Author: admin

2018-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – Robert was in his early twenties when he began noticing patches of dry, red, and scaly skin. As a working chef living in California who enjoyed hiking, biking, and spending time at the beach, he tried to keep living his life as normally as possible, until the noticeable stares and reactions from strangers started to affect him. Robert started to try and hide his skin, wearing long sleeves and pants all the time, even at work and in the warm California weather.

“As a chef, I rely heavily on the use of my hands, and the heat of the kitchen made covering up all the time really uncomfortable,” said Robert. “My plaque psoriasis affected me every day.”

It was not until nearly two decades later that Robert finally received a diagnosis of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin condition that results in the overproduction of skin cells. When these cells reproduce more quickly than normal, they become raised, inflamed, red lesions, also called plaques. These plaques can be itchy and painful, usually occurring on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet, and can even cause stinging and burning.^1,2 It is estimated that more than 8 million Americans live with some form of psoriasis.³ Approximately 80% of those affected with plaque psoriasis have mild to moderate disease, while 20% have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.²

Without health insurance coverage to help cover his medical costs, Robert initially relied on home remedies in times of desperation to help alleviate his plaque psoriasis. Eventually, he enrolled in two clinical trials to try to treat his symptoms, but ultimately did not achieve the results he was looking for.

After exhausting these options, which did not result in any long-term improvements, Robert talked to his doctor who helped him join a clinical trial with a treatment called TREMFYA^® (guselkumab) that was approved in July 2017 to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light).

While in the clinical trial for TREMFYA^®, Robert experienced clearer skin for the first time in years. “After working with my doctor, I was able to take control of my plaque psoriasis symptoms such as itching, pain, and burning,” said Robert. “I’m hoping that through sharing my experiences, I will be able to help and inspire others who are faced with a similar situation.”

Results may vary. TREMFYA^® may not be right for everyone. Only your doctor can decide if TREMFYA^® is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?

TREMFYA^® may cause serious side effects, including infections. TREMFYA^® is a prescription medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA^® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA^® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA^®.

• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
• fever, sweats, or chills
• diarrhea or stomach pain
• muscle aches
• shortness of breath
• weight loss
• blood in your phlegm (mucus)
• cough
• burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal
• warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis

Before using TREMFYA^®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?”
• have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back.
• have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA^®.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA^® can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA^® passes into your breast milk.

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

What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA^®?

TREMFYA^® may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?”

The most common side effects of TREMFYA^® include: upper respiratory infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, and herpes simplex infections.

These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA^®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use TREMFYA^® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide for TREMFYA^®, and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

075142-170622

References:

¹ National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis.

Accessed January 8, 2018.

² American Academy of Dermatology. Psoriasis. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-conditions-by-the-numbers

Accessed February 2, 2018.

³ National Psoriasis Foundation. About the National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us.

Accessed January 11, 2018.

© Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2018 March 2018 cp-49519v1

2018-03-26T14:49:00

(BPT) – This article is sponsored advertising content from Amgen, Inc.

Those who have faced a cancer diagnosis know the experience can be overwhelming. It can present several challenges and prompt countless questions from both patients and their loved ones. But for many patients diagnosed with one incurable form of blood cancer, their first question is, “What is multiple myeloma?”

Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening blood cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow that helps fight infection. Myeloma cells are cancerous plasma cells that multiply too quickly.

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, a time to take charge in the fight against multiple myeloma and bring attention to this rare blood disease that accounts for approximately one percent of all cancers globally. Although rare, multiple myeloma is increasingly becoming more prevalent in the U.S. due to a growing number of diagnoses.

Robert Lasco is one of those patients. “In my mind everything was racing,” Lasco recalled, when he learned of his multiple myeloma diagnosis, “I know several friends and family members who have dealt with different types of cancer, but I had never heard of multiple myeloma.”

While most patients respond to initial therapy, nearly all patients eventually relapse or become refractory (non-responsive) to treatment. For this reason, patients with multiple myeloma often need multiple therapies during their journey with the disease, and Lasco was no exception.

