Category: Brandpoint Health

2018-06-12T09:11:01

(BPT) – Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), often referred to as knee replacement surgery, can sound like an intimidating and worrisome procedure, especially for those who aren’t familiar with advances in knee replacement implants. Knee replacement surgery is a viable option because it can help alleviate pain and improve mobility by replacing damaged bone. Many patients discover they are able to get their mobility back after surgery and return to doing the things they love.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 43.5% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis have limitations in their usual activities due to their arthritis¹. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Knee replacement surgery is a common approach to treating osteoarthritis of the knee – a disease where cartilage covering the bones wears down over time, leaving them to rub against each other and causing pain and reduced motion.

Even though TKA is a common procedure performed more than 600,000 times each year in the U.S. alone², many have misconceptions about knee replacement surgery. Two of the most common fears people express are how painful the procedure and recovery will be, and whether they will regain their mobility afterward.

In part, advancements in knee replacement implants such as the ATTUNE^® Knee from DePuy Synthes can help alleviate some of these concerns. Because it was designed to work in harmony with a patient’s knee muscles and ligaments, the ATTUNE Knee can help increase stability and reduce pain, thereby helping patients get back to living life and pursuing passions sooner^3,4.

“I’ve been using the ATTUNE Knee in my practice for about three years,” said Dr. Sarkis Bedikian, orthopaedic surgeon, MidAmerica Orthopaedics. “With the improvements in technology that the ATTUNE Knee delivers, my patients have had less pain and swelling after surgery, allowing them to recover quicker so they can get back to life quicker.”

Just as important as the choice of implant, is a focused rehabilitation protocol. “I tell my patients to expect pain after surgery. They know that they need to listen to their physical therapist and work hard at rehab,” said Dr. Bedikian. “The benefit I have seen with the ATTUNE Knee is that the rehab activities that used to take my patients three months, now take about six weeks.”

In fact, in a clinical study, physical therapists noted that ATTUNE Knee patients had significantly greater range of motion than other knee replacement patients, both at two and six weeks post-surgery⁵.

“Before surgery simple tasks like sleeping, visiting friends, and even using the restroom are difficult and significantly impact quality of life,” said Dr. Bedikian. “After surgery, it’s rewarding when my patients tell me they are happy and are able to get back to their activities with less or no pain.”

Choosing the right knee replacement is an essential part in helping patients get back to the activities they love sooner.

It’s important to know that the performance of knee replacements depends on age, weight, activity level and other factors. There are potential risks and recovery takes time. People with conditions limiting rehabilitation should not have these surgeries. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine if knee replacement is necessary based on an individual patient’s condition.

Knee replacement surgery is not always the answer, but for those wishing to learn more, www.ATTUNEknee.com has resources to learn about TKAs and hear from patients who have faced similar situations.

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/national-statistics.html, Accessed June 1, 2018.

2 American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Total Knee Replacement. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-knee-replacement/, Accessed June 5, 2018.

3 Hamilton W.G., Brenkel, I., Clatworthy, M., Dwyer, K., Himden, S., Lesko, J., Kantor, S.: Early Outcomes with a New Primary TKA System vs. Contemporary TKA: Interim Results of Two Worldwide, Multi-Center Prospective Studies. AAOS, San Diego, California, March 14-18, 2017; Poster #106. Other implants tested: SIGMA Knee (DePuy), NexGen® (Zimmer), Triathlon® (Stryker).

4 Etter K, Lerner J, Kalsekar I, de Moor C, Yoo A, Swank M. Comparative Analysis of Hospital Length of Stay and Discharge Status of Two Contemporary Primary Total Knee Systems. J Knee Surg. 2017. 1(212): 1-10. DOI.

5 Clatworthy, M. (2015). An Early Outcome Study of the ATTUNE® Knee System vs. the SIGMA® CR150 Knee System. DePuy Synthes Companies White Paper. DSUS/JRC/0814/0418 (1). In an IRB approved early outcomes study, physiotherapists collected data on 40 patients implanted with ATTUNE® Knees and 40 patients with SIGMA® CR150 knees. The results demonstrated that patients implanted with the ATTUNE Knee had statistically signicant improvements in some early outcomes, other outcomes demonstrated a trend favoring the ATTUNE Knee, and some outcomes were equivalent.

