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Looking for affordable family-friendly travel? Meet Rapid City, a 10 park and national monument destination

2023-01-19T15:01:00

(BPT) – It’s easy to catch a case of cabin fever during the dreary winter and spring months. A sure cure: A vacation with the entire family to experience the extraordinary and make lifelong memories. One destination that offers endless potential with access to 10 different national parks, state parks and memorials is Rapid City, South Dakota.

Rather than wait for summer, many people are satisfying their wanderlust now by planning a trip to Rapid City to see Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, Badlands and more. There are many advantages to planning a trip during the off-season. One of the biggest is avoiding heavy summer crowds and traffic. Plus this time of year brings lower costs, making this a budget-friendly getaway.

One of the best ways to enjoy your South Dakota vacation is by making Rapid City the home base for your trip as it is surrounded by parks, monuments and other attractions that are important parts of America’s past and present. Popular destinations you’ll find nearby include the following:

  • Black Hills National Forest is a 12-minute drive
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a 30-minute drive
  • Custer State Park is a 45-minute drive
  • Crazy Horse Memorial is a 50-minute drive
  • Badlands National Park is a 60-minute drive

Not only do winter and spring have fewer visitors, it’s also a unique time to visit Rapid City and its surrounding attractions. There is a plethora of special events and activities only available during these months. To make lasting travel memories, there’s no better time of year to plan your trip.

Winter and spring in Rapid City

From ice skating at Main Street Square to hiking while spring blossoms dot the trails of world-class parks, this quieter season is a special time for visitors. There’s truly something for everyone, from foodies and families to outdoor enthusiasts and history lovers.

Feel like a local: When you explore downtown Rapid City, you’ll see for yourself why this town is so special. Main Street Square is the heart of town and a delight any time of year. Art Alley is an area to peruse stunning art in different mediums and styles. While walking through downtown Rapid City, you’ll discover a series of life-sized bronze statues of past American Presidents, bringing history to life with many photo-worthy opportunities.

For families: There are many affordable family-friendly offerings that make Rapid City the ideal vacation destination. Check out the newly renovated WaTiki Indoor Waterpark with 30,000 square feet of slides, a lazy river, Koko’s Kingdom, activity pool and large arcade with prizes your kids will love. Other family-friendly stopping points include Reptile Gardens (reopens March 4), museums, Putz and Go, Black Hills Escape Rooms and Press Start.

For historians: If you’re a history buff, Rapid City is filled with historic museums that include geology, aviation, Native American culture, as well as the only Pawnseum in the world. An added bonus in 2023 is the 75th anniversary of Crazy Horse Memorial. This breathtaking mountain memorial honors the Native American, Crazy Horse and the rich culture that continues to influence South Dakota today.

For foodies: Enjoy fine cuisine, local brews and unique delicacies as you make your way through some of the Midwest’s finest dining establishments in downtown Rapid City. Dig into South Dakota-inspired ramen at Bokujo Ramen, enjoy local-made beer in a historic building at Firehouse Brewing Co. or enjoy high-end cocktails at Windsor Block and Bar.

For special-events lovers: The winter and spring calendar is packed with events in Rapid City. A few to note: Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo runs January 27 to February 4, Road 2 Destruction Tour March 4 (catch monster trucks in action) and motocross excitement at the 4Gmx Indoor Motocross March 11. You can also fill an evening with laughter by catching popular comedian Brian Regan on April 1.

Find more at Events.VisitRapidCity.com and learn about traveling to Rapid City during the spring and winter months at VisitRapidCity.com.

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Preparing for tax season: 3 tips to keep your documents organized

2023-01-19T02:01:00

(BPT) – Taxes can be a daunting task. Some people are so anxious that they put it off until just before the April 15 deadline. According to a survey by IPX1031, 32% of Americans waited until the last minute to file taxes in 2022. Of those who procrastinated on filing, 25% said that they waited because filing taxes is too stressful and complicated.

While you can wait until the deadline to file, you’ll only increase your tax anxiety. If you find tax season intimidating, check out these three tips that can help ease tax time stress.

1. Take a deep breath

It may seem trite, but the first thing you need to do to tackle your taxes is to take a deep breath. You likely already have everything you need to start your tax forms. It’s just a matter of finding all your documents and organizing them so you can easily fill out your information and submit your forms.

Start early to help ease your tax season stress, so you have plenty of time to input and review your information. If you wait until the deadline, you’ll only get more anxious about the prospect of being late or making mistakes on your tax forms.

Another way to manage tax time stress is to tackle your tax forms one section at a time. You can do this over the course of a few days or a couple of weeks. You can enlist the help of a partner or friend to keep you accountable and sit with you while you do your taxes.

