God of our weary years, God of our silent tears

O Good and gracious God,

You are the God of health and wholeness

In the plan of Your creation,

You call us to struggle in our sickness

and to cling always to the cross of Your Son.

Father, we are Your servants.

Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS.

We come before You and ask You,if it is Your holy will,

to take this suffering away from us,

restore us to health and lead us to know You

and Your powerful healing love of body and spirit.

We ask you also,

to be with those of us who nurse Your sick ones.

We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,

children and friends of Your suffering people.

It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer.

You know what it is to suffer.

Help us to minister in loving care, support, and

patience for your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS.

Lead us to do whatever it will take to

eradicate this illness from the lives of those who are touched by it,

both directly and indirectly.

Trusting in You and the strength of Your Spirit,

we pray these things in the Name of Jesus.

Amen

Prayer by the National African American Catholic HIV/AIDS Task Force

What Kinds of Sunscreens Are Available?

The role of sunscreens is to absorb, reflect or scatter damaging UV rays before they have a chance to interact with the skin. There are, however, many types of sunscreen available on the market today with many types of ingredients (and inactive ingredients) for various purposes and lifestyles. Whatever you choose, you should make sure your sunscreen provides both UVA and UVB protection.
General Sunscreen Terms
Broad-spectrum Protection
This refers to sunscreen products that contain ingredients to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
Noncomedogenic
A product that is noncomedogenic will not clog the skin's pores. Noncomedogenic sunscreen products are designed for those who experience frequent or occasional breakouts.
Sunblock
Sunblock is a term used by sunscreen manufacturers to represent products which provide an SPF 12 or higher.
Sunscreens
All sun-protection products labeled with an SPF of 2 or higher are considered sunscreens. Sunscreen agents absorb, reflect, or scatter UV light.
Sweatproof
"Sweatproof" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure.
Water-resistant, Waterproof
"Water-resistant" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. "Waterproof" or "very water-resistant" indicates that the degree of sunburn protection is maintained after 80 minutes of such exposure.
UV Rays - Invisible and Dangerous
UV, or ultraviolet, rays are the sun's "invisible" burning rays. They can cause sunburns, and in some cases skin cancer.
There are three types of UV rays:
UVA: Are more constant year-round and penetrate deeper into the skin's layers; UVA rays are also harmful and contribute to burning, premature aging of the skin, and the development of certain forms of skin cancer.
UVB: Are the primary cause of sun burning, premature aging of the skin and the development of skin cancer.
UVC: Are blocked by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth's surface.
When and Where are UV Rays Strongest?
The more intense the sun, the greater your exposure to UV rays. The amount of UV that will reach you depends on the following:
Time of Day-UV is greatest when the sun is at its highest in the sky (between 10 am and 4 pm) and less in the early morning and late afternoon.
Season-While UV exposure is the greatest in the summer (May-August) in the United States, it is important to remember that UV rays reach Earth every day and you should be sun safe year-round-including wintertime! Snow can reflect 85% to 90% of the sun's UV rays!
Altitude-The air is cleaner and thinner at higher altitudes, so UV exposure is greater in the mountains than in the valleys. (For example, you can still get sunburned while skiing in the winter!)
Location-UV is strongest at the equator and gets weaker as you move towards the poles. Going tropical? Be prepared and take your sunscreen with you on family vacations.
Exposure Time-The longer you are out in the sun, the more UV rays you receive. Remember, you are exposed whenever you're out: picnics, Saturday yard chores, long drives, spectator/sports events, and more!
What is the UV Index?
The UV Index (short for "Ultraviolet Ray Index") is a next-day forecast of the amount of skin-damaging UV radiation that's expected to reach Earth's surface when the sun is highest in the sky (solar noon). It was created to help people make informed decisions about the amount of time that they spend in the sun.
How Do You Read It?
The UV Index uses a numerical scale to rate the strength of the sun's UV exposure level. The higher the UV Index level, the greater the strength of the sun's UV rays-and the faster you can burn!
Index Scale UV Exposure Level
0-2 Very low
3-4 Low
5-6 Medium
7-9 High
10+ Very high
How Should You Use This Index?
The UV Index is issued daily to advise you on the strength of the sun's UV rays in your region. Make a habit of checking the index so you'll know how much sun protection you'll need each day.
How Accurate Is the Index?
The UV Index is based on monitoring the sun's position, cloud movements, altitude, ozone data, and other factors. Each year the National Weather Service performs a validation of the UV Index forecasts by incorporating the help from several government agencies and private companies, hospitals, and colleges, that provide observations of surface UV radiation. From these observations, statistical corrections are made to ensure accuracy of the index.
Ozone & Local Effects
While it is well known that the Earth's ozone decreases the amount of UV rays you receive, the exact impact of ozone depletion is not yet fully understood. However, some local factors such as smog, or the type of reflective surface you're near, can also determine the amount of exposure you receive. For example, water, sand, snow, and concrete can all reflect ultraviolet rays, increasing your exposure.
Source: sunsafetyalliance.org
God bless you and have a safe and healthy week!

