Category: Brandpoint

2018-03-23T17:01:00

(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 trying to conceive (TTC) so they are empowered to effectively navigate the fertility journey.

Try the following tips:

1. 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. Make friends with 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 by leveraging all three. Consider a test like the First Response Ovulation Test so you’ll know exactly when to get busy.

3. If you’ve been having ovulation-focused sex for over three months and still haven’t conceived, keep calm and 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. These are so bad that the FDA just outlawed them. Food companies have three years to comply, so, for now, you have to police yourself.

5. 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 strong 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. Contrary to popular belief, having sex every day doesn’t lower sperm count, so, feel free to have as much sex as you please, and enjoy it. But, if you are dry, 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 to 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. You’re about to start your trying to conceive (TTC) journey. Enjoy the ride.

2018-03-23T08:00:00

(BPT) – When you’re shopping for something, it’s good to have options to help you decide on the best choice for you.

This remains true when shopping for health care providers. However, determining which of the numerous health care options is right for you can be difficult. Like what’s the difference between a doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) and a medical doctor (M.D.), or the difference between a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner?

If such questions have you confused, this article is a handy guide to help you understand your options and choose the right health care professional for you.

Doctor of osteopathic medicine

As mentioned above, D.O. stands for doctor of osteopathic medicine, and while D.O.s receive equivalent training to a medical doctor (M.D.), they also receive 200 hours of training in osteopathic manipulative medicine, which is used to diagnose and treat structural and functional issues in the bones, joints, tissues and muscles of the body.

D.O.s, like M.D.s, are found in all medical specialties, such as emergency medicine, neurology and pediatrics. The difference that sets D.O.s apart is mainly philosophical. D.O.s are trained to take a whole-person approach to patient care, not just focus on treatment of a disease. They also focus on wellness and prevention, while considering the patient’s mental, physical and emotional status, which contribute to overall health.

Medical doctor

M.D.s and D.O.s are the most highly trained health care professionals. This training teaches them to not only treat symptoms but to view the body as a system and link those symptoms to an underlying condition. Both M.D.s and D.O.s prescribe medication and can perform surgery, something others on this list cannot do.

The current market has seen a shortage of doctors in some areas and in some cases people who believe they are being treated by a doctor are actually seeing a person in another role like one of the next three professions.

Physician assistant

P.A.s are able to perform many of the same functions as M.D.s and D.O.s, including ordering X-rays, conducting physical exams and even prescribing medication. However, a P.A.’s training is limited and these professionals work under the supervision of a licensed M.D. or D.O.

Nurse practitioner

Perhaps the least widely known of the five on this list, a nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has advanced their education and training — via a master’s or doctorate degree — to specialize in a given area, such as women’s health or pediatrics.

In addition to diagnosing conditions, nurse practitioners also prioritize counseling and health education in their work. N.P.s can practice independently in some states while others require them to work under an M.D. or D.O.

Registered nurse

The most common medical professional on this list, R.N.s generally have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. They have experience assessing symptoms, offering patient support and recording medical histories. As with nurse practitioners, patient education is a vital component of an R.N.’s role.

Yet, while R.N.s are skilled medical professionals, they are not allowed to work independently and cannot write prescriptions. In all cases an R.N. must work under the supervision of a D.O. or M.D.

Finding the best solution for you

So, which health care professional is right for you? Start by matching your needs to the qualifications of the professionals above and from there, search based on what is most important to you. Be diligent in your search, because finding the perfect solution for your medical needs will make it worth the time spent considering all those options.

To find a practicing D.O. in your area, visit doctorsthatdo.org.

2018-03-28T12:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know that according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, and about half of them don’t even realize they have it? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it is asymptomatic and painless, and can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. However, those who are aware of their glaucoma may feel the pressure of managing their condition.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) characterizes glaucoma as damage to the eye’s optic nerve that can result in vision loss. This can occur when fluid build-up increases the intraocular eye pressure (IOP) to a point that can no longer be tolerated by the optic nerve, causing irreversible damage. As the disease progresses, Kellogg Eye Center reports patients may lose their peripheral vision, and experience tunnel vision, blind spots or even complete blindness.

The burden of managing the condition may be frustrating, seemingly unnecessary and cumbersome. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it has to be managed for life. However, the nerve damage caused by increased IOP could have no symptoms, which makes adhering to a treatment schedule a struggle for many. The GRF reports that research has shown approximately 40 percent of patients do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them.

