Category: Brandpoint Health

2025-05-30T12:01:00

(BPT) – Are you currently a freelancer or gig worker, or thinking about becoming self-employed? If so, you know that being self-employed means enjoying more freedom and autonomy, but also involves missing out on getting a benefits package from an employer. To help you better manage your finances today and plan for the future, here are ways you can set up your own self-designed benefits package — and a few tools to help you get started.

Get your health insurance covered

One of your first steps should be taking good care of yourself, so be sure to check out the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace online at HealthCare.gov to see what coverage options are available in your state.

Depending on the work you do or organizations you belong to, you may also be eligible for coverage through certain local associations, such as some nonprofit associations, or through unions like SAG-AFTRA, which provides health insurance for qualifying performers or media professionals. It’s worth doing research to discover what’s available to you at low cost.

Prioritize eye health

Most health insurance plans don’t cover vision, so it’s crucial to have coverage for this vital aspect of your overall health and productivity, whether or not you currently wear corrective lenses. An affordable vision plan like a VSP^® Individual Vision Plan ensures that you’re safeguarding your eye health, even when you’re your own boss. VSP’s affordable, same-day coverage ensures that you can maintain clear vision and eye health without unexpected expenses.

The best thing is, you can purchase a vision insurance plan with VSP year-round — at any time — with no need to wait for open enrollment or waiting periods. Typical savings is more than $350 annually with affordable full-service coverage you can purchase on your own. With a VSP vision insurance plan, you simply visit an eye doctor in the VSP network and you’ll get customized coverage for an annual eye exam, and new glasses, including a generous frame allowance, and savings on lens enhancements like progressives. VSP members also have access to over $3,000 in savings with Exclusive Member Extras.

Visit VSPDirect.com to find the best vision plan for you. You’ll be able to compare insurance plans and find the one that best meets your needs.

Optimize bookkeeping apps

One of the trickiest things about being self-employed is keeping track of your income and expenses, so you’re not only on top of your taxes, but you can also keep an eye on how your business is performing over time. And, because self-employed workers generally need to pay estimated taxes each quarter, being consistent with your recordkeeping is more important than ever.

It’s advisable to consult a tax professional to ensure your bookkeeping is done correctly, but there are also a variety of bookkeeping apps and accounting software on the market that are user-friendly and can help you easily track your income, deductions and expenses in real time, making it simpler for you — and your tax advisor — to stay on track all year.

Plan for the future

No matter your current age, it’s always a good idea to start planning for the future now. Actions you can take include opening a health savings account (HSA) or a Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account (SEP IRA) for your retirement savings.

An HSA offers certain tax advantages, and can be a valuable tool for helping you manage your health care costs down the road, especially when you don’t have employer-sponsored health care. If you’re on an ACA health plan, you’ll need to enroll in an HSA-eligible High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), then choose an HSA provider and make contributions to the account.

Advantages of a SEP IRA include the fact that contributions to a SEP are tax deductible, and that your small business pays no taxes on the investment earnings. You are also not locked into making contributions every year, if you choose not to. You can find information about opening a SEP IRA on the Department of Labor website. Again, consulting a tax professional is always recommended for making decisions that may impact your tax liability.

Going the self-employed route has several advantages, but also is most successful when you’ve done your homework and planned for what you need, now and into the future. By making the most of these tools that are at your disposal, you can enjoy your hard-earned success for years to come.

2025-05-21T15:31:00

(BPT) – Do you think about your home’s water quality? From daily showers to brewing your morning cup of coffee, you use water for so many everyday tasks, including ones that can impact your well-being. That’s why it’s important to learn more about the water quality in your area.

What affects water quality

Tap water goes on quite the journey before it reaches your home. Water from natural sources like lakes, rivers and groundwater flows to municipal water treatment facilities where it is cleaned and purified. While these treatments make water safe to drink, some minerals and chemicals can impact the taste of your water and affect your skin and hair.

After it’s treated, the water flows to storage tanks and then pipes before it enters your home. During its travel, the water can pick up sediments and other contaminants that impact your water quality. Luckily, there are various technologies you can easily install in your home to filter the water you use every day.

