Category: Brandpoint Health

2024-07-25T08:01:00

(BPT) – By Vimergy

Getting a good night’s sleep is about more than just feeling well-rested the next day. Quality sleep is important to lead a happy, healthy life. However, sleeping well is easier said than done.

If you occasionally struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may need to add a sleep aid to your bedtime routine. For example, a supplement like melatonin can support healthy sleep habits.*

Melatonin is a natural hormone that signals to your body that it’s time to rest.* Sometimes, you may not produce enough melatonin, so adding a supplement can help you get to sleep and sleep more soundly.*

The experts at Vimergy, a premium health supplement company, know how important it is to get good quality sleep. If you’re on the fence about taking melatonin, check out their four reasons to add melatonin to your nightly routine.

1. Helps you maintain a regular sleep schedule*

Your circadian rhythm (or sleep-wake cycle) is your 24-hour internal clock that responds to the shifts in light throughout the day, affecting melatonin production.

According to the Sleep Foundation, melatonin production begins in the evening when the sun goes down and peaks about seven hours after sunset. In the morning, exposure to light inhibits melatonin production.

If your sleep cycle is off — whether from jetlag, late nights or night shift — incorporating a melatonin supplement can help keep it in sync.* Aim to take melatonin at the same time every night so you can prepare your body for sleep.

2. Customize to suit your needs

Don’t like taking tablets? No problem. Melatonin supplements are available in various forms, from gummies to capsules to liquid formulations.

Liquid formulations are especially helpful because you can customize the serving to suit your unique needs.^† Consider purchasing a quality liquid supplement like Vimergy Restful You* Liquid Melatonin.

The liquid formula absorbs faster than tablets, capsules and gummies.* It is also formulated with only four clean ingredients, and does not include any unnecessary fillers or binders. The supplement comes in a glass bottle with a convenient dropper, so you can adjust the serving size based on your unique health needs^†. Best of all, you can easily add it to your nighttime sleep routine. Take the supplement on its own or mix it with water or chamomile tea about thirty minutes or an hour before bedtime.

3. Supports a healthy immune response*

Did you know lack of sleep can weaken your immune system? According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep is closely linked to your immune system.

By taking melatonin, your body will be well-rested, which can help boost your body’s immune response and support your overall wellness.*

4. Improves general well-being

Taking melatonin can help you get consistent, high-quality rest, which can improve your general well-being.* According to the National Institutes of Health, good sleep bolsters your brain performance, mood and health.

These are just four of the many benefits of incorporating melatonin into your daily routine. Pick up a supplement like Restful You* today and get relief from restless nights so you can tackle your day with ease.* To learn more about how melatonin can empower you to be your best self by having a healthy, happy life, visit Vimergy.com.

^†Do not exceed recommended serving size.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The health information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Photo courtesy Natalie Rey.

2024-07-17T06:01:00

(BPT) – This is the real-life experience of one individual’s experience living with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). This is not representative of all experiences. The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Wendy built a career in human resources making sure employees had the information and support they needed to be successful in their roles. Almost 30 years later, Wendy is using that same passion for helping others to raise awareness of a rare liver disease called primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

PBC is a progressive, cholestatic autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and can lead to irreversible scarring of the liver. Over time, PBC progressively destroys liver bile ducts and can cause bile and toxins to build-up (cholestasis) which can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), and eventually liver failure.^[i] It is also a disease that predominantly affects women.^[ii]

Life with PBC for Wendy has had its challenges. She was always very active and kept busy, so never felt that anything was “off” with her health. It wasn’t until she had routine blood work done and had higher-than-normal liver enzymes that her doctor recommended she see a liver specialist, a hepatologist.

A liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PBC and Wendy’s doctor started her on a treatment for PBC. But when her alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not improve, she decided to seek out a second opinion to get the answers she needed.

“It was important to me that my concerns were being heard by my doctor,” Wendy recalls. “I advocated for myself and found a new hepatologist — one that respected my needs and goals for managing PBC.”

