HEART NEWS

screen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15. However, he says he prefers the protection that clothing can offer. “I prefer protective clothing more than sunscreen, no matter what the issues are, for those with or without vitiligo,” says Forman, a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. As for sunscreen, Forman recommends any type that protects against Ultraviolet A and Ultraviolet B sun radiation. UVA has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin aging; UVB has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning. “That’s why when you buy sunscreen, you have to make sure it’s broad-spectrum; that means it has the UVB protection and the UVA protection,” he says. “You need sunscreen with both, but I still think physical blockage (clothing) is best,” he says, saying some clothing is now manufactured with sun-protection factors woven in. He says this type of material is ideal to wear in the water because it dries quickly. Forman says it’s also advisable for everyone, but particularly those with vitiligo, to stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Another factor to consider is cloud cover. Clouds don’t block any UV rays, so even if it’s cloudy or overcast, sunscreen is still a necessity. Forman recommends that those with vitiligo who wear makeup use UV-blocking makeup, such as a high-quality concealer that is smudge-proof, sweatproof and moisture-resistant. If sunburn does affect exposed areas of vitiligo, he says, all you can do is treat the burn and try not to do it again. “Depending on the sunburn damage, you can take an over-thecounter pain reliever and use aloe,” he says. “But once you have a sunburn, you can’t reverse it. You just have to treat it supportively. The key is to provide sun protection, whether it be with sunscreen with SPF greater than 15, but I prefer protective clothing. They’re both important.” HN

MEDICAL ADVICE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Skip the Burn This Summer

• “A” Asymmetrical- Does the mole or spot have an irregular shape with two parts that look different? • “B” Border- Is the border irregular or jagged? • “C” Color- Is the color uneven? • “D” Diameter- Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea? • “E” Evolving- Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months? It is important for all Florida residents to be educated about skin cancer and melanoma to prevent and protect themselves against the sun’s harmful rays. Following these simple prevention measures can help residents enjoy a safe and healthy summer as they play and work outdoors. For more information about skin cancer, visit cdc.gov.

Meet Our Doctor

Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon and has been serving the Polk County community for the past 1 year. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at The Dangers of Diabetes University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship in vascular surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New Diabetes affects millions of people in the U.S. It is one of the most common diseases affecting the developed world and is strongly linked to the obesity factor. It’s a York and a residency in General Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. Dr. Aparajita is also a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of chronic illness, and like HIV, people don’t die of diabetes but its complications. More than 7 million people with diabetes Edinburgh, UK (MRCS Ed) and completed her Basic Surgical Training in England soon after her medical school. Dr. Aparajita is the co-author of more than two dozen journal articles, RITU APARAJITA, MD, RPVI KSC Cardiology are undiagnosed, and 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes publications and oral presentations, including topics such as

As always and is true for other conditions, prevention is better than cure. endovascular treatment for thrombosis, aortic aneurysm repair, stroke, peripheral artery disease and other vascular conditions.

Diabetes involves having high sugar levels in your blood. That may either be due to: Additional posts and volunteer work include a teaching position at 1. Deficiency of a hormone (chemical) called insulin leading to Type 1 diabetes (usually Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and as a Member of the Public and Professional Outreach Committee as well as the International Relations onset in childhood) and may be related to the destruction of the pancreas due to Committee at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). injury or disease.Dr. Aparajita was recently nominated for the American Medical 2. Insulin resistance: Adequate amounts of insulin are present in the bloodstream Association (AMA) Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical but the body fails to utilize it and “uptake” the sugar (insulin resistance or type 2 profession. diabetes).

RITU APARAJITA, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS

Having higher than normal levels of insulin in your circulating blood damages many organs. • Kidneys have tiny blood vessels that get blocked due to diabetes and eventually the kidney loses function and may fail, leading to end-stage renal disease, which can place you on hemodialysis. • Eyes: The retina has small blood vessels that can get blocked, leading to a loss of vision. • Blood vessels leading to peripheral arterial disease. Diabetes damages the tiny arteries that feed oxygen and nutrients to the foot, leading to chronic pain, sores that may not heal and possible amputation of toes and, in some cases, the entire foot. • Neuropathy: Nerves are damaged due to the blockage of blood vessels that supply oxygen to them, leading to a loss in sensation.

Diabetes can lead to delayed wound healing, and even a small cut in your foot can lead to the rapid onset of infection cellulitis, frank pus and osteomyelitis. This is made worse by existing peripheral arterial disease and lack of adequate blood flow to the foot for wounds to heal. People with diabetes also have a loss or decreased sensation to their feet (neuropathy) and this compounds the problem. They may not notice a cut or pain until much later and by that time, the infection may have spread rapidly.

Therefore it is imperative that all patients who have diabetes have their feet checked by a podiatrist (foot doctor) for routine surveillance as this has shown to prevent amputation rates.

For more information, visit the American Diabetes Association website at diabetes.org

Specialty: Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Joining KSC Cardiology November 9, 2020

This column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers. BIO: Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon. She is a co-author of 20+ journal articles and publications and was recently nominated for an Inspiration Award by the American Medical Association (AMA).