Month: February 2025

2025-02-04T08:01:00

(BPT) – Does the phrase “root canal” make you feel uneasy and anxious? Root canal treatments have an unfairly earned bad reputation. Misinformation and misconceptions give a false impression that root canals are painful, dangerous and unnecessary. Root canal myths may cause patients to question the safety of this endodontic procedure and put off necessary treatment.

The truth is that root canal treatments are effective and safe. The longer you postpone treatment, the more you risk the chance to save your teeth. If you’re unsure about undergoing a root canal procedure, check out these debunked myths about this necessary endodontic treatment.

Myth: Root canal procedures are painful — FALSE

Fact: Thanks to technological advances and anesthetics, root canals are not painful. In fact, the pain from severe toothaches — stemming from damaged tissues in the tooth — is the real culprit behind the affliction that warrants the need for this treatment. During a root canal treatment, an endodontist can remove the damaged tissues quickly and comfortably.

Myth: If my tooth doesn’t hurt, I don’t need a root canal — FALSE

Fact: A common sign that you may need a root canal treatment is a persistent, throbbing toothache. However, you may have infected or damaged tooth pulp and experience no pain. An endodontist is trained to test a tooth for damage whether or not you feel pain.

Myth: It’s better to extract a tooth — FALSE

Fact: A prevalent misconception about dental work is that removing an affected tooth is the best course of treatment. However, your natural teeth are worth saving. Your teeth are a gateway to nutrition and a signifier of your overall good health.

Endodontists are experts in saving teeth. They receive additional specialized training to diagnose and perform root canal treatments. As a result, endodontic treatment has a high success rate and many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime.

Increasingly, dentistry is trending conservative, which means it is favoring treatment approaches that aim to preserve as much of the natural tooth structure as possible while addressing the patient’s needs. The focus is on minimal intervention, using techniques that prioritize tooth preservation and long-term function over more invasive procedures.

Myth: Root canals are dangerous and cause systemic diseases — FALSE

Fact: You may have read that root canal treatments are dangerous and increase your risk of becoming ill or contracting a systemic disease in the future. This false claim is based on outdated, poorly designed research. There is no valid scientific evidence linking root canal treatments with disease in other parts of the body.

According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), about 25 million new endodontic treatments, including root canals, are performed each year safely and effectively. Several peer-reviewed research studies over the last century support the safety and efficacy of root canal treatments.

Don’t take a wait-and-see approach to your dental health. Now that you know the truth about root canal treatments, you can make informed decisions about your dental health. Visit findmyendodontist.com to find a specialist near you so you can preserve your teeth.

2025-02-03T07:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, weekend warrior or just love activities that get your heart racing, you may discover exercise can affect your skin.

But for those living with moderate-to-severe eczema, there are extra considerations. This disease is characterized by recurring symptoms including intense itching and dry, irritated rashes that can crack or ooze. For many people living with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema, much of their lives can be spent coping with nearly constant signs and symptoms that can persist through everyday life and can be especially bothersome as they stay active.

How can exercise be tough on your skin?

There are a few reasons. Namely, when you exercise, you typically sweat. When exercising outdoors, you may also be exposed to allergens, dry air, weather elements and pollution. And, certain fabrics may rub against your skin as you work out. These factors can all potentially worsen eczema signs and symptoms, and being mindful of them is key.

“Changes in weather, including going in and out of frigid outdoor air and heated indoor air, plus stress can all affect your moderate-to-severe eczema,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anabelle Garcia. “Tracking instances when you have a flare-up can help identify what irritates your skin, so you can better manage your disease.”

Tips for staying active with her moderate-to-severe eczema

Beyond knowing what worsens your signs and symptoms (such as not wearing certain fabrics or using scent-free products), here are some tips to help manage your moderate-to-severe eczema while exercising:

• Stay hydrated
• Exercise in cool environments
• Bathe or shower after exercising
• Keep skin moisturized
• Try lower impact workouts

How a pro athlete copes with her moderate-to-severe eczema

All-star basketball player Diana Taurasi has been living with moderate-to-severe eczema since her college days, when she first noticed symptoms like rashes on her arms and hands. In partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron for the Eczactly Like Me program, Taurasi is speaking up about the challenges this disease can bring — on and off the court.