Advances in PBC Research

For people living with PBC, there has been a significant unmet need for new treatment options, particularly for people who have an inadequate response to first-line treatment or are intolerant to treatment.^[iii] However, research in PBC is continuing and there have been advancements in medicine that may help meet the current needs of people living with this disease.^[i],[iv]

For Wendy, PBC treatment options are important, especially since she did not respond to initial treatment.

Moving Forward

While certain aspects of this progressive autoimmune disease have not allowed Wendy to continue with a traditional career path, she’s taken on a new role as the “CEO of her family.” And while she knows that life may never be “normal” with PBC, she is going to do everything she can to be as healthy as possible for her family.

Wendy hopes that by sharing her story, she can inspire others who are living with PBC to feel empowered to advocate for themselves and their liver health. “Although this disease may be challenging and life will be different, you can choose to be an optimist.”

Learn more about Iqirvo® (elafibranor) 80 mg tablets, including full Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information at www.Iqirvo.com.

2024-07-16T15:31:00

(BPT) – If you’re like many people, watching the Olympics may inspire you to get moving. While you may not be as fast as a track-and-field superstar, a jog around the neighborhood is a great place to start. But, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), it’s important to begin any new activity wisely.

“Getting inspiration from the Olympics to try volleyball, running, cross training or another new sport is a great way to get more active,” said AAOS spokesperson and orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, Jeffrey H. Berg, MD, FAAOS. “It’s important to remember to take some precautions at the outset to reduce the occurrence of bone and joint injuries.”

Here are some tips on injury prevention, from the experts at AAOS.

Running:

Running is a beloved pastime for many Americans, but it is also a source of musculoskeletal injuries. With the proper approach to training and a mindful stride, it remains an excellent source of cardiovascular fitness. To help prevent injuries:

Plan a progressive running program. Start slow and work your way up to that 5K. Warm up and stretch for five to ten minutes before your run, and stretch afterward, too. This helps prevent muscle strains.

Invest in good running shoes. Shin splints are a common stress injury for runners, and the right shoes go a long way in preventing them. Look for shock absorption and stability. When to get a new pair? Shoes tend to lose their shock absorption after 250 to 500 miles of use. If you run 10 miles per week, get a new pair every nine months to one year.

If running outside, safety first. Especially in our current heatwave, run in the cooler hours of early morning or evening — but not at night. If you’re running at dusk or dawn, wear reflective material so you’ll be easily seen. Make sure to hydrate! And turn the volume down on your ear buds. It’s tempting to listen to your favorite playlist while running; however, being able to hear what’s going on around you is key to your safety.

Volleyball:

With beach volleyball ranking among the most highly anticipated sports in Paris, it’s no surprise that the sport in general is experiencing explosive growth. Help prevent injuries like tendinitis and bursitis from repeated overhead motions like spiking and serving. Sprains are also common. Consider the following:

Warm up and stretch. Research shows cold muscles are more prone to injury. For volleyball, warm up with jumping jacks, running or walking in place for a few minutes. Then stretch slowly, holding your stretch for 30 seconds.

Wear appropriate equipment. If you’re playing indoors in the gym, make sure you’re wearing the right shoes that provide good ankle and arch support. Also, defensive pants, which are padded from the hip to the knee, can guard against floor burns and bruises.

Hydrate! Inside the gym or outside on the beach, it’s vital to hydrate before, during and after. If you’re not hydrated before you play, your body won’t be able to effectively cool itself.

Cross training:

Like the decathlon, cross training involves doing different types of activities. It solves a myriad of problems, not just for athletes but for people just trying to get fit. Cross training alleviates the boredom of doing the same activity over and over, it works different muscle groups leading to better overall fitness and it helps prevent overuse injuries. To cross-train safely:

Include stretching in your routine. The most effective cross training includes a mix of aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility exercises like yoga or Pilates. Stretching will help get your muscles ready for exercise.

