Month: February 2024

2024-02-26T07:31:00

(BPT) – In 2020, Cassandra was making the most out of her full, busy life. At age 60, her active social calendar included spending plenty of time with friends and family, especially her three grown children. The last thing she expected was for all of this to be disrupted.

Thinking back, Cassandra remembers happily browsing a garage sale one weekend when she felt something on her back. “It was a very painful bump that felt like a spider bite,” she recalled. “After twenty-four hours, the bump had risen, and I was in a lot of pain.”

But it was no spider bite, and it only got worse. After two days when the pain became unbearable, she contacted her doctor.

The diagnosis? Cassandra had shingles.

What is shingles?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a common disease, in fact, an estimated one million people develop shingles annually in the United States.[1]

After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant inside their body and can reactivate years later, causing shingles.[2] Shingles usually begins as a painful, blistering rash on one side of the face or body.[3] This debilitating disease has the potential to keep you from living your everyday life for several weeks.[4]

“Shingles is not just an ordinary rash,” explained pharmacist and GSK medical educator Dr. Leah Smith. “Because of the intense discomfort that can come with it, shingles can keep you from doing everyday activities like working and socializing. Having shingles can be an isolating and painful experience.”

Who may be impacted by shingles?

Adults 50 years and older are at an increased risk for shingles. In fact, 99% of adults 50 years and older already have the virus that causes shingles inside their body, and it can reactivate at any time, even though not everyone at risk will develop shingles.[5]

The immune system naturally declines with age, beginning around age 50, making people more susceptible to developing shingles as they get older.[6] According to a survey performed by GSK, 86% of people 50 years and older may think that shingles won’t impact them; however, that may not be the case.[7]

For Cassandra, despite feeling like a well-versed health advocate, she was still unaware of how her age increased her risk for shingles. “Awareness is the key factor here. So many people that I talked to, so many people that responded to my experience, said that they really weren’t aware of the impact that shingles can have,” she added.

Are there other potential effects shingles can have?

While shingles can be a painful experience that can disrupt a person’s life for multiple weeks at a time,[4] the disease can also lead to long-term, debilitating complications that can last for months or even years.[8]

“People may experience long-lasting pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) — the most common complication of shingles. Two years later and Cassandra is still feeling pain due to PHN,” Dr. Smith noted.

The pain from PHN can be debilitating, persistent, and may impact daily life.[9] “I still feel some long-lasting pain regularly, which sits right beneath the surface of my upper layer of skin, just lingering,” Cassandra added.

What can you do to help prevent shingles and thrive?

Cassandra, who started documenting and sharing her shingles experience since it began, advocates for people 50 and over to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about their risk for shingles, and about vaccination. “I want people to be aware of shingles and feel empowered to speak with their healthcare providers about their risk.”

Cassandra joined GSK’s THRIVE@50+ campaign, a national public health initiative to educate people about their risk of shingles due to natural aging of the immune system and the impact the disease can have on everyday life. “The manner in which I thrive from day to day is quite simple. On a daily basis, I wake and give ‘thanks’ sincerely for the opportunity to face, challenge, or create something in spite of my experience with shingles. I’m enjoying life at an age that is beyond 50 plus, and I know that there’s so much more out there for me,” Cassandra added.

This Shingles Awareness Week, from February 26-March 3, GSK is encouraging candid conversations about shingles and its associated risk to help empower adults 50 years and older to continue thriving.

“It’s important to understand your risk for shingles,” said Dr. Smith. “Talk to your doctor or pharmacist today about your shingles risk and about vaccination.”

To learn more about your risk for shingles, visit the THRIVE@50+ Facebook page.

Cassandra was compensated by GSK for her participation. This is one person’s experience; other people’s experience with shingles may be different.

