Month: October 2023

2023-10-31T05:01:00

(BPT) – If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, 58.9% of adults experienced some kind of pain in the past 3 months. 39% of adults had back pain, 36.5% had lower limb pain, and 30.7% had upper limb pain during that period.¹ Studies have shown the effectiveness of electrical muscle stimulation to strengthen muscle and reduce pain in various populations, from healthy young adults to the elderly.^2-4

truFlex is a fully customizable muscle stimulation device featuring multidirectional stimulation (MDS) technology to strengthen, tone, and define muscles on the abdomen, obliques, glutes and thighs. This award-winning muscle sculpting treatment can increase muscle mass up to 30%.^5,6

A single truFlex treatment delivers the equivalent of 54,000 crunches per session, plus it can treat up to 8 areas simultaneously and simulate 5 different workouts in as little as 15 minutes. It’s safe for all body types, skin types, and fitness levels.⁵

Dr. Shay Pathare of Advanced Spine Care and Pain Management in Staten Island, NY, is an expert in functional medicine who takes a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating patients. He develops customized treatment plans and prioritizes non-invasive procedures that lead to faster recovery.

“All of the treatments I utilize are to improve function as well as provide other benefits such as reduced pain, improved sleep, and quality of life. We assess each patient’s concerns, and improving function is one of our main goals. For patients experiencing persistent lumbar pain, it can be difficult to do exercises to strengthen the core muscles, such as the abdominal muscles, obliques, lumbar muscles, and upper gluteal muscles. truFlex offers an innovative treatment option that can strengthen their thigh muscles, gluteal muscles, buttocks, abdominal muscles, and back muscles without having to do strenuous exercises that could lead to further injury,” says Dr. Pathare.

Dr. Tammy Chen of Central Park Laser Aesthetics in New York City uses truFlex to help strengthen the core for her patients. “Cutera’s truFlex is very versatile. I can use it to target our patients’ specific needs, placing the handpieces where their chief complaints are. Popular treatment areas include the abs, obliques, legs, and glutes. It can be used for all fitness levels,” she explains. “You can be a couch potato and jump-start your strength to start working out with truFlex, and even fit athletes still see an improvement. My husband was in the best shape of his life training for an Ironman where he qualified for world championships, but he only got abdominal definition after using truFlex. He finally had the six-pack abs he always wanted,” Dr. Chen adds.

She continues, “truFlex only takes 15 minutes and patients can feel the effects instantly. After doing 54,000 ‘crunches’ they feel like it’s easier to stand up taller and engage their core. I also use it post-injury as part of their physical therapy regimen to help speed recovery because it strengthens the muscles so they can get back to their activities faster and pain-free!”

“Women postpartum who have struggled to get their deeper core stronger can also benefit from truFlex, which stimulates muscles deeper than traditional exercises they can do on their own,” Dr. Chen adds. “It’s not about being a size zero but being stronger and preventing injury. If your core is strong, you’ll have better overall health.”

Learn more about how truFlex can strengthen and tone your body.

References:

1. Lucas JW, Connor EM, Bose J. Back, lower limb, and upper limb pain among U.S. adults, 2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 415. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:107894external icon
2. Matos F, Amaral J, Martinez E, et al. Changes in muscle thickness after 8 weeks of strength training, electromyostimulation, and both combined in healthy young adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19:3184.
3. Wirtz N, Zinner C, Doermann U, et al.. Effects of loaded squat exercise with and without application of superimposed EMS on physical performance. J Sports Sci Med. 2016;15:26–33.
4. Picorelli AMA, Pereira LS, Pereira DS, et al.. Adherence to exercise programs for older people is influenced by program characteristics and personal factors: a systematic review. J Physiother. 2014;60:151–6.
5. truFlex Clinical Guidelines, Cutera, Inc.
6. Ronan SJ. A Novel Bio-Electric Current Stimulation Device For Improvement Of Muscle Tone [white paper, Cutera Inc.]. 7/2019.

2023-10-30T08:15:00

(BPT) – The end of the year is such an exciting time. The leaves are crunchy, pumpkin spice abounds, cooler weather has made a reappearance and Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities are on the horizon. The end of the year also brings with it one of the busiest seasons for travel — with studies showing the majority of Americans (83%) plan to squeeze at least one more trip in before year’s end.

Unfortunately, cold and flu season falls at the same time as the holiday travel season, and experts are predicting it to be a rough one. From bustling airports to crowded tourism attractions keeping travelers in close quarters, immune systems are sure to be put to the test.