Start slowly. You don’t have to do a decathlon on your first day. Shoot for 30 minutes of activity most days, but it doesn’t have to be all at once. Break it up into 10-minute increments. And vary your days. Aerobic activity one day, strength training the next.

Warm up. Even on yoga days, it’s important to warm up your muscles. Take a short walk beforehand to get things pumping.

You don’t have to be a medalist to get the benefits of regular exercise. It’s one key to a longer, healthier life. And remember, talk to your doctor before starting any new workout routine. Your primary care doctor can be a good first stop if you are experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms and do not know the cause. But in many instances, it is reasonable to start with an orthopaedic surgeon for most musculoskeletal symptoms and conditions. Visit OrthoInfo.org to learn more about finding the right board-certified orthopaedic surgeon.

2024-07-16T06:01:00

(BPT) – Heart failure affects more than six million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with numbers expected to significantly rise over the next decade. It is a condition that develops when the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs — which can happen when the heart is unable to fill up with enough blood or if it is too weak to pump the blood properly.

As a chronic, progressive condition requiring lifelong management, people with heart failure often seek effective treatment options — including medicines, procedures and devices — to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

For patients like Jim Bennett, a 75-year-old from Brainerd, Minnesota, who was used to living an active lifestyle, congestive heart failure prevented him from living a normal life.

“I felt weak and tired all the time and knew I didn’t want to spend my life sitting in the living room chair,” said Jim. “When my doctor recommended Barostim and gave me the option to feel better, I was ready for a change.”

Jim, a father of three and grandfather of eight, has always loved spending time on the water at his 3.5-acre home. But over the last three years, he suffered three heart attacks, leading to congestive heart failure. And after limited success with contemporary medications to improve his symptoms, Jim’s doctor considered him a good candidate.

Barostim is the only FDA-approved heart failure device to use neuromodulation — stimulation of the nervous system — to improve the symptoms of heart failure.

Barostim is an implantable device that works by stimulating baroreceptors — natural sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery — that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart, kidney and vascular function. These effects may reduce the heart’s workload and help it pump more efficiently, helping to restore balance of the autonomic nervous system and improve the symptoms of heart failure, like breathlessness, fatigue and swelling.

Following his implant, Jim noticed significant improvements in his symptoms and a newfound energy. “Since receiving Barostim, I’m back mowing. I’m able to do yardwork, get outside and spend time being active,” said Jim.

Barostim is designed for heart failure patients who may not get adequate symptom relief from medications alone, with data showing that patients who received Barostim — in addition to their standard medications — felt much better and could walk farther than patients receiving only their medications.¹ If you suffer from the symptoms of heart failure, and the medications you have been prescribed are not enough to help you return to the activities you enjoy, Barostim may be the right therapeutic option for you.

To learn more, visit https://www.cvrx.com/.

¹ Zile MR, et al. Eur J Heart Fail. 2024 Apr 12

2024-07-11T16:01:00

(BPT) – This month, all eyes are on Paris as the world tunes in to watch the top athletes fight for gold.

Among those competing on behalf of the United States is an elite group who have chosen to serve their country in more ways than one — U.S. Army Soldier-athletes. What does it take for these Soldiers to train and perform at the highest levels of both sport and service?

The Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system is a force-wide program used to optimize the five domains of health: physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and sleep. This holistic approach is central to how all Soldiers prepare their minds and bodies for every aspect of competition, including on the world stage.

Here are five best practices from elite Soldier-athletes that everyone can incorporate into their own health and wellness journey:

Save Space for Physical Recovery

Soldier-athletes push their bodies to the limit in preparation for their events, but they also know the importance of rest and recovery. Staff Sgt. Leonard Korir (pictured above), a track and field athlete born and raised in Kenya, is making his second appearance at the Games this year. To train for the steeplechase and marathon events, he practices strength and endurance exercises designed by his coaches and always makes sure to factor recovery time into his regimen. Similarly, in Shotgun Trap, Staff Sgt. William Hinton uses a method called peak periodization, training with variations in intensity and recovery to maximize his performance when it comes time to compete.

