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The Best Bars & Brews in Charleston

August 6, 2014 by

<alt="Best Bars in Charleston"/>Founded in 1670, Charleston is a fine place to experience American history. When you visit Charleston, you’re treated with Southern charm from the locals while you walk along natural cobblestone-paved streets.

Spending time in Charleston also means you can take part in one of our greatest past times: drinking a nice cold ale (or cocktail, if you prefer) in one of the many restaurants, bars, cruises, or breweries.

If you’re visiting Charleston soon, or if you’re looking to explore somewhere new in your city, below you’ll discover today’s most popular places to grab a drink in Charleston.

Cheers!

Coast: A Lowcountry Bar and Restaurant by the Sea

According to Vacations Made Easy, hundreds of thousands of people visit Charleston each year. Experiencing historical architecture is likely one of the reasons to visit. Another reason is the people.

But let’s be honest here, people love food — especially when it’s down home Southern cooking! And what better way to enjoy a meal with friends than with a refreshing cold beer on the side?

Coast is where you can do exactly that.

Coast describes itself as a Lowcountry bar that services Charleston’s freshest seafood. Open from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Coast serves food with a cost ranging from $11-30. One of the favorites is fresh Escolar, which you can enjoy alongside a selection of eight different sauces. 

Coast also offers a full bar with drinks ranging from dozens of wine options to cold draughts to mixed cocktails.

 The Gin Joint Bar<alt="cocktail"/>

Open from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., The Gin Joint Bar combines enthusiastic service with a plethora of mixed drinks sourced from local ingredients. Drinks at The Gin Joint Bar periodically change based on the season, so you can expect to try something new almost every time you go. links to http://theginjoint.com/

If you want to mix things up even more, you can have the bartender make you a drink based on two of the following words:

  • Refreshing
  • Fruit
  • Sweet
  • Herbal
  • Bitter
  • Floral
  • Tart
  • Strong
  • Fizzy
  • Vegetal
  • Unusual
  • Smokey
  • Savory
  • Spicy
  • Licorice
  • Nonalcoholic

Personally, a refreshing drink to beat the hot summer heat would be an ideal drink for us. What sounds good to you? With so many options, it will take you more than one visit to find your new favorite.

“Cruisin’ for a Brewsin” in Charleston

<alt="micro brewery"/>If you can’t decide what bar to settle with, the Charleston Brews Cruise is your best bet. Not to be confused with a booze cruise (an actual boat cruise with alcohol) the Brews Cruise is a group-focused bar hopping experience. links to http://www.brewscruise.com/charleston/

With a promise of behind-the-scenes glimpses of the art, science, and passion involved in the craft of beer, it’s almost impossible to turn this opportunity down. The Brews Cruise tours Charleston’s local breweries so you can see — and taste! — some local favorites.

Hop on the bus, and you’ll receive…

  • Four to five 5oz samples of brew at every location.
  • A cooler on the bus to keep a Growler, 22oz Bomber, or 6-pack purchased at a brewery.
  • Plenty of laughs, good times, and friendly people.

Tours run Monday through Saturday.

With so many options to choose from in Charleston, you’ll always have a new place to go. But perhaps you’re not looking for a new place every time? It’s always nice to have a favorite spot, too. Try any of these locations above and see if you enjoyed them as much as we do.

And please always drink responsibly.

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , ,

Protecting Your Skin in the Summer Sun

August 4, 2014 by

<alt="sunrise"/>Skin cancer is a major concern among adults every year. In 2013, there were over 82,000 cases of skin cancer in the United States alone. Additionally, last year there were roughly 12,600 skin cancer-related deaths.

Skin cancer can start from an irregularity in your skin and develop into something more serious. It’s possible to keep your skin safe from the sun. Before getting into those options, like sunscreen and protective clothing, here are some skin cancer warning signs to look for:

Warning Signs of Skin Problems

The best way to detect skin problems is to pay close attention to changes in your skin. Look out for things like growths or discoloration. If you notice a new lesion or a change in the shape, color, or size of a pre-existing mole or patch of skin, you should seek the consultation of a physician. Often times something very small can lead to something greater. Don’t take the risk. See a doctor when you notice changes on your body.