5 Things You Didn't Know About Your Teeth
Brace yourself: Sugar Isn't the only dental villain.

By Karen Springen
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Alfred D. Wyatt Jr., DMD
You use your teeth to talk, chew, and smile. But here are some other "teeth facts" you probably didn't know about your pearly whites.
No. 1: Sour can be just as bad as sweet.
Sugar isn't the only dental villain that undermines healthy teeth. Acidic, low-pH foods -- sour candy, soft drinks, fruit juices -- soften teeth. The result: enamel erosion and diminished tooth size. "Citric acid is the worst acid for your teeth," says Martha Keels, DDS, chief of pediatric dentistry at Duke's Children's Hospital. "We're seeing acid erosion every day."
Dentists' worst nightmare: ultra-sour, ultra-sticky, ultra-sugary kids' candies such as Warheads and Toxic Waste. Even sour gummy vitamins can be culprits.
"These sour candies, when tested, have a really low pH, nearing battery acid," says Robyn Loewen, DDS, a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. "I liken it to an ice cube that's been left on the counter. It melts the tooth."
To make matters worse, children's tooth enamel isn't mature until a decade after their teeth erupt, Loewen says. Because it's softer, "it's more susceptible to the acid."
Adults aren't off the hook: Low pH fare includes sour mango Altoids and even sugar-free soft drinks.
If you're going to consume highly acidic foods, do it during mealtime, Keels says. You'll minimize the effects by consuming them along with other foods. Better yet, chew xylitol-containing gum, such as Ice Breakers Ice Cubes, Trident, or Orbit, Keels says. Xylitol fakes out bacteria and may even help prevent cavities. Also, gums containing Recaldent, such as Trident, will help teeth remineralize and resist tooth decay.
No. 2: Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but it can break easily.
Ice, popcorn, and tongue and lip piercings can chip teeth.
And unlike skin, teeth can't re-grow. "We're not like beavers," says American Dental Association spokesman Richard Price, DMD.
Dentists detest ice and popcorn. Eating a popcorn kernel is like eating "stone," Price says. And ice is brittle. "You have a combination of something ultra hard and something ultra hard," he says. Be especially careful if your mouth is full of fillings. "You wouldn't run a marathon with a bad leg," he says. "Don't chomp away if your teeth aren't as strong as they used to be."
Dentists also "hate" piercings of the tongue and lip, says Nuntiya Kakanantadilok, DMD, director of the division of pediatric dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center. The metal jewelry harbors bacteria -- and can chip teeth.
A metal barbell-like tongue ring is especially bad. "Every time you talk, it hits your teeth," says Paul Casamassimo, DDS, a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and chairman of pediatric dentistry at Ohio State University.
A 2007 review study published in the American Journal of Dentistry showed that 14% to 41% of people with oral piercings suffered from tooth fractures and wear. They noted that piercing in the mouth may cause "significant oral deformities" and "may lead to tooth loss."
To keep healthy teeth, treat them with TLC. "Don't use your teeth as pliers," Price says. "They weren't made to straighten out the tine of the fork."
No. 3. You can be missing teeth at any age.
Although many people get a tooth, or all 32, pulled, some folks are born missing choppers. The most common missing ones are the wisdom teeth. The second most common is the lateral incisor, which is located next to the big front tooth. People can inherit missing teeth.
Still, the most frequent causes of tooth loss are gum disease and cavities.
A number of people find it cheaper and easier to pull all their teeth than to pay for fillings and implants. After all, implants can cost about $2,000 per tooth, whereas a cheap set of dentures can cost less than $1,000, Keels says.
Studies show that 22.8% of Americans 65-74 and 29.4% of Americans 75 and older wear dentures.
No. 4: Too much fluoride can be bad for your teeth.
We know that fluoride is important for healthy teeth. But kids who ingest excessive amounts of this substance when they're 8 or younger, when their permanent teeth are developing under the gums, can develop a condition known as fluorosis. Typically fluorisis starts out causing white spots, but they can become brown. Unfortunately, fluorisis stains are "intrinsic," which means the dentist cannot simply polish off a surface stain.
Excessive fluoride causes teeth to become porous. The problem is not the water supply: Since 1950, the American Dental Association has recommended fluoridation of community water supplies because it makes teeth harder and more resistant to decay. The problem occurs when children ingest extra fluoride, typically by swallowing too much toothpaste. Unlike water, toothpaste "is meant to work only topically," Kakanantadilok says.
To make sure children don't swallow toothpaste, supervise them while they're brushing. Tell them to squeeze out only a pea-size amount of paste so that they won't accidentally swallow too much. Most cases of fluorosis involve children who used more than that. Kakanantadilok recommends that kids stick to fluoride-free paste until they understand that they need to spit it out, not swallow it.
No. 5: Braces can cause cavities.
Brush well if you want your straightened teeth to be healthy teeth. Otherwise, food, bacteria, and acid stuck around braces can "slough the enamel away," says Raymond George Sr., DMD, president of the American Association of Orthodontists.
The result can look bad.
"You actually start forming cavities around the brackets of the braces," Kakanantadilok says. Even if the decay doesn't fully develop into a cavity, it can cause "demineralization." The result are light spots on the teeth. (As cavities progress, they then get darker.)
The tongue is nature's toothbrush, Keels says. When people get braces, they tend to stop rubbing their tongue against their teeth because it's not comfortable to hit metal. "You're not tongue brushing any more," she says. The result can be a build-up of "gunk."
About 3.9 million U.S. kids are getting orthodontic treatment, and 1.1 million U.S. adults are, too, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. In the age of perfect movie-star teeth, adults want nicer choppers, too.
But it's not just about looks. Adults also want healthier teeth. After all, Keels says, "crowded mouths are harder to clean."
SOURCES:
Raymond George Sr., DMD, president, American Association of Orthodontists.
Nuntiya Kakanantadilok, DMD, director, division of pediatric dentistry, Montefiore Medical Center.
Paul Casamassimo, DDS, professor and chair of pediatric dentistry, Ohio State University School of Dentistry; spokesman, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Robyn Loewen, DDS, fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Martha Keels, DDS, chief of pediatric dentistry, Duke Children's Hospital at Duke University.
Richard Price, DMD, American Dental Association.
National Center for Health Statistics: "Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2006."
American Dental Association: "Fluoridation Facts."
Levin, L. American Journal of Dentistry, Oct. 20, 2007: pp 340-344.
International Journal of Dermatology, Oct. 2004; vol 43: pp 709-715.
Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, Oct. 2005; vol 159.
Reviewed on March 19, 2009
© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

