Month: April 2018

2018-03-27T10:11:00

(BPT) – Farm-fresh eggs. Locally grown tomatoes. Herbs sourced onsite.

If you’ve eaten out recently, you’ve probably noticed the menus feature locally sourced ingredients. The farm-to-table movement continues to flourish at restaurants throughout the country.

In fact, rather than the exception, it’s become the expectation. According to the National Restaurant Association, farm-to-table is quickly becoming the new norm. Diners are so attracted to the freshest fare possible, it’s inspiring some restaurants to start their own gardens, on a rooftop, terrace or simple outdoor plot. Hyper-local culinary concepts like these represent the top trend on the annual “2018 Culinary Forecast” report.

You can take a cue from this hot trend by starting your own farm-to-table concept garden at home. Just imagine plucking ruby red tomatoes and rich green basil straight from your garden to make a farm-fresh, scrumptious caprese salad without ever leaving home. An at-home take on the farm-to-table trend can easily be translated to a convenient “garden-to-table” concept in your own backyard. Growing your own at home will elevate your cooking and you’ll feel good about being able to produce your own food while lowering your grocery bill (and certainly save by not dining out as much).

No matter the size of your garden space, you can grow fresh foods that are readily available right at your fingertips, even if you just have a small patio or balcony. What’s more, some of the most popular produce to eat is also easy to grow.

The experts at Bonnie Plants offer some easy-to-grow, space-saving suggestions to encourage a garden-to-table trend at home.

Caged tomatoes

Whether you choose big, juicy slicers or sweet cherry-sized snackers, caged tomatoes are easy to grow and offer endless cooking opportunities. Determinate varieties of tomatoes are container favorites because the vines are relatively compact yet bear a productive harvest. Or create your own container garden using tomato varieties especially bred for small spaces.

Caged peppers

Try popular and versatile Green Bell, a heavy yielder of large fruits and a good all-round pepper for slicing and stuffing. Or, spice up your recipes with jalapeño chile peppers, which yield a bountiful harvest.

Strawberries in hanging baskets

Sweet, juicy strawberries add loads of flavor to salads, dressings, drinks and desserts. Think you need a plot to grow a productive strawberry patch? Think again. Maximize space with Bonnie Plants’ strawberries in hanging baskets, which are everbearing and produce cascades of berries throughout the growing season.

Herbs in combo pots

Want to raise the flavor profile of any culinary dish? Fresh herbs are your best bet. Herb gardens can be grown in compact spaces, which means you can fit your favorites in no matter how much space you have.

For example, a kitchen herb combo container featuring sweet basil, cilantro and curled parsley is a powerhouse pot that’s both practical and pretty. You can set it right outside your door for convenient access and continuous harvest. Herbs are ready for harvest upon purchase and will keep growing and giving all season long.

Bonnie Plants offers more than 250 varieties of vegetables and herbs, from tried and true classics to some unusual varieties you may not have tried, such as Holy Basil, Tepin Chili Pepper, Barbeque Rosemary, Little Napoli Patio Roma and many more.

Once it’s time to harvest, have fun exploring new recipes and experimenting with home-grown, fresh-picked produce that will shake up your supper and then some. For more inspiration for easy at-home gardening, visit bonnieplants.com.

This recipe for a classic caprese salad is sure to hit the spot as a light lunch or satisfying start to dinner.

Caprese salad

Ingredients:

1 fresh tomato
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
Basil leaves
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Slice tomato in 1/4-inch thick slices. Do the same for the mozzarella. Alternate layers between the tomato, mozzarella and basil. First, a tomato slice, then a mozzarella slice, then a few leaves of basil; begin and end with tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or your favorite Italian dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2018-03-27T13:01:00

(BPT) – When someone says blood cancer, the average person may typically think of lymphoma or leukemia. However, for an estimated 229,468 worldwide, blood cancer means multiple myeloma.[I]

In fact, multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer.[ii] An estimated 30,280 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in 2017 in the United States alone.[iii] March 1 marked the beginning of Multiple Myeloma Action Month, an annual observance helping to shed light on this disease. While supporting patients with multiple myeloma is a 365-day-a-year effort, March offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and what’s next in improving patient care.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells.[iv],[v] Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.[iv],[v] Genetic changes in plasma cells cause them to transform into cancer cells, replicate uncontrollably and accumulate in the bone marrow.[v] The exact cause is unknown, and most people with multiple myeloma have no known risk factors other than age and race.[iii],[vi] African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma compared to white Americans.[iii] The average age at diagnosis is 69 years.[iii]

Patient outcomes are improving

In the 1990s, only one-third of patients survived five years following diagnosis.[vii] Now, nearly half of all multiple myeloma patients are expected to survive five years or more.[iii],[vii] This is largely due to ongoing research efforts that have led to the approval of new and novel treatments.