[1] CDC. Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview.html

[2] CDC About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Cause and Transmission. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/transmission.html

[3] CDC. Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Signs & Symptoms Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html

[4] Infectious Diseases and Therapy. A Cross-Sectional Concept Elicitation Study to Understand the Impact of Herpes Zoster on Patients’ Health-Related Quality of Life. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34994924/

[5] CDC. About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Available at https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html

[6] CDC. Five Things You Should Know About Shingles. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/5-things-you-should-know.html

[7] Pollfish on behalf of GSK. Shingles Misconceptions Survey (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Portugal, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States). Data on file. 2023.

[8] CDC. About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). Complications of Shingles. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/complications.html

[9] European Journal of Neurology. Post-herpetic neuralgia case study: optimizing pain control. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0552.2004.00794.x

2024-02-26T08:33:00

(BPT) – The idea of giving your home a thorough cleaning each spring is very appealing, but can also be overwhelming. It may even seem impossible, given today’s busy lifestyles, active children — and especially pets. You may love your pets, but the fur and stains they leave behind make it even more challenging to keep your home as clean as you’d like.

To get you started, the experts at Libman Company, manufacturer of household cleaning products made in the U.S.A. since 1896, offer these helpful spring cleaning tips that can even conquer the messes your beloved pets may create.

1. Plan first

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, develop a plan that takes into account the time, energy and tools you need to get the job done.

Consider setting aside a weekend or two, so you’ll have plenty of time. Divide your home into zones, addressing the most frequently used areas of your home first, like the entryway, kitchen or bathrooms. Make sure to enlist help from your family!

Pro tip: For multi-story homes, have a set of cleaning supplies/equipment on each floor, saving you from lugging mops and brooms up and down stairs.

2. Use the best tools

Trying to clean with old, worn-out brooms or mops adds time and frustration to your task. Instead, make cleaning easier with tools expertly made for the job.

For example, Libman’s PetPlus Angle Broom with Dustpan is specially designed to tackle pet hair, dander, litter box dust and tracked-in dirt. The all-surface broom fibers remove over 99% of dust, dirt and hair in one sweep, with over 137,000 6-inch-long split-tip fibers that attract and hold pet hair. Together with the 12.5-inch wide dustpan with 1.5-inch built-in “teeth” to help remove hair, dirt and debris from broom fibers, this is the perfect combo to help you clean up after pets.

After sweeping, clean floors thoroughly with Libman’s Freedom Dual-Sided Microfiber Spray Mop. The dual-sided microfiber pad offers double the cleaning power, saving time and money. The removable and reusable microfiber pad is machine washable up to 50 times — reducing needless waste. The TripleGrip Microfiber absorbs and deep cleans, removing 99% of bacteria with only water. The mop’s 360-degree swivel neck lets you reach into the toughest and tightest corners, and you can use it on wood, laminate, tile, vinyl, stone and linoleum floors, choosing your own cleaning solution for the refillable tank. When done cleaning, simply remove the mop head and toss in the laundry.

For carpeted floors and upholstered furniture, use a vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair. Make sure to frequently empty the canister or change the bag, as fur quickly clogs up any vacuum, making it less effective.

3. Do a quick de-clutter

It’s easier to address chores like mopping and dusting after clearing away miscellaneous items. Walk through target areas with trash/recycling bags first, removing items that need to be discarded. Then use a box or basket to collect things that belong in other rooms. Kids can help with this task, looking for items that belong in their rooms. Before you know it, your surfaces will be clearer and ready for deep cleaning.

4. Start high

Start cleaning at the top — otherwise you could dislodge dust, pet hair and cobwebs to dirty your newly cleaned floors. For each room, tackle ceiling fans or light fixtures before walls or windows. Then clean horizontal surfaces like tables and shelves, saving floors for last.

Once you get to the floors, you’ll be ready to put your new Libman broom and mop to work to easily remove pet hair and other debris.

5. Set yourself up for success

To preserve your newly cleaned rooms and floors, consider adding high-quality mats for inside and outside entries, easy-to-access waste bins or recycling containers and/or a basket system for items that need relocating. Planning ahead will make next season’s cleaning that much easier!

