Month: February 2022

2022-02-04T10:01:00

(BPT) – This content was sponsored by Organon.

Sexual and reproductive health are an important part of overall wellness, yet some women may hesitate to bring up concerns with their doctors due to embarrassment or confusion. Expressing your needs in conversations with your doctor regarding contraception is important and can help you feel empowered on your family planning journey — whether or not that includes having kids.

In 2011, approximately 45% of all pregnancies in the U.S. were unintended, and unintended pregnancies (UIPs) disproportionately impact women aged 18-24, women of color, and women from low economic backgrounds. According to data from the National Survey of Family Growth from 2006-2010, of the 967 pregnancies among Hispanic and Latina women, 48% of them were unintended

“During appointments, the conversation with your doctor should be a two-way discussion — your doctor may ask you questions about yourself, and it’s important that you ask any questions you have to help you make informed decisions,” said Dr. Erica Montes, a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of The Modern Mujer Health Blog.

Having access to contraceptive information is an important first step in helping you prioritize your own reproductive health. According to 2008 data from the Guttmacher Institute, 18% of women at risk for UIPs who use contraceptives inconsistently accounted for 41% of UIPs.

Here are some questions that you may want to consider while preparing for a birth control conversation with a doctor:

Has the world around me impacted my approach to family planning?

As a result of the pandemic, women, including Hispanic and Latina women, may be thinking about their sexual and reproductive health needs differently. According to a 2020 Guttmacher survey, 48% of the total surveyed Hispanic and Latina women said that they wanted to have children later or wanted fewer children due to COVID-19.

You may want to take time to consider if your family planning goals have shifted over the past year.

What are the most important things about birth control to me?

When considering your options, you may want to think about what you are looking for with your contraception, like safety profile, effectiveness, availability, cost, frequency of administration, and if and when you want a child, among other things.

It’s important to discuss this with a doctor. Some women find it helpful to write down their specific thoughts and questions to reference during their appointment, so they don’t forget or overlook anything.

What are the different types of birth control available?

There are a number of contraceptive options to consider including short-acting (such as pills, patches, rings, injections), long-acting (such as IUDs or implants), and permanent options (such as sterilization). According to the 2018 survey of Family Planning and Women’s Lives, out of the 48% of Hispanic and Latina women at risk of UIPs, nearly two in three Hispanic and Latina women report always using birth control, but one in five reports never using it.

What are short-acting, long-acting, and permanent contraceptive methods?

These methods prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation and/or fertilization of the egg. When it comes to birth control, there are multiple methods you can choose from. Some forms of birth control contain hormones while others do not.

Short-acting contraceptives include pills, patches, rings, and injections. They can be taken orally, placed on your skin, inserted into your vagina, or taken in the form of a shot from a health care provider. Short-term options can be taken daily, weekly, monthly, or every three months. You can stop using these methods at any time.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs), include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants. They are placed inside your body either in your uterus or arm by a health care provider and can be used for multiple years depending on the type of LARC. You can stop using these methods at any time and the removal should be performed by a doctor or health care provider.

Permanent options include sterilization. They are a permanent method of birth control in which the fallopian tubes are blocked or removed via surgery. In tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are closed off. In salpingectomy, the fallopian tubes are removed. This prevents the egg from moving down the fallopian tube and keeps the sperm from reaching the egg. These procedures are not easily reversible.

Choosing birth control is personal and it is important to talk with your doctor about which birth control option is right for you, keeping in mind your life stage or personal health background.

How can I learn more about my options?

Many women discuss family planning at their annual wellness visit or OB/GYN appointment. However, you should be able to contact your doctor to discuss birth control questions and concerns as they arise. Family planning discussions can typically occur in person or virtually through telehealth appointments on the phone or video.

As women evaluate what’s next in their lives, it’s important that they are educated on their options so that they can make informed decisions and choose the contraceptive method appropriate for them.

“I encourage women to speak with their provider about all methods, such as short-acting, long-acting, or permanent options, and to decide together the best method for her,” said Dr. Montes.