2018-06-12T07:01:01

(BPT) –

2018-06-11T08:01:00

(BPT) – Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer.

Janet H., a wife and mother from Alabama, had many things to celebrate in her life — two beautiful children, a wonderful husband, her dog Falco, and a rewarding career. She was proud that even with all of this, she was able to achieve her personal goal of staying active. However, she was diagnosed with a chronic disease the week before her 40^th birthday.

Janet enjoyed moderate exercise, so when she began to have persistent joint pain and swelling in her knees, she suspected it was from an old injury. After initial visits with an orthopedic specialist, she was referred to a rheumatologist who diagnosed her with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — a chronic, autoimmune disease of the joints.^[i]

“I remember thinking that if this is what 40 is like, I don’t know if I can handle 50,” she says. “I wasn’t sure how RA would affect my life.”

Unfortunately, this story is all too common, as RA impacts approximately 1.6 million adults in the United States.^[ii],[iii] Many living with a chronic condition like RA can feel that their life is put on hold while trying to manage their symptoms, doctor’s appointments, and the daily demands of life. Working toward personal goals can be put on the backburner, but does it have to be?

With her rheumatologist, Janet was motivated to find a treatment plan that could help relieve her RA symptoms before being prescribed XELJANZ^® (tofacitinib) 5 mg twice daily tablets, an oral medication for adults with moderate to severe RA in which methotrexate did not work well enough. Janet’s rheumatologist reviewed the potential side effects of XELJANZ and explained that it is taken twice daily and has a BOXED WARNING for serious infections and malignancies.

Within three to six months, Janet felt improvement in her RA symptoms and found herself thinking about ways to become more active. She spoke with her rheumatologist and, together, they came up with exercise goals including yoga classes, cycling, and walking her dog with her husband and children. She also says one of her biggest milestones was walking her daughter down the aisle and gaining a new son-in-law. Eventually, Janet even worked with her rheumatologist to switch to a once-a-day version of XELJANZ, called XELJANZ XR extended release tablets.

Here are some of Janet’s tips to help someone living with a chronic illness work toward their personal goals:

• Plan ahead: Living with a chronic condition can put a pause on spontaneity. Plan ahead when it comes to things like travel or big life events to allow ample time for adjustments and preparation.
• Partner up: Find a significant other, friend or sibling who can join you on your journey toward reaching your goals. Sometimes living with a chronic condition requires extra support from others, so having a partner to plan with can help make that support seamless.
• Consult your doctor: Before considering any new travel or physical activity, make sure to consult your doctor. Discuss your plans and how you and your doctor can work together to help ensure you can meet these goals.

By following these tips, Janet says that she has been able to better manage her RA and have more time to focus on her family, friends and herself.

“I hope my story can help other adults who are living with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and inspire them to share their stories,” she says.

What is XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is a prescription medicine called a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in which methotrexate did not work well.

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with hepatitis B or C.

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.

It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious infections. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people can have serious infections while taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment, and monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB infection during treatment. You should not start taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay.

You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster).

Before starting XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, sweating, or chills; cough; blood in phlegm; warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body; burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal; muscle aches; shortness of breath; weight loss; diarrhea or stomach pain; or feeling very tired
• are being treated for an infection
• get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back
• have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections
• have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
• live or have lived in, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis). These infections may happen or become more severe if you use XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common
• have or have had hepatitis B or C

After starting XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR can make you more likely to get infections or make worse any infection that you have.

Cancer and immune system problems. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, have happened in patients taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.

Some people who have taken XELJANZ with certain other medicines to prevent kidney transplant rejection have had a problem with certain white blood cells growing out of control (Epstein Barr Virus–associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder).

Tears (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Some people taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR can get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away and a change in your bowel habits.

Changes in certain lab test results. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start receiving XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, and while you take XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, to check for the following side effects:

• changes in lymphocyte counts. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help the body fight off infections.
• low neutrophil counts. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help the body fight off infections.
• low red blood cell count. This may mean that you have anemia, which may make you feel weak and tired.

Your healthcare provider should routinely check certain liver tests.

