Category: Brandpoint Health

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.

2018-04-09T12:01:00

(BPT) – “As a doctor, I want patients to have open conversations with me about any symptoms they may experience without feeling uncomfortable,” said Dr. Howard Franklin, MBA, vice president of medical affairs and strategy at Salix Pharmaceuticals. “But, I understand that patients may sometimes choose not to talk about symptoms they find embarrassing.”

Such is the case when it comes to discussing bowel movements. For people who experience abdominal pain and diarrhea, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor as they may be signs of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D).

A report published by the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that up to 75 percent of individuals living with irritable bowel syndrome may be undiagnosed. You are not alone.

For the up to 16 million Americans living with IBS-D, it is often an uncomfortable disorder that can reduce a patient’s quality of life. IBS-D affects twice as many women as men and often occurs in people younger than 45. It can cause interference with daily activities and avoidance of certain foods.

If you’ve experienced these symptoms, Franklin offers two important steps you can take.

Understand the disorder

IBS-D is a disorder of the large intestine and though the precise cause is unknown, it is believed that there are various factors that can play a role in creating symptoms. Stronger, longer muscle contractions in the intestines and poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines are all possible causes for IBS-D. Often, IBS-D is triggered by food, caffeine, stress, carbonated drinks, artificial sugars or infectious diarrhea.

Changes in bacteria in the gut have also been linked to symptoms of IBS-D. In a healthy state, the microbiome and the human host have a mutually beneficial relationship as the host intestine provides the bacteria with an environment to flourish and the bacteria provides physiological stability. A change in the number of bacteria and in their type can disrupt this relationship.

Talk to your doctor

Don’t hesitate to initiate the conversation with your doctor if you experience symptoms of IBS-D.

It’s time to talk to your doctor if:

* Your abdominal pain keeps coming back at least one day per week in the last three months

* The frequency of your bowel movements, and/or the way your stool looks has changed

Here are a few ways you can prepare for a conversation with your doctor:

1. Write down your symptoms and triggers.

2. Make a list of all your medications.

3. Plan questions in advance, such as: What are the likely causes of my symptoms? Should I make any changes to my diet or lifestyle? What treatment options do you recommend for me?

There is no need to suffer with IBS-D in silence. Speak up to your doctor and, together, find ways to manage the disorder. For more information about IBS-D, visit www.LetsTalk-2.com.

2018-04-02T09:01:00

(BPT) – U.S. residents logged 1.7 billion trips for leisure purposes in 2016, according to the U.S. Travel Association, and this number will likely grow in 2018. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, you shouldn’t lose sight of nutrition. It’s common to think, “Hey, I’m on vacation, so I can throw my healthy diet out the window.” Wrong. Traveling can throw the body for a loop with time zone changes, shifts in sleep schedules and the availability of fast, convenient and highly processed foods.

Use these five easy steps to make sure you stay healthy on the go this year.

1. Pack healthy snacks.

Dining while on the go usually translates to getting a quick hunger fix that involves processed, high-fat foods. Make a conscious effort to pack healthy snacks. Apples and nut butter, pretzels and hummus and dried, no-sugar-added fruit are a few healthy options.

2. Lighten your luggage.

It’s all too common for travelers to try to max out the weight of their checked luggage, which often weighs in at 50 pounds. Carting around heavy luggage and bags can take a toll on the body.

One easy way to lighten your load is to condense cumbersome toiletries. For instance, look at the prescription medications and dietary supplements you’re packing. A 2018 Wakefield Research study, conducted for Vitamin Packs, found that more than half — 51 percent — of respondents tote along five or more different types of pills when they’re traveling. And with age comes ailments. Baby boomers are the pill pack mules, with 64 percent taking five or more types of pills along for the ride when they travel, compared to only 35 percent of millennials who bring the same amount.

The good news — you can leave dietary supplement bottles and days-of-the-week pillboxes at home. Look for personalized vitamin subscription services, like Vitamin Packs (www.vitaminpacks.com), that combine customized dietary supplements into individual daily packs that can easily tuck into your carry-on luggage.

3. Don’t forget essential nutrients.

The introduction of personalized nutrition has made it much easier (and lighter) to bring your vitamins and supplements with you when you travel. It may not always be convenient to grab a bright orange pepper or a bowl of fresh spinach while on the go. Therefore, your body may be craving folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin A, lutein, and just about every other phytonutrient.

