Category: Brandpoint Health

2021-04-14T10:01:01

(BPT) – Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you wake up with a stiff neck, back pain, sore shoulders and more? Your mattress may be the cause. Is it older than 6-8 years, is it sagging (taco bed affect), or is it full of bed bugs (especially if you haven’t been using a good mattress protector)? It’s time to invest in quality sleep and say goodbye to the tossing and turning, saggy taco mattresses and waking up exhausted. Everyone deserves a good night’s rest to support mental and physical well-being, and the right mattress and adjustable base will help you get just that.

But how will you determine which mattress and base are the right fit for you? With a sea of similar sleep products touting the same benefits, shopping for a new mattress and adjustable base can be a daunting and confusing task. This is why it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure you make an informed decision you can feel good about. To make your search easier, ask the following important questions:

Is the mattress firm enough to provide support where you need it, and soft enough to be comfortable?

When shopping for the right mattress, you want the best of both worlds for ultimate comfort: a mattress that is firm and soft. You need to sleep on a firm surface so that your spine can stay in proper alignment, but you also need to have it be soft to provide pressure relief for your hips and shoulders. Gel Matrix^® mattresses by Intellibed — originally created for the medical industry to provide pressure relief for burn unit victims and immobile patients in long-term care — are the only mattresses to provide both. Unlike traditional memory foam, this revolutionary material won’t buckle even decades later, so you never have to worry about waking up in the dreaded saggy “taco mattress.” Instead of sleeping in a body cavity mold distorting your body’s natural alignment and causing your body soreness, the Gel Matrix^® core evenly distributes your weight ensuring you sleep comfortably. No more tossing and turning.

Does the mattress help you stay cool for a better night’s rest?

Do you wake up in the night sweating? Do you go to bed feeling fine and suddenly feel like you’re in a furnace? Many mattresses today are made of memory foam, which, while pliable, is notorious for retaining heat that can become uncomfortable throughout the night. Inquire about the mattress design and if it includes any features to keep you cool and comfortable. For example, Intellibed’s unique Gel Matrix^® design allows optimal airflow to keep you cool all night long.

What materials are used to make this mattress?

Is the bed made with non-toxic materials? Remember, you’re sleeping on and breathing in any microscopic compounds in the air. What’s inside does matter! Choose a mattress that utilizes components that are made from non-toxic materials during manufacturing. Gel Matrix^® is a safe non-toxic choice with no off-gassing.

What is the warranty?

Is your mattress covered for years to come? A reputable manufacturer will always give you a quality warranty. You want to know that if something goes wrong due to manufacturing error, you’re covered. Most mattresses and bases have a 10-year warranty. Intellibed, however, has an industry-leading 20-year warranty. How can they offer such a long warranty? The Gel Matrix simply does not break down like traditional foams, so you will never experience the “taco effect” of a sagging mattress. In fact, in 2020, Intellibed had a customer upgrade their original Intellibed mattress to a brand new one after 18 years! The original gel matrix had zero wear-and-tear. This means that many years after your purchase you are still getting the same consistent quality support and pressure relief, others cannot claim that.

Will the sleep solution actually help me get better sleep? What else do I need?

To get the most out of a mattress you need a compatible adjustable base. When determining which adjustable base will fit well with your selected mattress, get as much information as you can about the technology and features that will aid in a better night’s rest. Not all adjustable bases are the same.

A team of neuroscience, music therapy and sleep experts designed the Sleep Genius™ Smart Base program to activate and regulate the brain’s sleep systems for optimal mind and body wellness by delivering a variety of neuro scientifically composed music and stereo sounds that stimulate the auditory sensory systems (the only systems that continue to work while sleeping) for better sleep. The synchronized low-amplitude sounds and vibrations activate the inner ear to naturally mimic the calming experience of riding in a car or being gently rocked to sleep. While a mattress supports your body, technology like Sleep Genius prepares your mind for optimal sleep. Now, what questions should you ask yourself when selecting a base?

What’s the science behind the adjustable base?