Whether traveling to get some vitamin sea or to visit grandma, the one thing travelers are keeping top of mind is how to stay healthy and well throughout their travels. We spoke with Registered Dietitian Kelly Springer about the healthy holiday travel must-haves she never leaves home without to keep herself and her family energized and feeling great all season long:

Boost Your Immunity On the Go with Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Drops

Manuka honey is chock full of nutritional elements that the human body needs — including trace amounts of enzymes, amino acids, B Vitamins, C Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — that are beneficial to the immune system and empower everyday wellness. When you begin building your travel arsenal of immune boosting, therapeutic remedies, consider adding products that incorporate the natural goodness of this tasty superfood to help strengthen the body’s defenses and stave off sniffles or scratchy throats before they start.

For myself and my family, I prefer a more holistic approach to our wellbeing. As such, I constantly find myself reaching for Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Drops for an on-the-go, healthy kickstart. These dual action drops are delicious and feature naturally-occurring wellness properties — like echinacea and bee propolis — to soothe your throat at the first sign of a tickle and provide a boost to the immune system. They’re an ideal remedy for pesky symptoms related to allergies or colds and flus and are easy to toss in your bag and go.

Harness the Power of Nature with Wedderspoon’s Propolis Sprays

Another of my favorite Manuka honey-based products I can’t live without during travel and cold and flu season is Wedderspoon’s Manuka Honey Propolis Spray. The star of the show here is bee propolis, which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids, making it one of nature’s most potent defenders against germs and free radicals in the body.

These sprays combine the immune boosting prowess of Manuka honey and bee propolis with flaxseed glycerin, known for its omega-3, fatty acid and antioxidant properties, so it’s super gentle yet effective at soothing dry, scratchy throats. The best part? You can use it daily for a proactive approach to keep germs at bay. Wedderspoon has several flavors, but my favorite is the Chamomile Mint because it’s the perfect blend of refreshing and calming. Pro tip: stash one of these in your carry-on to relieve discomfort from dry cabin air during long flights and to proactively counter against your coughing seatmate.

Bolster a Happy Gut Biome with Probiotics

More than half the cells that create antibodies for fighting sickness are in the gut, but travel can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and cause a decrease in the number of healthy microorganisms in the microbiome. To ensure you’re keeping your gut biome, and by proxy, your digestive and immune systems, resilient, consider supplementing your daily routine with a probiotic blend. These work to increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut, aid in digestion, improve nutrient absorption and can help fight cells that cause disease. The healthier your gut microbiome, the healthier you are, so no packing list is complete without them.

There are so many options on the market for consumers today, but my personal favorite is Just Thrive. They use a proprietary blend that works as an antioxidant and probiotic, and contains the most well-researched, DNA-verified strains with a 100 percent survivability rate, meaning it has the most impact when it reaches your gut.

Maintain Your Sleep Schedule with Melatonin

Getting quality sleep is so important for just about every function in the body, from blood pressure and cardiovascular health to managing stress, appetite and the immune system. The excitement of a vacation, early travel mornings, and jet lag from traveling to different time zones can all affect your circadian rhythm and sleep schedule.

To help with travel-related sleep disruption and ensure I have enough energy during the day to thoroughly enjoy my reason for travel — like spending quality time with loved ones over the holidays — I bring Olly’s Sleep Gummies. They’re a tasty and simple way to add melatonin to my bedtime ritual to give my body that natural little nudge it needs to help me fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed. I love the blackberry flavor and that they contain chamomile, passionfruit and lemon balm extracts — all of which promote relaxation and sleep. Combine this with a fresh silk pillowcase to stay cool and you have my recipe for a perfect night’s sleep while on the go.

Create a Comfortable, Irritant-Free Space with a Personal, Portable Air Purifier

Rounding out my healthy holiday travel must-haves list: a mini portable air purifier. Germs are, of course, everywhere, but with your own air purifier, you can filter out and clean the air of irritants like dust and pollen to help combat allergies, colds and other sinus problems.

The PureZone Mini from Pure Enrichment is a favorite because it’s compact, incredibly lightweight and rechargeable, meaning it goes wherever I do — in the car, on a plane, to a hotel. Its two-stage HEPA filtration system safely cleans the air immediately surrounding you, eliminating 99.97 percent of germs, and also helps to get rid of odors and harmful gasses. Bringing my own air purifier helps me to feel more at ease while traveling in more intimate, indoor settings.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner and many people’s travel plans are in full swing. As you put your holiday travel packing list together, consider saving room for some of these items to prioritize your health and wellness, no matter where your travels take you, so you can come home feeling even better than when you left.

