Spot your skin spots; the power in losing 5% of your body weight
Q: I hate to run to the dermatologist for every little weird thing that appears on my skin. How do you know when something is worth having the doctor take a look? -- Alex R., Denver
A: The smartest way to handle questions about your skin is to schedule a head-totoe (and between the toes) skin exam every year. Then, every two months, you want to stand naked in front of a full-length mirror and check for new spots or changes in old ones. Look at your front and back, and at your sides, forearms, underarms and back and front of hands. Then examine your neck and scalp (you might need help with this). Check your back and backside and legs, toes and soles of feet.
The most dangerous skin cancer is melanoma — it usually affects an existing mole or appears as a new mole. Use ABCDE to look for signs.
■ Asymmetry: The shape of one half doesn’t match the other half.
■ Border: The edges ragged or blurred.
■ Color: It’s red, brown, blue, black or even white, and the shades may be uneven.
■ Diameter: Usually about a quarter of an inch or larger; some can be smaller.
■ Evolution: It goes through changes in size, shape or color.
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also cancers, but far more treatable if caught early. Basal cell carcinoma can be overlooked because it may appear to be a bleeding pimple, a red patch, a shiny pink growth or a scar. Squamous cell carcinoma looks like a are scaly red bump or patch, or a wart.
Seborrheic keratoses and actinic keratoses are common, benign skin disruptions. Seborrheic keratoses are waxy brown, black or tan growths that have raised, rough surfaces. Actinic keratoses are rough, flat or slightly raised, and appear in different colors, such as red, tan, pink, skin-colored, brown or silver. You should have them looked at, since they can turn into squamous cell carcinoma. Now make that appointment with your dermatologist.
Q: My doctor says I’m 50 pounds overweight (I weigh 193), but she also says I should be trying to lose just about 9-10 pounds in the next several months. Is that just a head game so I won’t be so overwhelmed, or will it really have any benefit? -- Lemar A., Indianapolis
A: Smart doctor. Not only is she talking with you about your excess weight -- one study found that primary care doctors rarely talk to overweight or obese patients about their weight -- but she knows losing just 5% of your body weight (that’s 9-10 pounds) at a rate of no more than one to two pounds a week offers substantial rewards for your effort.
It can lead to less heartburn, relief from knee pain and reduction in your risk for Type 2 diabetes. You’ll also lower your blood pressure, blood sugar and lousy LDL cholesterol levels, sleep better, improve your self-esteem and can end up with a better sex life!
So how can you lose that weight? The first step is to keep a food diary for a couple of days that lists what you eat PLUS when, how and what might trigger your consumption. Do you skip meals and then overeat later? Do you bolt down your food? Does sitting in front of the TV always go along with eating a snack?
Then eat when the sun is up and only in an eight-hour window. And skip all simple sugars, added syrups, simple carbs, red or processed meats, dairy or egg yolks. Also, plan your meals for the week, with special attention to including fresh veggies and fruit and lean or plantbased proteins.
At the same time, using a pedometer, start a walking routine that progresses from week to week, headed toward 10,000 steps daily. To accomplish that, check out https://health.clevelandclinic.org/easy-ways-can-get10000-steps-per-day. In five to 10 weeks you’ll be feeling remarkably better!
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily@ sharecare.com.