Brandpoint Health
2018-05-02T09:01:00
(BPT) – For the millions of Americans living with diabetes, every day can be a series of ups and downs. But it doesn’t have to be. That’s why Roche Diabetes Care, the maker of Accu-Chek® Guide, and country singer Ben Rue recently launched the #BuckOffDiabetes campaign to motivate people to take diabetes by the horns and help them live their lives as active and unrestricted as possible.
Ben Rue has been living with type 1 diabetes for the past 16 years and has teamed up with Roche Diabetes Care to ask everyone to get involved, whether they have diabetes, or if it affects someone they know and love. Here are 5 tips from Ben and Roche Diabetes Care to help take diabetes by the horns.
1. Knowledge is power. Stay up to date on the latest resources and technologies through online resources and communities such as the Accu-Chek® Facebook page, Accu-Chek.com, as well as advocacy groups like Beyond Type 1, the College Diabetes Network and Taking Control of Your Diabetes. These groups and communities aim to continue to educate and empower people living with diabetes and arm them with the latest tips and tools to help manage diabetes.
2. Eat healthy. It’s important to eat a balanced meal to not only help you manage diabetes but also give your body the fuel it needs to keep doing what you love. This can be difficult when traveling or when life gets busy, but by packing a meal or snacks to take on the go, it’ll help you stay on track.
3. Stay active. Regular activity is a key part of managing diabetes, along with eating healthy and taking medications as prescribed. Even getting 30 minutes to stretch or walk each day is better than sitting all day.
4. Show support for the community. Whether you have diabetes or know someone who does, show support for the 1 out of every 10 Americans living with diabetes.i Join the movement by turning your hand into bull horns and share a photo on social media with #BuckOffDiabetes. Each post will trigger a donation from Roche Diabetes Care to several diabetes related organizations.ii
5. Find ways to save. With the Accu-Chek® Guide SimplePay Savings programiii, people with diabetes can save a few bucks by always paying the same low price for every test strip refill to help them focus on what is best for their health, not what it costs.
Learn more about how to save a buck, donate a buck and better manage your diabetes by bucking the trend at www.buckoffdiabetes.com.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/library/socialmedia/diabetes-infographic.pdf
[2] For full details, please read the terms and conditions at www.buckoffdiabetes.com
[3] The card is not insurance; it is a cash discount program and cannot be combined with any form of health insurance. Those insured by any government healthcare program, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the military or VA, are NOT eligible for this offer. Insurers may offer a lower cost option. 30- or 90-day Accu-Chek Guide test strip prescription required. Limit 12 vials per refill. Refills cannot be dispensed before 75% of previous days’ supply have elapsed. Program may be changed or discontinued at any time.
2018-05-01T15:23:00
(BPT) – The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in the past decade. This infographic highlights these harrowing statistics, as well as shares America’s views on the current situation captured by The Marist Poll. To learn more about NARCAN® Nasal Spray, an intranasal naloxone treatment that can help reverse an opioid overdose, please visit https://www.narcan.com.
2018-05-01T12:01:01
(BPT) – For more than 25 years, Jane Nastasi struggled to find reliable relief from her plaque psoriasis. Tired of feeling embarrassed and having to explain that the raised, reddish patches on her body weren’t contagious, Jane spoke to her dermatologist to try to find a psoriasis treatment that could soothe her symptoms.
“My life is so much more than my psoriasis — I have such a large, lovely family and I’m the president of my social club — I wanted my skin to reflect that, not to hold me back from the activities and the people I love,” said Jane.
In the United States, about 7.5 million people have psoriasis.1 Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis, a chronic, non-contagious skin disease that alters the life cycle of skin cells, causing them to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.2,3,4
“At my practice I see many patients with psoriasis, and I work with each of them to determine a customized course of treatment,” said Jane’s dermatologist, Stefan C. Weiss, MD in Boca Raton, FL. “Not every treatment is right for every patient. Jane had failed several psoriasis therapies. I recommended that she try SILIQ, since it works differently than her previous treatments — by blocking the receptor of a specific group of proteins at the site of inflammation.”5
Depending on the severity of the psoriasis and type, the condition can be treated with a topical treatment, oral drug, or injectable.6 SILIQ™ (brodalumab) injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light treatment), and who have tried other systemic therapies that didn’t work or stopped working.5 It is not known whether SILIQ is safe and effective in children.