2. Get organized

Whether you’re doing personal or business taxes, creating a system with specific categories will help you stay organized throughout the year. That way, when it’s time to tackle taxes, you’ll have everything you need right in front of you.

First, create a deductions and expenses folder. In this folder, you’ll keep cellphone and internet bills, receipts for supplies (like pencils, pens and papers), client dinner receipts and documents of charitable donations.

Next, you’ll set up an income folder where you’ll store your paystubs, bank statements and other records that prove any income you have produced during the year. If needed, you can create another folder for business tax documents like W-2s, property taxes and self-employment forms.

Lastly, make an investments folder. Here, you can save retirement contributions to IRAs or other accounts, tax-deferred investments, nondeductible investments and any other taxable investments.

By setting up and using this organizational system throughout the year, you’ll be able to breeze through your tax forms with minimal stress.

3. Go digital

Now that you’ve got the system in place, it’s time to simplify taxes by going digital. Recreate the organizational system above on your computer. You can also store or sync the folders on the cloud or mobile device so you can access documents on the go. You can also upload invoices, receipts and other documents into digital files as soon as you receive them.

The easiest way to convert physical documents into digital ones is to scan them. Simplify the process by using an application like Mopria Scan. This app allows you to scan directly from any Mopria certified device to your Android device without installing multiple apps, software or drivers for every scanner or printer you use at home or the office.

You’ll also have easy access to scanned pages on your Android device’s cloud storage or other applications. You can even scan your stuff and email it to your professional accountant so they can deal with it! Download the Mopria Print Service or Mopria Scan apps and relieve tax time stress.

Don’t let tax season anxiety get you down. Using these three tips, you’ll be able to complete your tax forms quickly and set yourself up for success for the next tax season.

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Remodeling your basement? Here is everything you need to know to see a high return on investment

2023-01-18T12:01:00

(BPT) – By Bryan Baeumler, HGTV Personality & Professional Contractor

So, you are remodeling your basement — smart move! According to Redfin’s real estate experts, a basement renovation is one of the top 10 ways to maximize your usable square footage and in turn, increase your home’s value.

Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered. I have spent almost 20 years renovating basements from the ground up on DIY and home improvement television shows. Here are three tried-and-true basement finishing projects that will help you create a purposeful, comfortable living space that your family can enjoy now and that will appeal to potential homebuyers down the road.

Create a solid foundation with a high-quality basement subfloor

First, a basement renovation is a major investment into your home, so protect your investment by installing a quality subfloor. A subfloor from a trusted brand like DRICORE provides a barrier between the concrete floor and your finished floors. This barrier not only protects against the effects of moisture, like mold and mildew, but it also helps the basement floor stay warmer underneath your feet and cushions your steps. A DIY-friendly option, DRICORE® Subfloor has an intuitive tongue and groove design that makes installation quick and easy. You can finish a 500-square-foot basement in just half a day.

Upgrade basement windows to create a more comfortable living space

If you have windows in your basement, no matter how large or how small — lucky you! They allow natural light to filter into an otherwise dark space, making the basement appear brighter and more inviting. But sometimes, a home’s original windows are ridden with gaps and cracks around the glass and frame, causing the room to feel cold and damp in the winter and uncomfortably hot in the summer. Fix this problem and create a comfortable basement living space by installing new, energy-efficient windows. New windows not only help regulate room temperature, but they also offer improved security, reduce outside noise and give the space an updated, finished appearance.

Brighten up the room with strategic lighting and neutral paint colors

If you do not have basement windows that draw in natural light, there are still plenty of easy DIY projects that will help create a bright, inviting living space — whether for your benefit or to appeal to a future homebuyer. Illuminate your finished basement with all-over lighting, which is typically best achieved through recessed ceiling lights or budget-friendly track lighting. To create ambience, go with Nordic-inspired floor lamps or wall sconces that highlight the family photos hung on the wall. Complete your basement renovation by painting the walls in a neutral paint color, like a soft off-white that reflects and absorbs the light in the room. To bring additional warmth into the finished space, go with an on-trend “greige” color (a mix of gray and beige) on the basement walls or ceiling.

What’s next?

Like any home improvement project, remodeling your basement can feel like a daunting task. But with the right foundation and a few DIY projects in your arsenal, you can easily transform your basement into a functional, comfortable living space. Not only will a finished basement optimize your home’s available square footage and in turn increase its value, but it could also make you think twice about selling … it will be hard to say goodbye to the newly remodeled living space!

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Worried about the unexpected? 4 ways you can help protect your family

2023-01-18T07:31:01

(BPT) – Life is full of surprises, and unfortunately, they are not always good ones. While you can never fully prepare for the unexpected, you can take steps to safeguard your family against the financial impact from these negative events. As you make resolutions for the new year, it’s the perfect time to make a financial safety plan for you and your loved ones.