“Throughout the years, I’d often be thinking about my moderate-to-severe eczema,” said Taurasi. “As an athlete, my skin is often exposed, and I’m in this cycle of sweating, showering and drying off — all things that could irritate my skin. It was a struggle to find things that would help relieve the intense itch and rashes.”

She continues: “After the team warmup before games, all the starters take their jackets off and my eczema could be seen; I couldn’t hide it,” she recalled. “It was something I was almost constantly dealing with.”

Other activities outside of basketball were tough on Taurasi’s skin too.

“Even when relaxing with my wife and kids on vacation, I’d still be dealing with my eczema,” remembered Taurasi. “I’d sometimes avoid certain things that could irritate my skin like going to the pool or beach or wearing short sleeves in the heat, as that would be tough on my skin.”

Finding treatment that works for her

Taurasi tried her best to identify what factors aggravated her skin the most and worked with her dermatologist to try different prescription topical treatments, but her eczema still wasn’t well controlled.

Eventually, her doctor recommended she try Dupixent (dupilumab), a biologic treatment option for people ages 6 months and older with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.

Dupixent works by helping to block a key source of inflammation inside the body, to help reduce itch and rashes. It is the only biologic medicine approved to treat uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema from infancy to adulthood.

Since starting Dupixent, Taurasi reported experiencing clearer skin and less itch.

“Now that I’ve found Dupixent, it has helped me get my signs and symptoms under control,” said Taurasi. “I spent so much time and energy dealing with my eczema, looking for something out there that could work for me. I am happy to be enjoying spending time and doing activities with my wife and kids, without being as worried about my eczema. While everyone’s experience is different, I am grateful to have found something that works for me.”

Dupixent can help adult patients with moderate-to-severe eczema achieve clearer skin and less itch. In two clinical trials at 16 weeks, adults on Dupixent saw clear or almost clear skin (37% versus 9% not on Dupixent) and had significant itch reduction (38% versus 11% not on Dupixent). Individual results may vary.

The most common side effects include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).

Advice for others “eczactly” like Taurasi

Taurasi wants others experiencing symptoms and who are feeling “eczactly” like her to know they’re not alone and not to lose hope.

“If you have uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema, don’t give up — there are others out there that can relate to what you’re going through. Do your research, talk to a dermatologist about treatment options, and be an advocate for yourself.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema and topical prescription treatments aren’t controlling your eczema well, talk to your doctor about exploring other options that may be right for you.

Visit ShowUpAD.com to read more stories like Taurasi’s and about Dupixent (dupilumab).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION & INDICATION

Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT^®.

Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have eye problems.
• have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
• are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
  • A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or if you have atopic dermatitis and asthma and use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your other medicines, including corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine, without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by those medicines to come back.

DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
• Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an eye exam if needed.
• Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.

The most common side effects in patients with eczema include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, dry eye, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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.

Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.

INDICATION

DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.

US.DUP.24.08.0259

2025-02-03T07:25:00

(BPT) – Your vision is a vital part of how you experience the world, like seeing vibrant colors and the details of daily life, and protecting it is of the utmost importance.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can potentially lead to vision loss or blindness. While an AMD diagnosis can be a scary thought, there are ways to help reduce the risk of progression of the condition. Here’s what you need to know this AMD Awareness Month.

What is AMD?

AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50, affecting approximately 16 million Americans. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision needed for activities like reading, driving and recognizing faces. As a progressive condition, AMD can impair central vision over time.

Steps to Help Reduce AMD Progression

While there is not a cure for AMD or a way to reverse its damage, people can take steps to help reduce their risk of progression:

1. Get an Annual Eye Exam (Including Eye Dilation)
   AMD often has no early symptoms, making annual eye exams important for early detection. A comprehensive dilated eye exam allows doctors to see the back of the eye where AMD occurs. If diagnosed, work with your eye care professional to monitor changes and create a plan to help preserve your sight.
2. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
   Although some factors are beyond our control, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help. This includes:

• • Eating a diet rich in leafy greens and fish
  • Maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
  • Staying active and exercising regularly
  • Quitting smoking

3. Consider Nutritional Supplements
   Your eye doctor may recommend a nutritional supplement to help reduce the risk of AMD progression. Clinical studies spanning over two decades from the National Eye Institute (NEI) found that a specific combination of vitamins and minerals can reduce the risk of progression and vision loss in people with intermediate to advanced AMD. The AREDS 2 supplement is based on this NEI-recommended clinically proven formula.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or diet.

