Did you know that sunshine may help you _prevent_ cancer? I'm Dr. David DeRose -- in a moment we'll look at some good news about sunshine on today's "WellnessWise."

Researchers at the University of Washington attempted to find out if sunshine affected a person's risk of colon cancer. To do this, they studied cancer rates in nine different areas of the United States.

The results were impressive. Men from Southern states had much less colon cancer than Northerners. For example, when compared to New Mexicans, men in Michigan, Connecticut and Washington had colon cancer rates 50 to 80% higher. The effect also seemed to hold true for women, although it was not as marked.

Why might sunshine help us ward off colon cancer? Vitamin D may be the answer. You see, Vitamin D suppresses the growth of cancerous cells. And the body makes Vitamin D when we get adequate ultraviolet light from sources like the sun. This may explain why people living in cities with more air pollution have more colon cancer. Sulfur dioxide and haze block the ultraviolet rays that their bodies need to make vitamin D.

Sure, too much sunshine can be dangerous, but the research about vitamin D and colon cancer suggests that sunlight and its ultraviolet rays may actually be cancer-protective as well. Even in the winter time some outside sun exposure may serve us all well.

For "WellnessWise", I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference: Julia C. Emerson and Noel S. Weiss, Colorectal cancer and solar radiation. Cancer Causes and Control 3(1): 95-99, 1992.

EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHMA

Do you feel like you have an allergy to exercise? I'm Dr. David DeRose, "Exercise-induced Asthma"--in a moment on "WellnessWise."

Exercise may trigger asthmatic attacks in susceptible people--in fact, some people only experience asthma during or shortly after vigorous exercise.

Symptoms of asthma caused by exercise can include wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Sometimes coughing is the only symptom.

There are three primary triggers for exercise-induced asthma:

    1. breathing cold, dry air;
    2. long periods of hard breathing through the mouth; and
    3. exposure to allergens like dust, pollution, and pollen. 

For these reasons outdoor winter sports are most likely to trigger attacks. Warm-weather exercise can also be a problem--especially if there are lots of allergens in the air.

Here are some tips to help asthmatics exercise without serious symptoms:

    1. Stay in good physical shape.
    2. Start any vigorous sport with some warm-up exercises.
    3. Breathe through your nose as much as possible--this helps
       to warm and moisten the air.
    4. When exercising in cold weather, wear a face mask to help
       warm the air before it goes into your lungs.

If you're still having problems consult with a health professional. There are other methods including lifestyle changes that may help to decrease your asthmatic tendency.

For "WellnessWise", I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference--"Patient Notes: Exercise-induced Asthma", Postgraduate Medicine, June, 1994, page 185.

PURIFYING WATER

What should you do if _your_ water is not fit to drink? I'm Dr. David DeRose, in a moment we'll look at water purification--on "WellnessWise."

In December 1993 water treatment facilities for Washington DC experienced problems. The situation raised concerns that infectious illnesses could be transmitted in the water supplies of our nation's capital.

Furthermore, the incident highlighted a stark reality--concerns about water quality can overnight become a very practical issue for many Americans.

In addition to water treatment facility problems, water quality is often immediately threatened by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. Campers and backpackers in the U.S. as well as travelers drinking tap water in certain countries abroad may become ill from ingesting contaminated water.

How can we guard against the transmission of infection from contaminated water? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that we can kill all dangerous organisms by bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. This inactivates everything from cholera to Salmonella--including amoebae and giardia. Boiling time needs to be increased if you live at elevations significantly above sea level.

So if you find yourself in a situation where water may be contaminated: a one minute rolling boil may make the difference between health and illness.

For "WellnessWise" I'm Dr. David DeRose.

Reference: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 43(36): 661-3, 669. September 16, 1994. Assessment of Inadequately Filtered Public Drinking Water--Washington, DC 1993.

SECTION III: PARTING WORDS

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