Pro tip: Designate an area for regular pet brushing (or visit a groomer), especially during shedding seasons. This can reduce the fur ending up all over your house, and will keep your pets looking and feeling great.

With a solid plan and effective tools, spring cleaning can be a pleasure, and your whole family — including the four-legged members — will enjoy the results even more.

Visit Libman.com for more helpful products for cleaning your home.

2024-02-23T13:57:00

(BPT) – As a health care navigator at UnitedHealthcare, John wears many hats. Some days are spent helping members locate physicians in their area or better understanding their benefits, while others are filled with questions about billing. But providing the support members need often means looking beyond claims or copays to other issues impacting health — ones that aren’t always seen as health care issues.

John recalls one member he worked with earlier this year whose largest obstacle was housing. Operating with a disability and on a single income, he struggled to navigate local programs designed to help people like him address housing challenges.

“So I did some research, calling county and local offices to get information that might best fit his needs,” John says.

He soon facilitated a conference call with the member and a neighborhood housing service in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to help him get “mortgage ready” and into stable housing. At the end of that call, the member told John, “You made my hero of the day list.”

The impact of social drivers

Nearly 10% of Americans 65 years or older face food insecurity,^[1] and between 2021 and 2022 the poverty rate for older adults increased from 10.7% to 14.1%, reflecting greater overall economic insecurity for American seniors.^[2]

In response, the health care system is paying much closer attention to the overall impact of these social factors.

“For a long time, health care was focused on acute and chronic illnesses, as well as an episodic model for how we manage specific conditions,” said Dr. Alexander Billioux, chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Community and State and also responsible for leading the company’s population health and social care efforts. “We’re now taking a more holistic view, where we can improve health by thinking about the context in which people live their lives.”

“That,” he said, “is really where the social care component comes in.”

Dr. Billioux adds that while traditional Medicare is not really set up for identifying social needs or addressing them, managed care – and Medicare Advantage in particular – has that flexibility.

Making meaningful connections to meet social needs

Turning data into action is where UnitedHealthcare has made great strides over the past few years. In 2022 alone, the company screened 4.7 million Medicare Advantage enrollees for social needs using an approach that included health risk assessments; phone calls; in-person visits; and analysis of surveys, claims and administrative data. Of those screened, UnitedHealthcare identified 2 million enrollees with unmet social needs that could be impacting their health.^[3]

But identifying these needs was just the first step. Using individualized outreach tactics—dictated by members’ noted preferences—UnitedHealthcare contacted 1 million people who said they wanted help, and from there made 2.3 million social-needs referrals to various national and regional social services programs.

Ultimately, UnitedHealthcare verified that 853,000 Medicare Advantage enrollees were connected to services and supports that addressed a social need. And the result wasn’t just a step toward better health, but also meaningful cost savings for these individuals. In 2023, the company is expanding its outreach efforts and expects to screen more than 5.5 million members—driving even more connections to important support services for those in need.

“We’re taking those extra steps by telling members these programs exist, as well as contacting, coordinating and advocating,” Billioux says. “People who have had long exposure to the health system might think that no one is paying attention to these social drivers. So we’re working hard to try and change that, because we really are here to help.”

Added John, “I love having the opportunity to help our members; I want to be that person.”

To learn more about how UnitedHealthcare’s holistic medical and social support model is identifying and addressing the needs of millions of people each year, access the research brief on UnitedHealthGroup.com.

2024-02-23T10:01:01

(BPT) – Does it seem like your kids are busier and more stressed than ever? With an average school day of seven hours and two hours of homework on top of that, a jam-packed schedule of extracurriculars, the constant barrage of social media, the ever-present digital world, academic pressures, and more, no doubt kids have a lot on their plates. And some days, all of those plates are spinning at once. How is it affecting them? Two recent surveys shed some light on that.

