Month: July 2021

2021-07-08T06:01:00

(BPT) – We all like to think our homes are a safe and secure place to relax and enjoy time with our family. Even though we try to make our homes as safe as possible for our children, accidents and injuries can still occur in the home. Preventable injuries unfortunately happen more often than they should, and some occur because of hazards we may not even think of.

Summer is a great time for us to learn about different ways to make our homes safer for those we care about most. It is also a time for us to think about potential hazards in our homes and ways to prevent accidents and unintentional injuries from occurring. Keeping your family safe is a priority! Below are a few ideas to prevent accidents from occurring in your home. The tips on this list are easy, inexpensive and can make your home safer in as little as a day.

1. Convert all corded window coverings to cordless alternatives: The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) recommends that parents and caregivers check for corded window coverings in all homes their child spends time in. Corded window coverings pose a risk to small children, who can become accidentally entangled in the cord. It is best to use a cordless window covering, or a window covering without an accessible cord. If you find your window coverings are corded and purchase replacements, look for the Best for Kids™ label on the box of the window coverings. This label is present on the box of window coverings that have been tested by an independent third party and deemed safer for children than their corded counterparts.
2. Purchase child safety locks for cabinets: Some of your cabinets are where you store your ingredients to make your next home-cooked meal. Others are where you store potentially dangerous household cleaning objects. Do not let your child have access to either. Purchase child safety locks to prevent messes and hazardous situations from occurring. Remember to store items like prescriptions in places children cannot reach, like high cabinets.
3. Cover all open electrical sockets: If your child can crawl, they may become curious about objects around the house. Do not let them become curious around electrical sockets. Remember to purchase covers for any unused electrical sockets so children cannot place their hands in them. Additionally, tie down any cords that connect to an electrical socket from a household item, like a television. Children may become curious about these cords and become accidentally entangled.
4. Cover sharp objects and edges on furniture: You can prevent an unnecessary injury to a child by covering corners on furniture, like coffee tables. Soft objects, such as tennis balls or foam pads, can be placed over these pieces of furniture to make them safer for children. If you have the budget, you can also replace this furniture with new items that do not have sharp or pointed corners.
5. Trash can safety: Young children can accidentally make their way into your trash can and ingest something they are not supposed to, or cut themselves on a sharp object, such as glass. You can prevent this by keeping your trash in a location a child cannot get into, such as a locked cabinet, or by placing a locking lid that a child cannot open on the trash can.
6. Consider using a toy box without a lid: A toy box is an easy way to make sure all your child’s favorite items are in one easy-to-find place. However, toy boxes with a lid can slam shut, potentially injuring your child’s hands, or even trapping a child inside. Remember to buy a toy box without a lid to prevent this. If your toy box does have a lid, make sure the lid is spring loaded, easy to open, and has holes in it.

For more childproofing tips check out WCSC’s safety blog.

2021-07-07T08:01:01

(BPT) – Over the past year, you may have heard about convalescent plasma for the first time surrounding its potential use in treating COVID-19. However, for more than 80 years, plasma has been a lifeline for thousands of people who are immune-compromised and live with chronic and complex conditions like primary immune deficiency. The process of collecting donated plasma and transforming it into life-saving medicines continues to be essential, especially as more and more people need medicine developed from plasma. In response, BioLife Plasma Services, an industry leader in the collection of high-quality plasma donations, has expanded into Southern California to help address this urgent need. You can make a difference for people, like Julie, who depend on plasma.

Julie: The Long Road to Diagnosis

Julie, 44, lived a relatively healthy childhood — she was extremely active, and you could usually find her outdoors exploring, hiking or riding her bike. When Julie began training for marathons in her 20s, she was running 50 miles a week and felt sick almost every day. She chalked it up to her rigorous training schedule and her job at a cardiology office, but it escalated to the point where she couldn’t speak due to severe tonsillitis and was ultimately hospitalized. Julie recognized that life was no longer the same, despite her healthy lifestyle, as infection after infection began to take over her body, and she remained unsure of the cause. After multiple months of testing for an array of infections, Julie was becoming increasingly frustrated with how her life was being dictated by her health.

After eight years of doctor visits and searching for answers, Julie was finally diagnosed with primary immune deficiency. Primary immune deficiency, also known as PI, is a genetic condition in which a person is missing essential function of the immune system. While some people are born with symptoms of PI, some people may develop symptoms over their lifetime. In Julie’s case while her PI is complicated, she is missing the ability to build antibodies that protect a person from infections. A diagnosis can be difficult, but once identified, treatments are available for many types of PI, such as therapies developed from plasma.

The Basics: What is Plasma and its Purpose?

Plasma can be life-changing for those with PI and provides the antibodies Julie needs that cannot be produced in a lab. People who rely on continuous therapies developed from plasma are dependent on other people regularly donating their plasma. Depending on the condition, it can require hundreds to more than a thousand donations to provide adequate therapy for a single patient over the course of one year. It takes around 130 plasma donations to treat one patient with primary immune deficiency[i].