God bless you and have a safe and healthy week!

Antibacterial Soap: Do You Need It to Keep Your Home Clean?
Antibacterial cleaners don't work any better than regular ones - and they damage the environment.

By Matthew Hoffman, MD
WebMD Feature provided in collaboration with Healthy Child Healthy World
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
Antibacterial. There's something about the very word that provides a feeling of protection. After all, germs are everywhere. Health experts tell us to wash our hands often to avoid illness. So why not use a product that seems to give an extra edge against the bad guys?
Fueled by demand, antibacterial soaps and cleansers have become the dominant products in their category. Today, more than three-quarters of soaps contain an antibacterial ingredient. We talk with our wallets and manufacturers have listened, adding antibacterial chemicals to toothpaste, socks, plastic kitchenware, and even toys.
Still, keeping your home clean doesn't mean you have to use these products, experts tell WebMD. Antibacterial and harsh cleansers are usually unnecessary. These products don't work any better than regular cleansers -and they damage the environment and potentially place our long-term health at risk.
Allison Aiello, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, headed a group that analyzed several studies comparing people who washed their hands with regular or antibacterial soap. In all but one trial, she tells WebMD, "there was no difference between groups, either in bacteria on the hands or in rates of illness." In a single study, people who used antibacterial soap did have fewer bacteria on their hands, but only if they washed for 30 seconds, 18 times a day, for five days straight.
Why don't antibacterial soaps work any better than regular soap? They do prevent illness in health care settings, where patients are more vulnerable to germs. But the antibacterial ingredients in hospital-strength soaps are up to 10 times the concentration of store-bought soap, according to Aiello.
"Also, antibacterial ingredients don't kill viruses, which cause the vast majority of minor illnesses people experience," she adds. That includes colds, flu, and stomach bugs.
Aiding the Rise of Superbugs?
Early evidence suggests that the explosion in use of antibacterial cleansers may not be benign.
Antibacterial ingredients have become so popular, they're literally in our blood. In addition to lead and pesticides, the CDC now periodically monitors levels of triclosan, the most common antibacterial agent, in randomly selected Americans.
At CDC's last check in 2004, "about three-quarters of adults and children older than six had detectable levels of triclosan," according to Antonia Calafat, PhD, lead research chemist with CDC's National Center for Environmental Health.
People in higher income brackets had the highest levels, Calafat tells WebMD. "Most likely it was related to use of products containing triclosan, although unfortunately we didn't have that kind of lifestyle information from the participants," she says. Triclosan can enter the bloodstream through the skin, the mucous membranes in the mouth, or the intestines.
Could a daily dose of triclosan cause health problems? Experimental studies show that triclosan can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics in test tubes. So far, no one knows whether that leads to the same result in hospitals or homes. Some researchers, though, believe resistant "superbugs" created by widespread antibacterial soap use could be a real possibility.
Aiello's research "showed a trend toward more resistant bacteria" on peoples' hands after one year of using antibacterial soap. The finding didn't reach the threshold for statistical proof, but Aiello says, "that might only be because we didn't follow people long enough."
Antibacterials in the Environment
Antibacterial soap's potential to harm people may be controversial, but its growing environmental impact is widely acknowledged. The ingredients in antibacterial cleansers are building up in the environment at a rate that alarms leading researchers.