The multiple myeloma advocacy community is powerful

The International Myeloma Foundation declared March 2009 the first ever Myeloma Awareness Month and has since elevated the program to Myeloma Action Month, inspiring people to take action to drive awareness and progress. The International Myeloma Foundation and other patient organizations like the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Myeloma Crowd have become driving forces in the multiple myeloma community, helping to advance patient care through research and fundraising efforts while furthering public awareness. Patient demographics gathered through the MMRF CoMMpass Study^SM are helping patients to better assess their treatment options, while programs like LLS’ Light The Night^® and the MMRF’s The Journey Towards a Cure have infused the patient community with immense strength. Those involved often create long-lasting relationships and expand their support networks.

The search for a cure is an ongoing priority

While significant improvements in patient care have been made, there is still no cure for multiple myeloma. Patient advocates and researchers alike are dedicated to improving understanding of the disease and driving medical innovation. Projects, like the Myeloma Genome Project, are assessing genetic data associated with patient outcomes in an effort to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Additionally, research initiatives continue to investigate new uses for current therapies, while also exploring promising new approaches like utilizing patients’ own immune systems to fight the disease.

Nadim Ahmed, President, Hematology and Oncology, Celgene, notes that, “It is not just during the month of March, but every day throughout the year that we must continue to discover new ways to provide a brighter future for people with multiple myeloma. Through dedicated research and continued partnership with an amazing group of patients, caregivers, advocacy organizations and researchers, it is our hope that one day we can find a cure for this devastating disease.”

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.

2018-03-28T13:00:00

(BPT) – Carolyn Rios and her husband Rick have adventured far and wide together. From their post-college move to the Alaskan wilderness to 20 years of humanitarian work in Russia, this couple of more than 50 years has shared experiences that have far exceeded their imaginations.

Decades of adventure together — including a forced landing in their bush plane when its engine failed over a mountain range — have helped Carolyn and Rick learn to face and effectively manage unexpected challenges. But even as the two have come to expect the unexpected, nothing could have prepared the couple for Carolyn’s diagnosis at age 69 with the rare lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF, in 2015.

“All of my emergency training could not equip me for the day Carolyn was diagnosed,” said Rick. “My initial thought was, ‘What do I do now? Where’s the emergency plan? How do we land this plane?’”

IPF causes permanent scarring of the lungs. It affects up to 132,000 Americans and yields about 50,000 new cases every year. A proper diagnosis for IPF patients often takes years because its symptoms, including breathlessness and a dry persistent cough, are similar to — and easily confused with — other more common and recognizable lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma.

After Carolyn’s diagnosis, she experienced a period of deep concern for taking the next best steps — spiritually, emotionally and medically. Praying brought her comfort and clarity. Sharing the news with their two sons, family members and close friends brought support and companionship. The medical information seemed so bleak, yet her energy to pursue the next best steps remained. Thankfully, she and Rick were able to identify a pulmonologist who educated the two on Ofev^® (nintedanib), a treatment option that could help slow the progression of the disease.

Armed with information about IPF and potential treatment options, Carolyn and Rick started thinking about IPF as their next adventure and charted their course. Carolyn began taking Ofev^®, and Rick became her helper, assisting her to map out her daily regimen, track her medications and doctor appointments and follow a precise exercise and nutrition plan.

Today, Carolyn’s regular checkups have indicated only a slight drop in lung function. She experiences queasiness due to the medication but works with her doctors — her “adventure guides” — to manage this by eating certain foods prior to taking the medication.

“Life leads us on many adventures. Some adventures we plan, others are unexpected, and others challenge us more than we expect! But regardless, every adventure teaches us something if we’re willing to learn,” said Carolyn. “Experiencing IPF is another one of life’s adventures for me and accepting the challenges that come with it brings me to a deeper understanding of the true essence of my life. Each day still has opportunities to love well — with or without IPF.”

Carolyn and Rick are still able to travel together and most recently planned five trips for their 50th wedding anniversary — one trip to celebrate each decade of their adventure-packed marriage. And while their new “adventure” with IPF is ongoing, they are determined to focus instead on their time together and with their sons and grandchildren.

To learn more about Ofev^® visit www.Ofev.com.

What is OFEV?

OFEV is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It is not known if OFEV is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about OFEV (nintedanib)?