Better, tastier drinking water

Does your tap water have a chlorinated or metallic taste? This is a common problem with a relatively simple solution. Installing an under-sink water filtration system can reduce the contaminants responsible for this taste, as well as other chemicals and sediments that negatively impact water quality.

When looking for a filtration system, consider a reliable, certified system like the Delta^® Clarifi™ Tankless Under Sink 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System. Using six filtration stages, the system removes more than 90 contaminants from your drinking water, including chlorine, chloramine, microplastics, PFAS, lead, arsenic, heavy metals, chemicals, nitrates, pharmaceuticals and more.

The system is certified against National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards and is designed for reliable, easy-to-use in-home water filtration. The carbon and reverse osmosis filters have a two-year life span with indicator lights so you know when a filter needs changing. The simple twist-and-lock mechanism doesn’t require water shutoff, so when it’s time to replace the filters, you can do so in minutes. You can even customize your water with an optional remineralizer that adds good-for-you minerals like electrolytes, calcium and magnesium back into your filtered drinking water.

Say hello to a hair and skin upgrade

In your bathroom, unfiltered water contains impurities that can strip the natural oils from your skin and hair, causing dryness and dullness. A simple fix is to upgrade your current shower head with a filtration attachment. Just like your under-sink filtration system, a shower head with a water filter can reduce common contaminants.

For the perfect DIY shower upgrade, consider picking up the Delta^® Clarifi™ Premium Shower Filter Attachment. The lightweight and durable attachment is easy to install and can be concealed behind your existing shower head. Simply attach between your current shower head and supply line to reduce impurities that may cause dry skin and hair.

Not only does the filter reduce chlorine and sediments from your water, but it looks good doing it, too. Available in seven finishes, including Matte Black, Chrome, Champagne Bronze and Polished Nickel it’s easy to find one that matches your existing aesthetic.

Are you ready to improve your water quality?

Improving your home’s water quality doesn’t have to be complicated. The right products can instantly improve your water so you can drink, cook and shower with confidence. To learn more about water quality and solutions, visit Delta Faucet’s Water Quality Resource.

2025-05-19T05:01:00

(BPT) – Is heart disease on your radar? While the subject can be scary, the good news is that medical advancements have found new and efficient ways to manage the risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Take coronary atherosclerosis, for example. This condition occurs when fats, cholesterol and other substances build up in blood vessels, creating plaque on artery walls. Over time, the plaque narrows the arteries, blocking blood flow, which can lead to more serious conditions like heart attack or stroke.

Inflammation plays a substantial role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Managing and reducing inflammation can go a long way in managing coronary atherosclerosis and slowing the progression of cardiovascular disease.

That said, what if you could do more? What if, instead of merely slowing the progression of cardiovascular disease, you could actually turn back the clock on damaging arterial plaque? A recent clinical study suggests that a once-daily oral low-dose medication has the potential to address coronary inflammation and even shrink existing plaque.

Addressing plaque instability and reversing damage

Newly released results from the EKSTROM trial offer powerful evidence that low-dose colchicine has the potential to fundamentally change how clinicians combat heart disease.

Low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, is indicated to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This anti-inflammatory medication addresses the root cause of heart disease by targeting inflammation, helping stabilize “vulnerable” plaques prone to rupture.

According to the EKSTROM trial findings, the anti-inflammatory treatment improved several measures of plaque volume changes over a period of 12 months in patients with stable coronary artery disease compared to a placebo. The study also found that low-dose colchicine doesn’t just slow the progression of plaque but also offers meaningful regression of non-calcified, fibrous and fibro-fatty plaque.

“Our findings demonstrate how low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, can prevent heart attack and stroke in high-risk patients with established cardiovascular disease by reducing plaques in the coronary arteries,” said Matthew J. Budoff, M.D., lead clinician of the EKSTROM trial, investigator at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center and program director and director of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT), Division of Cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

This isn’t the first time researchers have studied the potential therapeutic benefits of low-dose colchicine. The EKSTROM trial is the third major study suggesting that low-dose colchicine can regress and stabilize plaque, following key findings from a clinical trial in acute coronary syndrome (the COLOCT study) and an important systematic review in JAMA Cardiology.