Do you or your partner snore? Do you have lower back pain? Is it hard to find a comfortable position while reading? An adjustable base may be the solution to your problems. Remember, the research and development of a bed system speaks volumes of how well made it is and how it can help you sleep. Always ask about the science behind the bed system to learn more. For example, Intellibed’s Sleep Genius™ Smart Base was developed following NASA research to help astronauts get to sleep in space. Unlike other sleep technology on the market, this base is designed to treat sleep issues, not simply track them.

Are there additional features of the adjustable base that add value?

An adjustable base is great for reading, watching TV and much more. Some bases even have additional features that elevate the average bed to the extraordinary, such as sonic massage, personalized configurations and more. The revolutionary Sleep Genius Smart Base even elevates the entertainment experience using haptic pulse technology, allowing you to hear and feel movies, video games and music while lying in bed. Consider which features align with your lifestyle, for example, the Sleep Genius Smart Base also features programmable customized configurations, USB ports for charging devices, and connected home integration via Alexa and Google Home.

Anything else you should do?

Because the right mattress and adjustable is an investment, you want to make sure you’re making the right decision. If possible, go look at the bed in person, lie down and experience how it feels. Ask questions while in the store or directly to companies online. Additionally, research reviews and ratings. People are pretty candid about what they like and don’t like online, so internet research is a must.

You don’t want a temporary fix — you want a real solution to your sleeping problems. By asking these questions and researching all your options, you’ll find a mattress and an adjustable base that will help you sleep better than you have in years! No more soreness, numbness, tossing and turning or sweating — just great sleep you need to feel your absolute best.

2021-04-13T20:33:48

(BPT) – You probably know that tracking your cycle can boost your odds of conceiving. Or that taking a prenatal vitamin can improve your baby’s health.

But did you know obesity can make it harder to get pregnant and have a healthy baby?

Women with obesity may have preeclampsia, hypertension, gestational diabetes or may need a cesarean section, for example. Their babies are at greater risk for problems such as birth defects, preterm birth and stillbirth.

If you have obesity, know that you’re not alone—more than 40% of American women are considered overweight, obese or severely obese. Darrin Hansen, M.D., FACS, of General Surgery & Utah Lap-Band in Salt Lake City, Utah, offers the following information on taking charge of your reproductive health:

Taking Charge of Obesity—And Your Reproductive Health

The good news: losing weight can boost fertility and lower the risk of problems in pregnancy and childbirth. If you have severe obesity, weight-loss surgery is the only reliable way to lose a lot of weight and keep it off.

One type of surgery in particular—the Lap-Band^® Procedure—is a safe, effective and less invasive surgical option for weight loss. During this procedure, an adjustable band is placed around your upper stomach to limit how much food you eat and help you feel full.

The Lap-Band is well-tolerated in pregnancy and doesn’t result in complications for moms and babies. It’s ideal for women with a body mass index (BMI) as low as 30 (or approximately 20 to 60 pounds overweight) who want a healthy pregnancy or may have a hard time getting pregnant due to excess weight.

Let’s take a closer look at why so many women choose the Lap-Band:

• Safer for mom and baby: One study confirmed that pregnancy and birth outcomes of women with severe obesity who had Lap-Band Surgery were more similar to general community outcomes rather than those of severely obese women. And unlike other types of weight-loss surgery, the Lap-Band Procedure doesn’t involve cutting, stapling or removing parts of the stomach or re-routing the intestines. This can cause nutritional deficiency, increasing the risk of problems for the fetus. The Lap-Band is also adjustable and can be used to modify the degree of hunger or fullness during pregnancy and additionally provide proper nutrition during the gestational period—meaning better outcomes for mom and baby. If for any reason your Lap-Band needs to be removed, it is easily reversible.
• Effective: Lap-Band Surgery coupled with an aftercare program can help with steady, gradual weight loss of about 1-2 pounds per week. Just a 5-10% decrease in weight can improve estrogen levels, metabolism, hormone production, and ovulation, increasing the chance of a successful pregnancy. ReShapeCare™, which works in partnership with a surgeon’s aftercare program, is a practical and easy-to-use virtual program to help achieve a healthy weight by changing your behavior, and is typically covered by insurance.
• Trusted and affordable: Most major insurance providers cover the Lap-Band Procedure. It’s been done over 1 million times worldwide and is backed by over 25 years of clinical evidence.