Speak with your doctor or visit www.WhatsNextForHer.com to learn more.

2022-02-04T12:31:00

(BPT) – By BRANDPOINT

Sponsored by Incyte Corporation

As a dermatologist, Dr. Amy Spizuoco has a front-row seat to the experience of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). For many of her patients, controlling AD can be challenging despite having tried at-home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and prescription medications.

Life with AD

AD is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation and constant itch impacting more than 21 million people ages 12 years and older in the U.S.^[1] Other symptoms include irritated skin, red lesions that may ooze and crust, and dry scaly patches.^[2] AD most commonly occurs on the face, inside the elbows, or behind the knees,^[3] and is triggered by a dysregulation of the immune system.^[4]

The persistent itch and discomfort of AD can significantly impact people’s lives, interfering with everyday activities and even disrupting sleep.^[5] Nearly two out of three people report experiencing itch most days of the week.^[6] AD can also come and go, making the condition more frustrating to manage for some.^[4]

Dr. Spizuoco, associate clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and president-elect of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, empathizes with her patients’ frustrations:

“People with AD often come to me exhausted because they can’t get their condition under control. The discomfort from symptoms, including persistent itch, often prevents them from enjoying daily activities. One of my top priorities is to create a simple treatment plan that meets their individual needs. AD can be difficult to manage for some, and there are treatment options available that can help.”

Management Challenges

People may try different approaches to manage their AD, such as using lotion to keep skin moisturized^[7] or medications like topical corticosteroids, either over-the-counter or prescribed by a doctor.^[8] Some may find success with one of these approaches while others may not find relief or may lose the response to treatment over time, depending on how their body responds.

“AD manifests differently depending on the patient, which often results in patients cycling through different therapies trying to find solutions that address their particular experience,” says Dr. Spizuoco. “Many people end up using a complicated mix of products, which can feel overwhelming. It’s important that people with AD partner with a dermatologist early on to determine the best and most direct approach to get their condition under control. While treatment options for AD have been limited to date, there have been recent advances and we now have new treatment options to consider for some patients. For people living with AD who haven’t found relief, I recommend reaching out to a dermatologist to revisit the conversation and discuss a new approach.”

Determining if it’s Time for a New Treatment Approach

Novel therapies for the treatment of AD have recently become available. Opzelura™ (ruxolitinib) cream 1.5% is one of the newest treatments for mild to moderate AD, recently approved by the FDA for the short-term and non-continuous treatment of mild to moderate AD in patients 12 years and older without weakened immune systems whose disease is uncontrolled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not recommended.^[9] It is a non-steroidal topical cream that targets a pathway believed to be a source of the itch and inflammation behind AD.

“Opzelura meets an important need in the treatment of AD, as a non-steroidal topical therapy,” Dr. Spizuoco said. “The way it works may make an impact on itch. In clinical trials, we saw that patients treated with Opzelura experienced significantly clearer skin and itch reduction, compared to those treated with non-medicated cream.^[9] As a clinician, I’m encouraged by these results, and welcome a new treatment option for certain patients with mild to moderate AD.”

The most common (≥1%) adverse reactions associated with Opzelura are nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, eosinophil count increased, urticaria, folliculitis, tonsillitis and rhinorrhea.^[9] Please see below for Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warnings for serious infections, mortality, malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events and thrombosis.

“It is important to note that the FDA has required that certain warnings and precautions be included for JAK inhibitors, including Opzelura,” says Dr. Spizuoco. “I will carefully review risk factors with my patients to evaluate if this is an appropriate treatment for them, and I encourage people to work with their healthcare providers to discuss the appropriate use of Opzelura – and any therapy – as part of their individualized treatment plan.”

Opzelura may work for some but not all patients. To learn more, visit www.Opzelura.com.