“When I first saw Dr. Weiss, psoriasis affected the majority of my body,” Jane said. “Since being treated with SILIQ, my skin has almost completely cleared. I’m no longer daunted by the idea of wearing short sleeves or going to the pool with my family.”
If you have psoriasis, talk to your health care provider about potential treatment options. For more information about SILIQ and complete prescribing information, visit www.siliq.com.
Important Safety Information
What is SILIQ?
SILIQTM injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis:
and
It is not known if SILIQ is safe and effective in children.
What is the most important information I should know about SILIQ?
Suicidal thoughts or behavior: Some patients taking SILIQ have had suicidal thoughts or ended their own lives. This risk is higher if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or depression. It is not known if SILIQ causes these thoughts or actions.
Get medical help right away if you or a family member notices that you have any of the following symptoms:
Your healthcare provider will give you a SILIQ patient/wallet card about symptoms that need medical attention right away. Carry the card with you during treatment with SILIQ and show it to all of your healthcare providers.
Serious Infections: SILIQ may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections.
Who should not use SILIQ?
Do not use SILIQ if you have Crohn’s disease. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea, bloody stools, stomach pain or cramping, sudden or uncontrollable bowel movements, loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss, fever or tiredness as these may be symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Before starting SILIQ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How should I use SILIQ?
See the detailed “Instructions for Use” that come with your SILIQ for information on the right way to store, prepare, and give your SILIQ injections at home, and how to properly throw away (dispose of) used SILIQ prefilled syringes. Use SILIQ exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
What are possible side effects of SILIQ?
SILIQ may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about SILIQ?” and “Who should not take SILIQ?”
The most common side effects of SILIQ include: joint pain, muscle pain, headache, injection site reactions, tiredness, flu, diarrhea, low white blood cell count (neutropenia), mouth or throat pain, fungal infections of the skin, nausea.
Call your doctor for medical advice on side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA at www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please click here for accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning about suicidal ideation and behavior, and Medication Guide.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
SILIQ is a trademark of Ortho Dermatologics’ affiliated entities.
References
2018-04-26T14:34:00
(BPT) – “For many women, getting pregnant can be a frustrating and anxiety-filled experience. It certainly was for me, which is why I was inspired to write ‘The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant,'” said Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D, whose book offers tips for women who are trying to conceive.
Try the following tips:
1. Get off the pill three months before. A good rule of thumb is to get off the pill three months before trying to conceive if you have been on it for less than a year, and six months prior if you have been on it for over a year.
2. Know your ovulation cycle. Between a third and two-thirds of women under age 35 who are aware of their five-day fertile window are able to conceive in their first month of trying. Find this window by using a fertility monitor, ovulation predictor kits, charting or all three. Consider a test like the First Response Ovulation Test so you’ll know exactly.
3. After three months, try sperm analysis. If you’ve been having ovulation-focused sex for over three months and still haven’t conceived, consider convincing your partner to get a quick and easy sperm analysis. This “male factor” or sperm issue comprises nearly half of all fertility issues.
4. Adjust your diet for optimal fertility. Incorporate fertility-boosting foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, soy foods and olive oil. Avoid trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oil, found in frosting and some baked goods.
5. Take prenatal vitamins. Many studies show that taking prenatal vitamins, with important nutrients like folic acid, vitamin B6 and DHA, increases your chances of getting pregnant quickly. Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been linked to better embryos in IVF, positive brain development and higher IQs. There is also evidence that prenatal vitamins lower the chance of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, so begin taking them immediately, even if you’re just thinking about becoming pregnant. Ask your medical provider about a prescription vitamin like OB Complete Petite since the variety of over-the-counter vitamins can be confusing. It’s sugar-, gluten- and lactose-free and has 1,000 mcg or 1 mg of folic acid.
6. Use sperm-safe lubricant. Use Pre-Seed, a sperm-safe lubricant developed specifically for couples who are trying to conceive. Pre-Seed is pH balanced and isotonic to mimic a woman’s fertile fluids and the pH of sperm, allowing them to swim freely on their journey to fertilization.
7. Cut the caffeine. Non-smoking women who consume about 2-5 cups of coffee per day cut their fertility by 12 percent. Consuming caffeine has an even worse effect on male fertility, where having 5 cups of coffee a day will cut his fertility in half. An alternative for getting more energy? Try getting a full eight hours of sleep — it will enhance your mood and your health.
