Nowadays, we live in a world where a variety of health dangers threaten our well-being, ranging from the dangerous blue light emitted by electronics we use on a daily basis to poor air quality and contaminated water. Certainly, our world is full of obstacles and challenges that we must continually confront, yet one of the most essential things to learn in order to be healthy and secure is how to defend oneself. So, let’s take a look at some of the sorts of rays and lights that we should all avoid, as well as why they are so harmful to our health.
UV Rays
We have all heard of these notorious rays at least once in our lifetime. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer nowadays. The sun provides the majority of this exposure, although artificial sources such as tanning beds can also provide some. Skin cancer is more likely in people who are exposed to a lot of UV radiation.
UV protection is provided to varying degrees by clothing. Most of your body is covered and protected by long-sleeved shirts, pants, or skirts. Darker hues offer greater protection than lighter ones, even though it may be uncomfortable to wear them during hot summer days.
Moreover, sunscreen is a substance that you apply to your skin to protect it against UV radiation from the sun. However, it’s crucial to remember that sunscreen is only a filter and does not completely block all UV radiation. Therefore, you shouldn’t use sunscreen as your primary line of defense, but keep in mind other safety measures, such as staying in the shade or completely avoiding going out during the hottest time of the day.
Blue Light
All of the electronic equipment we use on a daily basis, such as our phones, laptops, and televisions, emit blue light, which is typically hazardous. High-energy light, in big doses, can increase your risk of eye illness. This has raised questions about whether the blue light emitted by digital screens is dangerous. To that end, you may safeguard your eyes by wearing blue light glasses, which act as a protective barrier for your eyes, especially if you use electronic gadgets regularly as part of your job or school obligations. Furthermore, blue light stimulates your brain, causing the release of melatonin and keeping you awake. This makes getting a good night’s sleep more difficult, which is definitely harmful to your physical and mental health.
Fortunately, there is always a method to shield oneself against blue light exposure, at least to the point where it is no longer detrimental. Limiting screen time, utilizing screen filters to reduce blue light exposure, and, as previously indicated, using blue-light-blocking glasses, are all examples of these techniques.
Infrared Light
Humans are exposed to infrared radiation from the sun every day in the form of heat. However, depending on the frequency of the infrared light, thermal or heat damage might occur, even if there is no pain. Studies suggest that infrared treatment should never be used on pregnant women, people with heart problems, or anyone who is unwell.
Though infrared treatment has a lot of potential health advantages, research on it is still in its early stages. As a result, it should be considered a supplement to medical treatment for the time being, and other regimens should be followed as directed.
X-Rays
Even while x-rays are a medical marvel that allows doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and hence provide better care to patients, they come with their own set of concerns. When X-ray radiation passes into our bodies, it damages molecular structures and may cause injury. Human cells are damaged by extremely high amounts of radiation, as indicated by skin burns and an increased risk of cancer. However, there is still no direct scientific evidence that this occurs, and other studies show that modest radiation doses do not raise cancer risk.
Your doctor should always be familiar with the risks and advantages of x-rays, and should carefully weigh the potential benefits of the test against the small risk. You should always get an x-ray if it is beneficial to you. The benefit of determining if you have a problem and finding the best approach to curing it surpasses the scan’s minor risk.
Gamma Rays
Humans are susceptible to high levels of gamma rays, which can be hazardous or even lethal. Skin changes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and low blood cell counts are common short-term adverse effects, depending on the region being treated. Long-term adverse effects are also a possibility, which varies based on the part of the body being treated. For instance, radiation to the bone marrow can cause long-term blood cell count abnormalities. Thus, even though gamma rays find their place in today’s medicine and the effective treatment of some severe diseases, they can be detrimental to one’s health if used excessively.
UVB Rays
As mentioned earlier, UVB rays cause damage to the skin and directly harm DNA. UVB rays are responsible for the majority of skin malignancies, but they can also hasten skin aging. Moreover, sunburns are caused by excessive exposure to UVB radiation. Even while special UVB-only tanning beds are advertised as being safe, they can cause skin harm. Therefore, keep in mind that there are no tanning beds that are safe or approved for usage, so it is not really worth putting yourself at this kind of risk.
We hope that this post has provided you with a better understanding of the many types of dangerous lights and rays from which you should protect yourself. Even while some of these are inextricably linked to our health and are nearly impossible to avoid, we can always take precautions to reduce the danger of their affecting us.
