our dental health because they allow the growth of pathogens such as bacteria or even yeast. This increases the risk of certain conditions caused by these pathogens. For example, gum disease, dental abscess, cavities and even thrush. As you can guess, antibiotics can cause this side effect. Certain types of cancer treatment can also cause this side effect. (3) Immunosuppressant medications can decrease our ability to fight off any pathogens including those in our mouth. (1)
Certain medications can also cause gum swelling and something called gingival hyperplasia (gum thickening and overgrowth). Certain types of blood pressure meds can cause this. Other medications that can cause this side effect also include epilepsy medications and organ transplant rejection meds. (1)
One potential medication side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a potentially serious complication of oral bisphosphonates. These medications are typically used for osteoporosis. These types of medications can also cause painful non-healing ulcers in the mouth. (1)
Medications in liquid form usually contain sugar and that added sugar can increase the growth of pathogens like bacteria. (1) Oral contraceptives can also increase the risk of gum disease. (1) Lastly NSAIDS can lead to mucositis and even mouth sores. (4)
While these are not all the possible medications that can affect our dental health, it is the list of those medications that I typically find are the most common. In addition to medications certain foods can negatively impact our teeth. These include sticky candies and sweets. Just a fun fact according to the ADA chocolate washes off the teeth more quickly than other types of candy! Starchy foods such as potato chips can get trapped in your teeth. Carbonated soft drinks are a problem for multiple reasons. For example, they are both full of sugar and acidic. Lastly any food (such as alcohol) that dries out your mouth can lead to dry mouth. (5)
What supplements can you use to help protect your teeth?
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