“Nobody likes to think about what might happen in the case you are ill, hurt, or even pass away, but it’s important to make sure your family won’t have the additional strain of financial worries during such a difficult time,” said Joshua Police, executive vice president of Distribution and Business Development, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Here are steps you can take to be better prepared for an unexpected event.

Create an emergency fund

Experts recommend saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses in case of job loss, illness or other unexpected event. One way to start saving is setting up automatic deposits of a small amount from each paycheck into a separate account. That way you won’t have to think about it, and your savings will accumulate over time.

Plan for potential critical illness

When a family member receives a serious medical diagnosis, protecting your family with a financial safety net can provide peace of mind during such a difficult time. Boston Mutual’s Critical Illness insurance, also known as Specified Disease insurance, protects you and your family should you receive a major medical diagnosis. Your insurance pays a lump sum benefit for a range of medical diagnoses such as heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and stroke, as well as many other health conditions. You select the amount of insurance you need and can afford. The cost does not increase as you get older, and there are also coverage options available for your spouse and children under age 26.

Be ready when accidents happen

Accident insurance provides financial protection for the unexpected, helping to protect you and your family when an injury occurs. While many health insurance plans will cover most major medical expenses, you can still be left with out-of-pocket expenses such as copayments, deductibles and other costs related to an accident. Boston Mutual’s Group Accident Coverage or Employee Accident Option Plus Coverage can pay you cash when an accident happens, complementing your medical coverage by paying for covered medical services. When you file a claim, cash is paid directly to you, giving you easy access to the funds you need. Coverage is portable, so if you change jobs or retire, you don’t lose your policy — you can take your coverage with you at the same rate. In addition, you can also choose accident coverage for your spouse and children under age 26.

With Boston Mutual’s accident insurance, benefits are paid directly to you when you have a covered accident that causes a trip to urgent care or the emergency room, stitches, broken bones, hospitalization, physical therapy and much more.

Make sure you have life insurance

Getting life insurance to help protect your family is crucial for your peace of mind. For example, Boston Mutual’s Whole Life insurance is permanent life insurance, lasting for the lifetime of the insured, provides protection against financial loss caused by the death of the person insured. Usually it’s a lump sum payment, sometimes known as a death benefit, which is paid directly to a beneficiary. Unlike term life insurance, whole life insurance can build cash value for your family’s future — which may be available for you to withdraw or borrow against in case of an emergency.

With Boston Mutual’s Whole Life insurance, the protection is affordable and flexible. You choose the amount of insurance that makes sense for you, and that you can afford. There are coverage options available for you, your spouse, children and grandchildren. If you are single with no dependents, the flexibility of the whole life plan allows you to expand coverage to meet future responsibilities. If you change jobs or retire, you can take your coverage with you at the same rate. Your monthly cost and benefits are guaranteed for the life of your policy, and the cost does not go up as you get older. Your beneficiaries receive the policy’s death benefits amount, minus any outstanding loans.

Thinking about potential scenarios that may cause a visit to the hospital for you or a family member may be scary, but by setting up simple insurance coverage options, you and your family can have peace of mind if something does happen. By taking a few steps now, you can help set up your family for future protection.

To learn more about how to protect your loved ones’ financial future, visit BostonMutual.com or contact your benefits coordinator or HR department. For information on benefits available outside workplace offerings or if workplace benefits currently aren’t an option, visit BostonMutual.com/LearnMore.

Policy Series:
WPS-ACC 07/15
END-95(ESO)(20/21)
WS-CI 4/12

335-5033 1/23

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Get Your Skin Clear for the New Year with an Award-Winning Acne Treatment

2023-01-18T05:01:00

(BPT) – If an acne-free complexion is one of your New Year’s resolutions, you’re in luck! There’s a revolutionary award-winning treatment that influencers, beauty experts and leading dermatologists are buzzing about.

Introducing AviClear™, the acne treatment that was awarded “Best Laser Treatment for Acne” by Cosmopolitan Magazine and “The Future of Beauty” by Elle Magazine. AviClear is the first and original FDA-cleared energy device for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe acne.

The AviClear technology features a 1726 nm wavelength laser that safely and effectively treats acne at the source by selectively targeting and suppressing the sebaceous glands1 (oil glands), in just a few treatments. The results from a series of treatments are redefining what is possible without prescription medications or harmful side effects.1,2

“AviClear takes acne treatments to the next level. The technology works to significantly eliminate acne in three quick 30-minute treatment sessions spaced one month apart.2 This is a real game changer for anyone who has suffered from chronic breakouts,” says Dr. Karen Grossman, founder of Grossman Dermatology in Santa Monica, CA, and New York City.