OFEV can cause harm, birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Women should not become pregnant while taking OFEV. Women who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and should use birth control during and for at least 3 months after your last dose. If you become pregnant while taking OFEV, tell your doctor right away.

What should I tell my doctor before using OFEV?

Before you take OFEV, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver problems
• heart problems
• a history of blood clots
• a bleeding problem or a family history of a bleeding problem
• had recent surgery in your stomach (abdominal) area
• any other medical conditions.

Tell your doctor if you:

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OFEV passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking OFEV.
• are a smoker. You should stop smoking prior to taking OFEV and avoid smoking during treatment.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort.

What are the possible side effects of OFEV?

OFEV may cause serious side effects.

TELL YOUR DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY if you are experiencing any side effects, including:

• Liver problems. Unexplained symptoms may include yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice), dark or brown (tea colored) urine, pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen), bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, feeling tired, or loss of appetite. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to check how well your liver is working during your treatment with OFEV.
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor may recommend that you drink fluids or take medicine to treat these side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms, if they do not go away, or get worse and if you are taking over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, and other medicines or dietary supplements.
• Heart attack. Symptoms of a heart problem may include chest pain or pressure, pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw, or shortness of breath.
• Stroke. Symptoms of a stroke may include numbness or weakness on 1 side of your body, trouble talking, headache, or dizziness.
• Bleeding problems. OFEV may increase your chances of having bleeding problems. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bleeding, bruising, or wounds that do not heal and/or if you are taking a blood thinner, including prescription blood thinners and over-the-counter aspirin.
• Tear in your stomach or intestinal wall (perforation). OFEV may increase your chances of having a tear in your stomach or intestinal wall. Tell your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your stomach area.

The most common side effects of OFEV are diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, liver problems, decreased appetite, headache, weight loss, and high blood pressure.

These are not all the possible side effects of OFEV. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, visit OFEV.com or contact Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-542-6257

2018-03-28T17:15:00

(BPT) – The kidneys play an important role in maintaining our overall health. While these bean-shaped organs perform multiple functions, a primary role is filtration, critical to clearing waste such as urea and to keeping the body’s fluids and electrolytes in balance. Good kidney health is essential for everyone, yet today, more than 30 million adults in the U.S. have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and there has been little new innovation to treat kidney disease in over a decade.[1]

So how does diabetes, an all-too-common cardiovascular and metabolic (CVM) condition, impact our kidneys? The most common causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure.[2] For those with diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or use normal amounts of insulin properly. Because of the high levels of sugar in the blood, the millions of tiny filtering units within the kidney are overused and damaged, leading to chronic loss of kidney function and, eventually, diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic kidney disease can lead to end-stage renal disease, which requires dialysis or kidney transplantation, further increasing the already elevated risk in diabetes for cardiovascular-related death.[3] Even with an estimated 1 in 3 people with type 1 diabetes and half with type 2 diabetes eventually developing CKD, there have been no recent breakthrough treatments for this disease.[4]

March is National Kidney Month, and it stands as a reminder of how important it is to not only take care of our kidneys and live a healthy lifestyle, but also to continue to research new ways in preventing, treating, and ultimately curing such life-threatening and widespread disease.

“Diabetic kidney disease continues to devastate communities worldwide, driven by rising diabetes incidence,” said James F. List, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Head, Cardiovascular & Metabolism at Janssen Research & Development, LLC. “This condition is chronic and progressive with severe impact on a patient’s overall health and well-being. To have a meaningful impact on the fight against kidney disease, we need to focus our research on addressing diabetes, the primary cause of this disease.”

CKD often goes undetected until it is at an advanced stage. According to the National Kidney Foundation, the following steps can be taken to help protect the kidneys and improve overall health:[5]

1. Get tested: Ask your doctor for an albumin-to-creatinine ratio urine test, or a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) blood test annually if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, are over age 60, or have a family history of kidney failure.
2. Monitor and limit NSAIDs use: Pain medicines, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), may alleviate your aches and pains, but they can harm the kidneys.
3. Cut processed foods: Processed foods can be an unhealthy source of sodium, nitrates and phosphates, and have been linked to kidney disease, among other diseases.
4. Exercise regularly: Being active for at least 30 minutes a day can also help control lower blood sugar, which is vital to kidney health.
5. Control blood pressure and diabetes: Monitoring and managing blood sugar levels can slow the progression of kidney disease.

Kidney damage caused by diabetes can occur slowly and can go undetected over many years. However, you can take these easy steps to protect your kidneys, so act now.

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.

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.

2018-04-02T07:01:01

(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.

2018-04-02T09:01:00

(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.

2018-04-02T10:01:01

(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.

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