After receiving a stem cell transplant Lasco experienced a relapse. “At that point, I decided I needed to take charge of my disease and began reading everything I could about multiple myeloma and my treatment options,” Lasco explained. “After discussing with my doctor, we decided KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) would be the best option for me.”

KYPROLIS is a prescription medication used to treat patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three previous treatments. KYPROLIS is approved for use in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, which are other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma. According to results from two large Phase 3 clinical trials, KYPROLIS plus dexamethasone (Kd) and KYPROLIS, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) each reduced the risk of death by 21 percent in relapsed multiple myeloma patients versus two different widely used treatment combinations (bortezomib plus dexamethasone and lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, respectively), resulting in patients living around 7.6 and 7.9 months longer, respectively.

Lasco was prescribed KRd by his doctor. Once back in remission, he was able to continue his advocacy work. He and his wife formed the Multiple Myeloma Education Fund, a nonprofit organization, aimed at building awareness of multiple myeloma.

“My experience with multiple myeloma has caused me to become very passionate about awareness and educating other people about this disease,” Lasco remarked. “You don’t have to walk with multiple myeloma by yourself. Take charge of your disease and ask for help when you need it.”

To take action and learn more about multiple myeloma during the month of March visit mam.myeloma.org.

If you would like to learn more about KYPROLIS, visit www.KYPROLIS.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) can cause serious side effects:

• Heart problems: KYPROLIS can cause heart problems or worsen pre-existing heart conditions. Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within one day of KYPROLIS administration. Before starting KYPROLIS, you should have a full medical work-up (including blood pressure and fluid management). You should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Kidney problems: There have been reports of sudden kidney failure in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your kidney function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): Cases of TLS have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatalities. You should be closely monitored during treatment for any signs of TLS.
• Lung damage: Cases of lung damage have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatal cases.
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs): There have been reports of pulmonary hypertension in patients receiving KYPROLIS.
• Lung complications: Shortness of breath was reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your lung function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• High blood pressure: Cases of high blood pressure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your blood pressure should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood clots: There have been reports of blood clots in patients receiving KYPROLIS. If you are at high risk for blood clots, your doctor can recommend ways to lower the risk.
• If you are using KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, your doctor should assess and may prescribe another medicine to help lower your risk for blood clots.
• If you are using birth control pills or other medical forms of birth control associated with a risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor and consider a different method of birth control during treatment with KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone.
• Infusion reactions: Symptoms of infusion reactions included fever, chills, joint pain, muscle pain, facial flushing and/or swelling, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, fainting, chest tightness, and chest pain. These symptoms can occur immediately following infusion or up to 24 hours after administration of KYPROLIS. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
• Severe bleeding problems: Fatal or serious cases of bleeding problems have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms of blood loss.
• Very low platelet count: Low platelet levels can cause unusual bruising and bleeding. You should have regular blood tests to check your platelet count during treatment.
• Liver problems: Cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your liver function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood problems: Cases of a blood disease called thrombotic microangiopathy, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), including fatal cases, have been reported in patients who received KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• Brain problems: A nerve disease called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), formerly called Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), has been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. It can cause seizure, headache, lack of energy, confusion, blindness, altered consciousness, and other visual and nerve disturbances, along with high blood pressure. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• KYPROLIS should not be combined with melphalan and prednisone: Newly diagnosed transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients have shown an increased risk of serious and fatal side effects when using KYPROLIS in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
• Possible fetal harm: KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus (unborn baby) when given to a pregnant woman. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS. Men should avoid fathering a child during treatment with KYPROLIS. KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus if used during pregnancy or if you or your partner become pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS.

You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Prolonged, unusual or excessive bleeding
• Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
• Headaches, confusion, seizures, or loss of sight
• Pregnancy (women should not receive KYPROLIS if they are pregnant or breastfeeding)
• Any other side effect that bothers you or does not go away

What are the possible side effects of KYPROLIS?

• The most common side effects occurring in at least 20% of patients receiving KYPROLIS in the combination therapy trials are: low red blood cell count, low white blood cell count, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tiredness (fatigue), low platelets, fever, sleeplessness (insomnia), muscle spasm, cough, upper airway (respiratory tract) infection, and decreased potassium levels.