Don’t Give Up: Increasing Your Odds of Conceiving and Having a Healthy Pregnancy

Amber Faulkner from Utah tried to get pregnant with her second child for almost 13 years. After many miscarriages, she was ready to give up.

“I credit my ability to finally successfully have two babies to the weight loss and lifestyle changes as part of my Lap-Band journey,” Amber says. “My Lap-Band remained in place during my pregnancies and both babies were born happy, healthy and right on time.”

To increase your odds, ask your doctor about the Lap-Band Program and keep these healthy lifestyle tips in mind:

1. Increase exercise. Being in better shape won’t just help you have an easier pregnancy and delivery—it can also reduce your baby’s risk of disease in the future. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity for a total of 150 minutes each week.
2. Adopt a healthier diet. Eating healthier can help your overall health and nourish your baby once you get pregnant. Choose nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables (preferably organic), whole grains and lean protein. Pre-pregnancy, limit caffeine, alcohol and start taking a prenatal vitamin.
3. Get enough sleep. Adults (and children) who don’t get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity. In general, aim for 7 or more hours of sleep every night.
4. Reduce stress. Stress has been linked to weight gain and can also make it harder to get pregnant. To reduce stress, try a meditation or yoga app, exercise, or reach out to a friend or therapist for support.
5. Avoid substance use. Tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs can harm your pregnancy and your baby.
6. Avoid toxins. Try to lower your exposure to harmful substances such as synthetic chemicals, fertilizer, bug spray, and cat or rodent feces around the home and at work.
7. Take care at work. Heavy lifting, standing for long stretches of time or bending at the waist can be harmful for menstruation, fertility or pregnancy.

A BMI of 30 or higher during pregnancy can harm fertility and increase the risk of complications for you and your baby. But obesity doesn’t have to stand in the way of your dreams of parenthood. By working with your doctor, you can manage your risks and enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

2021-04-01T17:45:00

(BPT) – Decades of research verify what anyone who has enjoyed a truly excellent night’s rest already knows: Sleep is an essential function that allows our body and mind to recharge. The CDC verifies that scrimping on sleep leaves people vulnerable to attention lapses, reduced cognition, delayed reactions and mood shifts.

While most people know that getting a good night of sleep is important, what does “good” sleep mean? It’s not a simple answer. A combination of factors such as sleep length, a consistent bedtime routine, amount of deep sleep and many additional considerations must combine for quality sleep.

Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist and Tempur-Pedic sleep expert and partner, notes that ultimately, “Quality sleep is sleep that leaves you feeling rested and refreshed the following day, and it’s critical to overall health. However, far too many Americans are struggling with unpredictable and inefficient sleep.”

So, what can you do to make sure you’re getting the best, most restorative sleep? Dr. Winter suggests people ask themselves these questions:

What can I do about overheating while I sleep?

Sleeping cooler throughout the night is a top unmet consumer need in the sleep industry according to research from Tempur-Pedic. In fact, 62 percent of U.S. households have at least one person who loses sleep because they feel overheated.

To help, start by keeping the bedroom between 60 to 67 degrees. It’s important to think beyond room temperature, however. While sheets and covers also play an important role, one overlooked item for many people is their mattress. Look for a mattress that is engineered to keep you feeling cool from when you first get into bed, as you fall asleep, and throughout the entire night.

TEMPUR-breeze^® mattresses — designed to provide a solution to sleeping hot — have an ability to provide a cooling effect for comfort all night long. This mattress collection features layers of cutting-edge cooling materials that work together from cover to core to keep you cool.

What can I do about snoring?

Whether it’s a partner or yourself, snoring can be disruptive and negatively impact the next day’s productivity for both parties. Recognizing that snoring stands in the way of reaching that deep, restorative sleep we need, Tempur-Pedic’s team of scientists and engineers created the TEMPUR-Ergo Smart Base powered by Sleeptracker-AI system to help people achieve uninterrupted sleep.

Designed to offer unique advantages for someone who snores, this smart base monitors and analyzes sleep, and can automatically detect and respond to snoring — when the discrete sensors detect vibrations associated with snoring, the base responds by elevating that sleeper’s base position approximately 12 degrees once throughout the night. This solution may reduce snoring in otherwise healthy individuals who snore due to body positioning.