You should not receive XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR if your lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, or red blood cell count is too low or your liver tests are too high. Your healthcare provider may stop your XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.

Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels 4-8 weeks after you start XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, and as needed after that.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

Before taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have an infection
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines, or narrowing within your digestive tract
• have had a reaction to tofacitinib or any of the ingredients in XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR should not receive live vaccines but can receive non-live vaccines
• plan to become pregnant or are pregnant. It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR will harm an unborn baby. You should use effective birth control while you are taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR and for at least 4 weeks after you take your last dose.
  • Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry or you may contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972 to enroll
• plan to breastfeed or are breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, especially any other medicines to treat your rheumatoid arthritis. You should not take tocilizumab (Actemra^®), etanercept (Enbrel^®), adalimumab (Humira^®), infliximab (Remicade^®), rituximab (Rituxan^®), abatacept (Orencia^®), anakinra (Kineret^®), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia^®), golimumab (Simponi^®), ustekinumab (Stelara^®), secukinumab (Cosentyx^®), azathioprine, cyclosporine, or other immunosuppressive drugs while you are taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Taking XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR with these medicines may increase your risk of infection.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.

Taking XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR

When you take XELJANZ XR, you may see something in your stool that looks like a tablet. This is the empty shell from the tablet after the medicine has been absorbed by your body.

What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR?

XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may cause serious side effects, including hepatitis B or C activation infection in people who carry the virus in their blood. If you are a carrier of the hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Tell your healthcare provider if you have the following symptoms of a possible hepatitis B or C infection: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.

Common side effects of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, and nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis).

To learn more about XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, a treatment option for moderately to severely active RA, visit XELJANZ.com.

Please click the direct link to the full US Prescribing Information for XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide: http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=959.

2018-06-11T07:31:00

Former professional football player and national sports talk show host Mike Golic follows these tips for staying healthy with the help of his diabetes support team:

• Work with your support team to stay on track. Part of Mike’s diabetes management plan includes designating people like his wife Chris as his team’s captain, his children as his teammates, and his doctor as his head coach. Set a game plan that includes staying active, eating healthy, and working with your doctor to manage type 2 diabetes.
• Plan ahead when it comes to meals. Whether Mike and Chris are heading to a cookout or a picnic lunch, it helps to plan ahead to ensure they have healthy options. Having a go-to favorite in mind, like Buffalo Chicken Salad, can help save time and make the meal selection and preparation process much easier.
• Stay hydrated. Mike knows staying hydrated is an important part of staying healthy every day—especially when he is physically active and in hot weather. He is sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercising. There are a variety of different ways to hydrate for your active life.
• Exercise with a partner — or even your pet. The American Diabetes Association recommends 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise at least 5 days a week. Two-thirds of adults with type 2 diabetes (67%) stay active regularly.^[1] Varying the types of exercise can help. Mike’s workout plan often includes exercising with Chris and going on walks with his three dogs. To switch up your regular walk, try incorporating dynamic moves such as walking lunges and squats shown in this walking-partner workout. Before any physical activity, be sure to talk to your doctor.
• Feel confident in your numbers. To help Mike manage his type 2 diabetes, Mike’s doctor prescribes INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin). INVOKANA^® has been taken by over 1.5 million people since launch and counting to help lower their blood sugar (A1C). Mike likes to take his diabetes numbers as a challenge, and says between doctor’s checkups, “I physically put my numbers somewhere, look at them, and say ‘Next time, this is going to be better!’” INVOKANA^® helps Mike to feel confident about his numbers and is an important part of the game plan that he created with his doctor. Learn more about Mike’s tips at ICanImagine.com.

INVOKANA^® is a once-daily pill used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. In most clinical trials, the majority of people taking INVOKANA^® reached an A1C goal of less than 7.0 percent, which is recommended by the American Diabetes Association. INVOKANA^® is not for weight loss, but may help people lose weight — on average 2-3 percent. INVOKANA^® was also shown in clinical trials to reduce systolic blood pressure (on average 3-5 mmHg), though it is not indicated as a blood pressure medication. Results may vary by dose and when used alone or with certain other diabetes medications. INVOKANA^® may increase a person’s risk of lower-limb amputations. The most common side effects of INVOKANA^® include genital yeast infections, urinary tract infection, and changes in urination. These specific adverse events were generally mild to moderate in intensity in clinical studies.