8. Soak up the sun. Sunlight causes your skin to generate vitamin D, which has been linked to fertility. Sit outside for 15-30 minutes without sunscreen a few times a week in the afternoon. This will also help you sleep.
9. When you think you may be pregnant — the earlier you know, the better. Several scientific studies show that the First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test detects the smallest amount of the pregnancy hormone HcG — so it can tell you sooner than any other test. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the faster you can begin making healthy pregnancy choices for yourself and your baby that include diet and limiting exposure to hazards. To be extra sure of the result when it matters most, First Response Triple Check offers three unique pregnancy tests all over 99 percent accurate in one convenient combination kit.
If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed about getting pregnant, more information lies within “The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant.” Besides planning on incorporating these tips into your daily life, here are two things that you can do right now: Take a supplement of 1,000 mg of fish oil a day and learn the relaxation technique of deep breathing to ease anxiety.
2018-04-26T13:01:00
(BPT) – For Americans, sending flowers to show love, caring and concern is a longstanding tradition appreciated by both givers and receivers. It’s so popular, in fact, that last year we spent some $2.6 billion on flower gifts for the Mother’s Day holiday alone — $26.6 billion on floral products throughout the year.
Why our fascination with the fresh and colorful eye candy? Scientists believe we have such strong associations with the bountiful blooms that they can boost our sense of well-being.
“Flowers have immediate and long-term effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory for both males and females,” notes research by Rutgers. “The simple presentation of flowers, even a single flower, will release a strong and immediate behavior reflecting positive affect. It’s possible that the flowers — either through their visual or odorous qualities — have effects on brain chemistry.”
Whatever the reason we enjoy flowers so much, there are several steps we can take to make the gifting experience more enjoyable for the giver and the receiver. Consider these tips next time you’re choosing fresh flowers for your loved one.
* Choose delivery. You may be tempted to pick up a few cheap cellophane-wrapped stems at your local grocery store, but understand that won’t have the same panache as a professionally designed, packaged and delivered bouquet. No matter the occasion, there’s a little thrill of surprise that comes from that knock on the door from a delivery person carrying a gorgeous display of blooms.
* Think ahead. Ordering online well ahead of time can not only offer you peace of mind, but may save you money by allowing the flower company to make the delivery a few days before or after a holiday. That timing may also allow your loved one to stop and appreciate your gift at a time that’s more convenient.
* Know her favorites. Delight your loved one by finding out ahead of time which kinds of flowers she prefers, then ordering ahead to ensure your florist can secure that variety. Different blooms can carry different associations based on personal experience; perhaps pink roses bring back happy memories of her mother’s rose garden but orchids remind her of her aunt’s funeral. She may also be partial to beautifully scented varieties such as lilies, freesia, lavender or hyacinth. The Rutgers research points out that women who receive flowers report positive moods as many as three days later.
* Inquire about details. It’s perfectly OK to ask how many stems of each flower will go into a given arrangement, or to find out whether it will be delivered in a plain glass vase or a beautifully designed keepsake planter. You may be able to request more flowers be substituted for an elegant container — or vice versa.
Check out 1-800-flowers.com for a comprehensive selection of floral designs and other meaningful gifts, no matter the occasion.
To Vase or Not to Vase
When it comes to flowers, there are lots of things to consider. Keep your options open by offering expertly designed arrangements from local florists that arrive in vases or opt for fresh-from-the-farm bouquets beautifully presented in gift boxes, with or without a vase. If they love DIY floral designing, skip the vase and save some money by ordering an arrangement labeled “Shipped in a Gift Box” and selecting the “Bouquet Only” option.
2018-04-26T07:01:00
(BPT) – Parenting during the early years of childhood can be an exciting experience — first steps, first words and other milestone “firsts” — but there are other firsts too — first fever, first cold, and increasingly for parents — first allergic reaction. No parent ever wants to be unprepared if their infant or toddler experiences an allergic reaction, which could be an anaphylactic event.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction that occurs as a result of exposure to allergens. Common allergens include food, insect stings and bites, medication and latex.1,2 To learn more about life-threatening allergies, visit www.auvi-q.com/resources.
