Month: December 2020

2020-12-22T08:01:01

(BPT) – If you or a family member have sought care from a mental health professional, or are considering seeking help for depression, anxiety, ADHD or other conditions, you want the best treatment available. Multiple treatment options now exist for many of these conditions, ranging from medications and psychotherapy to alternative treatments. It can be confusing to sort through your choices and determine what approach will give you or your loved one the ideal outcome.

In recent years, the understanding of the role genetics plays in mental health has grown exponentially. With that understanding has come the ability for genetic testing to provide answers to questions patients and their healthcare providers have about personalized treatment options.

An individual’s mental health and wellness is a function of genetics, lifestyle, environment, and experiences — this is called the Mental Health 360^TM. Until now, we’ve been missing an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to mental health drug response: genetics. With this information, healthcare providers can obtain a more complete picture of their patient to identify a personalized treatment plan.

A vital tool to help patients

Just as genetic testing has opened a window on greater understanding of our ancestry, physical health and predispositions to certain illnesses, today’s sophisticated genetics can help healthcare providers make more personalized medication choices.

This breakthrough science, optimized for mental health by Genomind^® over the last decade, is called pharmacogenetics. Pharma (medications) + genetics. This type of testing provides mental health practitioners with a clearer picture of an individual’s response to medications such as understanding potential likelihood of efficacy or side effects and understanding how the body metabolizes medication to guide dosing decisions.

Award-winning psychiatrist and author Dr. Bruce Kehr has been using genetic testing to evaluate patients in his practice at Potomac Psychiatry. “Using critical information from a patient’s genetic makeup, in combination with their current health condition and their health and family history, we have a much more complete picture, allowing us to personalize treatment options for each individual,” said Kehr, “And this can improve the odds of the best possible health outcome for each person.”

How does pharmacogenetic testing work?

Your genetic makeup, also known as your genotype, is your inherited DNA code, which serves as the building blocks of you. We get two copies of most genes — one copy is inherited from each parent.

Our DNA is 99.9% the same from one person to another — and it’s that 0.1% difference or variation that makes us unique individuals. It’s this tiny but important piece of your unique genetic makeup where pharmacogenetic testing works to decode understanding of an individual’s response to medication.

The Genomind^® Professional PGx Express™ test collects a DNA sample from a painless cheek swab. Then certified lab technicians and state-of-the-art technology work together to test specific genes with these types of variations. It’s this information, coupled with a complete patient history, that healthcare providers use to personalize treatment.

Jennifer C, mother of a Genomind patient shared, “I watched my daughter struggle for years and we had many moments of despair as she spiraled into the depths of anxiety and depression. We wondered if we’d ever find treatments for her that would work. Using Genomind’s test has been a lifesaving part of my daughter’s treatment.”

Who is pharmacogenetic testing best suited for?

Particularly for patients with depression or mood disorders that are resistant to pharmaceutical treatments, pharmacogenetics can help healthcare providers understand their response to different drugs. If a patient doesn’t respond as desired to a medication, or patients experience an adverse reaction, understanding their genetic make-up could guide smarter prescribing decisions.

To help clinicians consider medication treatment, Genomind’s pharmacogenetic testing analyzes multiple well-characterized genes. Genomind Professional PGx Express is a comprehensive mental health PGx test assessing 24 genes, 130+ medications and 10+ conditions. This test focuses on two primary types of gene-drug interactions:

• Pharmacokinetic effects: Certain genetic enzymes control how quickly your body breaks down medications. If your body metabolizes a drug quickly, you might not receive the benefits, or you may need a higher dose. If your body metabolizes a drug slowly, you might experience side effects or possible toxicity. If you are a slow metabolizer, you may need a lower dose, or in some cases, may need to consider avoiding that drug altogether. Genomind’s PGx test analyzes 9 of these genes.
• Pharmacodynamic effects: Certain genetic mutations can be used to help predict the effect a particular drug will have on your body. Genomind’s PGx test analyzes 15 pharmacodynamic genes that can be used to influence drug choice after reviewing your symptoms, past treatment responses, your family history of treatment response and your individual treatment goals.

Sarah B, a previous Genomind patient stated, “I have suffered from severe anxiety/depression for my entire life. It was annoying and difficult going through so many medications just to find one that “might” work for me. My psychiatrist suggested getting this report to see what medicines would work well with my specific genes. I am 22 years old and the information I was given will be relevant to me for the rest of my life.”

Designed to reduce the pain of treatment by trial and error

Psychiatric medication is often prescribed on a trial-and-error basis, with practitioners monitoring each patient’s response before adjusting medications or doses. This process often led to patient frustration, along with added healthcare costs and potentially making their condition worse before finding the optimal treatment. In fact, 50% of depression patients do not respond to the first medication.^[1]

Using Genomind pharmacogenetics, healthcare providers can use the patient’s genetic information to narrow down which types of medications may be more effective, more tolerable and what starting doses may be best.

Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Scott Wiener uses Genomind testing to help make decisions about patient care. “Not everyone reacts to the same medication the same way. It’s important to know what the likely outcome may be for each patient before prescribing medications,” said Wiener. “Pharmacogenetics is a valuable tool to help make better informed decisions for patients.”

Talk to your healthcare provider about using Genomind’s leading pharmacogenetic test to help personalize your treatment plan, available at Genomind.com.

^[1] Trivedi MH, Rush AJ, Wisniewski SR, et al. Evaluation of outcomes with citalopram for depression using measurement-based care in STAR*D: implications for clinical practice. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163(1):28-40.

2020-12-22T09:01:00

(BPT) – Party a little too hearty last night? Chances are, you may have woken up with some of the classic symptoms of a hangover: headache, sensitivity to light and noise, fatigue, thirst, irritability and worst of all — nausea.

Hangovers can make it pretty difficult to function the next day. According to the National Institutes of Health, how you feel after over-imbibing in alcohol can vary a great deal from person to person, and depends on how much you drank the night before. But face it, a hangover can make you feel miserable — and eager to find relief, fast.

Unfortunately, there are also a lot of myths out there about what helps you feel better when you’ve got a hangover, and especially how to relieve that most unpleasant symptom of nausea.

Here are some tried and true tips for preventing and coping with hangover nausea.

1. Know your limits

If you’ve had a hangover before, you may have an idea how much you can drink without making yourself sick the next day. However, over-imbibing can impair your judgment — and memory — when it comes to drinking. The National Institutes of Health website warns that any time you drink to the point of intoxication, you risk developing a hangover.

The UK’s National Health Service recommends eating foods containing carbohydrates (pasta or rice) and fats (oils, butter) before drinking, as they can help slow your body’s absorption of alcohol. And the Mayo Clinic reports that lighter-colored alcoholic beverages are somewhat less likely to produce hangover symptoms — though the amount consumed is the most important factor.

2. Stay hydrated

One tactic recommended by WebMD for avoiding over-drinking is to alternate alcoholic drinks with glasses of water. Not only does that slow down your alcohol consumption, it also helps prevent the dehydrating effects of drinking too much — which can also contribute to feeling nauseated the next day.

If you wake up with nausea after a night of drinking, sipping slowly on cold water or fizzy drinks like clear soda or ginger ale can help you rehydrate and settle your stomach a little.

3. Use acupressure wrist bands

Specially designed wrist bands from Sea-Band Nausea Relief stimulate an exact acupressure point by a plastic stud attached to the inside of the band. This specific acupressure point in the wrist is called the P6 (or Nei Guan in Chinese medicine), which can help relieve nausea and upset stomach when pressure is applied. Just adjust the soft and comfortable wrist band to fit snugly on your wrist to help relieve nausea within minutes.

“Acupressure helps to relieve nausea and upset stomach with no need for medications, which can sometimes make you feel worse or harm your liver,” said family practitioner Dr. Ian Cracknell. “Sea-Bands are an effective, low-cost and drug-free alternative that I often recommend to my patients. They are clinically proven to reduce nausea in patients caused by things like motion sickness, migraines, morning sickness and hangovers.”

Approaching the holidays, it’s a great idea to stock up on re-usable Sea-Bands for yourself, and as great stocking stuffers! Sea-Band wrist bands are available in pharmacies everywhere. To learn more about Sea-Bands and how they work, visit Sea-Band.com/FAQs.

4. Don’t try the “hair of the dog”

The old expression “hair of the dog that bit you” refers to the idea that having more alcohol the morning after can make you feel better. In fact, drinking more the next day is not likely to help.

Because alcohol irritates the stomach lining and increases the release of acid, the National Institutes of Health warns that drinking more the next morning is only likely to increase your stomach irritation and feelings of nausea.

5. Eat lightly

To further aid your stomach in its hangover recovery, eating lightly can help you feel better. Sipping on soup or broth, or nibbling on crackers, can help reduce those unpleasant feelings of nausea.

The upshot is, to completely avoid the risk of developing a hangover, you would need to avoid alcohol altogether. But if you do drink, limiting your alcohol intake to no more than one or two drinks (depending on the amount of alcohol in each drink) and not drinking on an empty stomach can help to some degree. Ultimately, the best cure for hangover nausea (and other unpleasant symptoms) is time.

2020-12-22T06:01:00

(BPT) –

The final holiday countdown is on! While many families have had to make new traditions during the pandemic, they’re also looking for ways to continue the old ones — like spending time with loved ones.

Thankfully, there are many ways to spread holiday cheer while staying safe, and technology can be a huge help. Here are five tips from Best Buy on how to virtually celebrate the season this year.

1. Share treasured traditions with smart displays

Tech products with smart displays that combine smart speakers with touchscreens make it easy to connect with loved ones from afar, so you can chat as long as you like. These also make a great way to share in pre-holiday traditions, like baking cookies together, listening to holiday music or looking through old photos. If you help your family members set up their own smart displays, you can easily video chat at any time.