Currently, BioLife has four centers opened in the state of California with locations in Moreno Valley, Rialto, Corona and Riverside and more centers are slated to open later this year. All centers have taken a number of extra precautionary measures amid the pandemic to protect employees and donors, including extra cleaning processes and social distancing practices.

Looking Forward: How Southern Californians Can Help

Julie knows firsthand just how important therapies developed from plasma are for people like her as she’s been reliant on them for the last eight years. Julie is incredibly thankful for plasma donors’ commitment and has visited BioLife sites around the country expressing her gratitude.

Unable to share her thankfulness in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie has a message for donors around the world: “Thanks to plasma donors, I’m able to live the active life I always imagined. Plasma donations are life-changing for so many around the world, including myself. I encourage everyone to think of donating plasma. Your kind and generous donation can truly help change lives.”

Julie continues to not let her PI disorder define her, even during the pandemic with all the extra precautions Julie has had to take as an immunocompromised person to stay healthy. Now, with the emergence of new plasma donation centers in Southern California, donors have an opportunity to make a lasting impact and help Julie and others like her manage their condition by donating plasma. With the help of plasma therapies, Julie can live the life she imagined with her husband and stepson. As an avid traveler, once safe, Julie is looking forward to her next destination; maybe a beach, maybe a campsite, maybe a mountain, but Julie knows that she wouldn’t be able to embark on any adventure without plasma donors.

Learn more how you can play a role in helping save people’s lives through plasma donation at www.biolifeplasma.com, or download the BioLife App.

2021-07-07T06:01:00

(BPT) – You probably have an assortment of anti-aging lotions, masks, and serums in your bathroom and may have tried a handful of facial treatments with mixed results. After scrutinizing your forehead, face, and neck on Zoom meetings for so long, you may now be looking for something that can make a real difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Enter the innovative treatments from Secret PRO by Cutera, which offer a new approach to skin revitalization. By uniquely combining two clinically proven technologies in a single system, the Secret PRO can treat the epidermis or outer layer of the skin’s surface all the way down to the deeper dermal layers for noticeable results.

Dermatologist Dr. Renita Ahluwalia of the Canadian Dermatology Centre in Toronto was the first practice in Canada to feature the Secret PRO technology. “We were impressed with what Secret PRO has to offer. It’s a very versatile technology and we can select from four signature treatment options for fine lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars, sun damage and stretchmarks to promote better skin quality and smoother, younger looking skin.¹ We can customize the treatments for each individual patient’s needs and goals. Secret PRO has something for everyone who wants to improve the quality and condition of their skin, and the RF microneedling treatment is safe for all skin types and colors.”

The true innovation of Secret PRO is that it brings together two effective technologies in a single treatment to deliver noticeable results. “This is the first time we are able to combine radiofrequency microneedling with a CO₂ laser in one system,” says plastic surgeon Dr. Quinton Chivers of the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre in Toronto. “As a plastic surgeon, I appreciate being able to utilize fractional CO₂ laser technology for skin resurfacing on some patients, either combined with facial surgery or as a stand-alone procedure. Improving the overall skin quality is also necessary for maintenance after surgery. We also have the versatility of using RF microneedling for deep dermal remodeling to effectively treat the full thickness of the skin. It’s a win-win for our patients,” he says.

Unlike other lasers and energy-based treatments, Secret PRO’s customizable options offer best-in-class breakthrough treatments based on your skin type, skin condition, and tolerance for downtime. So, if you need to get back to your office or have an upcoming event to go to, your Secret PRO provider can customize a treatment just for you.

According to facial plastic surgeon Dominic Galleta, MD at Premier Plastic Surgery in Palo Alto, CA, “Secret PRO offers a novel approach to skin revitalization. I can address wrinkles and textural improvements utilizing fractional CO₂ resurfacing for patients who need a more aggressive treatment.¹ With more people working from home, this has been an excellent alternative or addition to surgical procedures of the face and neck. The CO₂ is also one of the fastest fractionated lasers of its kind on the market so we can speed up treatment times. The RF microneedling is an ideal choice for those patients who need to get back to their lives quickly.”

He continues, “I can vary each patient’s treatment from a combination laser and RF microneedling approach to a more superficial micropeel to achieve smoother, younger looking skin.¹ In only 2 or 3 treatment sessions with little to no downtime, our patients can get the results they want. In addition, the Secret PRO is safe to treat all skin types all year-round, and we can address a wide range of skin concerns on the face and body from acne scars to stretchmarks and more.”

If you’re ready to put your best face forward on screen or in person, find a Secret PRO provider near you at https://secretbycutera.com/find-a-provider/ .

¹ Via ablation, coagulation, hemostasis and skin resurfacing.