“The daily adherence to strict treatment regimens is overwhelming for many patients suffering from increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma,” said Dr. Brian Flowers* of Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. “Patients should work closely with their eye care provider to determine a schedule that works for them, or to discuss surgical options that may help reduce dependence on daily drops.”

Alcon, the global leader in eye care, offers the following tips that may help relieve the pressure of daily treatment regimens for their IOP.

1. Visit your doctor for a regular eye screening. Since the condition can silently progress, only experts can appropriately diagnose and treat this “silent thief of sight,” while providing guidance on treatment that may work best for you.
2. Follow a schedule that works best for you. Be sure to take your medication exactly as directed, by setting reminders or timers, according to the GRF. Consult your doctor on the best way to manage your medication schedule, on your terms.
3. Consider one of the microinvasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) options that may reduce your need for glaucoma medications. For those with increased IOP associated with mild-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma and undergoing cataract surgery, the CyPass^® Micro-Stent from Alcon is an innovative option that not only can ease the pressure in your eyes, but may also help reduce daily dependence on topical glaucoma medications. Talk to your doctor to see if this option is right for you.

“The first step to easing the pressure caused by glaucoma is becoming informed, and knowing to visit your doctor regularly so that you can be diagnosed as early as possible,” said Dr. Randy Craven* of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “After being diagnosed, work with your doctor to consider your options so you can continue to live your life fully despite the condition.”

Considering your personal lifestyle when deciding your course of treatment is key to easing the pressure due to glaucoma, and will help you and your doctor decide the best path forward, and whether a MIGS option, such as CyPass^® Micro-Stent, could be right for you.

Visit MyCyPass.com for more information about how you can lower your eye pressure at the same time as cataract surgery and to find a CyPass^® Micro-Stent surgeon in your local area.

CyPass^® Micro-Stent Important Product Information

INDICATION: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who are undergoing cataract surgery.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent should not be used if:

• You have a type of glaucoma other than primary open-angle glaucoma
• Your eye anatomy or condition is unusual; for instance, if the area in your eye is too narrow to implant the CyPass^® Micro-Stent, or if there is a condition that may prevent your eye surgeon from seeing where the CyPass^® Micro-Stent will be implanted

PRECAUTIONS: Your eye surgeon will monitor you after surgery to make sure your eye pressure is controlled. If it is not, your eye surgeon may recommend appropriate medication or other treatment to control your eye pressure. The safety and effectiveness of use of more than a single CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been established. The CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been shown to be an alternative to treatment of glaucoma with medicine.

ADVERSE EVENTS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent was studied in a clinical trial to compare the performance of cataract surgery with the CyPass^® Micro-Stent to cataract surgery alone (without the CyPass^® Micro-Stent). In this study, the most common adverse events in both groups included: significant loss of corrected vision (8.8% for the CyPass^® Micro-Stent vs 15.3% for cataract surgery only); visual field disturbances requiring steroid eye drops 30 or more days after surgery (8.6% vs 3.8%); significant worsening of visual field (6.7% vs 9.9%); significant increases in intraocular pressure 30 or more days after surgery (4.3% vs 2.3%); and eye swelling either 30 or more days after surgery, or severe in nature (3.5% vs 1.5%).

The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device.

Talk to your eye doctor to see if the CyPass^® Micro-Stent is right for you.

*This release was provided by Alcon and Drs. Craven and Flowers are paid consultants.

2018-04-02T10:01:01

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2018-04-02T09:01:00

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

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

1. Pack healthy snacks.

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

2. Lighten your luggage.

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

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

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

3. Don’t forget essential nutrients.

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

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

4. Keep your blood flowing.

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

5. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

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

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

2018-04-02T07:01:01

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2018-04-11T07:01:01

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

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

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

Hard water scaling doesn’t just harm your appliances and wallet, it can harm your health as well. The piping used in home plumbing, whether it is copper or PVC, has very smooth interior surfaces that don’t permit bacteria to settle and grow. However, hard water results in scale formation on the interior surfaces of those pipes and that provides a perfect home for bacteria.

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

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

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

2018-03-29T15:29:00

(BPT) – With spring having officially begun, many eager homeowners and landscape professionals across the country will roll up their sleeves and reach for their shovels to start projects that require digging this season.