It’s important to consider here that snoring is more pervasive than you might think. According to analyzed aggregated sleep data from users of the Tempur-Pedic Sleeptracker-AI system, on average, men snore for 91.25 hours each year and women snore for 54.75 hours each year. That’s a lot of lost sleep!

Which type of pillow is best for me?

The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing pillows every year or two. However, sorting through all the options can feel overwhelming. While personal preference is important, these insider-tips can help you find your perfect pillow.

• High profile, firmer pillows: Ideal for side sleepers or those with larger frames
• Low and medium profile pillows: Ideal for back sleepers
• Low profile pillow: Ideal for stomach sleepers or those with smaller frames

“By understanding what may be keeping you up at night, you’re empowered to make the adjustments you need for a better night’s sleep,” added Dr. Winter. “The life-changing and life-long difference in your overall well-being is the ultimate reward.”

2021-03-31T17:31:00

(BPT) – –

2021-03-30T14:01:00

(BPT) – You might not know that generic and biosimilar medicines save Medicare, Medicaid and privately insured patients billions of dollars every year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these safe, effective FDA-approved drugs are also saving lives.

In the early days of the pandemic, personal protective equipment and many consumer goods were in short supply, but health-preserving and lifesaving medicines for major and minor conditions continued to flow to pharmacies and hospitals.

At a recent conference where she appeared on a panel discussing her experience treating COVID patients, Alexandra (Alex) Pratt, M.D., Chair of the Department of Critical Care at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, explained, “Nearly everything that we used in the ICU was generic or biosimilar. Generic sedatives, analgesics, steroids, vasoactives, anticoagulants, were all absolutely critical to the management of this pandemic. Patients would certainly have died if we did not have access to these medications. And we were very grateful that we never had a disruption in the supply of those medications.” Dr. Derek Angus, critical care chief at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, referred to a study confirming the effectiveness of generic steroids as the “most solid news we’ve had yet on how to take care of patients with COVID-19.”

Today, mass distribution of vaccines is under way, but until we have all been vaccinated and herd immunity has been reached, thousands of patients will require care and treatment — and generics and biosimilars will be there for them.

While Pratt and her peers across the nation had the medicines they needed when they needed them, efforts are under way to ensure the continued availability of prescription medicines. The Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM) has published a Blueprint for Enhancing the Security of the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain, envisioning greater domestic production of priority medicines through tax incentives, strategic stockpiling and guaranteed contracts, among other measures.

“Our association and the makers of generic and biosimilar medicines believe in reinforcing this public health and economic asset,” says Dan Leonard, CEO of AAM. (Discover their SecureOurMeds campaign.) “Strengthening the supply chain and enhancing our already significant manufacturing presence in America will require the commitment of the government to complement the commitment of our industry.”

While Americans hailed frontline staff in hospitals and health care facilities, credit also goes to professionals in facilities, labs and offices that make up the nation’s medicine supply chain. The nation owes a debt of gratitude to people like Roby Epting, manager of second-shift operations at generics manufacturer Sandoz in Wilson, North Carolina, who rose to the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic and worked around the clock to ensure that medicines reached patients in America and around the world.

Sweta Modha, a packaging technician at generics manufacturer Apotex, expressed pride in the role she played in “maintaining the supply continuity of essential medicines that are required in the fight against COVID.”

Safe and effective medicine has never been more important to America than in the past year and a half. During one of the darkest times in our nation’s history, reliable generic and biosimilar medicines played an important role on the front lines of the war against COVID-19. Further increasing patient access will protect the health and increase the quality of life for millions of Americans.

2021-03-28T23:01:00

(BPT) – Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be hard for the nearly 1 million Americans with the disease^[i] and may present unexpected daily challenges. As the disease progresses, a person’s response to medications to treat their PD symptoms can change, leading to the re-emergence or worsening of PD symptoms between doses. These periods are known as OFF episodes and are experienced by an estimated 350,000 people in the U.S. living with PD.

The symptoms of OFF episodes may include motor symptoms like tremor, stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty communicating, as well as non-motor symptoms like anxiety and depression.^[ii],[iii] During OFF episodes, someone with PD may have difficulties doing everyday tasks like walking unassisted or getting up out of a chair.