These are not all the possible side effects of KYPROLIS. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Full Product Information.

2018-03-27T09:07:00

(BPT) – It’s amazing what parents do in a day. You help your kids with homework, drive them to and from practice, whip up a meal everyone will like, make sure they brush their teeth … the list goes on. Not to mention you have a job to go to. It’s a wonder parents can ever find a few minutes to relax.

While hectic can be an understatement when it comes to describing a day in the life of a parent, there are some simple and savvy ways you can save time and energy when preparing meals. Here are five tips for providing delicious weekday meals for the entire family.

1. Get in the habit of meal planning. Most people don’t realize how much time they spend stressing out about what to make for dinner each night. Something as simple as planning a weekly menu in advance can make things infinitely easier. Try sitting down on Sunday, writing down what you want to eat on each day that week and shopping accordingly. This is a simple and effective way to streamline the whole process.

2. Embrace convenience. There are far more convenient ways of getting a delicious weekday meal than chopping and sweating your way through a home-cooked recipe. You can order take out from most any restaurant these days, but Applebee’s adds an extra layer of convenience for time-crunched parents — Carside To Go(R) pickup. You simply place an order online, through the Applebee’s app, or by phone and schedule a pickup time that works for you. Then, on your way home from work, the gym or soccer practice, just pull into a designated Carside To Go parking spot outside your neighborhood Applebee’s and a team member will bring your food out to you. Deliciously simple.

3. Make food prep a family activity. Parents are always looking for a fun activity everyone will enjoy or a way to constructively engage their kids. You can knock out a few birds with one stone by encouraging your kids to become more involved with preparing family meals. For instance, you can assign them a simple side dish (it can be as easy as defrosting peas or peeling carrots) or have each kid pick a meal they want to help make each week. Whatever your approach, this is an educational and enjoyable way to spend time with your kids.

4. Don’t try to imitate the chefs on TV. We would all love to cook like those celebrity chefs on TV who don’t miss a beat and saute, grill, bake and broil any and all ingredients into a perfect dish. Don’t hold yourself to such impossible standards. Instead, focus on making delicious and nutritious meals that match your skill set and tastes. If you want to wow your family with culinary masterpieces, consider some quick and easy take out options.

5. Embrace leftovers. If you’re already in the kitchen cooking, why not add more ingredients to the pot so you can have extra meals to eat through the week? Or, instead of ordering just enough food for one night, order a couple of extra sides or entrees that you can heat up for lunch or dinner the next day.

No one said life as a parent would be a breeze, but with a few easy tweaks to how you plan, order and cook, you can make mealtime into a fun and easy part of your day.

2018-03-27T10:11:00

(BPT) – Farm-fresh eggs. Locally grown tomatoes. Herbs sourced onsite.

If you’ve eaten out recently, you’ve probably noticed the menus feature locally sourced ingredients. The farm-to-table movement continues to flourish at restaurants throughout the country.

In fact, rather than the exception, it’s become the expectation. According to the National Restaurant Association, farm-to-table is quickly becoming the new norm. Diners are so attracted to the freshest fare possible, it’s inspiring some restaurants to start their own gardens, on a rooftop, terrace or simple outdoor plot. Hyper-local culinary concepts like these represent the top trend on the annual “2018 Culinary Forecast” report.

You can take a cue from this hot trend by starting your own farm-to-table concept garden at home. Just imagine plucking ruby red tomatoes and rich green basil straight from your garden to make a farm-fresh, scrumptious caprese salad without ever leaving home. An at-home take on the farm-to-table trend can easily be translated to a convenient “garden-to-table” concept in your own backyard. Growing your own at home will elevate your cooking and you’ll feel good about being able to produce your own food while lowering your grocery bill (and certainly save by not dining out as much).

No matter the size of your garden space, you can grow fresh foods that are readily available right at your fingertips, even if you just have a small patio or balcony. What’s more, some of the most popular produce to eat is also easy to grow.

The experts at Bonnie Plants offer some easy-to-grow, space-saving suggestions to encourage a garden-to-table trend at home.