During the transition into “digging season,” Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the organization dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities, reminds homeowners and professional diggers that calling 811 is the first step toward protecting you and your community from the risk of unintentionally damaging an underground line.

Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a free call to 811. Installing a mailbox or fence, building a deck and landscaping are all examples of digging projects that should only begin a few days after making a call to 811. Calling this number connects you to your local one-call utility notification center.

According to data collected by CGA in a phone survey in February, millions of American homeowners will likely do DIY projects involving digging this year, but 36 percent of them do not plan to make a free call to 811 before digging. Extrapolated to the full population of U.S. homeowners, approximately 48.3 million people will dig this year without first calling 811.

A utility line is damaged every nine minutes in America because someone decided to dig without making a call to 811 to learn the approximate location of buried utilities in their area. Unintentionally striking one of these lines can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, serious harm to yourself or your neighbors, and significant repair costs.

As a result, CGA offers the following tips to make sure you complete your project safely and without any utility service interruptions, so you don’t become a statistic.

Here’s how the 811 process works:

1. One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for your local one-call center to notify appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Call a few days prior to digging to ensure enough time for the approximate location of utility lines to be marked with flags or paint.

2. When you call 811, a representative from your local one-call center will ask for the location and description of your digging project.

3. Your local one-call center will notify affected utility companies, which will then send professional locators to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines.

4. Only once all lines have been accurately marked, carefully dig around the marked areas.

There are nearly 20 million miles of underground utility lines in the United States, which equates to more than a football field’s length of utilities for every person in the U.S. Your family depends on this buried infrastructure for your everyday needs including electric, natural gas, water and sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet and landline telephone. With that much critical infrastructure underground, it’s important to know what’s below and call 811 before digging.

To find out more information about 811 or the one-call utility notification center in your area, visit www.call811.com.

2018-04-10T15:09:00

(BPT) – The bright lights. The energy and laughter that fills the room. Casinos are fun and exciting to the vast majority of people but for some, they can be problematic.

Casinos are a form of entertainment, so how do you ensure what’s meant to be a fun and leisurely activity continues to be a positive experience? Time spent at a casino should be a planned and budgeted entertainment option — like you would approach an evening out for dinner or a sporting event. There are preventative measures that can be taken to help ensure that an experience at a casino remains a fun one.

Leading experts in the field of gambling research maintain that it starts with being an informed consumer who understands the realities of gaming. “Being informed means understanding your thoughts about the next big win, beating the odds, and finding the hot machine or deck of cards,” said Dr. James Whelan of the University of Memphis. “Misunderstanding these thoughts about chance can lead to harmful mistakes and excessive losses of money. Informed consumers know that setting limits on how much you spend and how long you play is the best way to not let these thoughts result in you losing more than you can afford.”

Here’s what everyone should keep in mind before their next casino visit.

Betting on a winning streak

It’s always exciting to hit a jackpot, but winning streaks are highly uncommon and beyond anyone’s control. Each spin of the wheel or roll of the dice is an independent event, which means that the chances of a specific outcome aren’t influenced by previous outcomes. So rolling snake eyes once makes you no more (or less) likely to roll snake eyes again.

The chances of beating the odds

Casino games are designed with a house advantage. Mathematically, the house advantage is a measure of how much the house expects to win, expressed as a percentage of the player’s wager. For example, in a wager with a house advantage of 5 percent, the player will lose, on average over time, $5 for every $100 wagered. Because the odds always favor the house, the longer or faster a person plays a casino game, the more the person should expect to lose even in skill­-based or hybrid games. In the same way, the more a person wagers, the more the person should expect to lose.

Believing in superstitions

It might be fun to imagine that rubbing a rabbit’s foot improves a player’s chances of hitting a jackpot, but the reality is that this “magical thinking” has no impact whatsoever. Cheating aside, there’s nothing a player can do — no ritual or lucky charm — to influence the outcome of any casino game. Superstitions can’t determine whether a player wins or loses because every casino game — whether it’s blackjack, craps or a slot machine — is based on randomness, or on chance.

Lisa Arroyo has worked at Harrah’s Joliet Casino in Illinois for the past 25 years. Like everyone who works at a Caesars Entertainment property, Arroyo thinks about gambling as a fun activity you pay for, like going to the movies or to a theater performance.