The lesions will continue to clear after the final treatment, with a significant reduction in acne over time.2 “There is virtually no downtime, although some patients may experience mild redness or irritation right after the treatment that subsides quickly. Our patients consider AviClear to be an investment in their skin,” she says.

What’s more, AviClear was designed to provide optimal comfort and safety for patients of all skin tones through exclusive contact cooling technology. Clinical studies also reveal that AviClear is a long-term resolution to acne with 92% of patients seeing an improvement in their skin after their final treatment session.3

According to Dermatologist Dr. Gary Goldenberg of Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City, “By selectively targeting and suppressing the sebaceous glands that cause breakouts, a series of treatments with AviClear can make breakouts less frequent and less intense.”2

“Most acne sufferers can greatly benefit from the AviClear technology. Our patients are seeing excellent results that continue to improve after each treatment session. It is also a good alternative for those who want to avoid taking prescription oral or topical medications that may have unwanted side effects,” Dr. Goldenberg explains.

Find out if this breakthrough acne treatment is right for you by scheduling a consultation with an AviClear provider near you at aviclear.com.

1. Bhatia K, Williams HC. Epidemiology of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 2013;168(3):474-485.

2. Data on file. Cutera, Inc.

3. Data on file. FDA clearance study. Cutera, Inc. (12 months after final treatment)

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Learn how to set meaningful goals, with the gumption to go after them

2023-01-17T09:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re a college grad, young professional or in mid-career, chances are you’ve already faced challenges that seemed overwhelming. Throughout your career, you’ll continue to face opportunities to choose one path or another, but without clear, meaningful goals — and the gumption to pursue them — you may find your path veering from the life you really want.

This is one of the key messages of the debut book by Sharon Price John, “Stories and Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love,” which illustrates core principles that helped her succeed — from climbing a daunting tree in childhood to leading some of world’s best-known brands, offering personal lessons and insights in an approachable manner and understandable format. As president and chief executive officer of the beloved publicly traded company Build-A-Bear Workshop for nearly a decade, John successfully led the 25-year-old organization through the “retail apocalypse” and global pandemic to emerge as a reimagined corporation that delivered the most profitable year in its history in 2021, followed by the recently announced expectation to repeat that feat for the company’s 2022 fiscal year.

Beyond offering candid stories that educate and inspire, she guides readers through her framework for using their own personal stories to enact meaningful change in their lives. In addition to each chapter’s “Story,” a related “Question from the Heart” and personal exploratory exercise helps provide actionable guidelines to creating a life you love, with an invitation for readers to challenge their own mindset through the lens of each experience shared.

Your own stories reveal your values and goals

Originally hailing from a small town in Tennessee, John learned early that she had a natural sense of determination to achieve what she wanted in life, although her perseverance was challenged by life circumstances, including overcoming obstacles like having zero connections in New York’s advertising world when pursuing her first job in the Big Apple. She shares her stories together with concrete exercises to help you focus on your life goals, determine the core values important to you — plus techniques to help you overcome hurdles, like those inner voices that may discourage you from taking the next steps in your career.

“The goal is for this book to be as much a journey for you as it was for me,” John explains. “This is an opportunity for you to think about what matters in your life while hopefully revealing an appreciation and understanding that your personal stories and the meaning you have woven around them not only impact your journey, but can be predictive of it.”

Reflective exercises John guides readers through include:

  • Brainstorming goals for the next five years.
  • Listing wishes for lifelong experiences.
  • Identifying values that are most important to you.
  • Rejecting the negative voices in your head.
  • Understanding how perfectionism can block achievement.
  • Redefining failures.
  • Listening to your own instincts.
  • Imagining your goals being met — and taking specific actions to get there.

Harnessing your gumption to achieve what you want

“If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the word ‘gumption’ is a little different from determination. Gumption is a mix of drive, passion and creativity — not just sheer will,” adds John. “This is where the concept of being dedicated to your goals becomes important. The power to create a life you love is within you.”

In “Stories and Heart,” John shares that beyond identifying the specific life goals most important to you, the next crucial step is learning to harness your dedication, faith and gumption to take concrete actions in pursuit of those goals — even when you’re unsure of the outcome. Taking positive action toward those goals, even in small steps, provides the fuel necessary to achieve them.

“When we identify what it is we really want, our ability to have conviction in achieving those goals increases. It is pretty incredible the things we can achieve when we understand the power of directing our efforts toward a specific desire or outcome,” John explains. “Real momentum in life starts when you clarify and begin taking steps, with conviction, toward something desirable.”

