Month: January 2019

2019-01-18T15:16:29

2019-01-17T13:01:00

(BPT) – At 32 years of age, Jessica “Jess” McNair experienced what doctors described as “cascades of multiple strokes” resulting from irregularly formed arteries in her neck. With a bleak prognosis, McNair’s team of doctors predicted she had a 5 percent chance of living, and that it would be unlikely she would regain the ability to walk, talk or care for herself.

An estimated 15 million people around the world will experience a stroke each year, with more than 60 percent of survivors finding themselves unable to walk. A separate 500,000 individuals acquire spinal cord injuries that also leave them paralyzed. For McNair and fellow stroke and spinal cord injury survivors, this means a long and discouraging road to recovery with grueling and extensive physical therapy sessions. For many, they begin to think that they will never walk or stand again and will remain dependent upon a caregiver for support.

However, the advancements of robotic exoskeleton technologies can help survivors, like McNair, get back on their feet sooner. In fact, the first FDA-cleared exoskeleton for stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, the EksoGT™, is being used worldwide by more than 260 leading rehabilitation centers in over 30 countries and has allowed stroke and spinal cord injury patients to take over 100 million steps to date. These innovative centers have helped their patients walk 50,000 miles in the EksoGT exoskeleton — the distance of walking around the world twice.

Centers utilizing the EksoGT are advancing both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and collectively changing the standard of care to promote better patient outcomes. As the most widely used exoskeleton in rehab, the EksoGT is designed to help patients get back on their feet by supporting the re-learning of correct step patterns, weight shifting and potentially mitigating compensatory behaviors, enabling patients to mobilize earlier and restore independence. For patients who never thought they would walk or even stand again, the device also offers hope. Clinical evidence shows that including the EksoGT gait training during rehabilitation can improve patient gait speed and walking distance outside of the device at discharge compared to admission and may improve independence in functional mobility during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Early adopters of the state-of-the-art exoskeleton technology dedicated to establishing exoskeletons as a standard of care in rehabilitation, known as Centers of Excellence, include Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, Arizona), DHR Rehabilitation Hospital (Edinburg, Texas), Good Shepherd Rehabilitation (Allentown, Pennsylvania), Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, part of Northwestern Medicine (Wheaton, Illinois), Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital (Schenectady, New York), and Villa Beretta Centro di Riabilitazione (Costa Masnaga, Italy). To find a leading rehabilitation center near you, visit https://eksobionics.com/centers/.

2019-01-17T14:01:01

(BPT) – Let’s face it: Few of us will ever actually attend America’s biggest football matchup, but we all love watching and celebrating from home or at a fun gathering with friends.

For many, this is the event of the year. But with only 18 percent of sports fans actually participating in tailgating, according to a CNN report, the majority of fans will be enjoying the game at home or at a get-together with friends. And that calls for something special — a Homegate! You can create your own fantasy football spread right at home for the family and kids as well as special guests — and you don’t have to haul everything off-site or worry about the weather.

To Homegate like a pro, here are 7 easy ways to pull off a Win.

1.”Kick” back!

Add lots of easy, comfy seating so no one’s left standing during game time and everyone has a seat for the big show (and sometimes mishaps!) at halftime. Strategically rearrange furniture and move tables out to give room for extra chairs, bean bags and floor cushions. Set up a small table for kids to the side like Britni from Play. Party. Plan. for activities and a place to enjoy party snacks. Place the TV screen where everyone has a great view. Or even have another TV playing the game in a second room, also decked out for game day.

2. A buzzworthy buffet.

Make the food the star with a buffet everybody will be buzzing (and posting) about. You could go all out and build a Snackadium. But if that’s not in your playbook, think of a wide range of foods, colors and textures, served in clever, mix-and-match containers, even served at different heights. Add a full range of hearty foods like everyone’s favorites: Mozzarella Sticks and Jalapeño Peppers from Farm Rich, with a variety of dips (ranch, marinara, honey mustard, chipotle). Or fill a slow cooker with savory and tangy Grape & Chili Sauced Meatballs. Farm Rich makes a wide variety of ultra-convenient snacks and apps which are an easy pick-up on your weekly grocery run.

3. No boredom here.

Little ones may easily get bored watching football all night so set them up with their own homegate games and crafts, like these DIY Football Placements from Living Sweet Moments. Put some fun but simple games out as well, like Referee Balloon Pop and Pass the Helmet. Diehard sports parents will be eternally grateful if you can distract their kids for a while.