Arroyo has heard customers laughing and having fun playing blackjack — and she has also heard customers make troubling statements that have caused her concern. “We definitely don’t want people to come in and spend more than what they have budgeted. We want our guests to simply have fun and gamble responsibly. If someone makes a statement or series of statements that concern us, we will have a discussion with the patron and inform them of responsible gaming options and alternatives if needed.”

Gambling responsibly?

Is responsible gaming an oxymoron? Not at all. Arroyo wants gambling to be a choice made for the right reasons. She is one of the advocates of Caesars Entertainment’s Responsible Gaming program, the first hospitality gambling program of its kind to formally train employees on the importance of Responsible Gaming.

The premise of the program involves Arroyo and her colleagues across Caesars’ global network of properties, called Responsible Gaming (RG) Ambassadors, who are celebrating their 15th year of assisting casino guests who may not be gambling responsibly. If comments or statements are made that are concerning to any employee, that concern is brought to the attention of the RG Ambassador who will sit down with the guest to address the reported concern, offer problem gambling program assistance and help resources, and answer questions. “We just let them know that if they feel like they might have a problem, we’re here to answer questions and help,” said Arroyo.

She informs people who express they might have a gambling problem to ask themselves some of the following questions.

* Do I lose time from work due to gambling?

* Is gambling making my home life unhappy?

* Have I ever felt remorse after gambling?

* Do I ever gamble to get money to help pay debts or to otherwise solve financial difficulties?

* Does gambling cause a decrease in my ambition or efficiency?

* Do I ever gamble longer than I had planned?

Caesars Entertainment wants everyone who plays at its casinos to be there for the right reason — to simply have fun. For the past 25 years, Caesars has been committed to promoting responsible gaming and has provided assistance to guests who may not be gambling responsibly. This year, Caesars’ Responsible Gaming Ambassador Program is celebrating its 15th anniversary with 815 Responsible Gaming Ambassadors that may assist guests with problem gambling help resources.

2018-03-29T15:01:00

(BPT) – Do you love dairy, but usually regret eating it shortly after it’s gone? That sour stomach after drinking milk, munching on cheese or eating ice cream is sometimes called a dairy hangover. The culprit: lactose.

Lactose is a milk sugar. Infants have special enzymes that break down lactose. As people grow, the ability to digest milk typically decreases because they lose these enzymes. In fact, approximately 65 percent of the human population has a reduced ability to digest milk and foods made with milk after infancy, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance

If you’ve had the following symptoms after eating dairy products, you may be lactose intolerant:

* Gas

* Bloating

* Abdominal cramping

* Diarrhea

* Nausea

If you or your children have these symptoms, there are many things you can do. First, talk with your doctor or nutritionist about your health concerns. Second, consider keeping a food journal of what you eat and how it makes you feel. This can help uncover trends and important connections. Finally, research high-quality dairy-free alternatives for you and your family’s diet.

Tips for going dairy-free

Adjusting to a low-dairy or dairy-free diet might seem overwhelming. There are many dairy-free milk options on the market, but it’s important to be a conscientious shopper. Whereas most dairy-free beverages use non-food flavorings and additives like carrageenan, all plant-based Mooala products are made with real ingredients, and are USDA-certified organic, Kosher and GMO-free.

Every Mooala product has 10 or fewer grams of sugar per serving and it can be found in approximately 1,500 retailers throughout the U.S. Try Original Almondmilk and Vanilla Bean Almondmilk for a creamy treat that tastes surprisingly similar to milk. Nut-free and soy-free Original Bananamilk is also available to the estimated 5 million Americans who are allergic to tree nuts.

Another concern for people cutting dairy is vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. Fortunately, there are foods you can add to your diet so you get these important nutrients. Egg yolks, canned tuna and almonds are good sources of vitamin D. Spinach, kale, collards and white beans are good sources of calcium. What’s more, many common grocery store items are fortified with calcium and vitamin D as well, such as breakfast cereals and orange juice. Just look at the label for more information.

There are plentiful options to eat well and go dairy-free if you have lactose sensitivities. Have fun exploring new recipes that support your nutritional needs. One that features many of these powerful dairy-free foods is a tasty smoothie you can whip up in just minutes:

Grapefruit Bananamilk Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 deseeded grapefruit
1 sweet apple
2 handfuls of spinach
1 frozen banana
1 handful of ice
1/2 cup Mooala’s Original Bananamilk
Dash of fresh ginger

Directions:
Place ingredients in blender, then puree until you’ve reached your desired consistency.