Tips for Managing AD

Dr. Spizuoco shares the following tips to encourage people with AD to take an active role in managing their condition:

• Learn as much as possible about AD – knowledge is power!
• Identify individual triggers to understand what may be driving flares
• Build a strong relationship with a trusted dermatologist and work together on a personalized treatment approach
• Come to appointments prepared with questions and openly express any concerns – big or small
• Do research and work with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about potential treatment options
• Connect with other people with similar experiences, and consider joining a local support group or advocacy group
• Lean on family and friends – don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed

“While difficult, AD can be successfully managed,” said Dr. Spizuoco. “There are therapies that can help. Stay positive! Most importantly, work closely with a dermatologist who can be a strong advocate and help navigate any challenges that may arise along the way.”

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

OPZELURA cream is for use on the skin only. Do not use OPZELURA cream, in your eyes, mouth or vagina.

OPZELURA may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious Infections: OPZELURA cream contains ruxolitinib. Ruxolitinib belongs to a class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are medicines that affect your immune system. JAK inhibitors can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while taking JAK inhibitors by mouth, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have been hospitalized or died from these infections. Some people have had serious infections of their lungs while taking OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with OPZELURA.

OPZELURA should not be used in people with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. You should not start using OPZELURA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster) while using OPZELURA.

Increased risk of death from all causes, including sudden cardiac death, has happened in people taking JAK inhibitors by mouth.

Cancer and immune system problems: OPZELURA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Some people have had lymphoma and other cancers while taking JAK inhibitors by mouth, especially if they are a current or past smoker. Some people have had skin cancers while taking OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with OPZELURA.

There is an increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or cardiac death in people with cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using JAK inhibitors to treat inflammatory conditions.

Blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) can happen in some people taking OPZELURA. This may be life-threatening.

Low blood cell counts: OPZELURA may cause low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), low red blood cell counts (anemia), and low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). If needed, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood cell counts during your treatment with OPZELURA and may stop your treatment if signs or symptoms of low blood cell counts happen.

Cholesterol increases: Cholesterol increase has happened in people when ruxolitinib is taken by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Before starting OPZELURA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• have an infection, are being treated for one, or have an infection that keeps coming back
• have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system
• have or had TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
• have had shingles (herpes zoster) or hepatitis B or C
• live, have lived in, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections. These infections may happen or become more severe if you use OPZELURA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
• think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as:

• have ever had any type of cancer, or are a current or past smoker
• have had blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs in the past
• have high cholesterol or triglycerides
• have or have had low white or red blood cell counts
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OPZELURA will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for individuals who use OPZELURA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become exposed to OPZELURA during pregnancy, you and your healthcare provider should report exposure to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPZELURA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for about 4 weeks after the last dose.

After starting OPZELURA:

• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. OPZELURA can make you more likely to get infections or make worse any infections that you have.
• Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while using OPZELURA, including:
  • discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
  • severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
  • pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
  • shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
  • breaking out in a cold sweat
  • nausea or vomiting
  • feeling lightheaded
  • weakness in one part or on one side of your body
  • slurred speech
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with OPZELURA, including: swelling, pain or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening of any symptoms of low blood cell counts, such as: unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath or fever.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of OPZELURA include: pain or swelling in your nose or throat (nasopharyngitis), diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) count, hives, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and runny nose (rhinorrhea).

These are not all of the possible side effects of OPZELURA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for OPZELURA.

INDICATION AND USAGE

OPZELURA is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) for short-term and non-continuous treatment of mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in non-immunocompromised people 12 and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended.

The use of OPZELURA along with therapeutic biologics for atopic dermatitis, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.

REFERENCES:

2022-02-04T06:01:00

(BPT) – Dull, rough-textured skin can be a window into how you’re feeling, whether you’re getting enough sleep and your overall skin health. Sleepless nights, dehydration, sun damage and stress are among the universal enemies of a radiant complexion. When you’re looking after yourself, your skin tends to appear healthy and luminous which translates to a more youthful appearance.

Enter Cutera’s excel HR and excel V+ that feature the signature Laser Genesis treatment to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, reduce redness and improve the overall look and feel of your skin.