Caged tomatoes

Whether you choose big, juicy slicers or sweet cherry-sized snackers, caged tomatoes are easy to grow and offer endless cooking opportunities. Determinate varieties of tomatoes are container favorites because the vines are relatively compact yet bear a productive harvest. Or create your own container garden using tomato varieties especially bred for small spaces.

Caged peppers

Try popular and versatile Green Bell, a heavy yielder of large fruits and a good all-round pepper for slicing and stuffing. Or, spice up your recipes with jalapeño chile peppers, which yield a bountiful harvest.

Strawberries in hanging baskets

Sweet, juicy strawberries add loads of flavor to salads, dressings, drinks and desserts. Think you need a plot to grow a productive strawberry patch? Think again. Maximize space with Bonnie Plants’ strawberries in hanging baskets, which are everbearing and produce cascades of berries throughout the growing season.

Herbs in combo pots

Want to raise the flavor profile of any culinary dish? Fresh herbs are your best bet. Herb gardens can be grown in compact spaces, which means you can fit your favorites in no matter how much space you have.

For example, a kitchen herb combo container featuring sweet basil, cilantro and curled parsley is a powerhouse pot that’s both practical and pretty. You can set it right outside your door for convenient access and continuous harvest. Herbs are ready for harvest upon purchase and will keep growing and giving all season long.

Bonnie Plants offers more than 250 varieties of vegetables and herbs, from tried and true classics to some unusual varieties you may not have tried, such as Holy Basil, Tepin Chili Pepper, Barbeque Rosemary, Little Napoli Patio Roma and many more.

Once it’s time to harvest, have fun exploring new recipes and experimenting with home-grown, fresh-picked produce that will shake up your supper and then some. For more inspiration for easy at-home gardening, visit bonnieplants.com.

This recipe for a classic caprese salad is sure to hit the spot as a light lunch or satisfying start to dinner.

Caprese salad

Ingredients:

1 fresh tomato
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
Basil leaves
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Slice tomato in 1/4-inch thick slices. Do the same for the mozzarella. Alternate layers between the tomato, mozzarella and basil. First, a tomato slice, then a mozzarella slice, then a few leaves of basil; begin and end with tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or your favorite Italian dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2018-03-27T13:01:00

(BPT) – When someone says blood cancer, the average person may typically think of lymphoma or leukemia. However, for an estimated 229,468 worldwide, blood cancer means multiple myeloma.[I]

In fact, multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer.[ii] An estimated 30,280 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in 2017 in the United States alone.[iii] March 1 marked the beginning of Multiple Myeloma Action Month, an annual observance helping to shed light on this disease. While supporting patients with multiple myeloma is a 365-day-a-year effort, March offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and what’s next in improving patient care.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells.[iv],[v] Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.[iv],[v] Genetic changes in plasma cells cause them to transform into cancer cells, replicate uncontrollably and accumulate in the bone marrow.[v] The exact cause is unknown, and most people with multiple myeloma have no known risk factors other than age and race.[iii],[vi] African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma compared to white Americans.[iii] The average age at diagnosis is 69 years.[iii]

Patient outcomes are improving

In the 1990s, only one-third of patients survived five years following diagnosis.[vii] Now, nearly half of all multiple myeloma patients are expected to survive five years or more.[iii],[vii] This is largely due to ongoing research efforts that have led to the approval of new and novel treatments.

The multiple myeloma advocacy community is powerful

The International Myeloma Foundation declared March 2009 the first ever Myeloma Awareness Month and has since elevated the program to Myeloma Action Month, inspiring people to take action to drive awareness and progress. The International Myeloma Foundation and other patient organizations like the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Myeloma Crowd have become driving forces in the multiple myeloma community, helping to advance patient care through research and fundraising efforts while furthering public awareness. Patient demographics gathered through the MMRF CoMMpass Study^SM are helping patients to better assess their treatment options, while programs like LLS’ Light The Night^® and the MMRF’s The Journey Towards a Cure have infused the patient community with immense strength. Those involved often create long-lasting relationships and expand their support networks.