To learn more about John, her journey and her tips for setting your own meaningful life goals, visit StoriesAndHeart.com or check out her podcast at ForbesBooksAudio.com/shows/stories-heart. You can order her book, available now, at Amazon.com.

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Persistence and self-advocacy: A journey to find treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)

2023-01-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – Raquel, an avid traveler and baker who works in investing, didn’t think her eyes looked different until she started noticing them in pictures. She enjoyed posting pictures on social media, but eventually, she couldn’t stop seeing her eyes, and only her eyes, in photos. They always looked bloodshot and different. At first, she assumed the redness and dryness she was experiencing were signs of dry eyes or allergies, but eventually, her eyes started protruding.

Raquel kept dismissing her symptoms, often using eye drops to relieve the dryness and redness and wearing sunglasses to cover her eyes. “I looked great with sunglasses, but head-on, my eyes looked weird.”

After seeing several doctors, Raquel was finally diagnosed with Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) — a rare, autoimmune condition that may affect up to 50% of people with Graves’ disease, a separate autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid. Symptoms of TED can vary greatly and may include dryness and grittiness, redness and watering, eye pain and pressure behind the eyes, bulging or misaligned eyes, sensitivity to light, and double or blurry vision. If left untreated, TED can potentially lead to vision loss.

As her TED progressed, Raquel stopped posting pictures of herself and started searching for answers on social media. “I started looking up hashtags like ‘bulgy eyes.’ I saw so many photos of people whose eyes looked like mine and knew I needed to find help.”

Today, Raquel has relief from her TED symptoms, but it wasn’t without persistence and the treatment option TEPEZZA® (teprotumumab-trbw) — the first and only FDA-approved medicine to treat TED symptoms at the source. To help others find the care they need sooner, Raquel is sharing what she learned along the way.

See Important Safety Information for TEPEZZA below.

Be Your Own Best Advocate

While looking for a doctor to help her, Raquel said she felt “helpless and that there was nothing that I could do to feel that I was in control.”

To prevent this from happening to others, Raquel recommends the following:

  • Find a TED Eye Specialist, like a neuro-ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon, who is specially trained to manage and treat TED. These specialists perform eye exams, evaluate and note how TED may change over time, and can get you started on TED treatment.
  • Speak up about all new or worsening symptoms, even the more invisible symptoms such as blurry vision, double vision, or pain.
  • Don’t downplay the impact these symptoms have on your day-to-day life. If you are not looking like yourself or feeling like yourself, tell your doctor. When your doctors know how TED is affecting you, they can help you get the treatment you need for some symptoms.
  • If you have photos of yourself, bring them to your appointment and show your doctor how your appearance may be changing over time.

Ask about Treatment Options

Raquel was relieved when she learned treatment for TED was available and she was prescribed TEPEZZA by her neuro-ophthalmologist.

TEPEZZA is an intravenous medicine, also known as an IV medicine, meaning it is delivered in a person’s arm under the supervision of a medical professional. TEPEZZA is given to patients once every three weeks for a total of eight infusions, with a full course of treatment with TEPEZZA taking about five months.

With each infusion, Raquel started feeling better and noticed the pain, pressure, and bulging in her eyes subsiding. She also started to notice that her eyes were looking better, and she felt more like herself.

“During and after TEPEZZA treatment, my TED symptoms started to lessen, and I began to feel and look more like myself again. Now, I feel comfortable taking photos without sunglasses again,” said Raquel.

Raquel doesn’t want others going through what she went through and encourages those living with TED or symptoms of TED to speak up and ask a TED Eye Specialist about available treatment options, including TEPEZZA.

“TED has made me realize how important it is to be persistent and to find the right doctors. I encourage everyone to be proactive with their health and to advocate for themselves,” said Raquel.

Visit TEPEZZA.com to learn more and find a TED Eye Specialist near you.

USE

TEPEZZA is a prescription medicine used to treat Thyroid Eye Disease.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TEPEZZA?

Infusion reactions can happen during or within 24 hours after your infusion of TEPEZZA. If you have a reaction while receiving TEPEZZA, your doctor or nurse will slow or stop your infusion and treat your reaction. If you have a severe infusion reaction, your doctor may stop your treatment completely.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of these symptoms during or after your treatment with TEPEZZA:

  • High blood pressure
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Redness of the face/Feeling hot
  • Muscle pain

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, TEPEZZA may make your IBD symptoms worse. Symptoms of worsening IBD may include: an increased number of loose stools with stomach pain or cramps, and blood in your stools. After each TEPEZZA infusion, tell your doctor right away if you have worsening IBD symptoms.

TEPEZZA may cause an increase in your blood sugar. Before starting treatment with TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you are currently being treated for diabetes, know your blood sugar is high, or have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is important for you to take your treatments and follow an appropriate diet for glucose control as prescribed by your doctor.