By directly reducing inflammation — a key contributor to plaque instability — low-dose colchicine could help prevent heart attacks and strokes in high-risk patients, reduce hospitalizations and possibly cut long-term health care costs. Together with statins and antihypertensives, this anti-inflammatory therapy now stands poised to become a vital pillar in cardiovascular disease management.

Determine your risk

Do you have atherosclerosis? If you’re not sure, you can find out with just three simple, universally available tests that measure your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. These tests can detect the risk of vascular atherosclerosis decades before a life-threatening heart attack or stroke.

While you may be familiar with LDL and Lp(a), you may not have heard of hs-CRP, an inflammation biomarker. Should the test reveal that you have high hs-CRP levels, your doctor may recommend you take once-daily low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg, in addition to your current treatment regimen.

To learn more about low-dose colchicine, its role in reducing inflammation and to check your own risk using our risk assessment quiz, visit CVDInflammation.com.

2025-05-08T16:33:00

(BPT) – By 2030, more than 20% of the U.S. population — about 71 million Americans — will be over the age of 65. With age, many of us may notice changes in cognition — things like misplacing our keys or forgetting a neighbor’s name. While we expect our bodies to change with age and aren’t alarmed when they do, many people assume the worst when their memory or cognition changes. It’s important to understand that our brains age just like our bodies.

Cognitive aging or brain aging is not a disease. It’s part of an ongoing process that begins at birth and continues throughout the lifespan. In early childhood, our brains grow and develop at a rapid pace. As we grow older, changes in the brain due to aging can affect things like learning and memory. Processing speed, decision-making and memory are often some of the first cognitive abilities to decline due to aging.

Cognitive aging is normal, and it happens to all of us. You can’t prevent your brain from aging, but you can take action to optimize your brain and cognitive health.

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation’s Brain Works initiative aims to educate the public on cognitive aging as a critical step to reducing fear and encouraging behavior change to promote healthy brain aging. Learn more about the steps you can take to optimize your brain health below.

Tips to Optimize Your Brain Health:

Remember the old adage: Healthy heart, healthy mind

Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke, like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart and your brain by maintaining a healthy weight and managing your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Keep your mind active

Challenging and activating the mind with activities like learning a new language, instrument or skill, helps keep your mind sharp. Doing puzzles and playing games are also good ways to encourage strategic thinking.

Find your purpose

What motivates you and lights your world each day? Whatever it is, having and building a sense of meaning and purpose in life can bring countless psychological and physical health benefits! Having a sense of purpose has been linked to a lower risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment. Having purpose is also linked to a longer and healthier lifespan and better well-being in older age.

Prioritize your mental health & manage stress

Mental health is an important component of overall brain health, so it’s not surprising that depression is linked with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Managing stress and seeking medical attention for symptoms of depression, low mood, anxiety or other mental health concerns will help maintain your brain and cognitive health later in life.

Stay social

Social interaction isn’t only fun; it’s important for your brain health. Pursuing social activities you enjoy and find interesting will help you build and maintain social connections with friends and people in your local community. Volunteering at an animal shelter or food pantry, getting involved with activities at your church, or sharing the games and activities you enjoy with friends and family are all great ways to get and stay social.

Follow a healthy diet

Eating a healthy and balanced diet that’s rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products can reduce inflammation, the risk of disease and help support brain health. For peak cognitive health, also stay hydrated, limit alcohol consumption and reduce your intake of solid fats, sugar, sodium and highly processed foods.

Take a walk

A daily walk is a perfect way to get in the physical activity needed to maintain good brain health. Aim for 30 minutes a day and break it into shorter sessions if needed. Several studies have linked regular physical activity with a reduced risk of cognitive decline. Even simple exercises using your body weight or a few light weights can pay off!

For more resources on cognitive aging, including questions to ask your doctor, brain health tips, and the latest research findings, visit the McKnight Brain Research Foundation’s Brain Works resource hub at: https://mcknightbrain.org/brainworks/.