OFF episodes are more common than people might think

OFF episodes may occur in as many as 50% of people with PD after five years of levodopa treatment, and the percentage increases over time.^[iv] 70% of patients beyond nine years of oral levodopa treatment will experience OFF episodes.^[v] These episodes can take place in the morning upon waking or throughout the day.

Drew Falconer, M.D., a leading movement disorder specialist at the Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center in Fairfax, Va., and Associate Professor of Neurology at the UVA School of Medicine, Inova Campus, has worked with people with PD and their families for over six years and recognizes that OFF episodes can be a challenge.

“The first signs of OFF episodes may be as subtle as realizing that PD medications do not last as long as they once did, having difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, or getting dressed for the day,” said Dr. Falconer. “As PD progresses, symptoms may get worse, and these episodes may become more frequent.”

The impact of OFF episodes

Living with OFF episodes may be challenging for some patients and their care partners. They may affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities, such as buttoning a shirt or eating meals. In addition, the often unpredictable nature of OFF episodes can make them difficult to identify and even discuss effectively with healthcare providers.

Talking to the doctor about difficult parts of PD like OFF episodes is important. Some people may accept these episodes as part of PD, without realizing that they are manageable. Other people may find it hard to choose which symptoms to share and find the right words to explain their experiences to their physician.

“As people notice OFF episodes becoming more frequent and disruptive, they can keep a journal to track symptoms and identify patterns of when they occur most often, and discuss a treatment plan with their physician,” says Dr. Falconer. “It’s important for people living with PD and their families to know that OFF episodes can be managed. Fortunately, there are medicines available that can safely and effectively treat OFF episodes as they occur.”

New options for patients

Most medicines focus on keeping people ON (when levodopa/carbidopa is working and symptoms are improved) rather than treating OFF episodes as they happen. Patients now have treatment options to treat OFF episodes on-demand, as they occur, wherever they occur.

The newest FDA-approved treatment for OFF episodes associated with PD is KYNMOBI™ (apomorphine HCl) sublingual film, which is now available by prescription in the U.S. KYNMOBI is the first and only sublingual (under the tongue) treatment for PD OFF episodes. It dissolves under the tongue and may help people improve motor symptoms when they need it.

Before starting any treatment, people should talk to their doctor to determine which treatment options may be right for them and to understand the potential benefits and risks.

For more information about OFF episodes and treatment with KYNMOBI, visit KYNMOBI.com. Please see below for Important Safety Information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR KYNMOBI (apomorphine HCI) SUBLINGUAL FILM

Do not take KYNMOBI if you are taking certain medicines to treat nausea called 5HT3 antagonists, including ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, palonosetron, and alosetron. People taking ondansetron together with apomorphine, the active ingredient in KYNMOBI, have had very low blood pressure and lost consciousness or “blacked out.”

Do not use KYNMOBI if you are allergic to apomorphine hydrochloride or to any of the ingredients in KYNMOBI. KYNMOBI also contains a sulfite called sodium metabisulfite. Sulfites can cause severe, life-threatening allergic reactions in some people. An allergy to sulfites is not the same as an allergy to sulfa. People with asthma are more likely to be allergic to sulfites. Call your healthcare provider if you have hives, itching, rash, swelling of the lips, tongue and mouth, redness of your face (flushing), throat tightness, trouble breathing or swallowing.

Before starting KYNMOBI, tell your healthcare provider:

About all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have difficulty staying awake during the daytime
• have liver problems
• have dizziness
• have kidney problems
• have fainting spells
• have heart problems
• have low blood pressure
• have had a stroke or other brain problems
• have asthma
• have a mental problem called a major psychotic disorder
• are allergic to any medicines containing sulfites
• drink alcohol
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KYNMOBI will harm your unborn baby
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KYNMOBI passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take KYNMOBI or breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including:

• prescription medicines
• over-the-counter medicines
• vitamins
• herbal supplements

KYNMOBI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines can affect how KYNMOBI works. Taking KYNMOBI with other medicines may cause serious side effects.