In their 2023 Parenting in America Today survey, Pew Research found 76% of parents are somewhat or very worried about their child’s mental health and well-being. JAMA Pediatrics reported a 27% increase in childhood depression in 2022.

How can parents help turn those numbers around? Stepping back from the hubbub and focusing on experiences that will nourish your child is a great way to do that. But it doesn’t have to mean a lifestyle overhaul. A little change can go a long way. Here are five simple ideas to help you improve your child’s well-being.

Call for a digital detox. According to the CDC, children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an incredible 7.5 hours in front of screens on any given day. The benefits of limiting that time are nearly endless. It promotes creativity, improves face-to-face interaction, reduces eye strain, lessens anxiety, reduces exposure to cyberbullying — the list goes on and on. How to wrestle the phone or tablet out of your child’s hands? To start, make a “no screens at the dinner table” rule, which can promote conversation, and limit screen time for an hour before bed. And about bedtime…

Make sure they get enough rest. Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. One way to help your child get the rest they need is by requiring them to keep their phones out of their rooms at bedtime. This can be a struggle for adults, too. One way to do it: designate a central area in your home where everyone’s phone charges and spends the night.

Promote physical activity. If your child participates in extracurricular sports, this may not be a worry in your household. If not, encourage more activity. It can be as simple as a family walk after dinner. It’s a great time to talk with your child about their day, hear what’s happening in their world, and get your steps in, too!

Give them some autonomy. Study after study has shown that helicopter parenting, while well-intentioned, leads to anxiety and even depression in kids. A little independence goes a long way. Giving your kids the opportunity to spread their wings a bit allows them to become more self-reliant and gives them assurance that you have confidence in them.

Get them out of their comfort zones. Find an experience for your kids that’s outside of school, fosters independence, pushes the envelope a little, and allows them to grow. Learning a new skill or mastering a challenge can do wonders for a child’s self-esteem.

A great way to accomplish all these is to consider sending your child to sleepaway camp during the summer, says Brooke Cheley Klebe, whose great-grandfather Frank H. Cheley started Cheley Colorado Camps in 1921. A century ago, it was Frank’s dream to provide an opportunity for kids to get away from the city into a beautiful outdoor setting, learn the ways of the woods, and develop a spiritual awareness from living in nature. They’ve been helping youth experience the great outdoors ever since. Brooke has seen firsthand the transformation that this type of experience can have on young people.

“Summer camp offers for kids the unique ability to step out of their daily routines and connect with the natural world, free from screens,” she says. “At Cheley, our campers express how the camp experience changes them, and helps them feel more solid, focused, and engaged with life. By disconnecting from their devices, camp is a place where they can slow down, embrace new experiences, and truly connect. It’s where they find a sense of belonging.”

And these days, what kid doesn’t need that?

2024-02-22T08:01:00

(BPT) – Ditch the boring broccoli and say hello to a purple powerhouse! Want to spice up your salads beyond the usual suspects? Then buckle up, veggie adventurer, because we’re about to embark on a journey to the unexplored territories of your taste buds!

Grow your own rainbow of rare veggies right in your backyard (or even on your balcony or fire escape). It’s easier than a bunny hopping over a carrot patch, and before you know it, you’ll be harvesting culinary wonders you never thought possible.

So, ditch the same old, same old and get ready to spice up your dinner plate with these unusual edible gems from National Garden Bureau.

Avalanche beets. Do you have a non-beet-lover in your household? This may be the beet to win them over. The Avalanche has a mild, sweet flavor with no reddish color and no bitter taste. It’s even delicious raw! This mild beet is easy to grow, and will be ready to eat in just 50 days or so. Providing vitamins B and C and fiber, this tasty beet deserves a try!

Prism peppers. Perfect for deck or container gardeners, these clever peppers produce multi-color sweet peppers on one plant. They are sized between a mini and standard bell pepper, and full of vitamin C and potassium. Prism peppers are a beautiful addition to your garden and your dinner plate.