4. Your recipe playbook.

Even though Farm Rich snacks are great right out of the oven (or microwave), they’re also a secret play for delicious recipes. For example, use two boxes of Mozzarella Bites, one bag of Italian Style Meatballs and a jar of pasta sauce to make Simple Meatball Mozzarella Stacks. You can also create two-ingredient Potato Skin Footballs by baking Farm Rich Loaded Potato Skins and piping “laces” onto the tops using sour cream or ranch dressing. Mix up the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup combo with NEW Grilled Cheese Sticks dipped into fun little containers or bowls filled with Tomato Basil Soup or Slow Cooker Tomato Soup from A Dash of Sanity.

5. Have a “field” day with décor.

Embrace the loud at your Homegating party, taking the game theme all the way. We’re inspired by Play. Party. Plan.’s game day set-up and printables. Online resources feature a ton of easy and inexpensive DIY ideas ranging from PVC pipe goal posts to artificial turf table coverings to game-play chalkboards to stadium-shaped buffet layouts made from simple cardboard boxes.

6. “Pass” the bacon!

There’s no meaty ingredient more beloved than bacon — it’s a surefire hit. So add this decadently savory taste to your snack spread with this idea from The Debutante Farmer and Chef Elizabeth Heiskell. Whip up her sweet/salty Bacon Bites in 1 hour or less with 2 packages bacon slices (about 22 slices), 2 cups light brown sugar and 1-2 packages of thin breadsticks. Here’s how:

1. Wrap a slice of bacon around each breadstick in a spiral pattern. Place in pan, rolling them in the sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight (for best results).

2. When ready, preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 12×7 baking sheet or pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil and spread bottom with the brown sugar.

3. Bake for 35-40 minutes until bacon is nearly crisp, turning as needed to ensure caramelization. Before they cool, move them to wax paper so they don’t stick.

4. Watch guests gobble them up!

7. Go stir crazy.

In addition to your standard beverages (water, sodas, beer, etc.) create one or two “super” drinks for game day morning that will carry you right up to kick-off. Heiskell recommends a fabulous Bloody Mary station for folks to mix their own concoctions. Sample additions can include a Bacon Bite Stick (see above), pickled okra, pearl onions, carrots, celery (with leaves attached) and multi-color peppercorns in a clear grinder. Another idea? These Blushing Mimosas from Heiskell’s new “Southern Living Party Cookbook.” Chill and blend 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons grenadine and a 750-milliliter bottle of sparkling wine or champagne. Garnish Mason jars or champagne flutes (if you want to get fancy) with orange citrus wheels and maraschino cherries. Need a mocktail version? Just substitute the sparkly with two 12-ounce cans of ginger ale.

On Game Day, the host should be having as much fun as everyone else. So, if you’re hosting, plan food ideas early, shop 2-3 days out, pre-make or prep any recipes you can and set up your Homegating table the day before. And don’t be shy to ask for the assist — get kids or a friend to help out.

Any diehard fan will tell you, on game day, the food is one of the most important plays. For more Homegating inspiration, visit FarmRich.com.

2019-01-17T07:01:00

(BPT) – After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the new year brings a fresh start. Many people set resolutions and goals, committing to self-improvement. But becoming your best starts with improving your quality of life. Ensuring you’re well-rested, nourished and stress-free will help you reach your full potential this year.

Here are some helpful tips to incorporate into your everyday routine:

1) Nurture your soul

Make time in your day to stop and take in the present. Activities like meditation and journal writing can help you slow down and listen to your body and mind. A few minutes of quiet time each day can make a big difference to your peace of mind. Additionally, making time to serve others through volunteer work will help you feel like you’re making a difference in the lives of others.

2) Focus on your digestive health

Did you know that 98 percent of Americans think digestive health is important? The stomach is sometimes referred to as a “second brain,” with a big effect on how you feel overall. Many Americans are not getting enough fiber in their diet for healthy digestion, but it’s any easy fix. One eight-ounce glass of a beverage like Sunsweet PlumSmart Light juice cocktail provides more than 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber.

3) Get more of the nutrients you need

American dietary guidelines recommend shifting your diet to include more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy to increase your intake of crucial nutrients like fiber and potassium. If you’re looking to up your nutrient consumption, one glass of Sunsweet Amaz!n Prune Juice provides 12 percent of the recommended daily value for both fiber and potassium. Plus, registered dietitian and nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner points out, “100% prune juice has five essential vitamins and minerals to help round out the diet and support overall health, and since it’s so easy to drink as-is or include in any number of sweet or savory recipes, it offers an easy source of nutrition power for my clients.”