“Laser Genesis boosts the production of collagen in the dermis. Collagen is the main structural protein that gives skin its structure and youthful properties. Our natural production of collagen dwindles after about the age of 30,” says dermatologist Alex Kuritzky, MD FRCPC of DERM Lab in Vancouver, Canada.

“Laser Genesis is a non-ablative laser treatment, which means the top surface of your skin is left intact. A major advantage of Laser Genesis is that there is no downtime – you can get right back to your usual activities. It also helps to reduce redness and age spots, sunspots, and freckles,” she says.

And that’s not all. “excel V+ allows us to address leg veins, facial veins, spider veins, redness and rosacea, all while sparing the surrounding skin and often in just one treatment,” says Dr. Kuritzky.

Unwanted hair on eyebrows, lips, chins and also the bikini line, legs and underarms can drive us to distraction. We spend countless hours shaving, plucking and waxing, only to have the hairs come right back.

What if you could end this vicious cycle and get rid of unwanted hair for good?

You can, according to Dr. Manu Aggarwal, Board Certified and Aesthetic Laser Certified Family Physician, Founder of Vein Care Specialists Laser Specialists in Lima, OH.

“Cutera’s excel HR is the answer to unwanted hair anywhere on the body. The laser emits a highly concentrated light into the hair follicles, where the pigment absorbs the light, destroying the unwanted hair at its root. With excel HR, we are destroying the hair follicle which limits re-growth.”

excel HR is considered the best in class laser system for hair reduction. In fact, it received the coveted award for ‘best hair removal system’ from Cosmopolitan in 2021.

“The system comprises two wavelengths, making it ideal for various skin types, some of which we couldn’t treat with laser hair removal until now,” says Dr. Aggarwal. “The 755 nm Alexandrite laser is highly absorbed by melanin, making it an ideal solution for finer hair on lighter skin types, and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG is one of the safest wavelengths for permanent hair reduction on darker skin types and tan skin. We can successfully treat the underarms, face, legs, arms and bikini line in women, as well as men’s chests and backs, with this laser,” she says.

More than one treatment is typically needed for optimal results. “Typically, we recommend 5-6 treatments spaced 4-12 weeks apart depending on the areas you are having treated. The laser only treats hairs that are in the active growth phase and most people will see up to a 50% reduction of hair with each treatment,” says Dr. Aggarwal.

There must be some pigment in the hair and the hair must be in the follicle to deliver the laser energy to the growth point of the hair. There is virtually no downtime with excel HR so you can go back to work or to the gym immediately after treatment.

“The treatment is comfortable thanks to the continuous cooling of the skin. The excel HR is a quantum leap over previous hair removal systems,” Dr. Aggarwal says.

Find out what the Cutera state-of-the-art skin revitalization and hair removal devices can do for you.

Schedule a consultation today by visiting https://www.cutera.com/find-a-provider/.

2022-02-03T12:30:00

(BPT) – Now that we are in a new year, it’s a great time to get caught up on your to-do list, so you can enjoy a fresh start knowing that you’re taking care of business — and yourself. This is even more timely if you have rollover HSA funds, as you may only have 60 days to use them. One vital appointment many put off is an annual eye exam, which is a crucial health screening for anyone, whether you wear glasses or contact lenses or not. If you do wear contact lenses or glasses, this is also a great time to ask your eye doctor about LASIK surgery, an advanced, safe and effective form of vision correction, which could correct your vision and potentially free you from having to wear corrective lenses.¹

“LASIK surgery is a painless, rapid-healing, life-changing procedure that improves vision and generally provides freedom from glasses and contact lenses,” said Dr. Mark C. Lobanoff, Founder of OVO LASIK + LENS. “This treatment has the potential to increase your ability to see fine detail and in many patients can give better vision than even contact lenses or glasses.”

Here are important facts you should know about LASIK surgery, and why you might want to consider it.

Who can get LASIK surgery?