“We shouldn’t sacrifice our nutrition simply because we’re away from our kitchen,” commented Elizabeth Somer, registered dietitian, author of “Eat Your Way to Happiness” and Vitamin Packs medical advisory board member. “I always pack nutritionally rich go-to snacks when I’m away from home and pack a multivitamin that delivers the essential nutrients my body needs to perform at its best.”

4. Keep your blood flowing.

If you’re planning a U.S. cross-country flight this year, direct flights can leave you sitting for five hours or more. These long periods of sedentary travel can lead to blood clots. Before you go, check with your doctor about adding an omega-3 supplement to your diet to maintain healthy blood flow.

5. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

Water should be your No. 1 travel companion. Pack a reusable water bottle, so you can quickly fill up at water fountains located in many airports, train stations and bus stops.

As you take to the air, road or track this year, make nutrition a top priority. Your body will thank you and it will give you the energy you need to enjoy your time wherever your travels take you.

2018-04-03T10:35:00

(BPT) – Major life events like childbirth, aging and menopause can cause unwanted changes to a woman’s body. These tend to include a woman’s overall vaginal health that can impact her daily life in terms of work, travel, sports and also, her sex life.

Fortunately, there is an innovative, non-surgical treatment that can restore confidence by helping women of all ages feel more like their younger, more vital and sensual selves. This non-invasive procedure reverses the changes in vaginal tissue that are often associated with aging, childbirth and menopause. With the Juliet^™ laser, women can feel and see improvement after every treatment as the vagina is restored to a more youthful state.

Bay Area medical device company, CUTERA^®, recently launched the Juliet^™ laser, an innovative system that provides women renewed confidence, quality of life and enhanced sexual function. This quick, painless treatment is performed in your provider’s office and takes approximately 15 minutes and can be performed without anesthesia, incisions or downtime. The Juliet laser works by delivering two passes of laser energy to the vaginal area. The first pass stimulates the remodeling of collagen while the second pass stimulates the damaged tissue. As a result, women experience an overall improvement in vaginal rejuvenation.

“Today’s woman strives to both look and feel good, and their sexuality is an important part of their lives,” reports Dr. James Mirabile, a Board-Certified Gynecologist in Overland Park, Kansas. “The Juliet laser is turning back the clock on feminine aging. Some women are even showing improvement in symptoms after a single treatment with best results achieved after two to three sessions. Lubrication, vaginal laxity and tone can be vastly improved. Sex becomes comfortable again as Juliet treats burning, itching, dryness and painful intercourse, with results continuing to improve in the months that follow. It is the treatment of choice for women experiencing menopause to help restore their self-confidence. Our patients tolerate the procedure very well and are extremely pleased with the results we can achieve,” he said.

According to Dr. Samuel Lederman, Co-Director of Laser Skin & Wellness in Palm Beach County, Florida, “With the Juliet laser, we have found that dramatic improvements can occur in quality of life and our patients are genuinely excited about the results. Women who have had two or three children are amazed by the changes they experience. Post-menopausal women are delighted with the reduction in the symptoms of feminine aging that can be achieved with this revolutionary in-office procedure. Because Juliet’s beneficial effects continue to improve over time, many women report further clinical benefits in three or more months after they have been treated,” he said.

The Juliet laser is a safe and effective treatment for many of the symptoms typically associated with diminished estrogen production from aging, changes after childbirth, as well as after breast cancer treatments or hysterectomy.

To find a Juliet provider near you, visit the Cutera Treatment Finder.

2018-04-02T07:01:01

(BPT) – If bioelectronic medicine sounds futuristic, it’s because many of its applications operate like something out of a science fiction movie. But at its core, bioelectronic medicine is simply the use of technology to treat disease and injury.

Some applications include tools that you’re probably already familiar with, like cochlear implants and cardiac pacemakers. When these technologies were first introduced, they were considered revolutionary. While still important advancements, they are now commonplace instruments in a doctor’s toolbox.

Bioelectronic medicine can involve implanting a device that impacts neural signals which could impact a variety of inflammatory diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and more. There is ongoing research into whether such stimulation could potentially impact paralysis as well. It can also be used as a way to assess and track diseases like diabetes.

As the field continues to evolve, newer applications in bioelectronic medicine continue to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Take, for example, Tumor Treating Fields, a therapy that utilizes the natural electrical properties of dividing cancer cells to treat cancer without many of the life-altering side effects associated with other traditional treatments.

Patients wear a device that creates electric fields tuned to specific frequencies to disrupt cell division, inhibiting tumor growth and causing affected cancer cells to die. The therapy, which you can learn more about on Novocure.com, received its first approval by the FDA for a specific type of aggressive brain cancer in 2011.