Red Impact peppers. The Lamuyo variety of peppers are difficult to grow until now — enter the game-changing Red Impact. This pepper is packed with vitamin C and potassium, is sweeter than other varieties and is very easy to grow, even for the novice gardener.

Purple Magic broccoli. Called a “showstopper,” this beautiful deep purple vegetable is easy to grow, sweeter and more tender than traditional broccoli, and can be eaten raw, stir-fried, roasted, lightly blanched or steamed. It’s full of vitamin C, potassium and fiber, too.

Peas ‘N’ Pod Bernard pea. These unique petite shelling peas have afila tendrils, which means the vines stick together, keeping the pods off the ground. Ideal for containers or small gardens, it produces beautiful white flowers when it blooms. Pop these peas into salads or side dishes. They’re a great source of vitamin C and fiber.

Shiso Ohba. Versatile and citrus-y, shiso ohba has a bright flavor with a hint of anise and is often used in Asian cooking. But it’s also great added to salads and soups, much like you’d use basil. High in calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin C, shiso ohba can even be used to make tea!

Sweet Jade Kabocha squash. This small, single-serving squash is green on the outside, deep orange on the inside. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber, and has a sweet, dry and earthy taste. It’s delicious baked, roasted or pureed. It’s so cute, why not use it for an edible soup bowl?

Black Falcon sorghum. The cone-shaped heads are adorned with beautiful glossy black blooms and will “wow” any garden. A great source of protein, use sorghum like quinoa or rice. For a fun treat, make “popcorn,” just like you would with regular popcorn on the stove or in a brown paper bag in the microwave.

So, what are you waiting for? This year, ditch the supermarket sameness and cultivate your own rainbow of deliciousness! Every bite will be an adventure for your taste buds, and you’ll be the proud plant parent of a veggie masterpiece. Shop online for seeds through one of the National Garden Bureau’s members, or visit your favorite local garden retailer. For more information about these and other great veggies to grow at home this year, visit the National Garden Bureau website.

2024-02-22T09:01:00

(BPT) – When an unwelcome sickness or ailment creeps up, your home becomes both a sanctuary and a battlefield in the fight against sickness. Yet, recent research conducted by MDLIVE, an Evernorth company and leading virtual care provider, suggests many U.S. workers may be unknowingly engaging in activities that are hindering their recovery process.

“It’s easy to overlook the subtle ways in which our sick day habits can impede our path to wellness, especially when we’re distracted by our daily responsibilities or the physical symptoms of sickness,” notes Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, Associate Chief Medical Officer at MDLIVE. “However, navigating the road to feeling better when sick at home requires more than just rest; it involves adopting a holistic approach to self-care.”

Dr. Roundtree sheds light on the common missteps many people make during recovery efforts and offers expert advice on avoiding these pitfalls for a quicker and more effective healing process.

1. You take a hygiene hiatus.

According to the survey, more than half of respondents (52%) put their regular hygiene habits on hold, including showering, skin care and even brushing their teeth. However, maintaining personal hygiene is crucial when you’re sick, not only to thwart the spread of illness to others and improve mental well-being but also to help prevent additional health problems for yourself. Bacteria thrive and grow when you’re sick, and neglecting oral hygiene, for example, can accelerate bacterial and plaque growth, heightening the risk of dental issues.

2. You bail on a balanced diet.

Whether you avoid certain foods, overindulge with less-than-healthy foods, or simply don’t eat altogether when sick, ignoring nutritional needs can delay your body’s ability to heal promptly. Remember, vitamin C and chicken soup are merely supportive players rather than miracle cures. Instead, boosting your immune system’s response effectively comes from a more balanced approach to nutrition. A diet filled with nutrient-rich foods is the fuel your body needs to fight off illness. Hydration is equally important; drinking plenty of fluids helps flush out toxins and keeps your mucous membranes moist, aiding in the recovery process.