Make Nutrition Work for You

To date, Soldier-athletes have competed in over 30 events, all requiring a unique nutritional regimen to achieve peak performance. Maj. Kelly Kaim is the Lead Performance Dietitian for the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program where she consults with Soldier-athletes on their dietary needs. Kaim tailors her approach to nutrition based on the Soldiers’ specific sports and bodies. This might look like higher proteins and lower carbohydrates for weight-cutting athletes, and higher calories and carbohydrates for endurance athletes. She recommends this approach for anyone trying to build more intentional eating habits. Don’t make drastic changes to your diet, but rather small additions of things you like and subtractions of what you can do without. By making eating a positive experience to look forward to, it will make implementing healthy habits easier.

Quiet the Mind for Peak Performance

Competing and representing your country on the global stage creates a level of stress that few can imagine. And as a woman competing in the seemingly male-dominated world of shooting, Sgt. Sagen Maddalena is no stranger to the pressure that comes with competing against the best shooters in the world, all while blazing the trail for the next generation of women in the sport. To keep her nerves and shots steady, Maddalena uses specific breathing techniques and practices mental math games that help sharpen mental acuity and minimize distractions from her environment and thoughts. By following your own rituals and routines, you can focus your attention on what matters: doing your best.

Sgt. Sagen Maddalena will represent the United States on the world stage in the 10m Air Rifle, 10m Mixed Team Air Rifle, and 50m Smallbore events.

Whether feeling jet-lagged from traveling to international competitions or staying up late to meet a work deadline, sleep can be easily compromised by elite Soldier-athletes and civilians alike. But according to Maj. Allison Brager, a U.S. Army neuroscientist, H2F sleep expert, and long-time sleep consultant to the U.S. teams competing in the Games, just three days of getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can have significant impacts on the mind and body. To combat this, Korir makes sure to build a rest day into his schedule the day before a competition and avoids distractions such as social media to calm his mind and ensure he gets enough sleep. By avoiding electronics up to 90 minutes before bed and dimming the lights to help release melatonin, you can set both your mind and body up for a more restful night’s sleep.

Use Your Support System

Most Soldier-athletes fall into one of two units: the Army’s World Class Athlete Program or the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. Through these groups, Soldier-athletes have access to state-of-the-art training facilities, world-class coaches and specialists, and most importantly, the support of their fellow Soldiers and teammates. As an elite Rugby Sevens player, Capt. Samantha Sullivan leans on her teammates, who are also Army Soldiers and friends, as they work toward their common goals of elite competition and service. Remember that you’re not alone in your own holistic health journey — lean on friends and family for encouragement and accountability and follow the advice of experts to determine your goals and plan for success.

These tips all contribute to the pillars of H2F readiness: physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and sleep. Across the force, Soldiers implement these pillars into their daily life, and by working them into your own health and wellness goals, you can take small steps toward feeling like both a Soldier and athlete.

Find out more about H2F and what a Soldier’s health and wellness regimen can do for you at GoArmy.com and be sure to cheer on the Army Soldier-athletes in Paris as they put these tips to the test to bring home gold.

2024-07-11T13:01:00

(BPT) – Are you one of the many Americans who has benefited from losing weight quickly due to GLP-1 medications? If so, you’re probably feeling grateful for the improved health and appearance these groundbreaking medications have provided — but less so for the loose, sagging skin that may be left behind.

You’re not alone — the term “Ozempic face” has been trending for a reason, as many people who are taking these medications are also seeing this less-than-ideal side effect along with their desired weight loss.

Why does your skin have so much trouble bouncing back?

Starting as early as your 20s, the collagen within the middle layer of your skin begins to diminish, resulting in your skin becoming less and less elastic as you get older.

“When you experience rapid weight loss, it can be hard for your skin to bounce back, resulting in the loose or sagging skin look that is so disappointing for many of my patients,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Capital Laser & Skin Care. “This kind of problem can also be seen in the upper arms, especially for women who have a genetic predisposition to gain weight there.”