Clinical research on Tumor Treating Fields has continued, and the treatment shows promise in multiple solid tumor types — including some of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The therapy has been shown to have minimal side effects, with mild to moderate skin irritation being the most common side effect.

Bioelectronic treatments not only have the benefit of typically causing fewer side effects, but there is also room to improve the treatment through engineering.

“One of the benefits of having a device over a drug is we can continue to develop and improve the technology over time,” explained Eilon Kirson, Chief Science Officer and Head of Research and Development at Novocure. “We’re not locked into a chemical formula. The platform can continue to evolve.”

The field of bioelectronic medicine itself continues to progress, having only come into being in the late 20th century. With so much advancement made in such a short time, the promise of what may come in the future feels pulled straight from the big screen.

2018-04-09T08:01:00

(BPT) – A Simple Blood Test Can Help Doctors Determine Your Current Likelihood of Having a Blockage in Your Heart Arteries

Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as a blockage in the heart arteries, has many telltale signs. Chest discomfort. Heartburn. Tightness or pressure in the throat, jaw, shoulder, abdomen, back or arm. Yet all these signs can signal other issues going on inside the patient. Too much spicy food, stress, a pulled muscle. The list can grow rather long. Determining the cause of these symptoms can be tricky business. So how do you and your doctor correctly identify the cause of your specific symptoms? It can be as easy as a simple blood test.

Understanding the results of the blood test is just as easy as getting the blood test done. This simple blood test is scored on a scale of 1-40. Those with low scores, defined as ≤ 15, can be safely assessed as having symptoms unlikely to be caused by CAD, whereas patients with higher scores have a higher likelihood of CAD. Patients with low scores can be spared invasive and potentially risky cardiac tests and procedures, while those with higher scores can receive additional testing necessary to achieve their proper diagnosis and treatment.

Recently, the results of the registry study, called PRESET,¹ looked at how effective the test does what it was designed to do. This simple blood test minimized unnecessary cardiology referrals and additional cardiac testing for low-risk patients. This means reducing patient exposure to radiation from a nuclear stress test or coronary CT scan, decreased likelihood of skin rashes where electrodes are placed for echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, exercise stress tests and more, reduced risk of dye reactions or risk associated with surgical heart procedures such as possible injury to the artery, kidney damage, bleeding complications, and more. These patients can get reliable information without the risks of the traditional tests.

The test (known as the Corus^® CAD blood test) incorporates age, sex and gene expression measurements into a single score that indicates a person’s current likelihood of obstructive CAD. Unlike a genetic test, which provides information about a patient’s future risk of disease, this test provides the current likelihood of blockage in his or her heart artery. It’s much safer for the patient and has the benefit of saving the healthcare system money by reducing unnecessary tests and procedures.

Recently, the American Heart Association highlighted the Corus CAD test in a new 2017 Scientific Statement² about how precision medicine can be used to diagnose and predict cardiovascular disorders. The AHA’s statement confirms that this simple blood test has been proven valid and useful in clinical studies. If you are concerned about the symptoms of obstructive CAD, talk with your doctor.

For more information about the Corus CAD blood test, visit www.corusCAD.com.

Fast Facts

• One in seven deaths among Americans is caused by CAD³
• Traditional tests carry various risks
• A simple blood test called Corus CAD helps doctors identify patients who are at low risk so that unnecessary and potentially harmful cardiac tests can be avoided, as well as those at high risk so appropriate next steps can be taken

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¹ Ladapo JA, Budoff M, Sharp D, et al. Clinical Utility of a Precision Medicine Test Evaluating Outpatients with Suspected Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease. Am J Med. 2017;130(4):482.e11-482.e17.

² Musunuru K, Ingelsson E, Fornage M, et al. The Expressed Genome in Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke: Refinement, Diagnosis, and Prediction: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2017;10(4):e1-e25.

³ Benjamin EJ, Blaha MJ, Chiuve SE, et al. On Behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2017 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(10):e146-e603.

2018-04-03T10:01:00

(BPT) – Can cutting back on whole grains be bad for your gut and deadly to your health? Though some popular diets promote the elimination of grains, a recent report from the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests this may be ill-advised.

Researchers say 47 percent of colorectal cancers can be prevented with lifestyle changes, such as adding whole grains to your diet and exercising more. Eating three daily servings of whole grains reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17 percent, the report says.