4) Ease your physical stress

These days, Americans are doing more work and getting less sleep and less movement than previous generations. But it’s easy to sneak in some extra physical activity. Get up to stretch at least once an hour during the workday. During downtime, get outside and take a walk or simply walk up and down the stairs. And if you’re getting less than seven hours of sleep per night, it’s time to reevaluate. Make sleep a priority and you could start to see major health improvements.

5) Reach out to loved ones

Interacting with family and friends can bring a renewed sense of connectivity and support. Don’t let distance or conflicts get in the way of the relationships you value. Plan a trip to visit a far-away relative or friend or reach out to resolve a long-standing conflict. You might be surprised at the peace and happiness it brings to your life.

Dream big and set goals, but don’t forget to start with the basics. Follow these tips to make the new year your best yet.

2019-01-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – Puberty is a transformational time for girls that comes with unique challenges in physical, mental and emotional forms. Between trying to manage increasingly complex emotions, adjusting to their evolving bodies and navigating social changes, it’s no wonder half of girls lose confidence at this moment in life — and many never fully recover. This is why it’s crucial to not only educate girls about the changes they’re experiencing, but to actively support them as they develop their confidence.

This drop in confidence can be even more significant when girls are not prepared. A recent Always Confidence & Puberty Survey revealed that nearly 1 in 5 girls miss school because they do not have the proper access to period products. And it’s not just school they miss, it also means they miss out on activities they love like sports and clubs. These activities help build her confidence and skills, and missing out can limit a girl’s potential and opportunities far beyond puberty.

There are many ways that individuals can help champion girls, and the impact can be even greater when larger organizations also come together in support. For example, Always and Walmart have joined forces via the Live #LikeAGirl program, which is aimed at helping #EndPeriodPoverty for puberty-aged girls so they can stay in extracurricular activities. Together, these two companies are making pad donations to 50 teams in 50 states, and offering access to puberty and confidence education and tips from key experts. The program kicked off in Florida, where a local martial arts studio that serves girls in need became a recipient of the program. The girls on the team talk about their experience here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZBrna5E0u4&feature=youtu.be.

Live #LikeAGirl program experts include New York Times bestselling author and confidence expert and co-founder of Girls Leadership, Rachel Simmons, and Girlology Co-founder Dr. Melisa Holmes who will provide information and coaching to the activity leaders helping support girls through this life stage. According to Simmons and Holmes, these easy-to-action tips can help you become a champion of girls’ confidence and provide the best support system for the girls in your life:

1. Consistently support them through successes and failures: Whether it is persevering through a tough class in school or getting enough practice in before the talent show, being part of their daily accomplishments makes these moments more enjoyable for girls. Consistently being there and cheering them on is one of the most important things you can do for them, especially at puberty. Expressing praise and noticing how hard they’ve worked for something, even if they fail, will help boost their confidence in more ways than you may know.

2. Keep them involved in extracurricular activities: As girls develop their confidence, it’s important to help them discover their true passions in life — whether it’s art club, martial arts or softball. Create opportunities for girls to try new activities and expand their skills. Rachel Simmons advises that when girls are part of a bigger team, whether sports, service or the arts, they learn to work cooperatively and persevere through setbacks. Learning new skills will help them grow in confidence.

3. Have open and frequent discussions about puberty: At puberty, it can be nerve-wracking to speak openly about the physical changes we all experience. Preparing for “the talk” can feel like a daunting task, but to help girls better understand what is going on, Holmes advises keeping an open and positive dialogue about what to expect. Start the conversations early and use the correct terms for body parts. Remind them often that the changes they’re experiencing are completely normal. Additionally, it’s important to let girls know the importance of using safe and hygienic period protection. For example, if not all girls have access to proper period products, some may have to resort to using non-pad materials such as toilet paper or paper towels which may result in irritation and rashes. She also shares that some girls and their families may not be aware of additional resources to get the period protection they need. Talk to your daughter about the resources that exist in your community, whether it’s a school nurse, a school pantry or local shelter.