Before receiving TEPEZZA, tell your doctor if you:

  • Have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
  • Are currently being treated for diabetes, have been diagnosed with diabetes, or know your blood sugar is high.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TEPEZZA may harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant during treatment with TEPEZZA.
    • Women who are able to become pregnant should use an effective form of birth control (contraception) prior to starting treatment, during treatment and for at least 6 months after the final dose of TEPEZZA.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TEPEZZA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to feed your baby during treatment with TEPEZZA.
  • Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of TEPEZZA?

The most common side effects of TEPEZZA include muscle cramps or spasms, nausea, hair loss, diarrhea, feeling tired, high blood sugar, hearing problems, taste changes, headache, dry skin, weight loss, nail problems, and changes in menstruation.

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor or treatment team about any side effect you may have.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please visit TEPEZZA.com for more information.

© 2022 Horizon Therapeutics plc P-TEP-US-00789 12/22

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Learning to live with narcolepsy: A mental health counselor shares his journey

2023-01-17T13:01:00

(BPT) – Mental health counselor and avid hiker Chris knew something was going on with his health. He was not only feeling tired all the time, but despite napping every day, he still fell asleep at movies, at work — even while meeting with clients. Chris knew it was time to seek medical help.

After meeting with his doctor and having his symptoms thoroughly evaluated, Chris was ultimately diagnosed with narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder affecting the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which results in persistent sleepiness throughout the day regardless of how much sleep an individual gets at night. Another symptom can be cataplexy, the sudden, brief loss of muscle strength or tone while you’re awake. Cataplexy is often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise and can cause the person to collapse completely, but more often affects specific areas of the body such as the hands or parts of the face such as eyelids.

For Chris, EDS was the symptom that impacted him the most day-to-day, resulting in the frequent need to take naps throughout the day. Chris also experiences cataplexy, which started a little later than the EDS. He describes his cataplexy as a mild symptom where he feels a loosening of his facial muscles, which others saw as Chris appearing to have no facial expression.

Finding help for living with narcolepsy

After his diagnosis, Chris regularly saw a sleep specialist who helped him navigate his narcolepsy for several years. Chris noticed a positive change in his symptoms, but eventually had to switch to a new healthcare provider. His new provider reviewed everything from his initial diagnosis and treatment history, to how often he continued to experience symptoms like EDS. Based on this evaluation, Chris and his new provider discussed changing his treatment plan to see if that could further help. His new healthcare provider explained a few treatment options for consideration.

One of those options was WAKIX® (pitolisant) tablets.

Dr. Abhinav Singh, MD, MPH, FAASM, Medical Director at the Indiana Sleep Center, describes WAKIX “as a first-of-its-kind treatment that is FDA approved to treat EDS or cataplexy in adults with narcolepsy, taken once-daily upon waking.”

“People living with narcolepsy also are interested to learn that while the way WAKIX works is not fully understood, it is thought that WAKIX reduces EDS or cataplexy by increasing histamine levels in the brain,” explains Dr. Singh.

Histamine is a natural chemical in the brain that works to help you stay awake by increasing brain activity in areas that help you wake up, as well as decreasing brain activity in areas that make you sleepy, including areas that paralyze your muscles while you are in REM sleep.

In addition, Chris’s healthcare provider detailed how WAKIX is not a controlled substance. According to Dr. Singh, “people living with narcolepsy might also want to consider WAKIX because it is not a stimulant medication.” These were both important to Chris.

During Chris’ discussions with his healthcare provider, they discussed WAKIX dosing which included titration, something new for Chris. “Titration is a process where your healthcare provider starts you at a lower dose and may increase your dose each week to find the right dose for you, up to the maximum recommended dose,” Singh explained.

During his 3-week titration, Chris’ healthcare provider checked in with him to see how he was feeling, and if his EDS was decreasing at all. He reminded Chris that the common side effects could include insomnia, nausea, and anxiety, although these are not all the possible side effects of WAKIX, and that Chris should let him know if he experiences any side effects. Chris encourages those living with narcolepsy to communicate with their healthcare provider about how they are feeling and managing their symptoms, to determine if WAKIX is the right choice for them. A few weeks after Chris was titrated to the dose that was right for him, he noticed that his EDS had started to decrease, along with some of his cataplexy attacks. Dr. Singh notes that “for WAKIX, individual results may vary, and for some patients it may take up to eight weeks to achieve a response.”

Tips for managing life with narcolepsy

Beyond his treatment plan for managing his narcolepsy, Chris also learned management techniques that he shares with others, to help give back whenever he can.