LASIK surgery can help correct a number of vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Patients who are 18 and older can receive LASIK surgery if their eyes are free from eye disease, and they also have no systemic bodily diseases that can slow proper healing. Patients with signs of cataracts or other ocular conditions are often provided other alternatives for their specific condition.

Who should not get LASIK?

Before assuming you may not be a candidate for LASIK surgery, check with your eye doctor.

“Your eye surgeon and medical professionals can provide great guidance in this area,” said Lobanoff. “Those with glaucoma, rare corneal dystrophies and other eye conditions can be assessed by the surgeon for best options of vision correction. Diseases such as autoimmune disorders and other systemic diseases will be evaluated for the progression of their specific condition prior to undergoing consideration for a LASIK treatment. Fortunately, most patients are good candidates for the surgery.”

What is the LASIK procedure like?

The LASIK treatment itself only takes minutes from start to finish. However, the preliminary eye exam and other highly advanced diagnostic tests that are required to create your personalized treatment plan before the procedure might last a few hours. During those tests, your doctor will:

• Map the shape of your cornea
• Screen for eye disease
• Measure your eye, including corneal thickness and pupil size
• Assess the retina for your eye’s visual potential

What happens during the procedure

Before the procedure, anesthetic drops will be placed in your eyes. You’ll then lie down on a patient bed and focus your vision on the lights as described by your surgeon. Then, laser energy from the excimer laser precisely reshapes your cornea.

Most LASIK patients notice improved vision immediately.

“One of the most amazing things about LASIK is that you see instant results,” said Lobanoff. “After surgery, when the patient looks around and can see without their glasses, they know their vision has improved.”

Recovery from LASIK

Following the treatment, your doctor will provide you with recommendations to follow to ensure proper healing. You shouldn’t drive on the day of your surgery, so you will need to plan to have someone take you home. You should also be sure to pick up any medications you have been prescribed, and only use eyedrops that your doctor has recommended. After the surgery, you will need to keep your eyes clean from sweat, dust and makeup, and avoid touching and rubbing your eyes.

As with any surgical procedure, there may be risks involved. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of vision-correcting surgeries, and visit YourLasikSolution.com for more information.

WaveLight^® Excimer Laser Systems IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION

CAUTION: Federal (U.S.) law restricts the WaveLight^® Excimer Laser Systems to sale by or on the order of a physician.

INDICATIONS: FDA has approved the WaveLight^® Excimer Laser Systems for use in laser- assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatments for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, including mixed astigmatism.

In addition, the WaveLight^® Excimer Laser Systems, when used with the WaveLight^® TOPOLYZER^® Devices are approved for topography-guided LASIK treatments for the reduction or elimination of up to -9.00 diopters of nearsightedness, or for the reduction of elimination of nearsightedness with astigmatism with up to -8.00 diopters of nearsightedness and up to -3.00 diopters of astigmatism.

The WaveLight^® Excimer Laser Systems are only indicated for use in patients who are 18 years of age or older (21 years of age or older for mixed astigmatism), who have documented evidence that their refraction did not change by more than 0.50 diopters during the year before their preoperative examination.

Alternatives to LASIK: LASIK is just one option for correcting your vision. Alternative options include eyeglasses, contact lenses, photorefractive keratectomy surgery (PRK), and other refractive surgeries. Be sure to talk to your doctor to find out if LASIK is appropriate for your condition.

ATTENTION: Ask your doctor for a copy of the current Patient Information Booklet for your procedure for a complete listing of the indications, contraindications, complications, warnings, precautions, side effects, and clinical study summaries.

ADVERSE EVENTS AND COMPLICATIONS: Common risks of LASIK procedures include:

• Developing dry eye syndrome, which can be severe;
• The possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery;
• Visual symptoms including halos, glare, starbursts, and double vision, which can be debilitating; and
• The loss of vision.

References

1. Alcon data on file, 2018.

© 2022 Alcon Inc. 1/22 US-REF-2200001