The search for a cure is an ongoing priority

While significant improvements in patient care have been made, there is still no cure for multiple myeloma. Patient advocates and researchers alike are dedicated to improving understanding of the disease and driving medical innovation. Projects, like the Myeloma Genome Project, are assessing genetic data associated with patient outcomes in an effort to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Additionally, research initiatives continue to investigate new uses for current therapies, while also exploring promising new approaches like utilizing patients’ own immune systems to fight the disease.

Nadim Ahmed, President, Hematology and Oncology, Celgene, notes that, “It is not just during the month of March, but every day throughout the year that we must continue to discover new ways to provide a brighter future for people with multiple myeloma. Through dedicated research and continued partnership with an amazing group of patients, caregivers, advocacy organizations and researchers, it is our hope that one day we can find a cure for this devastating disease.”

2018-03-28T12:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know that according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, and about half of them don’t even realize they have it? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it is asymptomatic and painless, and can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. However, those who are aware of their glaucoma may feel the pressure of managing their condition.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) characterizes glaucoma as damage to the eye’s optic nerve that can result in vision loss. This can occur when fluid build-up increases the intraocular eye pressure (IOP) to a point that can no longer be tolerated by the optic nerve, causing irreversible damage. As the disease progresses, Kellogg Eye Center reports patients may lose their peripheral vision, and experience tunnel vision, blind spots or even complete blindness.

The burden of managing the condition may be frustrating, seemingly unnecessary and cumbersome. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it has to be managed for life. However, the nerve damage caused by increased IOP could have no symptoms, which makes adhering to a treatment schedule a struggle for many. The GRF reports that research has shown approximately 40 percent of patients do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them.

“The daily adherence to strict treatment regimens is overwhelming for many patients suffering from increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma,” said Dr. Brian Flowers* of Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. “Patients should work closely with their eye care provider to determine a schedule that works for them, or to discuss surgical options that may help reduce dependence on daily drops.”

Alcon, the global leader in eye care, offers the following tips that may help relieve the pressure of daily treatment regimens for their IOP.

1. Visit your doctor for a regular eye screening. Since the condition can silently progress, only experts can appropriately diagnose and treat this “silent thief of sight,” while providing guidance on treatment that may work best for you.
2. Follow a schedule that works best for you. Be sure to take your medication exactly as directed, by setting reminders or timers, according to the GRF. Consult your doctor on the best way to manage your medication schedule, on your terms.
3. Consider one of the microinvasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) options that may reduce your need for glaucoma medications. For those with increased IOP associated with mild-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma and undergoing cataract surgery, the CyPass^® Micro-Stent from Alcon is an innovative option that not only can ease the pressure in your eyes, but may also help reduce daily dependence on topical glaucoma medications. Talk to your doctor to see if this option is right for you.

“The first step to easing the pressure caused by glaucoma is becoming informed, and knowing to visit your doctor regularly so that you can be diagnosed as early as possible,” said Dr. Randy Craven* of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “After being diagnosed, work with your doctor to consider your options so you can continue to live your life fully despite the condition.”

Considering your personal lifestyle when deciding your course of treatment is key to easing the pressure due to glaucoma, and will help you and your doctor decide the best path forward, and whether a MIGS option, such as CyPass^® Micro-Stent, could be right for you.

Visit MyCyPass.com for more information about how you can lower your eye pressure at the same time as cataract surgery and to find a CyPass^® Micro-Stent surgeon in your local area.

CyPass^® Micro-Stent Important Product Information

INDICATION: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who are undergoing cataract surgery.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent should not be used if:

• You have a type of glaucoma other than primary open-angle glaucoma
• Your eye anatomy or condition is unusual; for instance, if the area in your eye is too narrow to implant the CyPass^® Micro-Stent, or if there is a condition that may prevent your eye surgeon from seeing where the CyPass^® Micro-Stent will be implanted

PRECAUTIONS: Your eye surgeon will monitor you after surgery to make sure your eye pressure is controlled. If it is not, your eye surgeon may recommend appropriate medication or other treatment to control your eye pressure. The safety and effectiveness of use of more than a single CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been established. The CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been shown to be an alternative to treatment of glaucoma with medicine.

