Month: May 2020

2020-05-01T07:59:00

(BPT) – In the U.S. alone, 28.1 million people are living with diabetes, and an added 7.2 million are living with undiagnosed diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the American Diabetes Association reports that 84 million American adults have prediabetes, but nearly 90 percent of them don’t even know it.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination (often more than ten times a day), persistent thirst or chronic fatigue, it’s possible that you are living with diabetes — and it’s crucial to get tested so you can get the treatment your body needs. That’s particularly important now, because, according to the CDC, diabetes sufferers are among those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Although the current pandemic and social distancing measures make things more challenging, the following tips can help you manage your blood sugar and prioritize your health if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a family history of diabetes or are experiencing diabetes symptoms:

1. Get tested

The only way to be sure about your blood sugar health is to get tested. It’s easier than ever to determine your risk for diabetes, even when spending more time at home. LetsGetChecked offers an at-home HbA1c test that measures your blood sugar over the previous three months to help identify prediabetes or check how well you are controlling the disease following diagnosis. After you receive your results, a team of physicians and nurses are available to help you navigate them and answer your questions. You can find the LetsGetChecked diabetes test online.

2. Keep track of your symptoms

Identifying your symptoms will help you tackle your health issues head on. Keep an eye out for symptoms of high blood sugar, including feeling thirsty all the time, feeling tired all the time or weak, frequent headaches, concentration issues and a fasting blood sugar level of 100mg/dl or more. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to get tested for diabetes right away.

3. Choose foods with a Low Glycemic Index

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking of how quickly certain foods make your blood glucose levels rise after eating them. Carbohydrates with a low GI, such as porridge, brown pasta, noodles and multiseed/granary breads, are the best type of carbohydrates to eat for pre-diabetes or diabetes. ‘Pulses’ such as chickpeas, garden peas, butter beans, kidney beans, black beans and lentils are high in fiber and protein, which will also help slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose in the blood. This means that they don’t give that sharp rise in your blood sugar levels.

4. Stay active

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and will help keep your blood sugar levels within normal limits. As a rule of thumb, aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise into your day 5 times per week. Many free classes are available online, for all fitness levels, to help you start or continue your exercise routine.

5. Prioritize sleep

Sleep affects blood sugar, and your current blood sugar affects your sleep. Studies show that those who sleep for six hours or less will have significantly higher blood sugar, and a lack of sleep leads to slower fat metabolism and slower glucose processing — so aim to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night.

While staying active, eating the right foods and keeping track of your symptoms can all help manage your blood sugar, the most important way to make sure you are managing your health is to get tested.

2020-05-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys and for those affected by this condition, nearly 50% will experience End State Renal Disease (ESRD) by age 60. According to the National Kidney Foundation, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) accounts for as many as 90% of all polycystic kidney disease cases.

The most common inherited kidney disorder

ADPKD, the most common form of PKD, is a genetic kidney disease that leads to cyst formation and kidney growth. Additionally, ADPKD is the most common inherited renal disease/kidney disorder and according to recent data, affects as many as 140,000 Americans. And overall, ADPKD is the fourth leading cause of ERSD. ADPKD is a progressive condition and may eventually lead to kidney failure requiring some form of renal replacement therapy, either dialysis or kidney transplant.

While ADPKD is considered a rare disease and is relatively unknown to most people, it is unfortunately all too common in families impacted by the condition. In fact, children of parents with ADPKD have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. This is a sobering statistic, however, a critical first step for people with a family history of chronic kidney disease or ADPKD is to discuss the condition with relatives and a doctor who specializes in kidney care as early as possible. However, not all cases of ADPKD are inherited, in approximately 5%?10% of patients with ADPKD, no family history can be documented, suggesting spontaneous mutations.

How ADPKD is diagnosed

Typically, ADPKD is diagnosed by an ultrasound of the kidneys; however, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the kidneys may also be conducted. In addition, genetic testing may also be used for people who have received an inconclusive imaging result, have no family history of the condition, who may be considering testing to determine if he or she can pass the gene on to their children, and for diagnosis of possible kidney donors.

Using the latest technologies, physicians now have the ability to identify ADPKD patients who are at risk for rapid progression of kidney function decline as well as estimate how quickly someone with ADPKD is likely to progress based on the size of his or her kidneys. Although disease progression can be highly variable, even among family members, it’s important to confirm diagnosis early on as patients with rapidly progressing ADPKD reach end stage renal disease at a younger age.

Management strategies for ADPKD

Since ADPKD gets worse with time, early diagnosis and treatment is critical. While signs and symptoms of ADPKD often develop between the ages of 30 and 40, individuals with a history of kidney diseases – especially if they know ADPKD is in their family – shouldn’t delay speaking with a kidney specialist, also known as a nephrologist. By acting early, they’ll be able to take steps to help protect kidney function and properly manage the disease, as well as any related complications such as high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, infected or bleeding cysts, abdominal bloating/discomfort and chronic pain.

Educational resources, such as www.PKDInfo.com, can help people have an informed conversation with a doctor about ADPKD. The website provides the latest information for understanding the disease and learning more about developing an effective management strategy such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and aiming for a healthy weight to help keep their kidneys healthy.

These things are especially important for those living with ADPKD. For more information about ADPKD visit www.PKDinfo.com or schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn more about your risk factors and management strategies.

By: Charlotte Jones-Burton, MD, MS, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. Dr. Jones-Burton is dedicated to creating healthier communities globally through drug development, patient advocacy and people engagement/empowerment. She is passionate about positively impacting the lives of patients and communities who suffer with chronic diseases.