But the link between whole grains and cancer may be confusing. After all, the major benefit of whole grains is fiber, and fiber is fiber, right?

Here’s the paradox about fiber: Americans have increased their consumption of fiber, including whole grains. In spite of that, bowel cancer is still one the most common types of cancer. Not all fiber is alike. Understanding how whole grains and their fiber types go to work in the gut may hold the key to reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

A new kind of super-grain

First, we turn to the humble barley grain. It may be on the verge of a big moment. Australian researchers spent 30 years breeding a variety of barley that contains more of the properties believed to reduce colon cancer. The result is a so-called super-grain called BARLEYmax.

What’s special about BARLEYmax? This non-GMO grain has twice the fiber as most other whole grains, including wheat. It’s also chock-full of a unique type of fiber called resistant starch. Scientists believe resistant starch plays an important role in keeping the gut environment healthy. BARLEYmax has four times as much resistant starch as wheat and oats, and scientists believe it’s this resistant starch that may be the key link to fighting colorectal cancer.

What do resistant starches do?

Why did the Australian researchers want to develop a grain that was high in resistant starches? Dr. David Topping, who headed the research team, points to previous research showing the link between diet and colorectal cancer.

Africans have a lower fiber intake compared to Americans and Australians, yet their bowel cancer rates are much lower, he reports. On the surface, this appears to diminish the role of fiber. Here’s the kicker: The African diet is much higher in resistant starches and fermentable fibers than American and Australian diets.

According to Topping, that highlights the key determinant of better bowel health and fighting cancer is that we eat enough of the right fiber types, from whole grain sources, rather than to focus only on the amount of fiber we eat.

How do resistant starches work?

We’ve all heard about how important it is to make sure the gut is inhabited by the right kinds of bacteria. But it’s not as simple as taking a probiotic supplement or eating yogurt for breakfast. Gut bacteria need food to thrive, and that’s where resistant starches come in.

In the gut, resistant starches are a food source for healthy gut bacteria, and these bacteria keep the gut environment healthy. When diets are low in resistant starches, it creates a “hungry gut bacteria population.” But increasing the availability of fermentable fiber-rich whole grains that feed the gut microbiota can potentially make us healthier.

Good sources of good fiber

It’s exciting to hear that boosting your intake of resistant starches can have such a profound effect on your well-being and health. Getting the right foods that “feed” your gut has been tricky because, frankly, many are not appealing to American tastes.

Green bananas are a prime example. Although resistant starches are abundant in foods like cooked and cooled potatoes, barley and oats, these have to be eaten cold to get the full benefits, because these starches break down when heated.

Australian natural foods company Freedom Foods is the first breakfast manufacturer to bring the unique BARLEYmax grain to the U.S. under their Barley+ line of Toasted Mueslis and nutritional bars. The format, which is much closer to American-style granola but without all the sugar, will provide Americans with a much more accessible way to access resistant starch than some of the more obscure sources currently available.

Barley+ Toasted Muesli and Barley+ Snack Bars are now available at grocers and other retailers. To learn more about the mueslis and snacks, visit freedomfoodsus.com.

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.

2018-04-03T14:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you probably know it can seem like an overwhelming task. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll indicates losing weight is harder than ever before, and that today’s busy modern lifestyle is a key reason why.

But, don’t lose hope. Results also suggest that taking a new approach to weight loss can help, and that you can increase your chances for reaching and maintaining your weight-loss goals by getting a clear picture of the factors holding you back, and establishing a plan compatible with your lifestyle.

“The Truth About Weight Loss” survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll in October/November 2017 on behalf of Zaluvida, the makers of I-REMOVE (R), and included nearly 1,000 health care professionals [458 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 503 pharmacists], and more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and over.

So, what are our roadblocks?

The survey paints a picture of U.S. adults who are discouraged when it comes to weight loss, and some of the key reasons why.

Among its findings:

* 77 percent of PCPs and 81 percent of pharmacists say losing weight is harder today than it was for previous generations because of the busy, modern lifestyle of Americans.

* Too much screen time (i.e., time spent on computers, tablets and mobile phones) has resulted in Americans leading less-active lifestyles, according to 95 percent of PCPs and 97 percent of pharmacists.

* Lack of time is taking a toll as well. 97 percent to 98 percent of PCPs and pharmacists are concerned that Americans not taking time to plan healthy meals will negatively impact their weight and their family’s weight.

The result of all this? Widespread frustration. While 41 percent of Americans are now attempting to lose weight, only 29 percent of them are confident they’ll achieve their current weight-loss goals. Fifty-nine percent of them say they’re frustrated by previous attempts to lose weight — typically, they’ve tried to slim down a substantial five times in the past five years.

