Adult acne isn’t anything to be ashamed of, just ask model Chrissy Teigen, actress and writer Mindy Kaling and actress Bella Thorne, all of whom have shared make-up-free pictures of their skin in distress. They are not alone. The International Dermatology Institute says studies indicate that 40% to 55% of folks age 20 to 40 have low grade, persistent acne and oily skin. And according to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, 54% of women 25 and older have some facial acne. For many folks, it’s a continuation of skin issues they had as a teenager, but others may get adult-onset acne -- especially women post-menopause.
Why does it happen and how can you get control of it? The most common causes are excess oil production, pores clogged with “sticky” skin cells, bacteria and inflammation. And a new study out of France that surveyed more than 24,000 people found that food may be a trigger too. The data published in JAMA Dermatology shows that milk, fatty foods and sugary foods and beverages are serious breakout stars.
Your first smart step is an elimination diet, removing those food culprits from your menu. If after a few weeks your skin clears, drop those foods permanently from your diet. (You should KO them anyway, since they increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, some cancers and diabetes.) Try taking a probiotic; it may reduce breakouts too. Also, see a dermatologist to talk about light therapy and various medicines that are effective, and how to use them safely.
Are you at risk for a broken heart?
The day after actress and writer Carrie Fisher died suddenly of a heart attack, her mother, Debbie Reynolds, passed away. Her son said the death of Fisher was just too much for his mother to bear, and she died of a broken heart.
Broken heart syndrome, or stress cardiomyopathy, is a real medical condition. Extreme emotional stress and sadness can cause sudden and severe heart muscle weakness. It seems that adrenaline and other hormones temporarily stun heart cells. Now, a new study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic suggests that broken heart syndrome has become more prevalent in recent months due to the pandemic.
Their study, published in JAMA Network Open, involved 258 patients who came into the clinic system between March 1 and April 30 presenting with acute coronary symptoms. This group of folks was compared with several prepandemic control groups. The percentage of people diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy in the pandemic-effected group was 7.8% compared with around 1.7% of the prepandemic people.
There’s a lot of heartbreak right now, including illness and death of loved ones, employment and financial losses, and the complications of daily life. So, if you have symptoms of broken heart syndrome, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitation and low blood pressure, seek medical help right away. Don’t let fear of the virus keep you from getting life-saving care. With prompt intervention and medication, the vast majority of folks can recover from stress cardiomyopathy within a few weeks.