4. Teach her to bounce right back: Girls can learn the importance of perseverance from you, so let her see how you dust yourself off after a setback. Failure is part of the learning process and role modeling the right behavior can give her a clear script for her own positive self-talk. When she judges herself harshly, remind her of all she’s accomplished already. After a misstep, help her to regroup and plan her next move by asking her to write down some next steps. Focus on small goals. For example, if she makes a bad grade in chemistry, encourage her to aim for a grade letter higher the next time around and formulate a study plan to help her meet that goal.

5. Prepare yourself with the right information, guidance and advice: Utilizing the proper resources as a guide to care for girls during these years will not only benefit the girls, but also parents, caretakers, mentors and coaches in providing the stability they need for a growth in their confidence during puberty and beyond. There are multiple resources to rely on in local communities that can make sure you’re helping girls navigate in the best way possible, including recreation centers, community centers, educational classes and online resources like www.Always.com.

By following these steps, you can help the girls in your life navigate puberty with greater ease and create a strong foundation for their confidence throughout life.

2019-01-16T13:17:00

(BPT) – Persistent dry cough. Fatigue. Shortness of breath. These symptoms are sometimes associated with a passing virus, especially during the peak of cold and flu season. Coughs can last an average of 18 days; however, if your dry cough is still lingering after two months, another condition, such as pulmonary fibrosis, might be the cause.

“There are more than 50,000 new cases of pulmonary fibrosis diagnosed every year, yet many patients have never heard of it prior to their diagnosis,” said William T. Schmidt, president and CEO of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). “Some individuals with the disease may be first misdiagnosed with pneumonia, bronchitis or asthma, which is why it is imperative we continue to raise awareness about the disease, common symptoms and risk factors.”

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

While the condition is largely unknown, more than 200,000 Americans are living with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive, debilitating lung disease. In simple terms, pulmonary fibrosis is scarring in the lungs that, over time, can destroy the normal lung and make it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Currently, there is no cure once scarring has begun, but the PFF is mobilizing people and resources to provide access to high-quality care, as well as leading research for a cure so individuals with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives.

What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?

There are three main symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis — shortness of breath, a dry, hacking cough and fatigue. If you have two or more of these lingering symptoms, they should be taken seriously and you should speak with your physician.

“I started off with a slight, dry cough. I didn’t know what it was,” said Dot Delarosa, a pulmonary fibrosis patient who received a life-saving lung transplant in 2010. “I would talk and I would cough, talk and cough. To me, this was my normal.”

While anyone can develop pulmonary fibrosis, it is more likely to occur in those 60 years and older with a history of smoking, putting hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk for the disease. Other risk factors include: a family history of pulmonary fibrosis; prior or current use of certain medications such as chemotherapy and amiodarone; a history of radiation treatment to the chest; environmental and occupational exposures including indoor mold, birds or asbestos; and a previous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease.

How do I find out if I have pulmonary fibrosis?

Although many of these symptoms are seen with more common diseases such as COPD, asthma and heart disease, it is important to consider pulmonary fibrosis. If you have symptoms or risk factors, the first step is to speak with your healthcare provider. Early diagnosis is key to maximizing treatment options. With a lesser known disease like pulmonary fibrosis, advocating for your health is crucial. To help you start that conversation with your doctor, a downloadable Pulmonary Fibrosis Risk List is available at AboutPF.org.

To be diagnosed, you may need further testing after a thorough physical exam with your physician. Testing to help facilitate a clear diagnosis may include pulmonary function testing and/or high-resolution computed tomography.

If further action needs to be taken, you can find a local pulmonologist through the PFF Care Center Network, which includes centers with experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

For more information or to find a pulmonologist near you, visit AboutPF.org.

2019-01-15T11:23:00

(BPT) – When it comes to vaccines this time of year, influenza is often top-of-mind — and it should be, with as many as 35 million cases expected this flu season. But as you age, don’t neglect the shingles vaccine.

Imagine if the slightest breeze or the touch of a bed sheet caused excruciating pain on your head, shoulder or side. What if you also had a fever, chills or an upset stomach? That’s what shingles, a painful, blistering rash, can be like for some people.

Nearly one out of every three people in the United States will develop the disease in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk for people over 50 is especially high, and it goes up with increasing age.

The good news is there is a way to reduce your risk of shingles. The CDC now recommends that healthy adults 50 years and older receive Shingrix, a vaccine approved by the FDA in 2017.

Cause and complications of shingles

Shingles isn’t contagious in the way we think of the cold or flu. Instead, shingles erupts from the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus (VZV). After a chickenpox infection ends, this virus becomes dormant or inactive within the body. Anyone who has had chickenpox can later get shingles if the virus reactivates. Scientists are unclear why this happens.

