Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Sun, Water, Air... Last week, we discussed how science can produce risk and benefit effects and thus, how responsible scientists must be in selecting and measuring their research and its outcomes. Today, I would like to talk about 'forces of nature, natural environment factors influencing our lives in positive and negative manners. They are close to my professional life because they influence the looks, behavior, and wellbeing of skin. All of us know about damaging results from sun exposure. Skin cancer is the only cancer continuously growing in incidents and costing heavy millions to treat, especially in geriatric population. Sun rays producing ultraviolet light accumulate in the skin over years not only causing premature aging but damaging the skin layers and producing unwanted and expanding cancerous cells. If detected early, they are cured. If not, melanoma can cause death. Contrary to beliefs, people of all skin types and colors can suffer from skin cancer. Chronic basal cell carcinoma is mostly not deadly but it tends to reoccur and causes multiple visits to dermatologist office. Our body needs sun rays desperately as well. Today, we know that sun assists in production of vitamin D, which role cannot be underestimated. Our bones, our moods, our veins, and yes, our skin, with all immune disorders like psoriasis, all of them need sun. So, what is the key to do it well? Moderation. No excess. No burning. Short duration exposure. Sixty percent of human body consists of water. Skin needs water to live and rejuvenate. Brain needs water. Dehydration causes damages to all organs and can be a cause of death if prolonged. Our plants need water. Animals need water. There would be no life on our planet if we did not have water. We assume water is everywhere and easily accessible, which is not true. First of all, we destroy resources of water by poisoning it with chemical waste and industrial pollution. Secondly, we forget that, with changes in climate patterns, there are many areas starving for water. Recent events in California or led-poisoned water in Flint, Michigan several years ago are good examples of humankind poor judgement and decisions, resulting in tragic lack of water for human use. Water can be also damaging. Drastic changes density of chemical pollution and similar. Air in weather and resulting from floods, produce killed thousands. post-flood effects, with damaging living conditions, mold, infestations, and deadly bacteria. Towns and villages flooded by water bring death. Some of their fate on us is up to us. from heavy storms lose their crops, farms, and animals. This year, we are forecasted to have more of these heavy storms than ever. So, what is the solution? For sure chemical control of waste going to our resources. For sure heavy penalties for those who abuse regulations. Climate control? Can we still do that? Air... I think this year is an excellent example of how crucial the role of healthy air is in our life. We all know we need 'fresh' air. We need We cannot live without it. Our brain dies if it does not receive oxygen at a proper level through the bloodstream. During the pandemic, poor oxygenation was a main cause of patients admitted to the hospitals. They were all receiving human-made oxygen in order to recover. In a natural world, oxygen is produced from water in the process of photosynthesis of plants. Our atmosphere is about 20% made of oxygen and the presence of plants, water, and sun is necessary to maintain that balance. At the same time, air became a source of the pandemic. Airborne molecules of coronavirus have been spreading through our entire planet for the last ten months. It seems they become more active and dangerous in the areas where some other chemical molecules are more dense. Some European studies show that the highest level of sickness from Covid-19 was noted in the spaces and areas filled with poor air quality, low oxygen, high smoke from cigarettes, high Sun. Water. Air. They give us life. They also Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Sun, Water, Air... Last week, we discussed how science can produce risk and benefit effects and thus, how responsible scientists must be in selecting and measuring their research and its outcomes. Today, I would like to talk about 'forces of nature, natural environment factors influencing our lives in positive and negative manners. They are close to my professional life because they influence the looks, behavior, and wellbeing of skin. All of us know about damaging results from sun exposure. Skin cancer is the only cancer continuously growing in incidents and costing heavy millions to treat, especially in geriatric population. Sun rays producing ultraviolet light accumulate in the skin over years not only causing premature aging but damaging the skin layers and producing unwanted and expanding cancerous cells. If detected early, they are cured. If not, melanoma can cause death. Contrary to beliefs, people of all skin types and colors can suffer from skin cancer. Chronic basal cell carcinoma is mostly not deadly but it tends to reoccur and causes multiple visits to dermatologist office. Our body needs sun rays desperately as well. Today, we know that sun assists in production of vitamin D, which role cannot be underestimated. Our bones, our moods, our veins, and yes, our skin, with all immune disorders like psoriasis, all of them need sun. So, what is the key to do it well? Moderation. No excess. No burning. Short duration exposure. Sixty percent of human body consists of water. Skin needs water to live and rejuvenate. Brain needs water. Dehydration causes damages to all organs and can be a cause of death if prolonged. Our plants need water. Animals need water. There would be no life on our planet if we did not have water. We assume water is everywhere and easily accessible, which is not true. First of all, we destroy resources of water by poisoning it with chemical waste and industrial pollution. Secondly, we forget that, with changes in climate patterns, there are many areas starving for water. Recent events in California or led-poisoned water in Flint, Michigan several years ago are good examples of humankind poor judgement and decisions, resulting in tragic lack of water for human use. Water can be also damaging. Drastic changes density of chemical pollution and similar. Air in weather and resulting from floods, produce killed thousands. post-flood effects, with damaging living conditions, mold, infestations, and deadly bacteria. Towns and villages flooded by water bring death. Some of their fate on us is up to us. from heavy storms lose their crops, farms, and animals. This year, we are forecasted to have more of these heavy storms than ever. So, what is the solution? For sure chemical control of waste going to our resources. For sure heavy penalties for those who abuse regulations. Climate control? Can we still do that? Air... I think this year is an excellent example of how crucial the role of healthy air is in our life. We all know we need 'fresh' air. We need We cannot live without it. Our brain dies if it does not receive oxygen at a proper level through the bloodstream. During the pandemic, poor oxygenation was a main cause of patients admitted to the hospitals. They were all receiving human-made oxygen in order to recover. In a natural world, oxygen is produced from water in the process of photosynthesis of plants. Our atmosphere is about 20% made of oxygen and the presence of plants, water, and sun is necessary to maintain that balance. At the same time, air became a source of the pandemic. Airborne molecules of coronavirus have been spreading through our entire planet for the last ten months. It seems they become more active and dangerous in the areas where some other chemical molecules are more dense. Some European studies show that the highest level of sickness from Covid-19 was noted in the spaces and areas filled with poor air quality, low oxygen, high smoke from cigarettes, high Sun. Water. Air. They give us life. They also Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net