Shantilly

Please copy and email the editor of Womans World Weekly to respond to their comment in October17th , 2006 issue regarding "Stop Winter Sadness". The article states "IMPORTANT: Tanning beds shouldn't be used to treat SAD. Their light is high in harmful ultraviolet rays.





Stephanie Saible
Editor In Chief
Womans World
270 Sylvan Ave.,
Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey
07632

EMAIL for Editor Stephanie Saible: DEARWW@AOL.COM

Dear Mz. Saible:
I think its time you get out of the dark and see the sunshine! I normally enjoy your magazine, but am amazed again at your lack of educating the public and creating a false scare re: Stop Winter Sadness. In the article you state : IMPORTANT; Tanning beds shouldn't be used to treat SAD. Their light is high in harmful ultraviolet rays. TIP: Take a 60 minute walk early each day. Swiss research shows it's as effective as lightbox therapy for easing SAD. The article goes on to "Consider a prescription. Just approved antidepressant Wellbutrin as a treatment for winter blues.



My first question is how much is the pharmaceutical companies paying you to endorse their product. You don't mention all the side effects? (Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in short-term studies in children and adolescents)
Body (General): Frequent were asthenia, fever, and headache. Infrequent were back pain, chills, inguinal hernia, musculoskeletal chest pain, pain, and photosensitivity. Rare was malaise. Also observed were arthralgia, myalgia, and fever with rash and other symptoms suggestive of delayed hypersensitivity. These symptoms may resemble serum sickness (see PRECAUTIONS).
Cardiovascular: Infrequent were flushing, migraine, postural hypotension, stroke, tachycardia, and vasodilation. Rare was syncope. Also observed were cardiovascular disorder, complete AV block, extrasystoles, hypotension, hypertension (in some cases severe, see PRECAUTIONS), myocardial infarction, phlebitis, and pulmonary embolism.
Digestive: Frequent were dyspepsia, flatulence, and vomiting. Infrequent were abnormal liver function, bruxism, dysphagia, gastric reflux, gingivitis, glossitis, jaundice, and stomatitis. Rare was edema of tongue. Also observed were colitis, esophagitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gum hemorrhage, hepatitis, increased salivation, intestinal perforation, liver damage, pancreatitis, stomach ulcer, and stool abnormality.
Endocrine: Also observed were hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.
Hemic and Lymphatic: Infrequent was ecchymosis. Also observed were anemia, leukocytosis, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Altered PT and/or INR, infrequently associated with hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications, were observed when bupropion was co-administered with warfarin.
Metabolic and Nutritional: Infrequent were edema, increased weight, and peripheral edema. Also observed was glycosuria.
Musculoskeletal: Infrequent were leg cramps and twitching. Also observed were arthritis and muscle rigidity/fever/rhabdomyolysis, and muscle weakness.
Nervous System: Frequent were agitation, depression, and irritability. Infrequent were abnormal coordination, CNS stimulation, confusion, decreased libido, decreased memory, depersonalization, emotional lability, hostility, hyperkinesia, hypertonia, hypesthesia, paresthesia, suicidal ideation, and vertigo. Rare were amnesia, ataxia, derealization, and hypomania. Also observed were abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), akinesia, aphasia, coma, delirium, delusions, dysarthria, dyskinesia, dystonia, euphoria, extrapyramidal syndrome, hallucinations, hypokinesia, increased libido, manic reaction, neuralgia, neuropathy, paranoid reaction, and unmasking tardive dyskinesia.
Respiratory: Rare was bronchospasm. Also observed was pneumonia.
Skin: Frequent was sweating. Infrequent was acne and dry skin. Rare was maculopapular rash. Also observed were alopecia, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, and hirsutism.
Special Senses: Frequent was amblyopia. Infrequent were accommodation abnormality and dry eye. Also observed were deafness, diplopia, and mydriasis.
Urogenital: Frequent was urinary frequency. Infrequent were impotence, polyuria, and urinary urgency. Also observed were abnormal ejaculation, cystitis, dyspareunia, dysuria, gynecomastia, menopause, painful erection, prostate disorder, salpingitis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary tract disorder, and vaginitis

Yet you mention the negative of Ultraviolet light, not specifying mild, moderate or overexposure. Where are the positive effects of Ultraviolet light?
Swiss research? Where are the facts? How much sunlight can they possible be exposed to in Switzerland?

I am requesting you do a bit more investigating into the positve benfits of UV Exposure. Perhaps you should check out the following websites : http://www.sunarc.org and http://www.uvfoundation.org, to aid you in researching your next article regarding Ultraviolet light .


Yours in Sunshine!