ADVERSE EVENTS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent was studied in a clinical trial to compare the performance of cataract surgery with the CyPass^® Micro-Stent to cataract surgery alone (without the CyPass^® Micro-Stent). In this study, the most common adverse events in both groups included: significant loss of corrected vision (8.8% for the CyPass^® Micro-Stent vs 15.3% for cataract surgery only); visual field disturbances requiring steroid eye drops 30 or more days after surgery (8.6% vs 3.8%); significant worsening of visual field (6.7% vs 9.9%); significant increases in intraocular pressure 30 or more days after surgery (4.3% vs 2.3%); and eye swelling either 30 or more days after surgery, or severe in nature (3.5% vs 1.5%).

The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device.

Talk to your eye doctor to see if the CyPass^® Micro-Stent is right for you.

*This release was provided by Alcon and Drs. Craven and Flowers are paid consultants.

2018-03-28T13:00:00

(BPT) – Carolyn Rios and her husband Rick have adventured far and wide together. From their post-college move to the Alaskan wilderness to 20 years of humanitarian work in Russia, this couple of more than 50 years has shared experiences that have far exceeded their imaginations.

Decades of adventure together — including a forced landing in their bush plane when its engine failed over a mountain range — have helped Carolyn and Rick learn to face and effectively manage unexpected challenges. But even as the two have come to expect the unexpected, nothing could have prepared the couple for Carolyn’s diagnosis at age 69 with the rare lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, in 2015.

“All of my emergency training could not equip me for the day Carolyn was diagnosed,” said Rick. “My initial thought was, ‘What do I do now? Where’s the emergency plan? How do we land this plane?’”

IPF causes permanent scarring of the lungs. It affects up to 132,000 Americans and yields about 50,000 new cases every year. A proper diagnosis for IPF patients often takes years because its symptoms, including breathlessness and a dry persistent cough, are similar to — and easily confused with — other more common and recognizable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma.

After Carolyn’s diagnosis, she experienced a period of deep concern for taking the next best steps — spiritually, emotionally and medically. Praying brought her comfort and clarity. Sharing the news with their two sons, family members and close friends brought support and companionship. The medical information seemed so bleak, yet her energy to pursue the next best steps remained. Thankfully, she and Rick were able to identify a pulmonologist who educated the two on Ofev^® (nintedanib), a treatment option that could help slow the progression of the disease.

Armed with information about IPF and potential treatment options, Carolyn and Rick started thinking about IPF as their next adventure and charted their course. Carolyn began taking Ofev^®, and Rick became her helper, assisting her to map out her daily regimen, track her medications and doctor appointments and follow a precise exercise and nutrition plan.

Today, Carolyn’s regular checkups have indicated only a slight drop in lung function. She experiences queasiness due to the medication but works with her doctors — her “adventure guides” — to manage this by eating certain foods prior to taking the medication.

“Life leads us on many adventures. Some adventures we plan, others are unexpected, and others challenge us more than we expect! But regardless, every adventure teaches us something if we’re willing to learn,” said Carolyn. “Experiencing IPF is another one of life’s adventures for me and accepting the challenges that come with it brings me to a deeper understanding of the true essence of my life. Each day still has opportunities to love well — with or without IPF.”

Carolyn and Rick are still able to travel together and most recently planned five trips for their 50th wedding anniversary — one trip to celebrate each decade of their adventure-packed marriage. And while their new “adventure” with IPF is ongoing, they are determined to focus instead on their time together and with their sons and grandchildren.

To learn more about Ofev^® visit www.Ofev.com.

What is OFEV?

OFEV is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It is not known if OFEV is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about OFEV (nintedanib)?

OFEV can cause harm, birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Women should not become pregnant while taking OFEV. Women who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and should use birth control during and for at least 3 months after your last dose. If you become pregnant while taking OFEV, tell your doctor right away.

What should I tell my doctor before using OFEV?

Before you take OFEV, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver problems
• heart problems
• a history of blood clots
• a bleeding problem or a family history of a bleeding problem
• had recent surgery in your stomach (abdominal) area
• any other medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you:

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OFEV passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking OFEV.
• are a smoker. You should stop smoking prior to taking OFEV and avoid smoking during treatment.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort.

What are the possible side effects of OFEV?

OFEV may cause serious side effects.