2021-07-06T09:01:00

(BPT) – An accidental opioid overdose can happen to anyone using opioid medicines, in any community. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a substantial increase in opioid overdose deaths across the United States that coincided with the implementation of widespread mitigation measures for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[1] The most recent provisional data available from the CDC indicates that nearly 68,000 opioid overdose deaths occurred in the 12-month period ending in November 2020, representing a worsening of the opioid overdose epidemic and the largest number of opioid overdoses for a 12-month period ever recorded.[2]

Public health leaders recognize that more must be done to strengthen and enhance the patient-physician relationship, reduce stigma, and empower health care professionals to equip patients who may be at risk of an accidental overdose.[3] [4] [5] In July 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a drug safety communication that labeling for opioid pain medicine and medicine to treat opioid use disorder (commonly referred to as OUD) be updated to recommend health care professionals discuss the availability of naloxone with patients and caregivers, both when beginning and renewing these medicines.[6] Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The FDA opioid labeling update recommends that health care professionals consider prescribing naloxone to patients being prescribed opioids who are at increased risk of opioid overdose, including those concurrently taking benzodiazepines, those with a history of OUD or prior opioid overdoses, and those who have household members, including children, or other close contacts at-risk for accidental ingestion or overdose.[7]

A Step Forward in Combatting the Growing Opioid Deaths Among Patients Taking Prescription Opioids or Suffering with OUD[8]

Importantly, the recent FDA recommendation will help to build the relationship patients have with their providers, who play an important role in addressing this ongoing public health crisis.[9] Healthcare providers can provide education to individuals who remain unaware of their risk for an accidental overdose, as well as to caregivers on how to treat potential overdoses with opioid antagonists such as naloxone.

Of the 49 million patients prescribed opioids in the United States, more than 18 million are considered at risk, but only five percent received a prescription for naloxone.[10] Our nation’s devastating rise in opioid overdose deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the critical need for opioid awareness and access to opioid overdose reversal medications such as naloxone for people who may be at risk.[11]

Be prepared. Speak with your healthcare provider, pharmacist or visit the FDA website to learn more.

Sponsored by Emergent BioSolutions

2021-07-05T23:01:00

(BPT) – More than 20 million people worldwide are living with schizophrenia — a chronic, serious and often severely disabling brain disorder.[1],[2]

Schizophrenia ranks as one of the top 15 leading causes of disability globally.[3] However, it can be difficult for people to receive an accurate schizophrenia diagnosis, as the condition is frequently stigmatized or confused with other disorders. Following diagnosis, many people spend years searching for treatment that works for them.[4]

What do schizophrenia symptoms look like?

Schizophrenia may be recognized by a wide range of signs. These are broken up into positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms can cause a person to actively experience hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. These indicators can be more easily recognized and are typically what lead individuals to seek treatment. These symptoms often remain the primary focus of treatment plans.

Negative symptoms including lack of activity or emotion, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment are often harder to recognize and can be confused with other serious mental health conditions. Because of this, they are less likely to be addressed initially and may lead to additional problems, such as impaired memory, attention, and the ability to make decisions.[1] Additionally, these sometimes unrecognized symptoms can have an impact on those living with or caring for someone with schizophrenia.

The spectrum of symptoms experienced by people living with schizophrenia can make it difficult to find the right treatment that addresses an individual’s symptoms. However, most people with schizophrenia (60%) only have partial symptom control.[5] To help address this need, researchers are developing new therapies.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Schizophrenia treatment typically includes a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and other specialty care services. While psychotherapy practices have evolved over the years, the therapeutic standard of care for schizophrenia has not changed much since the 1950s. The most commonly prescribed medications, called “atypical antipsychotics,” involve blocking the activity of chemicals in a person’s brain, specifically dopamine and serotonin.[5] They effectively treat positive symptoms, such as psychosis or disconnection from reality, but are less effective at treating negative symptoms.[5],[6],[7]

Additionally, up to 74% of people stop using their medication, citing side effects as the reason.[8] Side effects of atypical antipsychotics may include weight gain or metabolic effects.[8] Furthermore, many people with this condition inaccurately believe they no longer have schizophrenia once their symptoms improve and that they no longer require treatment if their symptoms are controlled with medication.[8]

“The goal of treatment for people living with schizophrenia is to find the best medication for an individual which will help to reduce symptoms that have a significant impact on their daily lives,” said Maitri R. Patel, M.D., Progressive Therapeutics LLC. “To achieve this goal providers work hard to have honest communication with patients to determine how their treatment is progressing. This way providers and patients can collaborate to determine if treatment changes are necessary and what types of supportive care are best for this individual.”

Are researchers developing new treatments?

Recent research indicates that trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) may play a significant role in balancing the activity of central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate that are dysregulated in people with schizophrenia.[9],[10] A new investigational medicine, ulotaront (SEP-363856), is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials. This drug is a TAAR1 agonist with serotonin 1A (5-HT_1A) agonist activity – meaning it targets different receptors in the brain than currently available treatments. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, ulotaront showed improvements in the symptoms of schizophrenia compared with placebo in clinical studies of patients with schizophrenia. The most common adverse events reported in the study included tiredness, agitation, nausea, diarrhea and indigestion.[9]

Research continues to progress, and novel therapies are being explored that may have the potential to offer patients another treatment option to address the symptoms of schizophrenia. If you or a loved one experience symptoms of schizophrenia, it is important to seek help from your healthcare provider to find a management strategy that works best for you.

References