About the Brain Works Campaign

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation launched the “Brain Works: Optimize Your Brain Span” campaign in March 2024 to educate the public on cognitive aging and offer tips to help maintain optimal brain health with age. The campaign features information on cognitive aging, including an online hub of tools and resources from the McKnight Brain Research Foundation and other reputable organizations with cognitive health expertise. Visit the resource hub and learn more at: McKnightBrain.org/BrainWorks.

2025-05-05T09:01:00

(BPT) – No matter your age, you should be aware of how you can reduce your risk of stroke. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), strokes affect more than 800,000 people each year in the U.S. and remain a leading cause of death and long-term disability.

Although nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65, young adults now make up 10%-15% of stroke cases. Also, according to NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), there is a noticeable rise in strokes among adults under 45, making prevention and awareness at every age critical.

The good news is that there are proactive steps you can take to protect yourself from stroke. In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, NINDS offers six everyday steps you can take this May and beyond to reduce your risk of stroke.

1. Exercise and be physically active

Getting exercise and being physically active are beneficial for your whole body’s health, including your brain. According to an NIH-funded study published in the Stroke journal, regular, moderately vigorous exercise, enough to break a sweat, was linked to reduced risk of stroke.

NINDS’s Know Stroke Initiative suggests getting about 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Whether you hit the gym, take a Pilates class, or simply walk around the neighborhood, carve out time to move in a way that makes you feel good and is good for you.

2. Treat high blood pressure

High blood pressure is a serious health concern. When you have high blood pressure, blood in your arteries flows with too much force, leading to damage over time that increases your risk of developing other conditions, including stroke.

Symptoms of high blood pressure are not always apparent. See your doctor to determine if you have high blood pressure and discuss strategies to manage it, such as lifestyle changes and medication.

3. Eat healthy

What you eat can help or hurt your risk of stroke. For example, eating too much salt (sodium) can raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of stroke. On the other hand, increasing your potassium intake can help you keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

Take stock of your diet and see where you can improve it. Make sure you’re regularly eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins and fats that provide all the nutrients you need to live well and protect your health.

4. Control cholesterol

Keeping your cholesterol in check is important to reducing your risk of stroke. Although your body needs cholesterol to function, excess cholesterol can build up in your arteries. This buildup of cholesterol creates plaque that narrows blood vessels and can form blood clots, leading to heart attack and stroke.

The next time you visit your doctor, talk about your concerns and get a blood test to determine if you have high cholesterol. From there, you can decide with your physician how you want to manage your cholesterol through diet changes, medications, or other strategies.

5. Manage diabetes

Did you know that diabetes can damage your brain’s blood vessels? It’s a common misconception that diabetes only affects the body’s ability to use sugar. However, the disorder can cause sugars to build up in the blood, damaging blood vessels and preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching your brain. It’s also common for people with diabetes to develop high blood pressure.

If you have diabetes, make sure to talk with your doctor about how you can best treat your condition.

6. Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do to decrease your risk of stroke is to quit. Smoking increases your risk of developing many diseases and conditions and stroke is no exception. According to NINDS, smoking on its own — without any other stroke risk factors — almost doubles your risk of an ischemic stroke, the most common kind of stroke.

However, the risk of stroke decreases significantly about two years after a person quits smoking. By five years, the risk decreases to the level of nonsmokers.

Know the signs and act F.A.S.T.

Now that you know what increases your risk of stroke, it’s time to learn the early warning signs of a stroke. NINDS’s Know Stroke Initiative has a handy acronym to learn the signs so you know what to look for and can act F.A.S.T.

• Face: Does one side of the face droop?
• Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
• Speech: Is speech slurred or difficult to understand?
• Time: Call 911 immediately.

When it comes to a stroke, every second counts. The more you Know Stroke, the better you can prevent it. Learn the signs, symptoms, and ways to lower your risk of stroke by visiting NINDS.NIH.gov/Health-Information/Stroke.

2025-05-05T06:01:00

(BPT) – Before you wrap your spring cleaning this season, did you remember to check your spice cabinet? A 2025 survey conducted by Suzy, a leading end-to-end market research platform, found that 70% of consumers only check the expiration or best-by date on spices “sometimes” — or “not at all.” Chances are, you may have a few spices that are past their prime.