If you take nitroglycerin under your tongue (sublingual) while using KYNMOBI, your blood pressure may decrease and cause dizziness. You should lie down before and after taking sublingual nitroglycerin.

KYNMOBI can cause serious side effects, including:

• nausea and vomiting. Nausea is a common side effect of KYNMOBI. Nausea and vomiting can happen with KYNMOBI. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine called an antiemetic, such as trimethobenzamide to help prevent nausea and vomiting. If trimethobenzamide is prescribed, talk to your healthcare provider about how long you should remain on this medicine.
• sleepiness or falling asleep during the day. Sleepiness is a serious, and common side effect of KYNMOBI. Some people treated with KYNMOBI may get sleepy during the day or fall asleep without warning while doing everyday activities such as talking, eating, or driving a car.
• dizziness. Dizziness is a serious, and common side effect of KYNMOBI. KYNMOBI may lower blood pressure and cause dizziness. Dizziness can happen when KYNMOBI treatment is started or when the KYNMOBI dose is increased. Do not get up too fast from sitting or after lying down, especially if you have been sitting or lying down for a long period of time.
• mouth (oral) irritation. Mouth (oral) irritation is a common side effect of KYNMOBI. You should call your healthcare provider if you develop any of these signs or symptoms.
• redness
• mouth sores (ulceration)
• dryness of the mouth, lips or tongue
• swelling
• pain
• pain with swallowing
• falls. The changes that can happen with PD, and the effects of some PD medicines, can increase the risk of falling. KYNMOBI may also increase your risk of falling.
• hallucinations or psychotic-like behavior. KYNMOBI may cause or make psychotic-like behavior worse including hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), confusion, excessive suspicion, aggressive behavior, agitation, delusional beliefs (believing things that are not real), and disorganized thinking.
• strong (intense) urges. Some people with PD have reported new or strong uncontrollable urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, increased urges to spend money (compulsive shopping), and other intense urges, while taking PD medicines, including KYNMOBI. If you or your family members notice that you have strong urges, talk to your healthcare provider. The strong urges may go away if your KYNMOBI dose is lowered or stopped.
• high fever and confusion. KYNMOBI may cause a problem that can happen in people who suddenly lower their dose, stop using, or change their dose of KYNMOBI. Symptoms include:
• very high fever
• confusion
• stiff muscles
• changes in breathing and heartbeat

Do not stop taking KYNMOBI or change your dose unless you are told to do so by your healthcare provider.

• heart problems. If you have shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, chest pain, or feel like you are going to pass out (faint) while taking KYNMOBI, call your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away.
• tissue changes (fibrotic complications). Some people have had changes in the tissues of their pelvis, lungs, and heart valves when taking medicines called nonergot derived dopamine agonists like KYNMOBI.
• prolonged painful erections (priapism). KYNMOBI may cause prolonged, painful erections in some people. If you have a prolonged and painful erection, you should call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

The most common side effects of KYNMOBI include:

• nausea
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• mouth swelling, pain, or sores

INDICATION

KYNMOBI™ (apomorphine HCl) sublingual film is a prescription medicine used to treat short-term (acute), intermittent “off” episodes in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

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.

For more information, please see the KYNMOBI Patient Information, full Prescribing Information, and Instructions for Use at www.KYNMOBI.com.

References

2021-03-22T14:01:01

(BPT) – In an effort to stay healthy and keep your home tidy, you’ve probably increased your cleaning frequency since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help limit the spread of germs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces. Tabletops, desks, vanities, faucets and door handles often make this list, but two things that are touched frequently throughout the day are often forgotten during cleaning: light switches and wallplates.

Hidden dangers that we’re now much more aware of such as bacteria and dangerous pathogens can build up on these surfaces, transfer to hands when touched and end up redistributed throughout the home. Therefore, to help keep your home healthy, you should take steps to regularly and properly keep light switches and wallplates clean.

However, in our effort to eliminate buildup on switches and wallplates, many opt to use common household disinfectants with chemical agents. These substances may cause more harm than good to the switch or wallplate because certain cleaning agents can interfere with the electrical components, leading to safety issues, or cause damage to the surface area of the wallplate. If during cleaning you notice any irregularities on your switches or wallplates, such as cracking or discoloration, replace them immediately.