Infants and toddlers are increasingly being treated for anaphylaxis. In a study of more than 56,000 emergency department visits for anaphylaxis in the United States from 2005 to 2014, the overall increase in the rate of visits for children aged 0 to 4 years was almost 130%.3 There are several measures that parents can take to be prepared in the event their infant or toddler experiences an allergic emergency.
Ask about a new treatment option for your infant or toddler
For those with life-threatening food allergies, there are epinephrine auto-injectors (EAIs) that will treat an anaphylactic reaction, but until now, there was no EAI specifically designed for infants and toddlers weighing 16.5 to 33 pounds (7.5 to 15 kilograms). Who needs an EAI? How do you know if your little one might be at risk for a life-threatening allergic reaction? Speak to your doctor about the AUVI-q® (epinephrine injection, USP) 0.1 mg, the first and only EAI specifically designed for the treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in infants and small children weighing 16.5 to 33 pounds (7.5 to 15 kilograms). Only AUVI-q 0.1 mg has a dose and needle length designed specifically for treating anaphylaxis in this young patient population. Like the currently available AUVI-Q 0.15 mg for children weighing between 33 and 66 pounds, and AUVI-Q 0.3 mg for anyone who weighs 66 pounds or more, AUVI-q 0.1 mg is about the size of a credit card and has the thickness of a cell phone. It also includes the innovative AUVI-Q electronic voice instruction system as well as visual cues to help guide users step-by-step through the administration. AUVI-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care.
Ask your doctor about new guidelines on preventing peanut allergies
A study published in 2015 looked at infants at high-risk for developing peanut allergy. In those infants, results showed an 81 percent lower likelihood that peanut allergy would ultimately develop if peanuts were regularly consumed early in life. This evidence led the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to update its allergy prevention guidelines, which now recommends that parents introduce peanut-containing foods to infants considered to be at high-risk of developing peanut allergy as early as the first four to six months of life to help reduce their chances of developing an allergic reaction at an older age. 4
Know how to identify an infant or toddler having an anaphylactic emergency
Infants may not be able to verbalize their symptoms to explain how they are feeling, making it extra important to be cognizant of physical symptoms.5 Many signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in infants are subtle and may be mistaken as signs of normal development or other illnesses in infants. Examples include irritability, clinginess, inconsolable crying, drowsiness, drooling and regurgitation.6 The most common symptoms of anaphylaxis are hives, nausea/vomiting and swelling for infants under the age of 2, and hives, swelling and wheezing for young children aged 2-5.7
Watching your infant or small child experience a life-threatening allergic reaction is scary. Taking precautionary measures to prevent food allergies and actions to be prepared if an allergic event occurs is important.
Indication
AUVI-Q® (epinephrine injection, USP) is a prescription medicine used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in people who are at risk for or have a history of serious allergic reactions.
Important Safety Information
AUVI-Q is for immediate self (or caregiver) administration and does not take the place of emergency medical care. Seek immediate medical treatment after using AUVI-Q. Each AUVI-Q contains a single dose of epinephrine. AUVI-Q should only be injected into your outer thigh, through clothing if necessary. If you inject a young child or infant with AUVI-Q, hold their leg firmly in place before and during the injection to prevent injuries. Do not inject AUVI-Q into any other part of your body, such as into veins, buttocks, fingers, toes, hands, or feet. If this occurs, seek immediate medical treatment and make sure to inform the healthcare provider of the location of the accidental injection. Only a healthcare provider should give additional doses of epinephrine if more than two doses are necessary for a single allergic emergency.
Rarely, patients who use AUVI-Q may develop infections at the injection site within a few days of an injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms at an injection site: redness that does not go away, swelling, tenderness, or the area feels warm to the touch.
If you have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use AUVI-Q. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, especially medicines for asthma. Also tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have asthma, a history of depression, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart problems or high blood pressure, have any other medical conditions, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Epinephrine should be used with caution if you have heart disease or are taking certain medicines that can cause heart-related (cardiac) symptoms.
Common side effects include fast, irregular or ‘pounding’ heartbeat, sweating, shakiness, headache, paleness, feelings of over excitement, nervousness, or anxiety, weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, or breathing problems. These side effects usually go away quickly, especially if you rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Please see the full Prescribing Information and the Patient Information at www.auvi-q.com.
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.