Visit INVOKANA.com for more information, and planning and motivation tips. Find enjoyable ways to stay active and browse diabetes-friendly recipes to help stay healthy this summer.

WHAT IS INVOKANA^®?

INVOKANA^® is a prescription medicine used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA^® is not for people with type 1 diabetes or with diabetic ketoacidosis (increased ketones in blood or urine). It is not known if INVOKANA^® is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

INVOKANA^® can cause important side effects, including:

• Amputations. INVOKANA^® may increase your risk of lower-limb amputations. Amputations mainly involve removal of the toe or part of the foot; however, amputations involving the leg, below and above the knee, have also occurred. Some people had more than one amputation, some on both sides of the body. You may be at a higher risk of lower-limb amputation if you: have a history of amputation, have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, have had blocked or narrowed blood vessels (usually in leg), have damage to the nerves (neuropathy) in the leg, or have had diabetic foot ulcers or sores. Call your doctor right away if you have new pain or tenderness, any sores, ulcers, or infections in your leg or foot. Your doctor may decide to stop your INVOKANA^® for a while if you have any of these signs or symptoms. Talk to your doctor about proper foot care
• Dehydration. INVOKANA^® can cause some people to become dehydrated (the loss of too much body water), which may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). You may be at higher risk of dehydration if you have low blood pressure, take medicines to lower your blood pressure (including diuretics [water pills]), are on a low sodium (salt) diet, have kidney problems, or are 65 years of age or older
• Vaginal yeast infection. Women who take INVOKANA^® may get vaginal yeast infections. Symptoms include: vaginal odor, white or yellowish vaginal discharge (discharge may be lumpy or look like cottage cheese), or vaginal itching
• Yeast infection of the penis (balanitis or balanoposthitis). Men who take INVOKANA^® may get a yeast infection of the skin around the penis. Symptoms include: redness, itching, or swelling of the penis; rash of the penis; foul-smelling discharge from the penis; or pain in the skin around penis

Talk to your doctor about what to do if you get symptoms of a yeast infection of the vagina or penis.

Do not take INVOKANA^® if you:

• are allergic to canagliflozin or any of the ingredients in INVOKANA^®. Symptoms of allergic reaction may include: rash; raised red patches on your skin (hives); or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis

Before you take INVOKANA^®, tell your doctor if you have a history of amputation; heart disease or are at risk for heart disease; blocked or narrowed blood vessels (usually in leg); damage to the nerves (neuropathy) of your leg; diabetic foot ulcers or sores; kidney problems; liver problems; history of urinary tract infections or problems with urination; are on a low sodium (salt) diet; are going to have surgery; are eating less due to illness, surgery, or change in diet; pancreas problems; drink alcohol very often (or drink a lot of alcohol in short-term); ever had an allergic reaction to INVOKANA^®; or have other medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. INVOKANA^® may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking INVOKANA^®, tell your doctor right away. INVOKANA^® may pass into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed while taking INVOKANA^®.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take diuretics (water pills), rifampin (used to treat or prevent tuberculosis), phenytoin or phenobarbital (used to control seizures), ritonavir (Norvir^®, Kaletra^® — used to treat HIV infection), or digoxin (Lanoxin^® — used to treat heart problems).

Possible Side Effects of INVOKANA^®

INVOKANA^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Ketoacidosis (increased ketones in your blood or urine). Ketoacidosis has happened in people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, during treatment with INVOKANA^®. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition, which may need to be treated in a hospital. Ketoacidosis may lead to death. Ketoacidosis can happen with INVOKANA^® even if your blood sugar is less than 250 mg/dL. Stop taking INVOKANA^® and call your doctor right away if you get any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, tiredness, or trouble breathing
• Kidney problems. Sudden kidney injury has happened to people taking INVOKANA^®. Talk to your doctor right away if you: 1) reduce the amount of food or liquid you drink, if you are sick, or cannot eat or 2) you start to lose liquids from your body from vomiting, diarrhea, or being in the sun too long
• A high amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia)
• Serious Urinary Tract Infections: may lead to hospitalization and have happened in people taking INVOKANA^®. Tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection such as: burning feeling while urinating, need to urinate often or right away, pain in the lower part of your stomach (pelvis), or blood in the urine. Some people may also have high fever, back pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take INVOKANA^® with another medicine that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin, your risk of getting low blood sugar is higher. The dose of your sulfonylurea medicine or insulin may need to be lowered while you take INVOKANA^®

Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include: headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, confusion, irritability, hunger, fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, or feeling jittery.