TELL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY if you are experiencing any side effects, including:

• Liver problems. Unexplained symptoms may include yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice), dark or brown (tea colored) urine, pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen), bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, feeling tired, or loss of appetite. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to check how well your liver is working during your treatment with OFEV.
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor may recommend that you drink fluids or take medicine to treat these side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms, if they do not go away, or get worse and if you are taking over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, and other medicines or dietary supplements.
• Heart attack. Symptoms of a heart problem may include chest pain or pressure, pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw, or shortness of breath.
• Stroke. Symptoms of a stroke may include numbness or weakness on 1 side of your body, trouble talking, headache, or dizziness.
• Bleeding problems. OFEV may increase your chances of having bleeding problems. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bleeding, bruising, or wounds that do not heal and/or if you are taking a blood thinner, including prescription blood thinners and over-the-counter aspirin.
• Tear in your stomach or intestinal wall (perforation). OFEV may increase your chances of having a tear in your stomach or intestinal wall. Tell your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your stomach area.

The most common side effects of OFEV are diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, liver problems, decreased appetite, headache, weight loss, and high blood pressure.

These are not all the possible side effects of OFEV. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, visit OFEV.com or contact Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-542-6257

2018-03-28T17:15:00

(BPT) – The kidneys play an important role in maintaining our overall health. While these bean-shaped organs perform multiple functions, a primary role is filtration, critical to clearing waste such as urea and to keeping the body’s fluids and electrolytes in balance. Good kidney health is essential for everyone, yet today, more than 30 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and there has been little new innovation to treat kidney disease in over a decade.[1]

So how does diabetes, an all-too-common cardiovascular and metabolic (CVM) condition, impact our kidneys? The most common causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure.[2] For those with diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or use normal amounts of insulin properly. Because of the high levels of sugar in the blood, the millions of tiny filtering units within the kidney are overused and damaged, leading to chronic loss of kidney function and, eventually, diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic kidney disease can lead to end-stage renal disease, which requires dialysis or kidney transplantation, further increasing the already elevated risk in diabetes for cardiovascular-related death.[3] Even with an estimated 1 in 3 people with type 1 diabetes and half with type 2 diabetes eventually developing CKD, there have been no recent breakthrough treatments for this disease.[4]

March is National Kidney Month, and it stands as a reminder of how important it is to not only take care of our kidneys and live a healthy lifestyle, but also to continue to research new ways in preventing, treating, and ultimately curing such life-threatening and widespread disease.

“Diabetic kidney disease continues to devastate communities worldwide, driven by rising diabetes incidence,” said James F. List, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Head, Cardiovascular & Metabolism at Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “This condition is chronic and progressive with severe impact on a patient’s overall health and well-being. To have a meaningful impact on the fight against kidney disease, we need to focus our research on addressing diabetes, the primary cause of this disease.”

CKD often goes undetected until it is at an advanced stage. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the following steps can be taken to help protect the kidneys and improve overall health:[5]

1. Get tested: Ask your doctor for an albumin-to-creatinine ratio urine test, or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) blood test annually if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, are over age 60, or have a family history of kidney failure.
2. Monitor and limit NSAIDs use: Pain medicines, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), may alleviate your aches and pains, but they can harm the kidneys.
3. Cut processed foods: Processed foods can be an unhealthy source of sodium, nitrates and phosphates, and have been linked to kidney disease, among other diseases.
4. Exercise regularly: Being active for at least 30 minutes a day can also help control lower blood sugar, which is vital to kidney health.
5. Control blood pressure and diabetes: Monitoring and managing blood sugar levels can slow the progression of kidney disease.

Kidney damage caused by diabetes can occur slowly and can go undetected over many years. However, you can take these easy steps to protect your kidneys, so act now.

2018-03-29T15:01:00

(BPT) – Do you love dairy, but usually regret eating it shortly after it’s gone? That sour stomach after drinking milk, munching on cheese or eating ice cream is sometimes called a dairy hangover. The culprit: lactose.