What’s needed? A sustainable plan, and more weight-loss options.

At least 89 percent of health care professionals surveyed say Americans need to take a new approach to weight loss that fits with today’s modern lifestyle.

Instead of embarking blindly on a goal to lose weight, they say people should develop a plan that accounts for their potential stumbling blocks — most advise that your plan should be sustainable (79 percent of PCPs and 69 percent of pharmacists), not be time-consuming (56 percent of PCPs and 55 percent of pharmacists), and not require sudden or major shifts to your daily routine (54 percent of PCPs and 53 percent of pharmacists).

You may also want to consider new options; at least 84 percent of PCPs and pharmacists say they wish they had more weight-loss options for people who are overweight but not yet obese, and 63 percent of PCPs and 60 percent of pharmacists agree that a weight-loss product/aid that fits into one’s lifestyle without unpleasant side effects would make it easier for their patients to lose weight.

One such product that’s now available in the U.S. is I-REMOVE, a weight-loss aid aimed at helping people lose weight and achieve healthier lifestyles they can sustain long-term. As the No. 1 best-selling weight-loss formula in Europe, I-REMOVE is clinically tested and shown to help with weight loss and maintenance, and can deliver up to three times the weight loss of dieting alone. Sold in the U.S. it is available nationwide at Walgreens and other retailers.

Consult with your health care professional before embarking on any weight-loss plan.

For more survey results, visit www.weightlossfindings.com.

For more information about I-REMOVE, visit https://www.i-remove.com.

About the National Survey “The Truth about Weight Loss”

The survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Zaluvida between October 13 and November 6, 2017. The consumer arm of the survey included a total of 1,005 U.S. adults ages 18+, of whom, 713 are currently trying (n=429) or have ever tried (n=284) to lose weight. The professional arm of the survey included 961 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are primary care physicians (n=458) or pharmacists (n=503). For complete research method, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact press@i-remove.com.

2018-04-02T10:01:01

(BPT) – Approximately 2 million Americans are battling a disease that many people may not understand or feel ashamed to admit being impacted by: opioid addiction.[1] Like many other diseases, opioid addiction can be a continued struggle for afflicted individuals and for their families and caregivers.[2] People living with opioid addiction — and their loved ones — may face judgment from others who see it as a failure of will or a “choice,” and do not understand that it is a disease.[3] Because of this stigma, people battling opioid addiction may be afraid to ask for help or feel uncertain about where to find information and how treatment options along with counseling may help.

Education that opioid addiction is a disease must continue to ensure that stigma does not impede people with opioid addiction from getting the help they need. Studies have shown that the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may help patients on their road to recovery because it is a combination of medication, which helps to treat the physical effects of addiction, and counseling, which helps teach people effective recovery skills.[3]

While MAT has been proven to effectively help in the treatment of opioid addiction, research has suggested it is often underutilized among healthcare professionals. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of adults with substance use disorders in the U.S., including those with opioid use disorder, receive any kind of treatment.[1]

Dr. Stephen Stahl, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at University of California San Diego and a contracted spokesperson for Alkermes, has pioneered the successful use of MAT and believes there are many people battling opioid addiction that may benefit from finding a treatment approach that is right for them.

“Counseling and medication each have an important role in recovery from opioid addiction. Counseling helps people understand underlying issues and effective recovery skills, while medication can help treat the physical effects of addiction. When used together, these options can be effective,” said Dr. Stahl. “Being an advocate for someone struggling with opioid addiction starts with knowing all you can about the different treatment options that may help pave the road on the recovery journey.”

Dr. Stahl recommends the following important steps for families looking for information on MAT programs:

• Understand how MAT works
  Research suggests: Counseling targets the cortex to help treat the psychological aspects of dependence. Medication targets the limbic region to help treat the physical effects of dependence.

• Explore different treatment options that may be available
  There are different types of medication used with counseling to treat opioid dependence: antagonists, agonists and partial agonists. Consult a healthcare provider for more information on selecting a treatment approach that best suits the individual’s needs.

• Learn more through the stories & experiences of others
  A new initiative called Let’s Change the Conversation provides guidance about how to start a conversation with a loved one or healthcare provider about MAT, inspirational stories from other families touched by opioid addiction as well as information about an available treatment option.

ALKERMES is a registered trademark of Alkermes, Inc. ©2018. All rights reserved. OT-001562.