Serious allergic reaction. If you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, stop taking INVOKANA^® and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Broken Bones (fractures): Bone fractures have been seen in patients taking INVOKANA^®. Talk to your doctor about factors that may increase your risk of bone fracture.

The most common side effects of INVOKANA^® include: vaginal yeast infections and yeast infections of the penis; changes in urination, including urgent need to urinate more often, in larger amounts, or at night.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC at 1-800-526-7736.

Please see full Product Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for INVOKANA^®.

Canagliflozin is licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. Trademarks are those of their respective owners.

076190-171006

2018-06-07T17:26:00

(BPT) – Hard water, which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, can be found in nearly 90 percent of American homes. These minerals cause scaling, a buildup that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. The scale may also harbor bacteria. The only way to truly remove the hard and soft scale from household water systems is with salt-based water softeners.

The benefits of salt-based water softening are significant. Hard water scaling can cause your showerhead to lose up to 75 percent of its flow rate in 18 months. Hard water also interacts negatively with soap, reducing its cleaning power. Soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used.

According to the Water Quality Research Foundation for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increasing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent, according to the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Hard water scaling can also affect your health. The piping used in home plumbing, whether copper or PVC, has very smooth interior surfaces that don’t permit bacteria to settle and grow. However, hard water results in scale formation on the interior surfaces of those pipes, providing a perfect home for bacteria.

Researchers at the School of Sustainable Engineering at Arizona State University found bacteria may grow in pipes filled with hard scale and soft scale at the same rate. This is important because some forms of water conditioning produce this soft scale. The solution is to remove hard and soft scale in the pipes with a salt-based water softener.

Hard water you use to wash your fresh fruits and vegetables may contain more bacteria, and the problem isn’t only in the kitchen. When you take a hot shower, the steam you are inhaling can also contain the same microbial contamination that is in the rest of your plumbing, exposing you to bacteria such as Legionella, which can cause Legionnaire’s disease.

A salt-based water softener is the most functional and cost-effective means of removing hardness minerals. It is a tool to improve health and lower maintenance costs for home appliances like dishwashers and washing machine. It also reduces the need for detergents and high-water temperatures, leading to a smaller household carbon footprint.

2018-06-07T14:01:00

(BPT) – A frozen ice pop on the porch. A tart and sweet lemonade at a picnic. A chilled beer with friends at the game. Perfect summer moments to make you smile, right? Not if you are one of the 40 million Americans who has sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common dental complaints for people across the country, but many think that living with discomfort or even pain is unavoidable. The good news is that there are tried-and-true options, as well as some breakthrough solutions that are changing the way people manage sensitive teeth. Start with some of these five tips to keep smiling all summer long.

1. Limit acidic drinks

If fresh-squeezed OJ sounds more like a burden than breakfast, you probably have sensitive teeth. Instead of avoiding drinks you love, try using a straw to bypass contact with teeth, while still enjoying some of your favorites. Another tip is to avoid brushing your teeth right before or after drinking beverages with high acidity. You may want to, but it can actually make things worse in the moment. Try a glass of milk to neutralize the acidity instead.

2. Get some expert protection

The oral care experts at Colgate just released two new products, both available online, to protect all of those sensitive smiles out there. Their Colgate Anywhere, Anytime™ serum is – as the name implies — an on-the-go solution, while Colgate Pro-Relief™ is for at-home prep. It starts working on contact — just massage into sensitive areas for one minute and you’re good to go!

3. Ease up with the toothbrush

Don’t stop brushing your teeth twice a day like the dentist says, but ease up on the vigor. Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristle brush can wear down the enamel that protects your teeth’s nerves. Opt for a soft-bristle brush and be sure you’re brushing gently back-and-forth. A little TLC can go a long way to reducing sensitivity.