2023-10-30T11:01:00

(BPT) – This is a promotional message sponsored by Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.

Starting in her early twenties, Lindsay noticed some extreme changes in her mood and behavior.

“I was making all kinds of impulsive decisions,” Lindsay remembered. “One day I would go on a huge shopping spree, not worrying about the money I didn’t have. The next day I felt so depressed I would end up in bed all day not doing anything. There was no happy medium.”

These highs and lows were unpredictable, making it hard for her to know what each day would look like, even after she became a mother. “Living with these symptoms was driving me crazy and I didn’t know what to do,” Lindsay said. “As a mother, it was becoming tougher to take care of my kids. I always worried that today would be the day they couldn’t count on me to be there for them.”

These concerns led Lindsay to seek help. Although she didn’t receive a diagnosis from her doctor, she was treated for the symptoms she was experiencing.

“The antidepressants I was taking helped a little, but nothing was working the way I needed it to,” Lindsay said. “A few years later, I found a new doctor that talked with me and diagnosed me right away with bipolar I depression.”

Difficulties with diagnoses

Lindsay’s story is not unusual, as uncovering the correct diagnosis for bipolar disorder can take time.

“Diagnosing bipolar I and II depression is sadly often a lengthy process — five years for bipolar I and ten for bipolar II, on average,” said Dr. Greg Mattingly. “In general, both bipolar I and II can be misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder up to 3/4 of the time.”¹

Dr. Mattingly advises other providers to seek additional clues, beyond depressive episodes, to diagnose bipolar disorder. “Additional symptoms may include the 4 ‘A’s: anxiety, agitation, anger and attention problems,” explained Dr. Mattingly. “Also, inadequate response to multiple antidepressants can suggest bipolar depression, as was the case for Lindsay.”

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a common mental health condition that causes extreme changes in mood and behavior. These changes, or mood episodes, can cause you to experience lows (depression) and highs (mania).^3,4 Mood episodes can affect your sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.²

The Lows

The lows of bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar depression or depressive episodes, can make people feel sad or hopeless. They may lose interest or pleasure in most activities, even those they once enjoyed. These depressive episodes may be present through their lives, and some episodes may even last several months.⁵

People with bipolar depression typically spend more time in the lows than in the highs of the illness. The lows can be the more debilitating state for some people and may have a greater impact than manic episodes on everyday function. About 90% of people report severe impairment due to depressive episodes.^4,6

The Highs

The highs of bipolar disorder, known as manic or hypomanic episodes, can cause people to feel euphoric, impulsive, unusually irritable, or have an abnormal amount of increased energy. Symptoms during hypomanic episodes are milder than manic episodes.⁵

Manic symptoms are usually reported less frequently and can often be easily overlooked or seen as something positive rather than a sign of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder are three times more likely to experience bipolar depression than mania.⁴

Effective treatment for bipolar disorder

Discovering the correct diagnosis is the first step toward finding effective treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of bipolar depression, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider who specializes in mental health, and to have open conversations about all your symptoms to identify bipolar depression and the best treatment path.⁴

“When I was finally diagnosed with bipolar I depression, I worried about the stigma associated with it,” said Lindsay. “But my doctor told me that together, we could manage this! After a few years of trying different treatments, I had a doctor tell me about a medication called CAPLYTA.”

CAPLYTA^® (lumateperone) is a once-daily pill that is proven to deliver significant relief across bipolar depression in adults and can be taken alone or with the medicines lithium or valproate.⁷

Studies have shown CAPLYTA is proven to provide significant relief from depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder and can reduce the overall severity of bipolar depression. Unlike some medications that can only treat bipolar I depression, CAPLYTA treats both bipolar I and bipolar II depression and can be taken alone or with lithium or valproate.

CAPLYTA has Boxed Warnings for increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis and increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. CAPLYTA is not approved for people under 18. See additional important safety information below.

“When I talked to my doctor about CAPLYTA, I liked hearing that CAPLYTA could make a difference when it comes to improving my bipolar depression symptoms,” said Lindsay. Getting her symptoms under control was important to Lindsay and her doctor.