Lactose is a milk sugar. Infants have special enzymes that break down lactose. As people grow, the ability to digest milk typically decreases because they lose these enzymes. In fact, approximately 65 percent of the human population has a reduced ability to digest milk and foods made with milk after infancy, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

If you’ve had the following symptoms after eating dairy products, you may be lactose intolerant:

* Gas

* Bloating

* Abdominal cramping

* Diarrhea

* Nausea

If you or your children have these symptoms, there are many things you can do. First, talk with your doctor or nutritionist about your health concerns. Second, consider keeping a food journal of what you eat and how it makes you feel. This can help uncover trends and important connections. Finally, research high-quality dairy-free alternatives for you and your family’s diet.

Tips for going dairy-free

Adjusting to a low-dairy or dairy-free diet might seem overwhelming. There are many dairy-free milk options on the market, but it’s important to be a conscientious shopper. Whereas most dairy-free beverages use non-food flavorings and additives like carrageenan, all plant-based Mooala products are made with real ingredients, and are USDA-certified organic, Kosher and GMO-free.

Every Mooala product has 10 or fewer grams of sugar per serving and it can be found in approximately 1,500 retailers throughout the U.S. Try Original Almondmilk and Vanilla Bean Almondmilk for a creamy treat that tastes surprisingly similar to milk. Nut-free and soy-free Original Bananamilk is also available to the estimated 5 million Americans who are allergic to tree nuts.

Another concern for people cutting dairy is vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. Fortunately, there are foods you can add to your diet so you get these important nutrients. Egg yolks, canned tuna and almonds are good sources of vitamin D. Spinach, kale, collards and white beans are good sources of calcium. What’s more, many common grocery store items are fortified with calcium and vitamin D as well, such as breakfast cereals and orange juice. Just look at the label for more information.

There are plentiful options to eat well and go dairy-free if you have lactose sensitivities. Have fun exploring new recipes that support your nutritional needs. One that features many of these powerful dairy-free foods is a tasty smoothie you can whip up in just minutes:

Grapefruit Bananamilk Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 deseeded grapefruit
1 sweet apple
2 handfuls of spinach
1 frozen banana
1 handful of ice
1/2 cup Mooala’s Original Bananamilk
Dash of fresh ginger

Directions:
Place ingredients in blender, then puree until you’ve reached your desired consistency.

2018-03-29T15:29:00

(BPT) – With spring having officially begun, many eager homeowners and landscape professionals across the country will roll up their sleeves and reach for their shovels to start projects that require digging this season.

During the transition into “digging season,” Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the organization dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities, reminds homeowners and professional diggers that calling 811 is the first step toward protecting you and your community from the risk of unintentionally damaging an underground line.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a free call to 811. Installing a mailbox or fence, building a deck and landscaping are all examples of digging projects that should only begin a few days after making a call to 811. Calling this number connects you to your local one-call utility notification center.

According to data collected by CGA in a phone survey in February, millions of American homeowners will likely do DIY projects involving digging this year, but 36 percent of them do not plan to make a free call to 811 before digging. Extrapolated to the full population of U.S. homeowners, approximately 48.3 million people will dig this year without first calling 811.

A utility line is damaged every nine minutes in America because someone decided to dig without making a call to 811 to learn the approximate location of buried utilities in their area. Unintentionally striking one of these lines can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, serious harm to yourself or your neighbors, and significant repair costs.

As a result, CGA offers the following tips to make sure you complete your project safely and without any utility service interruptions, so you don’t become a statistic.

Here’s how the 811 process works:

1. One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for your local one-call center to notify appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Call a few days prior to digging to ensure enough time for the approximate location of utility lines to be marked with flags or paint.

2. When you call 811, a representative from your local one-call center will ask for the location and description of your digging project.

3. Your local one-call center will notify affected utility companies, which will then send professional locators to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines.

4. Only once all lines have been accurately marked, carefully dig around the marked areas.

There are nearly 20 million miles of underground utility lines in the United States, which equates to more than a football field’s length of utilities for every person in the U.S. Your family depends on this buried infrastructure for your everyday needs including electric, natural gas, water and sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet and landline telephone. With that much critical infrastructure underground, it’s important to know what’s below and call 811 before digging.

To find out more information about 811 or the one-call utility notification center in your area, visit www.call811.com.