4. Avoid the grind … literally

We’ve come a long way from those night guards of the 1980s, but that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. If you grind your teeth at night, that can wear on enamel and cause sensitivity. Check with your dentist or even pick up a mouth guard in the oral care section of your local drug store. You can look like a pro athlete and avoid the daily grind. (Wasn’t that always the dream anyway?)

5. Consult a professional

Whether you have sensitive teeth now or think they may be starting to get a little more sensitive, talking to your dentist is vital. She or he will have insights specific to your mouth and lifestyle to continue to protect your enamel for a lifetime.

2018-06-07T07:03:00

(BPT) – When you sip a wholesome smoothie or savor a slice of cheesy pizza, do you ever wonder who’s behind your favorite dairy foods?

More than 97 percent of dairy farms in the United States are family-owned and operated – and these families are as passionate about crafting simple, nutritious dairy products as you are about enjoying them. From dairy farmers to chefs, and everyone in between, the hardworking people who put delicious dairy foods on your table all share one undeniable characteristic: devotion.

Other than the great taste and rich farming tradition behind dairy products, here are five more reasons to make dairy a regular part of your diet:

*Dairy is a local business. When you buy cheese, yogurt or milk, you’re supporting hard-working dairy farm families near you, which helps create jobs. The dairy products you’re feeding your family probably came from another hard-working family near you. And dairy farms are the ultimate local businesses: Most milk is made less than a two-hour drive from where it’s sold.

*It’s natural: Real milk, cheese and butter taste the most natural because, well, they are the most natural. So, when you add a splash of milk to your morning coffee or top a baked potato with butter and sour cream, you’re keeping it real – and fresh.

*Dairy is simple and affordable. At a time when eating healthy seems to get more and more complicated – and expensive – dairy remains simple and affordable. Why? A glass of milk is the No. 1 source of nine essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and B vitamins.

*It’s good at any age. Dairy is beneficial for all ages, because it is a top food source for calcium, potassium and vitamin D – nutrients that many Americans, including children, are most lacking in their diets. And dairy products are safe to consume. “The bottom line is milk and other dairy foods are safe and nutritious foods you can recommend to others and enjoy with confidence,” confirms Dr. Gregory Miller, PhD, FACN, chief science officer at National Dairy Council.

*Dairy packs a protein punch. Dairy is an important and widely available source of protein, which helps rebuild and repair muscle. If you took it out of your diet, you’d need to eat up to 30 percent more plant proteins to match the quality of the protein that’s in dairy.

Learn more about the people behind your favorite dairy foods and the benefits of eating dairy at UndeniablyDairy.org/devoted.

2018-06-07T07:01:01

(BPT) – Aunque la disfunción eréctil, o DE, puede ser un tema difícil de tratar, más del 50 por ciento de los hombres mayores de 40 años padecen algún grado de DE.^[1] Si bien el hecho de no poder lograr o mantener una erección puede ser frustrante, embarazoso y confuso, existen numerosos mitos sobre este trastorno común que deben desmentirse.

Mito: DE es solo parte normal del envejecimiento

Realidad: Es cierto que la DE es más común en la medida que el hombre envejece, pero no tiene que ser algo que se acepte como parte rutinaria de entrar en años. La DE es un trastorno de salud que debe tratarse, independientemente de que ocurra a los 41 o a los 89.

Mito: Padecer de DE equivale a perder el apetito sexual

Realidad: Algunos hombres que padecen DE podrían evitar el coito porque temen no poder lograr o mantener una erección. Sin embargo, la DE no es una indicación de apetito sexual, y darle tratamiento podría contribuir a la recuperación de una vida sexual sana.

Mito: No debemos preocuparnos por la DE

Realidad: Aunque no siempre ocurre así, la DE podría ser la señal de un trastorno subyacente como la diabetes o una enfermedad cardiaca.^[2] Por ejemplo, en casi el 70 por ciento de los casos, la DE se manifiesta antes de una enfermedad cardiaca coronaria.^[3] Y, particularmente en los hombres menores de 45 años, la DE puede ser un síntoma precoz de una diabetes no diagnosticada.^[4] Es importante consultar con un médico si se padecen síntomas de DE para determinar la existencia de posibles trastornos más graves.

