Solariums: Serving up Safety

The reasons for having a solarium are many, but did you know they can help to avoid some serious health concerns?

Sunlight, and the vitamin D it produces, has remarkable health benefits including increased bone health, reduced seasonal depression, and remarkably, higher cancer prevention. At the same time, over exposure to the sun can result in accelerated aging, skin cancers, and sun stoke. Add to that the current concern over insect-borne health threats like west nile virus and lyme disease, and the appeal of having a solarium multiplies exponentially.

Are These Threats Really that Big a Concern?

While deaths from skin cancer are down, and it enjoys a 98% survival rate, there are still 59,600 new cases reported every year. Sadly, 7,800 deaths result. The vast majority of all skin cancers are due to over exposure to the sun. Conversely, healthy sunlight exposure can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and encourage cancer cells to develop into healthy functioning cells. A carefully thought out solarium design, constructed by a qualified contractor can be the answer to balancing this conundrum.

While some people consider the threat of the west nile virus to be negligible, 2,819 cases were reported in the US in 2005. Of those, 105 resulted in death. In the over all scheme of things, these figures represent a relatively slight threat. However, some of those who most benefit from the positive effects of sunlight are also those who are most at risk to west nile virus. These individuals include children and older adults (55 years and older). For these people, enjoying the benefits of a solarium well designed and built by a qualified solarium contractor is well worth the investment.

While lyme disease is not fatal on it's own, it can still cause considerable problems including fever, headache, and an identifying skin rash known as erythema migrans. If undiagnosed and untreated, lyme disease can cause muscle, joint, and even heart problems. So, while lyme disease may not be fatal, prevention through the use of a solarium built by a contractor using a solid design can save a lot of health worries.

Over all, the right solarium design can provide hours of enjoyment as well as abundant health assurances that little else can provide when built by a qualified solarium contractor. Consider affording yourself this beneficial luxury.