A new, non-invasive solution

If all of this sounds familiar to you, you’ll be glad to know there is a new, award-winning, in-office and non-invasive ultrasound treatment designed specifically to address this problem. The treatment is called Sofwave™, and it stimulates the skin’s collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid using SUPERB™ Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam Technology to improve fine lines and wrinkles, lift the eyebrows, under the chin and neck area.

Sofwave™ has been FDA-cleared to:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Lift the eyebrow
• Lift lax skin under the chin and along the jawline
• Lift neck tissue
• Improve skin laxity on the upper arms
• Reduce the appearance of cellulite
• Improve acne scars

How does it work?

The SUPERB™ Technology heats the dermis at the right temperature, triggering the healing response that increases both collagen and elastin in the skin, which is necessary to maintain volume. Best yet, this cutting-edge technology works on any skin type or skin tone, for all ages.

After just one 45-minute in-office treatment, patients show significant improvement in 12 weeks. The procedure is safe and comfortable, requiring only topical anesthetic to numb the skin.

“Some people may want to schedule an additional treatment to see even better results,” said Tanzi. “Your dermatologist may recommend one treatment every 18-24 months to help you maintain your youthful appearance.”

“Sofwave is a terrific option for anyone, at any age, who wants to build-up collagen and elastin in the skin and improve their skin health and firmness,” said Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Gabriele Miotto. “It can help patients with issues that have become so common with rapid weight loss due to GLP-1 medications, or patients who want to be proactive in boosting or improving their skin health.”

Additional treatments to tone your abs, thighs and buttocks

If you’re looking to improve other areas of your body as well, you may want to ask your dermatologist about Pure Impact™, an Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) device that uses electric pulses transmitted by electrodes to elicit muscle contraction and stimulate nerve fibers by means of electrical pulses transmitted by electrodes. Pure Impact™ is FDA-cleared to improve abdominal tone, strengthen abdominal muscles, develop a firmer abdomen, strengthen, tone and firm buttocks and thighs.

Learn more about how you can continue to maximize the strides you’ve made so far, and keep boosting your confidence along the way, at Sofwave.com.

2024-07-10T16:01:01

(BPT) – Summer season is in full swing, and that means more beach days, barbecues and road trips. But for teens, it also means a greater likelihood of being involved in a serious car accident.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is dubbed the “100 deadliest days of summer” due to a more than 20% surge in teen automobile fatalities, according to the National Road Safety Foundation. Every year, 2,100 teens on average are involved in fatal crashes, with 30% — or seven deaths per day — occurring in that 100-day period. Making matters worse, more than half of teen drivers involved in crashes were not wearing seatbelts.

“It’s imperative that teens understand and practice safe driving behaviors to protect themselves and others while on the road, first and foremost, but it also helps to keep the cost of insurance down for an age group that is notoriously expensive to insure,” said Kevin Quinn, Mercury Insurance’s vice president of claims. “Parents play a key role in shaping the driving habits of their teens. It’s best for parents to lead by example while behind the wheel, spend time driving with their teen, and initiate discussions about the ramifications of dangerous driving, including varying degrees of legal charges — or worse, even death.”

As more teens take to the road for the summer, Mercury Insurance has compiled some tips for parents to help keep their teens safe while behind the wheel:

• Always insist on wearing a seatbelt: In 2019, 43% of high school students nationwide reported not always wearing a seat belt during the past month, according to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. Buckling up is the law in nearly all 50 states, but teens are needlessly dying or getting injured. Insist that your teen always wear a seatbelt, every time they drive, and that they ensure all passengers are buckled up too.
• Set house rules: Parents can help manage their teen’s crash risk by enforcing rules, such as banning nighttime driving and high-speed roads or controlling the keys, meaning they need to ask to use the car first. Having a “pre-drive” check-in with your teen before every trip is ideal — all predicated on the understanding that the parent has the right to revoke their teenager’s permit or license at any time if rules are not followed. You should also ensure your teen is complying with state Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws.
• Discuss safe driving behaviors with your teen: Examples of safe driving behaviors include wearing seat belts, putting the phone away and always driving sober. This video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_HfbiM5jjE) details how you can effectively communicate with your teen about safe driving. You should also convey that you care about their safety and that house rules are not intended to be punishments, but rather safeguards.
• Get as much practice as possible: “Most teen driver crashes are due to the lack of active visual scanning that should be used to detect and respond to hazards, going too fast for road conditions, and being distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle,” said Quinn. “As a parent, it can be difficult to hand over the keys, but a teen’s safest time behind the wheel is with you or another trusted adult closely supervising.” The more time and thought you devote to practicing safe driving, the more skills and experience your teen will take with them into independent driving.

To learn more about safe driving for teens, visit the following links:

12 Safe Driving Tips for Teens – https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/resources/drive-safe/12-safe-driving-tips-for-teenage-drivers.html

Teen and Young Driver Safety – https://www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/safety-topics/Pages/teen-driver-safety.aspx

2024-07-10T08:31:00

(BPT) – Have you ever felt like no amount of coffee or rest can shake off your lingering exhaustion? Do you wake up from a full night’s sleep and still find yourself dragging? If so, you might be dealing with more than just tiredness; you could be experiencing fatigue. Fatigue is not just a fleeting feeling of sleepiness — it’s a deep-seated exhaustion that can impact your daily life and point to more serious health conditions. However, these feelings are often dismissed as simply needing more sleep or seen as a normal part of a busy lifestyle. According to recent research by MD Live, an Evernorth company and leading virtual care provider, many aren’t aware of what fatigue is despite experiencing symptoms and 35% rarely think about the reasons behind their tiredness.

“While we often use words like ‘tired’ and ‘exhausted’ interchangeably, there are distinct and clinical differences between tiredness and fatigue,” explains Dr. Maggie Williams, medical director for MD Live Primary Care. “Occasional tiredness can often be managed with better sleep habits or lifestyle changes, but fatigue is a persistent exhaustion that could signal underlying health issues that should be discussed with a doctor.”

Dr. Williams shares telltale ways to determine whether you may be experiencing simple tiredness or if your symptoms might point to something more serious.

1. Scrutinize your sleep

First, look at your sleep patterns. Tiredness generally improves with a good night’s sleep or a short nap, whereas fatigue persists even after adequate rest. Try keeping a sleep diary for a week, noting when you go to bed, when you wake up, and how you feel upon waking and throughout the day. If you consistently wake up feeling unrefreshed or have difficulty staying asleep, it might indicate something more serious. Pay attention to other signs like frequent waking during the night or difficulty falling asleep despite feeling tired.

2. Track your tiredness

Consider how long and how often you feel exhausted. Tiredness is typically temporary and linked to specific activities or lack of sleep, such as staying up late to finish a project or getting a poor night’s sleep. Fatigue is long-lasting and occurs frequently, often without a clear cause. Ask yourself whether exhaustion is a constant presence in your life, lingering for weeks or months. If symptoms persist and you cannot pinpoint a specific reason, it’s more likely to be fatigue.

3. Be on the lookout for other symptoms

Fatigue often accompanies broader and more severe symptoms, such as muscle weakness, joint pain, headaches, and a lack of motivation. Mentally, fatigue can lead to prolonged mood swings, depression, anxiety, and severe cognitive impairment, making it difficult to concentrate or remember things. Keep track of any additional symptoms you experience, noting their severity and duration.

4. Gauge the impact on daily life

Reflect on how your tiredness affects your daily activities. Tiredness might cause a temporary decrease in productivity and social interactions. Fatigue has a significant and prolonged impact on your ability to perform daily tasks, work, and maintain social relationships. For example, you may find it increasingly difficult to keep up with work responsibilities, household chores, or social commitments. Evaluate how often you find yourself canceling plans, avoiding activities, or struggling to keep up with everyday demands.