Mito: La DE se puede tratar sencillamente con píldoras

Realidad: Si bien los medicamentos por vía oral son el primer paso para el tratamiento de la DE, debemos tener en cuenta que no funcionan para todo el mundo. Generalmente cerca del 50 por ciento de los hombres que padecen DE dejaron de tomar píldoras, o las mismas dejaron de hacer su función^[5] y, además, los pacientes bajo tratamiento de enfermedades cardiacas no pueden consumir medicamentos para la DE.^[6] La buena noticia es que existen otras opciones de tratamiento disponibles como un implante de pene, que ofrece una solución permanente y le proporciona al hombre el control total de sus erecciones. Los medicamentos para la DE se han aplicado para dar tratamiento al trastorno durante veinte años,^[7] mientras que los implantes se han estado colocando durante más de cuarenta.^[8]

Si usted o un ser querido padece síntomas de DE, es importante hablar con un especialista. Visite el sitio web https://www.edcure.org/es/ para:

• Realizar una sencilla evaluación para recibir una puntuación personalizada de síntomas de ED y determinar con qué gravedad está impactando en su vida o la de su ser querido
• Buscar un especialista en su localidad de residencia
• Inscribirse en seminarios informativos gratuitos para conocer más detalles sobre opciones de tratamiento
• Enterarse de cómo personas como usted han encontrado tratamiento para la ED y obtener respuestas a preguntas comunes sobre la DE, los implantes de pene, y la cobertura de seguro médico.

EDCURE.ORG es un sitio web patrocinado por Boston Scientific Corporation

REFERENCIAS

^[1] Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

^[2] Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

^[3] Gandaglia G, Briganti A, Jackson G, et al. A systematic review of the association between disfunción eréctil and cardiovascular disease. Eur Urol. 2014 May;65(5):968-78.

^[4] Sexual and Urologic Problems of Diabetes. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/sup/. Accessed May 2015. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

^[5] Matthew AG, Goldman A, Trachtenberg J, et al. Sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: prevalence, treatments, restricted use of treatments and distress. J Urol. 2005 Dec;174(6):2105-10. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

^[6] Jackson G, Rosen RC, Kloner RA, et al. The second Princeton consensus on sexual dysfunction and cardiac risk: new guidelines for sexual medicine. J Sex Med. 2006 Jan;3(1):28–36. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

^[7] Viagra: The Little Blue Pill That Could. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/27/health/viagra-anniversary-timeline/index.html. Accessed March 2018.

^[8] Scott FB, Bradley WE, Timm GW. Management of erectile impotence: use of implantable inflatable prosthesis. Urology. 1973 Jul:2(1):80-2. ON FILE AT BSC (From Website)

2018-06-05T14:01:00

(BPT) – Content sponsored and provided by Pfizer.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requires regular medical appointments with your rheumatologist or healthcare provider (HCP), which can be valuable time to ask questions about RA symptoms and learn about available resources or treatments. Listed below are five key steps to help you with your interaction with your HCP.

Schedule Conversations, Not Appointments

Think of your time with your HCP as a conversation: two people, on equal ground, working together to help you manage your RA.

Prepare in Advance and Prioritize Questions

Time with your HCP is never as long as either of you would prefer. To maximize your time, always have updates and questions ready before the conversation, and try to prioritize your questions.

You Know Yourself the Best

You know your body better than anyone. You know when you’re meeting your goals or not. Trust your instincts and be honest when speaking with your HCP about how you’re really doing.

Be Specific and Honest

When your HCP asks you: “How are you doing?” try to use more descriptive words about your RA symptoms than simply stating “fine,” “good” or “OK.” Ask yourself: “Am I really ‘fine’ or am I just trying to appear strong?”

Set Goals

Setting goals that can be measured during each conversation with your HCP is one of the most important things you can do. Discuss progress toward goals at each visit to track the management of your RA.

Visit www.Pfizer.com/RANarRAtive to download the Power Your Inner RA Voice Conversation Guide which includes these key tips along with a worksheet to help guide your next appointment!

2018-06-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – Ask yourself these questions to see if you might be struggling with a substance use disorder. Watch this video to learn more about the Addiction Resource Center, and call 833-301-HELP (4357) toll-free for support.