3. You worry over work.

Given the many work obligations and responsibilities, it’s natural to try and power through sickness. However, the stress of working while sick can delay recovery more than most realize. Surprisingly, the mental stress from work can directly impact your physical health by increasing cortisol levels, which in turn can suppress immune function, making you susceptible to longer recovery times or, worse, secondary infections. Taking the necessary time to recover can prevent longer-term health issues and ensure you return to work at full capacity, ultimately supporting a healthier, more productive work environment.

4. You’re all rest, no rally.

While rest is essential, particularly in the initial stages of illness, incorporating light to moderate activities can be beneficial for both physical and mental health. In fact, studies have found that exercise, when experiencing an infection or sickness, may not only be safe but could also reduce the severity of symptoms and the number of sick days needed as a result. Of course, it’s essential to listen to your body and consult a doctor to help tailor an appropriate balance between rest and activity for your individual needs.

5. You dodge a doctor’s diagnosis.

When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is pull yourself out of the house to a doctor’s office, battling the aches, pains, and fatigue that often accompany illness. In fact, 72% agree that the effort to spend even part of a sick day at the doctor’s office is more of a hassle than it’s worth, likely due to the time commitment and inconvenience it brings. However, consulting a doctor when sick is crucial for faster, proper recovery. Many conditions, particularly common or mild illnesses, can be effectively diagnosed through telehealth appointments from the comfort of your own home. This approach significantly cuts down on the hassle associated with travel and waiting in a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic with other sick people. Telehealth can serve as a convenient option for getting the care you need, with doctors recommending in-person follow-ups when necessary.

In the fight against sickness, knowledge and action are your greatest allies. The journey back to health is not just about overcoming the immediate symptoms but nurturing your overall well-being so that your days spent under the weather are as few and far between as possible.

2024-02-21T13:01:00

(BPT) – With many exciting games underway, it’s never too late to start planning a watch party that’s sure to be remembered. Watch parties are a great way to get the family together so you can bond over your favorite sports and spend quality time together.

If you haven’t hosted a game day watch party, there’s no need to stress. With these four hacks, you’ll be taking the W at the end of the night!

1. Decorations

Before everyone arrives, you’ve got to set the vibe. No matter which team (or player) you stan, find or make decorations and represent! Hang up flags and banners, print out pictures of your fave players and centerpieces that match the sport. Get your besties in on the fun! Encourage them to wear team colors or jerseys and bring sports-related accessories so you can serve looks while your team slays.

2. Snacks

You shouldn’t be the only snack at your watch party! Cheering on your team can work up an appetite, so serve a variety of foods to help keep everyone fueled. According to the Frito-Lay Snack index, “80% agree that combining multiple food products to create the perfect bite is an art form.” If you’re looking for the perfect bite of bold and iconic flavors, pick up the new Jack Link’s^® Fritos^® Chili Cheese flavored Beef Jerky, Meat Sticks and Cheese Stick & Meat Combos.

Take your game day snacks to the next level by stocking up on the new Jack Link’s Fritos Chili Cheese or Jack Link’s Flamin’ Hot flavored Cheese & Meat Combos, made with jalapeno cheese for a savory, bold flavor. To learn more about this collaboration, the flavors and where to find them near you, visit jacklinksfritolay.com.

3. Drinks

Screaming for your favorite team can be fun but exhausting for your vocal cords. Prepare some drinks that pair well with your snacks and keep you hydrated as your team scores point after point. You can even create your own drinks named after your favorite players, teams or events. It may seem a bit extra, but sipping on a themed beverage just hits different.

4. Breaks

Even when watching fast-paced sports, there’s a lot of downtime during game day. Fill time with fun games, trivia and more.

Before the game starts, have everyone make predictions about which team will take the win. During breaks, update the prediction board to see who’s winning the prize. Speaking of prizes, make sure they are fun prizes like sports gear or a gag trophy for the winners, although bragging rights are just as important!

If you know, you know. Using these four tips, you’ll throw a watch party so epic that your besties will call you the Game Day G.O.A.T.

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