1 Lieberman P, Nicklas RA, Randolph C, et al. Anaphylaxis—a practice parameter update 2015. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;115(5):341-384.
2 Kelly KJ, Viswanath PK, Reijula KE, Fink JN. The diagnosis of natural rubber latex allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1994; 93(5):813-816.
3 Motosue, M. et al. Increasing ED visits for anaphylaxis 2005-2014 The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice (2017) 5:1, 171-175
4 National Institute of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.niaid.nih.gov/sites/default/files/peanut-allergy-prevention-guidelines-clinician-summary.pdf.
5 Dosanjh, A. (2013). Infant anaphylaxis: the importance of early recognition. Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 6, 103–107. DOI: 10.2147/JAA.S42694.
6 Simons, F.E.R. (2007). Anaphylaxis in infants: Can recognition and management be improved? J Allergy
Clin Immunol Pract 120, 537-540. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.06.025
7 Rudders, S.A., Banerji, A., Clark, S., Camargo, C.A. (2011). Age-related differences in the clinical presentation of food-induced anaphylaxis. J Pediatr., 158, 326e328. DOI: 10.1016/j. jpeds.2010.10.017.
2018-04-20T12:00:00
(BPT) – Most of us have a friend or loved one who suffers from migraine — recurrent, pulsing headaches that typically attack one side of the head but may occur on both sides and may cause visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. However, many are unaware of the debilitating impact of migraine on patients and the healthcare system. Here are five facts you may not know about migraines.
1. Migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world[1]
Even more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the current worldwide prevalence of migraine to be 10 percent and a lifetime prevalence of 14 percent.[2] In the U.S., migraine affects approximately 39 million people, and an estimated 100,000 migraines occur every day.[3][4] Nearly one in four U.S. households includes someone with migraine.[5]
2. Migraine is the sixth most disabling illness in the world[3]
WHO classifies individuals suffering from migraine the same as those with quadriplegia, in terms of debilitation.
3. In the U.S., headache leads to more than 150 million lost workdays annually and is a strain on the healthcare system[6]
More than 90 percent of migraine sufferers are unable to work or function normally during their migraine.[3] Research shows that 60 percent of adult patients who were diagnosed with primary headache, including migraine, had one or more comorbidities, which raised the average annual cost of their healthcare to four times that of a healthy patient.[7]
4. Even with proper diagnosis, migraine treatment can be frustrating.
The cause of migraine attacks is still not fully understood, causing it to be a difficult disease to treat. While several hundred medications, devices and surgical options are used to treat and prevent migraine attacks and symptoms, few have been developed specifically for migraine.[8]
5. There is no cure for migraine[1]
The current goal of migraine treatment is prevention and reduction of pain. One advancement in the treatment of migraine is the use of neuromodulation devices. electroCore, a bioelectronic medicine healthcare company, is dedicated to improving patient outcomes by focusing on non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy for the treatment of primary headache. For more information, please visit http://www.electrocore.com/.
[1] Learn more about migraine. American Migraine Foundation. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/learn-more/. Accessed on January 4, 2018.
[2] Facts and figures. Migraine Trust. https://www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/migraine-what-is-it/facts-figures/. Accessed on January 4, 2018.
[3] Migraine facts. Migraine Research Foundation. http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts. Accessed on January 4, 2018.
[4] Global burden of migraine in the Year 2000: summary of methods and data sources. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/statistics/bod_migraine.pdf. Accessed January 2018.
[5] Matharu, MS; Goadsby, PJ (September 2004). “Cluster headache: focus on emerging therapies.” Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics.
[6] Migraine statistics. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/statistics/bod_migraine.pdf. Accessed on January 4, 2018.
[7] GNS Healthcare Research presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Nexus in October 2016.
[8] Migraine treatment. Migraine Research Foundation. http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-treatment/. Accessed on January 8, 2018.
2018-04-25T12:01:00
(BPT) – –
2018-04-24T14:17:00
(BPT) – We all know tobacco is bad for our health, but did you know it’s also taking a toll on our planet? Each year about 4.5 trillion cigarettes are littered worldwide, making it the most littered item on earth. These leftover butts leach harmful chemicals into the environment leading to land, water and air pollution. The consequences of littering cigarettes are vast, and smokers and non-smokers alike can do their part to help protect the environment.