5. Revamp your rest routine

To assess whether you may be dealing with fatigue, address sleep-related issues, including irregular sleep schedules, screen time before bed, and an uncomfortable sleep environment. Establish a regular and consistent sleep routine, even on the weekends. Avoid alcohol consumption, limit exposure to screens at least an hour before bedtime and create a comfortable sleep environment by ensuring your bedroom is dark, quiet and cool. If these changes don’t help, it could point to fatigue — persistent problems despite good sleep hygiene warrant further investigation.

The chronic condition connection

Fatigue is often linked to chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, depression and thyroid disorders. These illnesses significantly impact the body’s ability to maintain energy levels, resulting in persistent exhaustion that can negatively affect quality of life. According to the survey, one-third of respondents with chronic diseases experienced extreme tiredness but didn’t recognize it was a symptom before their diagnosis. Identifying and managing these conditions properly can help alleviate some of the overwhelming feelings of exhaustion.

When to consult a doctor

While you might be inclined to dismiss or brush off tiredness as not a priority, persistent problems are not something you have to live with. If sleep-related issues or extreme tiredness begin to affect your everyday life, you can schedule a virtual visit with an MD Live board-certified doctor to discuss your concerns. They can help identify the root cause of your symptoms, develop an effective treatment plan and recommend in-person follow-ups if necessary.

Remember, understanding and addressing the root causes of your tiredness can pave the way for improved well-being and a more energetic life.

2024-07-10T07:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know that cholesterol and inflammation are partners in causing heart attack and stroke? Inflammation is your body’s internal fight against harmful conditions, but if it’s on overtime, it can cause its own harm. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with heart disease, you may want to talk to your doctor about the role of cardiovascular inflammation — and what you can do about it.

Because heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S.,^[1] it’s vital for those with risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease to learn how they may be able to help prevent a significant cardiac event like a heart attack or stroke from happening to them. A recent study demonstrated that among people already taking cholesterol-lowering statins, residual vascular inflammation strongly predicts future CV events — perhaps even more than high cholesterol.^[2]

Data from many peer-reviewed publications confirm that patients at high risk who are already using statins may benefit from additional anti-inflammatory therapy to further reduce their risk of cardiac and stroke events. Until now, there have only been approved therapies to treat high cholesterol risk — which do not address remaining vascular inflammation. Reducing inflammation may be key to further lowering the risk of heart attack, which over 800,000 Americans with CV disease may face this year.^[1]

Why inflammation is so crucial

Heart attacks are caused by blocked blood flow to the heart, while strokes are caused by blocked blood flow to the brain. Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a condition where arteries become narrowed and hardened due to buildup of a substance called plaque which can lead to reduced blood flow and blood clots, resulting in heart attacks and strokes.^[3] Because of this, people with ASCVD are at high risk for acute cardiovascular events.^[4] Inflammation is a partner with high cholesterol in forming plaque, which contributes to the development and progression of ASCVD.^[5]

How to reduce CV inflammation

To find out whether inflammation is a risk for you, the first step is getting tested. A simple blood test to determine the level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which is a biomarker for inflammation, can be measured in your blood and gives you an idea of your risk of heart disease.

If this test finds that your hs-CRP level is higher than normal, the next step is to reduce it. One treatment option includes low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, a once-daily, single oral anti-inflammatory tablet shown to reduce the risk of a major event, including heart attack or stroke.

“Inflammation has been known to cause heart attacks and strokes for years, and low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg is a major advance in treating people with cardiovascular inflammation,” said Philip Nimoityn, M.D., FACC, clinical cardiologist at Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia at Jefferson and attending physician at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “With the potential to save millions of lives, low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, is proven to reduce the risk of cardiac events, including heart attack and stroke, in patients with established cardiovascular disease by 31%.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with ASCVD, or you have multiple risk factors for ASCVD, you may be suffering from untreated CV inflammation. To help reduce this damaging inflammation and lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke, ask your doctor about getting tested for hs-CRP, and about new anti-inflammatory treatment options such as low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg.