“When used at their peak, spices can take your meals from good to unforgettable,” said Jennifer Kellison, director of innovation at the all-organic spice brand Simply Organic. “If you’re struggling to remember when you last purchased a spice, it may be time to refresh your spice rack.”

The shelf life of herbs and spices is generally two to three years when stored properly. All of them age, even under the best conditions, because they come from various plant parts including roots, leaves, bark, seeds, fruits and more. Spices are not as potent or flavorful past the best-by date, so experts recommend replacing them once expired for the best culinary results.

There are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your spices fresh and flavorful:

Become an expert on sensory cues

“The best-by or expiration date is a good point of reference, but use additional cues like flavor and aroma to tell whether your spices are still fresh,” said Kellison. “One trick is to crush a small amount in your palm, and if the scent is weak, that indicates the flavor may be less potent.” Spices that have been affected by moisture or age can start to clump or feel unusually dry.

Storage is key

According to the Suzy survey, almost 25% of consumers are unknowingly speeding up deterioration by storing their spices on the counter, on the wall, or next to the stove. When they’re not in use, spices should be kept in airtight bottles or glass jars, inside a cupboard or drawer.

“A good rule of thumb is to keep spices away from heat, light and moisture,” said Kellison. “Although it’s convenient to keep your favorite spice within arm’s reach, it’s best to store them away from the stove and out of sunlight. You should also avoid shaking the bottle directly over a hot pan, because steam rising from your dish can enter the bottle and introduce moisture.”

“Compared to whole spices and herbs, ones that have been ground or cut may lose their flavor faster because more of their surface area is exposed to air,” said Kellison. No matter the type, it’s important to store your spices properly to maintain their full potency.

Recipe inspiration to make the most of your spices

Suzy found that 1 in 2 respondents keep ground spices the longest, even though they lose potency sooner than whole spices. “Experiment with new recipes and cuisines to use up your spices before they expire,” said Kellison. “If you have a bottle of ground cinnamon that’s been untouched since the holiday baking season, there are plenty of ways throughout the year to get the most use out of that flavor.”

Add a bit of cinnamon and whipped cream on top of your morning coffee, mix it into your smoothies, or use it to impart warm flavors in salad dressings and vinaigrettes, or in a comforting butternut squash soup.

How to reuse old spices at home

If your spices are expired, there are still creative ways to use them around your home and garden. “Simmering expired herbs and spices with water on the stovetop can make a fragrant potpourri,” said Kellison. “Sprinkling spices like cayenne pepper and chili powder around the garden or in your compost pile can also help deter mice and other rodents.”

Check out SimplyOrganic.com for more tips and inspiration on storing and using spices.

Survey Methodology: Suzy conducted a custom survey in February 2025, among a sample of 1,046 U.S. adults 25-70 years of age

2025-05-01T05:01:00

(BPT) – When Tony Villiotti was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, at 71 years old he felt alone and overwhelmed. “Once we got the diagnosis, my wife and I wanted to learn more,” Villiotti says. “But we didn’t really have a lot of information.”

Villiotti’s experience is all too common. In the U.S., liver cancer diagnosis rates have more than tripled since the 1980s, and in 2025, there will be an estimated 42,000 new cases. However, public awareness about liver cancer risk factors and symptoms remains low.

“My experience is that people really don’t know much about their liver,” notes Villiotti. “Liver disease can come up seemingly out of nowhere because, often, there are no symptoms.”

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with liver cancer, here are five tips that may help you navigate the journey and feel more empowered:

1. Become an educated patient. Do your research so you can understand your treatment options and have informed discussions with your doctors. “In order to do that, you have to identify resources that’ll be most helpful to you,” advises Villiotti. Websites like OneLiverToLove.com can provide tips for navigating a diagnosis, resources to help you manage your care, recommend support groups, and help you feel more empowered and less alone.

2. Take an active role in your care. “You really need to be your own best advocate when it comes to dealing with your health care team,” urges Villiotti. Write down questions in advance and make sure you get the answers that you need during your appointments. Remember, this is about you and your health.