A bout of shingles typically occurs in a single stripe on one side of the body, often the torso and less often the face region, and generally lasts from two to four weeks. Around 10 to 13 percent of people who develop shingles continue to suffer for many years from the debilitating nerve pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), according to the CDC.

Other potential shingles complications include vision loss, hearing problems and even, in rare cases, blindness or death, the CDC said.

The only way to reduce your risk of developing shingles and its aftereffects is to get vaccinated.

What’s different now?

The CDC describes Shingrix as the preferred shingles vaccine. Its protection has been shown to last longer than the older shingles vaccine. It also can be administered as early as age 50. The other shingles vaccine, an older version called Zostavax, may still be administered to healthy people 60 and older.

Shingrix is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles, and effectiveness stays above 85 percent for at least the first four years after you receive the vaccine, according to the CDC.

What else to know about the vaccine

* There is a high demand for Shingrix, so check with your pharmacy or doctor’s office to see if they have a supply. You may be placed on a waiting list.

* Shingrix comes in two doses, spaced two to six months apart.

* If you’ve already had shingles or received the Zostavax vaccination previously, you should still consider getting vaccinated to help prevent another bout of shingles and its complications, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

* Check with your health insurance provider or Medicare about whether the cost of this new vaccine is covered under your plan. Whether it’s helping to schedule routine care appointments or checkups, UnitedHealthcare can help you navigate the health care system to get the care you need as soon as you need it.

2019-01-15T17:03:00

(BPT) – Pet owners will do just about anything they can to keep their furry friends happy and healthy, which is why the vast majority of pet owners say they’re concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food. Based on a quality and safety Purina survey conducted in 2017, 84 percent of pet owners are concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food, and more than four out of five pet owners are likely to read the list of ingredients in pet food before buying it. Yet many dog and cat owners are often confused about what constitutes safe and healthy food, have misperceptions about ingredients, and aren’t clear about what types of nutrients their pets need. A lot of thought has been put into the ingredients in the pet food you see on shelves and online, including many backed by full teams of scientists who work every day to create nutritional breakthroughs that will help pets of all ages live their best life.

Pet food science

A lot of research goes into developing food — both for pets and humans — and much of this innovation was born out of necessity. Since pets clearly have different nutritional needs than their owners, pet food scientists have developed complete and balanced meals that give pets all the nutrition they need in one product. Pet food companies like Purina employ hundreds of scientists to research different ingredients, combinations of ingredients and the nutritional needs of pets of different breed, size, age and lifestyle. Ultimately, they look beyond the latest ingredient fad and develop pet food based on a smart blend of nutrients that supports pets’ overall health.

Targeted nutrition

When developing pet food formulas, scientists keep in mind that some pets have unique dietary needs. They also account for pets who have ongoing concerns and formulate pet food based on age (whether a pet is in the early or later stages in life). Simply put, puppies and kittens have much different dietary needs than older dogs and cats.

In response, pet food companies have put increasing resources into developing life stage-specific pet food formulas. For example, Purina’s Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ product contains enhanced botanical oils, and is a source of Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), which promote alertness and mental sharpness in older pets. These enhanced botanical oils can be used as an additional energy source for the brain in dogs age 7+. What’s sometimes lost on pet owners is the ingredient benefits, and how varied a pet’s nutritional requirements are based on age, activity level and overall health.

Knowledge gap

The knowledge gap related to food science isn’t limited to pet food. Misinformation and lack of clarity about food science techniques have prompted people to change how they eat. In the pet world, this has led some owners to develop their own DIY food plans. But despite their best intentions, they may actually be depriving their pets of critical nutrients they need to stay healthy. This is where knowing your pet’s nutritional needs comes into play.

Nutrition for your pet

When it comes to feeding your pet, it’s important to understand that high-quality nutrition starts with nutrients, not just ingredients. Although the level of research may be similar among brands, the actual formulas can be quite different. To keep your pet feeling their best, try to match their food with their lifestyle and activity level. For example, if your dog is your daily running buddy, make sure they are getting enough protein and fat in their diet — try feeding them a formula like Purina Pro Plan Sport.

When in doubt, consult your veterinarian to better understand the specific needs of your pet. They can tell you when to feed, how much to feed, and which formula is best suited to keep your pet as healthy as possible.