Learn more about your risk and steps you can take to support your cardiac health at CVDInflammation.com.

^[1] Heart disease facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published May 15, 2024. Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html.

^[2] Ridker PM, Bhatt DL, Pradhan AD, et al. Inflammation and cholesterol as predictors of cardiovascular events among patients receiving statin therapy: a collaborative analysis of three randomised trials. Lancet (London, England). 2023;401(10384):1293-1301. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00215-5

^[3] What is atherosclerosis? American Heart Association. Published April 3, 2023. Accessed June 20, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis.

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2024-07-10T07:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Immunovant

Christine Gustafson had always been the picture of health. She swam a mile each day and biked regularly. Then, seemingly overnight, she began experiencing a series of health-related symptoms that would ultimately change her life.

“It started with a racing heartbeat. I was anxious all the time. I started losing weight without explanation. My eyes were also getting very red, painful and irritated,” said Gustafson. “It was hard to comprehend what was going on with my body.”

So began the long, arduous journey of trying to determine the cause of Gustafson’s mysterious symptoms. After months of doctor’s appointments, she was finally diagnosed with two separate, but related, autoimmune diseases — Graves’ disease and thyroid eye disease (TED).

A life turned upside down by Graves’ disease

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, organs or cells. Certain autoimmune disorders can be caused by harmful immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies, and are typically chronic, unpredictable and debilitating conditions.

In Graves’ disease, the harmful IgG autoantibodies attack the thyroid and cause it to make more hormones than the body needs. The resulting condition is known as hyperthyroidism.

Gustafson’s doctors said that her thyroid hormone levels were the highest they’d ever seen. Because of that, she experienced many of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism including rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, anxiety, fatigue and muscle weakness.

“I remember the anxiety the most — it was paralyzing. I couldn’t sleep and struggled to go out,” said Gustafson. “I remember thinking — how could this be my life?”

An emotional struggle with TED

About half of people diagnosed with Graves’ disease will also go on to develop TED. In addition to attacking the thyroid, the same harmful autoantibodies bind to thyroid hormone receptors in tissues around the eyes, causing inflammation, pain, double vision, and swollen, bulging eyes.

Over time, Gustafson found that her eyes kept changing and getting worse. Her vision was blurred, and the sunlight was blinding. At one point, she felt that she looked like her eyes were dangling by a thread. But the most challenging aspect was the emotional toll that an ever-changing appearance had on her life.

“I avoided mirrors and cameras and struggled mightily to maintain my self-esteem,” said Gustafson. “I felt isolated, and incredibly alone. I put tremendous effort into not losing myself to Graves’ and TED.”

Forging a path forward

While Graves’ disease and TED are related disorders, they require distinct management approaches. For many people, including Gustafson, it can be a challenging path to navigate.

“I thought the Graves’ medication would help with my eyes, but it didn’t,” said Gustafson. “It took almost four years for me to finally be referred to an eye specialist. Since then, I’ve had seven eye surgeries and, while I’ve seen benefits, there have also been complications.”

Today, Gustafson recommends that people do their research and have informed conversations with their doctors. Clinical research is also actively advancing to identify more and better treatment options for people living with autoimmune diseases like Graves’ disease and TED. (To learn more about clinical studies designed to address the complex and variable needs of people living with autoimmune diseases like TED, visit Immunovant.com.)

Gustafson also recommends connecting with others who have been on a similar journey, something that she helps foster through the work of her nonprofit, the TED Community Organization.

“My hope is for more education around Graves’ and TED, increased awareness in the healthcare community and innovation to address the needs of people living with these autoimmune conditions,” said Gustafson.

Editor’s note: The rising prevalence of autoimmune disease is a concerning trend that underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, education and research. Data indicates that autoimmune diseases affect approximately 50 million Americans. Even more alarming, autoimmunity is reaching epidemic levels, with some studies estimating an increase of 3-12% annually (Source: Autoimmune Association).