Non-Sunscreen Protection Options

When it comes to keeping your skin safe from the sun, you have more that a few options to consider.

1. Avoidance

The best skin protection is avoidance. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Keep cool in the shade, and your skin will thank you for it. If you must be in the sun, wear tightly woven clothing and a wide brim hat to keep the sun off of your skin. When clothing like that isn’t a possibility, use plenty of sunscreen.

2. Sunglasses

Wear sunglasses to protect the sensitive skin around your eyes. Children in particular are susceptible to sun damage, so it’s highly recommended you keep their eyes protected, too.

3. Tanning Beds

Some people think tanning beds are safe because you’re away from the sun. The reality is: you should avoid anything related to a tanning bed or a heat lamp. These devices not only have the same harmful UV rays as the sun, tanning beds include additional harmful UV radiation.

4. Sunscreen

When choosing a sunscreen, you should always aim for an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen will not fully protect you, so try to keep in the shade as much as possible.

Other factors make a difference in what sunscreen to choose. For example, babies and toddlers require different types of protection than an adult. Here are some sunscreen options out there to try:

Sunscreen for Momentary Sun Exposure

If you don’t plan on spending time in the sun for more than a few minutes, an SPF of 30 should be okay. We recommend applying lotions that have an SPF in them so that you’re always protected—even if you’re sitting in traffic in your car! The sun’s damaging rays are everywhere.

Broad Spectrum Protection

It’s very important that your sunscreen has both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. This allows protection from both sides of the light spectrum. If you plan to stay in the sun for long periods of time — such as the beach or near a pool — you should use an SPF of at least 30 or higher. With an SPF of 30, you filter out 97 percent of the sun’s UV radiation. You could also try an SPF of 50, which filters out up to 98 percent of these rays.

Sunscreen For Children

Chemicals are especially harmful for children’s skin, so you should avoid sunscreen with PABA and oxybenzone when using it on a child. Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide tend to be okay for people who have sensitive skin, so it’s okay if these ingredients are in your children’s sunscreen.

One more tip for sunscreen for children: try using alternative applications, like sprays, with colorful packaging that are “fun” to use. Why? Because — and parents already know this — getting sunscreen on children can be a challenge. When using sprays, don’t spray on their faces. Instead, spray on the hands and spread on their faces.

Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin

If you have to manage allergic reactions, acne, or rosacea-prone skin, avoid sunscreens containing:

  • Preservatives
  • Fragrances
  • PABA
  • Oxybenzone
  • Anything “greasy” in substance

Sunscreen For Dry Skin

People with dry skin will find great benefit from moisturizing sunscreens. Apply after showering to “lock in” the moisture to your skin, and be sure to re-apply every 30 minutes.

Have a favorite sunscreen you use daily? Share it in the comments below!

Photo Credit: Werner Kunz

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,

Ask The Doctor – Can A Saline Implant Leak Long After Surgery?

August 1, 2014 by

<alt="pink blossoms"/>

This week, Dr. James Craigie of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction answers your question.

QUESTION: Can a saline implant slowly leak approximately 16 months after surgery? Also, can a bacterial or fungal infection occur during this time? I am hearing and feeling a gurgling sound in my right breast which I believe is fluid. I am concerned because I read that an implant can leak out and cause fungal and bacteria infections.

ANSWER: Thank you for your question! A saline implant can leak at any time after surgery. The leak can be slow or sudden. Eventually, you would notice the size go down. Implants are normally filled with sterile saline that would not cause an infection. If you have an infection it most likely would not be from the fluid that was in the implant. Usually that fluid is absorbed by the body after a leak and causes no medical problems. The best way to get an accurate answer would be to report what you are experiencing to your surgeon who performed the implant surgery.

Dr. James Craigie

Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Have a question about breast reconstruction or post-surgical care you’d like answered from our surgical team? Just ask us!

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , ,
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