“When I was first diagnosed, online support groups were a very big part of knowing I wasn’t alone in my experience, as I didn’t know anybody who had narcolepsy,” said Chris. “Knowing there were people out there with the same diagnosis and that they’re able to manage their symptoms and give feedback about how to manage my symptoms was huge for me.”

Here are some of the ways Chris manages his narcolepsy day-to-day in addition to medication:

  • Connecting with those in the narcolepsy community: Learning from others who live with the disorder and sharing experiences can help reduce feelings of isolation or helplessness.
  • Building naps into the day: For Chris, taking at least one nap per day helps him manage his EDS.
  • Practicing good sleep hygiene: Chris uses different techniques to sleep better at night. For example, he uses blackout curtains to keep his bedroom dark, which helps him fall asleep and stay asleep better.

Chris also has a wake-up lamp that uses light to mimic the rising sun to wake him up each morning.

“Many patients also find it useful to maintain a regular sleep-wake schedule, to help lessen the impact of their symptoms,” Dr. Singh shared. “Other lifestyle modifications that can help patients manage their symptoms include avoiding alcohol and not having caffeine in the evening.”

“Learning to live with narcolepsy is a marathon and not a sprint,” added Chris. “And for me, having a relationship with my healthcare provider and going through this whole process has been reaffirming, showing me that things can change. And that is a very good thing.”

If you or someone you know is an adult with narcolepsy experiencing EDS or cataplexy, speak with a healthcare provider to see if WAKIX could be an option. Read more about WAKIX below. To see videos about the experiences of Chris and others living with narcolepsy who are taking WAKIX, visit WAKIX.com/wakix-personal-stories.

Indications and Usage

WAKIX is a prescription medicine used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or sudden onset of weak or paralyzed muscles (cataplexy) in adults with narcolepsy.

Important Safety Information

Do not take WAKIX if you are allergic to pitolisant or any ingredient in WAKIX, or if you have severe liver disease.

Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you have heart rhythm irregularities, were born with a heart condition, or the levels of electrolytes in your blood are too high or too low. WAKIX has an effect on the electrical activity of the heart known as QT/QTc prolongation. Medicines with this effect can lead to disturbances in heart rhythm, which are more likely in patients with risk factors such as certain heart conditions, or when taken in combination with other medicines that affect QT. Tell your healthcare provider about all the other medicines you take.

The risk of QT prolongation may be greater in patients with liver or kidney disease. WAKIX is not recommended in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

The most common side effects seen with WAKIX were insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. Other side effects included headache, upper respiratory infection, musculoskeletal pain, heart rate increased, and decreased appetite. These are not all the possible side effects of WAKIX. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take or plan to take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines can increase the amount of WAKIX that gets into your blood and some medicines can decrease the amount of WAKIX that gets into your blood. The dosage of WAKIX may need to be adjusted if you are taking these medicines.

WAKIX can also decrease the effectiveness of some medicines, including hormonal birth control methods. You should use an alternative non-hormonal birth control method during treatment with WAKIX and for at least 21 days after discontinuation of treatment.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women who are exposed to WAKIX during pregnancy. You are encouraged to enroll in the WAKIX pregnancy registry if you become pregnant while taking WAKIX. To enroll or obtain information from the registry, call 1-800-833-7460.

The safety and effectiveness of WAKIX have not been established in patients less than 18 years of age.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You can also report negative side effects to Harmony Biosciences at 1-800-833-7460.

Please see Full Prescribing Information.

For more information about living with narcolepsy, visit WAKIX.com/living-with-narcolepsy.

WAKIX is a registered trademark of Bioprojet Europe, Ltd.
© 2022 Harmony Biosciences. All rights reserved.
US-WAK-2200230/Dec 2022

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The prenatal guide for the role of nutrition in your feeding decisions

2023-01-13T08:01:00

(BPT) – You’ve just gotten the news – you’re going to be a parent! As you start researching what is to come, you realize there are countless choices to be made – including feeding decisions and a nutrition plan for your baby. As a registered dietitian, pediatric nutrition specialist, certified lactation counselor and Enfamil’s Nutrition Expert, Alayne Gatto’s passion is working with new mothers and fathers, and supporting them in the care of their infants. She offers the following tips for new parents:

You are entering a new chapter in your life. And throughout the prenatal journey, feeding choices are constant and vast, from choosing if you are providing breastmilk, infant formula or both, to reading about which specific nutrients are most important in your diet as a lactating mother or found in an infant formula. You also may feel a bit uncertain if you are making the right decisions because it is a time where you start to think about how the decisions you make may end up impacting this new baby that is about to enter your world. Just know that every baby is different and that your feeding plans may change once they are born.