3. Lean on your support systems. Villiotti recommends having a second person accompany you to doctors’ visits, if possible. They can provide support, take notes and be an extra set of ears to absorb information. Managing a liver cancer diagnosis is a team effort; OneLiverToLove.com has downloadable conversation cards that can help you and your loved ones navigate this journey together.

4. Stay organized. Depending on your treatment plan, you may see multiple specialists including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and hepatologists. Keep a written or digital calendar of all your appointments to avoid scheduling conflicts and take advantage of online patient portals if your health system offers them, advises Villiotti. OneLiverToLove.com also offers a downloadable appointment tracker to help you manage your doctors’ visits.

5. Prioritize your well-being. While you navigate treatment, make sure that you, your caregiver and your loved ones don’t neglect the fundamentals of health: nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management. Making healthy lifestyle choices may benefit both your liver and your overall well-being. OneLiverToLove.com offers practical tips that are good for you and your liver, and the One Liver to Love YouTube channel features experts sharing advice on how to prioritize these fundamentals.

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. “One thing that has changed for the better since I went through my experience with liver cancer is that a variety of resources are now available for those that face the same situation themselves,” Villiotti shares.

By educating yourself, advocating for your needs, staying organized and making your health a priority, you can feel empowered as you navigate liver cancer. OneLiverToLove.com was created by Blue Faery, Global Liver Institute (GLI) and Eisai Inc. with one community in mind — for people like you and families like yours who are living with and affected by liver cancer. Check out the site for helpful resources and visit the One Liver to Love YouTube channel to hear more from Tony and other real people who have faced a liver cancer diagnosis.

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2025-04-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – By Jonathan Deguzman

The doctors who saved my life in 2005 had to amputate all 10 of my fingers and both of my feet, in order to do so.

The loss of my limbs was due to gangrene, which was caused by a highly contagious and deadly infection called meningococcal disease, a form of bacterial meningitis. I hadn’t been vaccinated against the disease as the shot wasn’t recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at that time. The consequences were devastating. I learned my fingers and feet had been amputated after I emerged from a 12-day coma.

The first few hours of a case of meningococcal disease are easy to dismiss as nothing too serious, like a common cold or case of influenza. The initial meningococcal disease symptoms I experienced looked a lot like the flu: Shivers. A headache. Stiff neck. It’s not unusual for everyone to mistake the early symptoms of IMD for a more common viral infection. But making that mistake can be deadly. With meningitis, membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Meningococcal disease is fatal for 10 to 15 in 100 people, sometimes within only a matter of hours. It’s one of the reasons why I support the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate 11- and 12-year-olds against the disease — and why any change to these recommendations should be carefully considered.

The proposed potential changes to the MenACWY recommendation would eliminate the recommendation that has been in place for almost 20 years to give a dose of this vaccine to kids at ages 11-12 years, leaving only a single dose at age 16, meaning healthcare professionals would miss out on a critical opportunity to help protect children entering the high-risk adolescent age group. At ages 11 and 12, children are not only at risk of contracting meningitis, they are also more likely than older teenagers to receive routine preventive care. These check-ups and vaccine appointments are critical opportunities for young adolescents to be educated on the symptoms of meningococcal disease. At this age, they are starting to participate in the activities that might lead them to catch this disease. Meningococcal meningitis is contagious and can spread via respiratory droplets or from contact with saliva, meaning it can spread through activities like kissing or sharing beverages.

I grew up during the pre-vaccination era for meningococcal disease. Back then, the risk of contracting meningococcal disease among adolescents began to increase as early as age 11. Fortunately, the current CDC-recommended, two-part vaccination schedule, which advises that a first dose be given at ages 11-12 and a booster dose at 16 years old, has contributed to a significant decrease in disease incidence in the adolescent age group.

If I had known about meningococcal disease, and if I had known a vaccine was available, I believe I wouldn’t be using prosthetics today. I had never even heard the word “meningitis” until I emerged from a coma 19 years ago and learned about my diagnosis from my father. My mother, however, was speechless. When I was in that coma for nearly two weeks, my parents had started planning for my funeral. She knew then, and we never forget, even two decades later, how lucky we are.