2020-04-30T15:31:00

(BPT) – Nothing says “summer” quite like The Original Margarita. And for the aspiring mixologist to the cocktail newbie, extra time at home is perfect for mastering The Margarita. There is nothing easier than shaking up this refreshing cocktail, in its original form or in one of its many delightful variations.

Here are some fun facts about The Margarita to help inspire your next happy hour with friends — virtual or otherwise:

1. It’s the most popular cocktail in America

Did you know that The Margarita is America’s favorite cocktail? Since Nielsen first started conducting surveys to discover bargoers’ favorite drinks in 2016, The Margarita has been the number one pick. In 2019 The Margarita edged out The Martini, The Old-Fashioned, The Mimosa and The Moscow Mule for the coveted first-place spot.

It’s no surprise now that margaritas are a popular happy hour cocktail, so make sure to share your favorite Margarita recipe with your virtual happy hour pals for toasting together.

2. The origin of The Original Margarita

The Original Margarita was created when Dallas socialite Margarita Sames mixed her two favorite spirits, Cointreau and tequila, together with lime juice while she was vacationing in Acapulco back in 1948.

3. All you need are three ingredients

The original recipe is elegant and simple. It’s easy to make, even for beginners — no fancy ingredients required.

Ingredients:

1 ounce Cointreau
2 ounces blanco tequila
1 ounce fresh lime juice

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and add ice.
Shake and strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel.

4. It’s a highly customizable cocktail

The Original Margarita is a classic on its own — the recipe has stood the test of over 70 years’ time. However, it’s very easy to customize to your tastes or ingredients. Whether you’re feeling adventurous or craving a classic there is a Margarita for everyone.

• Herbal— Add fresh lemon and basil for The Lemon Basil Margarita that tastes straight out of the garden. The balance of citrus and herbs gives this drink a light yet juicy flavor.
• Spicy —The Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita combines the coolness of cucumber with a spicy burst of jalapeno for just the right amount of kick. Experiment with the amount of jalapeno to suit your own taste.
• Tangy — Use slices of fresh ginger and fresh mint leaves for a unique flavor combination. The spice of ginger gives The Ginger Mint Margarita a tantalizing bite that is aromatically balanced by the refreshing mint.
• Fruity — Use seasonal, colorful fruit to shake up a Margarita that is beautiful, bright and juicy. A few berries work great.

5. It’s the salt that makes it sweet

Why the salt-rimmed glass? Salt is actually present on The Margarita glass to bring out the sweet and sour flavors of the drink. Just a pinch of salt around the rim is needed to enhance the flavors in this classic, refreshing cocktail.

To find dozens of recipes for creative Margaritas and other iconic cocktails, visit Cointreau.com/Cocktails or follow us on Instagram @Cointreau_US.

2020-04-30T11:01:00

(BPT) – When determining the look of your outdoor living space, decking is only half of the equation. In many cases, it’s the deck railings that are most visible and the design element that makes the first impression.

“Railings serve a necessary safety function, but they also play an important aesthetic role,” explains designer Alison Victoria, star of HGTV’s “Windy City Rehab” and “Rock the Block.” “They frame an outdoor space and define the setting’s style and personality.”

Following are five fresh ways to frame up your outdoor space for maximum enjoyment and curb appeal:

Industrial inspiration

Industrial styling is all the rage, as homeowners seek to replicate the clean lines and modern looks found in today’s hottest hotels, restaurants and craft breweries. In backyards across the country, this commercial-to-residential trend can be seen in the increased use of aluminum railing styles that deliver sleek sophistication. One such example is Trex Signature Railing, which offers a range of designs, including horizontal rods, mesh panels or glass inserts, in addition to traditional spindles — all with the low maintenance and durability of aluminum.

Mixed materials

While railing matched to the decking remains perennially popular, an increasing number of homeowners are taking advantage of customizable design possibilities afforded by new railing materials, styles and finishes. Visual interest can be achieved by juxtaposing materials such as composite, aluminum, glass and brick. For an eye-catching color contrast, consider pairing chunky, white posts with slim, black balusters. Or, mix classic and contemporary looks by using a traditional, wide railing to frame the deck while installing a slimmer railing style on staircases.

View-optimizing options

If you want to enjoy your view, thin balusters finished in black are a great choice as they tend to optically blend into the environment, putting more visual emphasis on the natural surroundings. Glass panels are also ideal, of course, as are cable and rod rail designs. Conversely, if you have nosy neighbors or a view you’d rather minimize, opt for railings with thicker posts and more tightly spaced balusters to enhance privacy.

Form and function

In certain cases, deck railings can be as practical as they are pretty. One of the biggest trends is “cocktail railing” or a “drink rail.” This approach uses a deck board as a top rail to create a flat ledge at just the right height for holding drinks and plates. This level surface also offers an ideal resting spot for potted plants, candles and other decorative accessories. By using boards that match the decking, you can achieve a look that complements your deck, while making great use of space.

Inviting illumination

Augment the beauty of your railing and lengthen the time you can spend enjoying your deck with discreet outdoor lighting that can be integrated into railing posts and caps. Not only will lighting set the mood, it also adds safety and security. Consider LED dimmable options to maximize energy efficiency, such as Trex Outdoor Lighting, which also are weatherproof and salt-air proof — ensuring they will last for years.

To learn more about different railing options and outdoor living trends, visit www.Trex.com.