Plus, these devices make it super easy and convenient to take and make calls since you don’t have to hold a phone or tablet to have a conversation. Some even have “drop-in” capabilities so you can instantly connect to someone’s smart speaker, kind of like a walkie-talkie. Don’t forget, smart displays are also a great way for seniors who are self-quarantined at home to communicate with family, friends and caregivers.

2. Send support

This time of year can be extra stressful for some of us. Help your loved ones check something off their to-do lists by ordering them contactless food delivery from a favorite restaurant or grocery store, or by sending subscription boxes that make cooking or preparing meals a snap.

You can also help friends and family with their holiday shopping online. Retailers like Best Buy have options for same-day delivery and curbside pickup to make sure your gifts are under the tree in time. On BestBuy.com, you can even send custom gift messages to your loved ones that will be received via email when the gift arrives on the recipient’s doorstep.

3. Schedule a video call

There are many online platforms that allow you to safely see your loved ones face to face. Schedule a video call early to set aside time for the big moments like opening presents. These platforms let various loved ones join together and can be a great way to block out some time if you’re juggling multiple groups or families. Video calls are easily accessible through laptops, tablets, smartphones and more, so your family can easily use the tech they already have to join in on the fun!

4. Keep the (virtual) party going

There are many free mobile apps that can bring a little pep to your online gatherings. Try a service that will help multiple loved ones stream movies and watch together. Many streaming platforms also have their own watch party extensions that make sure all of you can experience the highs and lows of your favorite holiday flicks at the same time.

Many social media platforms also have apps that let you send video messages back and forth to loved ones. Film a festive greeting, and the whole family can send your grandparents a pre-recorded video of their favorite holiday memories that can be watched again and again.

5. Plan virtual visits

Drop in on Santa or one of his holiday helpers at the North Pole ahead of the big day, using an online platform like Zoom or video calling feature like FaceTime. Chatting with Santa is a great way to enjoy some holiday magic, especially for younger kids who don’t understand these unprecedented times. Do some digging to see what other places you love are hosting special online events for the holidays — you may even find something different and new that becomes a favorite family tradition!

2020-12-22T16:59:00

(BPT) – Do you ever notice how fulfilled you feel when you spend time with your pet? How your pet can inspire joy while also somehow helping you feel less stressed? Or maybe you are thinking of getting a pet hoping for companionship, affection and love? These and many more positives are the result of the pet effect, also known as the human-animal bond.

“Science supports that the pet effect is real for people of all ages,” says PetSmart Charities President Aimee Gilbreath. “However, you don’t need research to see for yourself the benefits a pet can bring a family. Adopting a pet is a life-changing experience. The human-animal bond is a profound thing and many people consider their pets members of the family and welcomingly embrace the many positives they provide.”

Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities, shares some of the top benefits and interesting facts about the pet effect:

Owning a pet has mental and physical benefits

Scientific evidence supporting the emotional health advantages of pet relationships is growing. Pets and therapy animals have been shown to help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and social isolation. For example, a study by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Cohen Research Group found 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership and 54% of pet owners reported physical health improvements from pet ownership.

Pet ownership reduces U.S. health care costs

About 80 million U.S. households have pets, according to the HABRI Foundation, and that pet ownership has saved the U.S. health care system an estimated $11.7 billion. The largest savings was determined based on a lower incidence of physician office visits by pet owners as compared to non-owners. Additional savings were calculated for increased physical activity for pet owners, such as dog owners who walk their dog five or more times a week.

Pets provide security during times of stress

A Purdue University study found animal-assisted therapies can help provide diversion from anxiety-inducing medical experiences, providing a sense of security, while also encouraging interaction and activity often critical for healing. Something as simple as an affectionate nuzzle or a wag of a tail from a therapy animal can decrease stress and anxiety for patients and the hospital staff. When at home, your own pet can provide a sense of security and peace to help manage stress and anxiety, too.

Pets provide companionship, especially during times of isolation

Companionship is a top reason people own pets. During times of increased isolation such as quarantine and social distancing, this is particularly important. An additional study by HABRI found that pets are part of the solution to social isolation and loneliness, a growing public health epidemic, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 85% of respondents agree that interaction with pets help reduce loneliness and 76% agree that human-pet interactions can help address social isolation, followed by 72% who believe that human-animal interaction is good for their community.

Organizations are stepping up to support pet ownership

Realizing the many benefits of pet ownership, some organizations are doing their part to support the pet effect. For example, PetSmart Charities is providing grants supporting nearly 4,000 animal welfare organizations across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico to provide shelter, socialization and veterinary care to homeless pets to prepare them for adoption, as well as providing resources to help keep pets and the people that love them together.

Since 2012, PetSmart Charities have committed nearly $4 million in grants to support change making local animal welfare organizations across North America.