Like me, one in five survivors of meningococcal disease will experience long-term effects from the disease, such as deafness, brain damage, nervous system problems, and loss of limbs. Although rare, cases can be deadly, with case fatality rates ranging from 10 to 15 percent. Statistics and stories like mine can be hard to talk about. But I never forget that up to 15 percent of the people who contract meningococcal disease cannot tell their own story. I tell mine for them — and so that other people won’t share our experience.

This article was published with the support of Sanofi.

2025-04-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is an involuntary movement disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements of the face, torso, limbs, and fingers or toes. TD is associated with the use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses.

May 4-10, 2025, marks the 8th annual TD Awareness Week, a week dedicated to elevating discussions on TD to reduce the stigma and empower those impacted by the condition. Talk to your doctor about routine screenings for TD, how to recognize symptoms and ways to manage including treatment options at TalkAboutTD.com. Sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

2025-04-28T08:01:00

(BPT) – Sometimes your body sends signals that something’s not quite right, but those signals don’t always match what you’d expect. Many common health conditions show up differently in women than in men, yet most medical research and education have traditionally focused on male symptoms. Combined with cultural assumptions and conflicting information, it’s no surprise that some signs get missed in women. In fact, according to a recent MD Live by Evernorth survey, while two-thirds of women say they feel confident recognizing symptoms, most were unable to correctly identify female-specific signs of common health issues from heart disease to mental health conditions.

“When symptoms are vague or don’t fit the usual description, they’re easy to miss or misinterpret, especially in women,” explains Dr. Maggie Williams, Medical Director of Primary Care at MD Live. “The more women understand the ways their bodies communicate distress, the quicker they can act on them and the better they can advocate for the care they deserve.”

Dr. Williams breaks down five common health conditions where women’s symptoms may look different and explains how to spot the signs that you should seek care.

1. Heart Attack

While chest pain is a hallmark heart attack symptom for both men and women, women are much more likely to experience accompanying or alternative symptoms that are subtler and easier to dismiss. These can include nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, jaw, neck and back pain, and overwhelming fatigue. As a result, these symptoms are often mistaken for anxiety, acid reflux, or run-of-the-mill tiredness, which can cause women to delay seeking care right away.

2. ADHD

ADHD has long been associated with hyperactivity and impulsivity — traits that are more commonly seen and diagnosed in boys. However, in girls and adult women, symptoms can be far more subtle and internalized: trouble focusing, constant disorganization, forgetfulness, internal restlessness and frequent mood changes. These symptoms are often confused with anxiety, burnout, or simply undesirable personality traits. Men are more likely to have the hyperactive type of ADHD, so they tend to get flagged earlier in childhood, while women often go undiagnosed until adulthood.

3. Perimenopause

Perimenopause — the transition phase before menopause — can last for years and bring a wide range of physical and mental changes. In addition to hot flashes and irregular periods, many women experience brain fog, sleep issues, mood swings, and even joint stiffness or pain. Because these symptoms are gradual, they often go unrecognized or are misattributed, especially when they begin earlier than expected.

4. Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid issues, like an overactive or underactive thyroid, are much more common in women. They affect the body’s metabolism and can lead to symptoms that affect every part of the body: mood swings, joint pain, unexplained weight changes, hair loss, sensitivity to temperature, and menstrual changes. Since many of these symptoms overlap with stress-related concerns, thyroid disorders may be falsely blamed on lifestyle or age.

5. Depression

Depression in women doesn’t always mean feelings of constant sadness. Additional common signs are low energy, ongoing physical pain (especially headaches or digestive problems), excessive guilt, feelings of worthlessness and sleeping more than usual.

The best thing women can do for their health is listen to their bodies. If something feels “off” or doesn’t have a clear explanation, don’t ignore it. Virtual care options — like those available through MD Live — can offer an easier and more convenient way to talk to a board-certified doctor, ask questions, and get guidance on what to do next. Check with your health insurer to see what virtual care options are covered by your plan. However, if symptoms feel severe or you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.