For now, it may be best to start with asking yourself, “What are my infant feeding goals?” Are they to:

  • Exclusively breastfeed
  • Breastfeed and supplement with formula until you establish a full breastmilk supply
  • Provide a combination of feeding –
    • on the breast and formula OR
    • pumped breastmilk and formula
  • Exclusively formula feed

And after establishing your goal, you need to think about the tools and resources needed to support your goal. Review the following checklist in your months leading up to baby’s arrival:

Remember to:

  • Ask about your lactation support.
    • During your prenatal doctor visits, ask about lactation support available at their office, your birthing hospital or in the community.
  • Find out which breast pump is covered by insurance.
    • Breast pumps can be expensive. Call your insurance company to find out which breast pump will be covered, and how you should go about obtaining it.
  • Discuss feeding times with your partner and/or support system.
    • Discuss the feeding schedule that works for you, who will be feeding the baby during the day versus nighttime. Defining your schedule will help manage stress as roles are established.

And, if applicable:

  • Find out about your maternity leave and pumping policies.
    • Reach out to the human resources department to obtain specifics about your maternity leave and the policy regarding a break and private space for pumping breastmilk to make your return-to-work transition much more smooth.
  • Research the right formula for you and your child.
    • Choose which infant formula brand you can trust to provide clinically backed nutrition your baby needs.
    • A reputable infant formula brand should list the ingredients and their amounts, as well as the science behind how their products support baby’s development.
  • Research feeding resources.
    • If you are enrolled in your state WIC® (Women, Infant and Children’s) program, ask what feeding support resources they have available to pregnant and postpartum women.

For those of you who made the informed decision to supplement your breastmilk with formula or use formula as the source of your baby’s nutrition, it is important to look for nutrients such as Omega 3-DHA for brain and eye development and other nutrients found in breastmilk, like 2-FL Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), and Prebiotics that support immune health when you are choosing your infant formula. These ingredients are also found in Enfamil’s family of formulas, the #1 infant formula brand trusted by pediatricians (among those with a preference) and parents, with the global expert-recommended amount of brain-building Omega-3 DHA.

“And don’t forget, we often try to plan ahead with great intentions, but even if things don’t go as planned in your feeding journey, all that matters is that you’re doing your best,” Gatto said. “Hug them, kiss them and safely feed them – as this all shows your love to your new baby!”

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Visit Arkansas: Explore 5 destinations along the Civil Rights Trail

2023-01-12T09:01:00

(BPT) – The U.S. Civil Rights Trail, which now celebrates its fifth anniversary, has more than 100 locations across 15 states that follow the battle for civil rights over the years. In Arkansas, most of the locations on the trail can be found within ten minutes of one another in downtown Little Rock. Check out these five Civil Rights Trail destinations within your reach in Little Rock.

1. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

In September 1957, Little Rock Central High School became a crucial battleground for desegregation as nine Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, enrolled at the all-white high school. Governor Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to prevent them from attending. In response, President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the National Guard and sent in federal troops to escort the students to class.

In 2007, to mark the 50th anniversary of the school’s desegregation, a visitor center was opened, making it the only functioning high school in the U.S. to be located within the boundary of a National Historic Site. The permanent exhibits feature interactive displays, interviews with the Little Rock Nine and historical video clips that cover the events of 1957 and the greater civil rights movement.

2. Daisy Bates House

During the Little Rock Integration Crisis, the home of Arkansas NAACP President Daisy Bates became a command post and sanctuary for the Little Rock Nine. The house functioned as the headquarters for military and civilians engaged in racial desegregation at Little Rock Central High School, including Thurgood Marshall, who later became a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. Little Rock Nine Memorial

“Testament: The Little Rock Nine Monument” honors the courageous nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School. Located on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol, visitors can see bronze sculptures of the Little Rock Nine — Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown and Thelma Mothershed — and read comments from each on individual bronze plaques.

4. Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is located on historic 9th Street in downtown Little Rock. This street was a cultural mecca for the African American community and was home to many vibrant businesses in the early to mid 1900s. Mosaic Templars tells the stories of those African American innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders who fought for racial integration in the state. The Center offers self-guided and guided tours.

5. Clinton Presidential Center

The library at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park features exhibits that chronicle the life and presidency of the nation’s 42nd president. Among those exhibits are pieces of history associated with the integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1957. In 1997, then President Clinton appeared at the school and threw open the front doors inviting the Little Rock Nine inside. A year later in 1998, President Clinton signed legislation establishing Little Rock Central High School as a National Historic Site.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, history buff or curious traveler, visiting the Arkansas leg of the Civil Rights Trail won’t be a trip you’ll soon forget. To learn more about the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, visit https://civilrightstrail.com/destination/little-rock/.