September 2005 Health News Tips from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

September 2005 Health News Tips from the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Sunglasses should be more than a fashion statement

As the parade of cloudless Texas summer days continues, ophthalmologists at UT Southwestern Medical Center remind everyone to protect their eyes from the sun.
“Sunglasses should be used by adults and children when outdoors for prolonged periods of time. For eyeglass wearers, polycarbonate lenses, which are thin and shatterproof, offer protection from ultraviolet radiation,” says Dr. V. Vinod Mootha, associate professor of cornea, external disease, refractive and cataract surgery.
The surface of the eye and the cornea are particularly vulnerable to the sun’s rays. “Excessive exposure may increase the risk for the formation of a fleshy tissue over the cornea, some forms of cataract and possibly macular degeneration,” Dr. Mootha says.

UV-B exposure is higher on sunny days (especially at noon) and low-ozone days.

Dr. Mootha says some sunlight is good for you but common sense should be a guide for limiting your exposure.

Counter Parkinson’s limitations with active exercise

Despite the limits that Parkinson’s disease inflicts, it’s important to keep exercising – particularly extending your range of motion, says Dr. Padraig O’Suilleabhain, associate professor of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Keeping your joints limber reduces the chance of getting arthritis in addition to Parkinson’s, he says.

For arms, he recommends rotating the shoulder slowly three times forward and three times back as far as it can go. For hamstrings, hold on to a support and place one foot about two feet behind the other, both facing forward, with knees and back straight. Gradually move the feet farther apart.

Dental implants help keep a beautiful, healthy smile

The loss of a tooth can strongly affect the attractiveness of a smile. One remedy for this is a dental implant.

“Implants provide a stable foundation for tooth replacement that are closest in look, feel and function to natural teeth. Dental implants also replace the dental roots, which prevents bone deterioration,” said Kathia Steel, a dentist and assistant professor of surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Patients need to have good general health, including healthy gums and a jaw bone that is strong enough to support the implant, to receive a dental implant. There are treatment options available to enhance the bone and gum in order to be able to support an implant.

“It is important to remember that even though a dental implant will not develop tooth decay, a meticulous oral hygiene routine, including flossing, brushing and regular dental visits, is a must in keeping your natural teeth nice and healthy,” Dr. Steel said.

Putting off treatment for the replacement of a lost tooth can lead to dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, changes in biting force, speech difficulties, loss of jaw bone and/or additional tooth loss.