Support and Resources

Learning about AMD for the first time can be overwhelming. While the internet offers a wealth of information, medical literature can be dense and hard to follow. Bausch + Lomb developed SightMatters.com to provide information, personalized tips, tools, cost savings on AREDS 2 formula eye vitamins, and a support network to help people understand and manage AMD. It also allows patients to create a personalized action plan to discuss with their doctor, helping them take charge of the condition and continue to see what they love each day.

Take Action Today

Taking proactive steps to protect your vision is important, especially when it comes to managing AMD. Remember, early detection through annual eye exams, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and considering nutritional AREDS 2 supplements can make a difference.

Don’t wait — schedule an appointment with your eye doctor today to discuss your eye health and create a plan to help preserve your vision. For more information and support, visit www.SightMatters.com.

© 2025 Bausch + Lomb.
BLNP.0002.USA.25

2025-02-01T07:01:00

(BPT) – February is all about matters of the heart. Of course, there’s Valentine’s Day, a time to express affection for those we love, but it’s also American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the leading cause of death in the U.S. — heart disease. Understanding the risks, as well as steps for prevention, is especially important for older adults, as the risk of heart disease increases after age 65. Lifestyle improvements like regular exercise, a balanced diet, reduced stress, and a greater focus on health can have a significant impact, not only on heart disease but on general well-being. AARP members have access to tools and benefits that make it easy to give your heart some love.

“When you take care of your heart, you take care of your whole self,” said Doug Armstrong, Vice President, Health Products at AARP Services Inc. “AARP members have access to benefits that make it easy to prioritize your own health and overall well-being, from simplifying the process of finding a physician to discovering new ways to manage and save on medications.”

1. Reduce Stress

There are many things in life that can cause us to feel stressed — finances, work, family, and even health concerns. While it may be difficult to remove stressors in your life, one thing you can easily do is adjust how you react to them. Doing so can greatly benefit your heart. Research has shown that ongoing stress increases your heart rate and can narrow blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart attack.

Finding ways to relax and calm your nerves can lower your blood pressure. For some, it may be as simple as taking a walk or trying some deep breathing techniques. For others, apps or professional help might be more effective in reducing stress.

2. Know Your Risk

Age and lifestyle are known risk factors for heart disease, but family history is as well. The best way to identify your risk and develop a plan is with a physician. Additionally, it’s a good idea to consult your physician before beginning any exercise or fitness regimen.

If you have not yet established care with a primary care physician or are searching for a new one, Oak Street Health, the only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally, and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team, and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location.

3. Stay Active

Physical activity has so many benefits, especially as you get older. It can help build stronger bones, muscles and joints, boost your mental health, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease. If you’re not regularly active, why not try something new this February? Sign up for a fitness class you’ve been considering or give pickleball a try. Join a walking group or download a fitness app. It’s recommended to get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least five times a week, which is great motivation to find some activities you enjoy. Oak Street Health offers a variety of events to help patients stay active and connected, like Zumba classes, line dancing lessons and game nights.

4. Stay on Track

Some people take medication to treat heart disease by lowering cholesterol or reducing high blood pressure. If your physician prescribes a treatment plan, it’s important to stay on track to ensure effectiveness.

But sometimes, high prescription prices make it difficult to adhere to a regimen. Luckily, AARP members have access to tools to help with savings, such as AARP^® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX^®. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more.

If your regimen requires multiple medications taken at specific times, it’s a good idea to get assistance with tracking them. Hero Smart Pill Dispenser stores, sorts and dispenses up to a 90-day supply of 10 different medications. The connected medication management app helps you manage medication routines, track your supply and understand your adherence. AARP members get exclusive savings on a Hero subscription.

5. Eat Well

A healthy, well-balanced diet is key to preventing heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and minimally processed foods can be beneficial to your overall heart health. A healthy diet also reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and certain kinds of cancer. Plus, you might find that you have even more energy as you go about your day.

Simply put, heart-healthy habits are good lifestyle habits. So, this February, give your heart some love and be well. To learn more about AARP benefits that can help you achieve your heart health goals, visit aarp.org/benefits.

AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.