Because of the connection to an electrical source, it’s important to clean light switches and wallplates in a safe manner. Liquid and electricity don’t mix. You should never spray or wipe a detergent or disinfectant solution directly on light switches, outlets, dimmers, USB charger outlets or wallplates. To safely clean these devices, simply use a damp cloth with mild soap. Be certain to turn the power off to the device prior to cleaning. Due to risk of shock or electrocution, do not use disinfecting products, including foggers, sprays or other types of atomized cleaning agents. Plus, if the liquid seeps into the switch or outlet, it can damage the internal components, resulting in a fire hazard. Cleaning solutions can also damage or discolor the device’s surface or cause it to deteriorate over time, which may include cracking.

“Cleaning your electrical devices is not a big job, but it is one that needs to be handled with care,” said William Randall, director of product management at Leviton. “Taking the proper precautions and cleaning these surfaces regularly can help reduce the spread of harmful bacteria to help keep your family and home healthy.”

For extra protection, Leviton offers Antimicrobial switches and wallplates for your home. “Antimicrobial refers to any substance that eradicates or inhibits the growth of bacteria by suppressing bacteria reproduction,” explains Randall. “Our antimicrobial switches and wallplates are engineered to help combat the spread of harmful bacteria and contain an EPA registered additive that protects the surfaces from contamination. When cleaned regularly with a cloth dampened with water and mild soap, that additive works to inhibit 99 percent of bacterial growth.” As with cleaning any switch or wallplate, be certain to turn the power off at the circuit breaker or fuse prior to cleaning and to switch back on when you have completed the job.

With proper and regular cleaning of light switches and wallplates, you can feel confident you’re creating a bright, fresh appearance and a healthier home.

2021-03-16T23:01:00

(BPT) – Learn more about the disease and how you can help protect yourself.

2021-03-15T14:45:00

(BPT) – It comes as second nature for most parents to take their children to a pediatrician at least once a year. The differences between children and adults are so stark that it makes sense to choose a doctor specially trained to treat younger patients.

Yet as we age, far too few of us apply this same logic when choosing a physician, even though our health needs often change dramatically in our later years. And we know from recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic that the health complexities for older adults can make them particularly vulnerable to certain illnesses, demonstrating the need for a care approach as tailored as the individuals themselves.

“The kind of care you deliver to an older adult is definitely not the same as the care you give to a middle-aged person,” said Michael Stockman, M.D., a geriatrician and medical director with UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “The physiology of older people is very different from people in other stages of life.”

Those differences are significant enough that the medical community developed a specialty called geriatrics, to address the needs of older adults. Geriatricians, like Dr. Stockman, are licensed physicians who have completed additional training in managing the care of older adults. That training makes geriatricians uniquely suited to help seniors manage the demands of their often-complex health issues.

One of those complex issues is the care of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, which are much more prevalent in older people than the rest of the population. More than half of older adults have at least two chronic conditions. This group is also at higher risk for developing chronic diseases, along with other complex conditions such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, nearly 90% of adults 65 and older take at least one prescription medication, and more than half report that they take four or more, compared to one-third for those in the 50 to 64 age bracket.

Juggling multiple chronic conditions can be a challenge for the doctor and the patient. One condition can sometimes make the effects of another condition worse, and the treatments or medications for different illnesses sometimes interfere with each other.

Decisions about how to customize a patient’s treatment aren’t necessarily black and white, requiring a doctor and patient to carefully balance risks and benefits. For example, some diabetes medicines can cause dizziness, meaning the doctor needs to focus not just on regulating the patient’s blood sugar but also on minimizing the risk of a fall, which is the most common cause of injury in seniors.

“I think geriatricians are the only medical specialty more interested in taking away medications you don’t need than giving you new medications. A lot of what we do is determining which medications are more likely to cause harm than help,” Stockman said. “One of the most important things for geriatricians is the concept of shared decision-making. We ask patients, ‘What trade-offs are you willing to make?’”

Sometimes, the trade-offs are fairly simple — weighing the pros and cons of taking a certain medication or undergoing a specific screening, for example. But more often than not, they also incorporate a person’s overall quality-of-life goals. How important is it to maximize longevity? Comfort? How about independence? Each person answers those questions differently, and geriatricians are trained to use the answers to guide their treatment recommendations and care plan.