According to Rolf Halden, PhD, associate professor at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute, several million pounds of triclosan and triclocarban (an antibacterial chemical in bar soap) are produced annually. Much of it is flushed or rinsed down drainpipes. "Water treatment plants don't process the chemicals well. They end up in surface waters, frequently at concentrations that are toxic to aquatic life," Halden says.
"Walk up to any two streams in the U.S., and one will contain triclosan and triclocarban," says Halden. "These are by no means 'green' chemicals. They do not degrade readily, and they tend to persist in the environment for long periods of time. There is still triclocarban in Jamaica Bay [New York] from the 1950s."
Additionally, Halden believes that concentrated antibacterial agents in "biosolids" (what's left over after sewage is treated) are the perfect environment to breed antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Very little research has been done on this "municipal sludge," Halden says, "but that's the place we need to start looking for [bacterial] resistance, because that's where the pathogens are."
The FDA and EPA are examining antibacterial soap's impacts on human and environmental health. A 2005 FDA advisory committee found no benefit to antibacterial over regular soap, but potential risks, opening the door to tighter regulation. In response to recent studies, the EPA has said it will formally review triclosan in 2013 -- ten years earlier than previously planned.
Some scientists feel that change is already overdue. In Halden's view, "without any demonstrated benefit, and with the clear risks to the environment and possibly our health, it's difficult to justify the ongoing use of these products."
Nontoxic Solutions
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. It's not the type of soap that prevents the spread of bacteria and viruses, it's how you wash your hands. Lather up and rub hands together vigorously for 20 seconds. Don't forget the spaces between your fingers, your wrists, and under your nails. Rinse thoroughly. Dry hands well and launder hand towels often in hot water.
Choose a nontoxic cleaner: Shop for "green" and environmentally friendly cleaners that don't contain triclosan or triclocarbon. Skip these ingredients, too: chlorine, lye, glycol ethers, and ammonia. You don't need them to get surfaces clean.
Disinfect objects that come into contact with raw meat, fish, or eggs, such as cutting boards and utensils: use a dishwasher and be sure it reaches 171 degrees F, and choose an environmentally friendly detergent. Spray cutting boards and counters with a non-toxic disinfectant. You can find such cleaners in stores or make your own by using white vinegar followed by 3% hydrogen peroxide (available in drugstores). Keep the liquids handy in separate spray bottles. It doesn't matter which one you use first, but both are much more effective than either one alone.
Disinfect sponges and rags: Microwave for 30 seconds on high power if dry, longer if wet -- sponges for one minute, and rags for three minutes.
Clean bathrooms and kitchen hard surfaces: Buy a nontoxic cleaner or make your own. Borax disinfects but is milder than bleach. It's also effective on mildew, especially combined with vinegar. You can make a cleaning solution by adding 1/2 cup of each to a gallon of water. Hydrogen peroxide will reduce microorganisms on surfaces.
All-purpose disinfectant:
1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for long-term storage and use. Spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.
SOURCES:
Antonia Calafat, PhD, lead research chemist, National Center for Environmental Health.
Calafat, A. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2008; vol 116: pp 303-307.
Allison Aiello, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology, University of Michigan.
EPA: "Reregistration Eligibility Decision and Risk Assessment for the Pesticidal Uses of Triclosan."
WebMD Health News: "FDA Panel: No Advantage to Antibacterial Soap."
ciba.com.
Reviewed on May 06, 2009
© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

May our risen Lord and His Holy Spirit grant you a healthy, safe and happy week!