At first, Lindsay was worried about weight gain with CAPLYTA. But her healthcare provider reassured her that most people who took CAPLYTA did not gain weight or have changes in their blood sugar or cholesterol in short- or long-term clinical trials. At 6 months, the average weight change for people on CAPLYTA was -0.02 lbs.

CAPLYTA may cause problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Most people in clinical studies did not have a change in their blood sugar, cholesterol, or weight. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels, and weight before you start, or soon after you start CAPLYTA, and then periodically during treatment.

“I like that CAPLYTA is approved to treat both bipolar I and bipolar II depression,” said Dr. Mattingly. “The proven efficacy and well-established safety and tolerability profile, along with the convenient once-daily dosing, make CAPLYTA an excellent choice for a patient like Lindsay. But remember, every patient experience will be unique, so it’s important to monitor for potential side effects such as sudden mood changes, behaviors, or suicidal thoughts. It’s really important to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have. I encourage all of my patients to be proactive and to come to me with any questions they may have or side effects they may experience.”

“Since taking CAPLYTA I’ve noticed a real difference,” Lindsay noted. “I have fewer extreme highs and lows. I have some energy back and I get out of bed in the morning ready to face the day.”

The most common side effects experienced by people with bipolar depression taking CAPLYTA were sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth. CAPLYTA can cause sleepiness and difficulty thinking. Until a patient is aware of how CAPLYTA may affect them, they should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities. These are not all the possible side effects, please see the Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warnings, below.

If you or a loved one is struggling with bipolar depression, CAPLYTA may be able to help. Talk to your healthcare provider and ask if CAPLYTA is right for you. To learn more, visit CAPLYTA.com.

CAPLYTA^® (lumateperone) is a prescription medication used in adults for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder (bipolar depression). CAPLYTA can be taken alone or with the medicines lithium or valproate for bipolar depression. It is not known if CAPLYTA is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

Medicines like CAPLYTA can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). CAPLYTA is not approved for treating people with dementia-related psychosis.

CAPLYTA and antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is very important when CAPLYTA or an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take CAPLYTA if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face, or throat).

CAPLYTA may cause serious side effects, including:

• Stroke (cerebrovascular problems) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): high fever, confusion, changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating; these may be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal condition. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience signs and symptoms of NMS.
• Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia, TD) in your face, tongue, or other body parts. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking CAPLYTA. It may also occur after you stop taking CAPLYTA.
• Problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels and weight before you start and during your treatment with CAPLYTA. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma or death. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar: feeling very thirsty, hungry, sick to your stomach, needing to urinate more than usual, weak/tired, or confused, or your breath smells fruity.
• Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with CAPLYTA.
• Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
• Falls. CAPLYTA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause broken bones or other injuries.
• Seizures (convulsions).
• Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Until you know how CAPLYTA affects you, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
• Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated while taking CAPLYTA.
• Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into the lungs.

The most common side effects of CAPLYTA include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.

These are not all the possible side effects of CAPLYTA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had heart problems or a stroke, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood sugar, problems with cholesterol, have or have had seizures (convulsions), kidney or liver problems, or a low white blood cell count. CAPLYTA may cause fertility problems in females and males. You should notify your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking CAPLYTA. CAPLYTA may cause abnormal involuntary movements and/or withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies exposed to CAPLYTA during the third trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider if you breastfeed or are planning to breastfeed as CAPLYTA passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you’re taking. CAPLYTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how CAPLYTA works, causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking CAPLYTA without talking to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs. Contact Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. at 1-888-611-4824 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

CAPLYTA is available in 10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg capsules.

Please see Medication Guide, including Boxed Warnings.

References:

1. Frye MA, Calabrese JR, Reed ML, et al. Use of health care services among persons who screen positive for bipolar disorder. Psychiatr Serv. 2005;56(12):1529-1533.
2. Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955. February 16, 2021. Accessed April 20, 2023.
3. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder. Accessed April 21, 2023.
4. Miller S, Dell’Ossa B, Kettera TA. The prevalence and burden of bipolar depression. J Affect Disorder. 2014; 169(1): S3-S11. Accessed April 19, 2023.
5. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder. Accessed April 21, 2023.
6. Merikangas KR, Akiskal HS, Angst J, et al. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(5):543-522.
7. CAPLYTA (lumateperone) [package insert]. New York, NY: Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.; 2023.

US-CAP-2300545 10/2023