In addition to the clinical aspects of an individual’s care are the complexities of variables commonly referred to as “social determinants of health” — things like access to healthy food, financial burdens, racial disparities, transportation limitations and more. Many older adults are dealing with these potential barriers to health, and as Stockman noted, a geriatrician can help support his or her patients in identifying and addressing these challenges alongside their regular care plan.

So, when should someone seek out a geriatrician for themselves or a loved one? A significant change in health status could be a trigger for a geriatrician visit. But anytime an older adult feels his or her care is becoming too complex or needs better coordination, a visit with a geriatrician could help.

“Geriatricians can be really good at balancing all of a person’s medical needs and different doctors in one overall care plan,” Stockman said.

Think you could benefit from seeing a geriatrician?

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the demand for geriatricians continues to grow. Unfortunately, these specialists are a comparatively rare breed. While there are more than 58,000 general pediatricians practicing in the United States, there are fewer than 5,600 geriatricians.

For this reason, finding a board-certified geriatrician to support your ongoing health care needs may be difficult, but many geriatricians will see a patient on a one-time or as-needed basis and then make recommendations to the patient’s primary care physician.

The American Geriatrics Society offers information about how to find a geriatrician on its website, healthinaging.org, and many larger hospitals and university medical centers have geriatricians on staff who will see new patients. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, be sure to confirm if a geriatrician you want to see is in your plan’s network and whether your plan requires you to first get a referral from your primary care physician before a visit with a geriatrician will be covered.

2021-03-11T08:53:00

(BPT) – When Natasha McLean’s son, Mason, was just over a year old, she noticed some of his behaviors began to change drastically. He started excessively urinating, significantly more than he ever had before, accompanied by extreme mood swings and a tangible increase in appetite. Thinking it was a phase, she monitored his behavior and waited for it to pass, but after it persisted, Natasha conducted some research and realized her son was likely diabetic.

The family’s pediatrician confirmed her suspicion — Mason was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 16 months. From there, Natasha and her family were immediately rushed to the hospital where they remained for two days, accompanied by near-daily visits for the next two weeks.

Approximately 1.6 million Americans are living with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which the body can’t make insulin, the hormone needed for sugar (glucose) to enter cells and produce energy. When it can’t enter the cells, sugar stays in the bloodstream and builds up, which can cause serious illness if not treated.^[1]

To manage type 1, insulin is taken throughout the day via either multiple daily injections (MDI) from an insulin pen, or use of an insulin pump, and glucose levels are monitored on a constant basis.^[1] It’s a 24/7 disease that requires constant management, continuously and carefully balancing insulin dosing with eating, exercise, and other activities. When children or adolescents are diagnosed with diabetes, it changes the day-to-day lives of the entire family, with parents and caregivers playing a large role in the monitoring of the disease.

“Because Mason is only two, he isn’t old enough yet to tell me how he’s feeling, which adds an extra challenge for me when monitoring his sugar and insulin levels,” said Natasha. “It can be overwhelming and all-consuming, which adds additional stress on top of the normal anxiety that comes with parenting a young child.”

Recently, the MiniMed^TM 770G system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first-of-its-kind automated insulin delivery and monitoring system available to children as young as two.^[2] The hybrid closed loop system automatically adjusts background insulin every five minutes and is able to calculate a personalized amount of insulin based on the sensor sugar.^[3] It also allows parents or other caregivers to see pump and glucose data remotely on their smartphones, with alerts for when sugar levels go out of range.^[4]

“I can now monitor Mason’s pump and glucose data remotely on my phone, and I get an alert if his sugar levels swing too high or low,” said Natasha. “This has resulted in full nights of sleep for my husband and I for the first time since Mason’s diagnosis, rather than taking turns monitoring his sugars manually all day and night.^[5] We’re also able to check his levels on our smartphone during the day, instead of interrupting him while he’s playing, and chasing him around to check his glucose levels — giving him and me freedom we didn’t have before.”

If you or your child has type 1 diabetes, talk to your doctor to learn more about the MiniMed 770G. Product details are available at medtronicdiabetes.com/770G.