Category: Brandpoint Health

2022-06-18T05:01:00

(BPT) – From beach days to girls getaways, the warm weather of summer provides opportunities to spend more time outdoors doing the activities you love. However, as you’re making the most of the sunshine and warm breezes, you may notice you’re not feeling as fresh as you normally do. The heat of the season impacts the body in many ways, but fortunately there are some simple steps you can take to stay fresh this summer.

Wear sunscreen daily: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using broad-spectrum sunscreen protection everyday with at least SPF 30 or higher and that provides broad-spectrum protection (against those UVA and UVB rays) on any exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours, especially if you’ve spent time in the water. Adding hats and sunglasses to your outfit provides some more protection while boosting your style.

Spray on freshness: Summer heat can cause you to perspire more. That’s why it’s essential to use an effective antiperspirant deodorant, like the new Secret Weightless Dry Spray that provides 48-hour sweat and odor protection. The targeted spray gets right where the product is needed, plus the redesigned fragrances provide superior all-day freshness. This spray is free of heavy waxes and alcohol, and is made with pH balancing minerals to help stop odor before it starts.

Summertime hygiene: Summer means more time outdoors in the heat. Take shorter, cooler showers as over showering can lead to dry skin. A shower in the evening helps wind down your body and mind, relaxing you and promoting better sleep.

Switch up your scent: Experiment with a new scent that reflects your personality and style this summer. The new Secret Dry Spray comes in six fresh scents including antiperspirants in wild rose, vanilla, waterlily and white peach, and aluminum-free deodorants in lavender and coconut. Great for use at home or to throw in your beach or weekender bag.

Freshen up your hair and makeup routine: A new hairstyle and makeup routine can also help you stay cool and keep your style fresh. Summer is a time to try that new haircut or wear your hair up more often. Try out a fun head scarf or hair wrap for added sun protection, or add a pop of color to your lips with a tinted SPF lipstick.

Update your gym bag: Warmer weather workouts can leave you feeling not so fresh. Make sure your gym bag includes an antiperspirant that provides 48-hour sweat and odor protection so that you leave your workout feeling and smelling fresh. Each of the Secret Dry Sprays are made with freshness-on-demand technology that deliver moisture- and motion-activated fragrance bursts to help you stay fresh all day long.

2022-06-17T16:09:00

(BPT) – By Jeramy Tipton, senior vice president, Aflac Distribution Expansion and Consumer Markets

Grills, gadgets and corny T-shirts line the shelves in anticipation of Father’s Day, but a recent study found there’s one gift men of all ages need more than a tie or spatula. According to the Aflac Men’s Health Survey, conducted by Kantar Profiles, men aren’t paying enough attention to their health, and they frequently skip wellness exams that can identify signs and symptoms of serious illnesses. The study also found that younger men are especially vulnerable to mental health concerns, and men of all ages expressed strong interest in obtaining wellness tools. Here’s how men and their loved ones can take the first step to better overall health.

Make preventive care No. 1
Just like continued maintenance on the yard, car or house, our minds and bodies need regular care. The study found that fewer than half of men (47%) had an annual checkup or wellness exam in the past 12 months, only one-third had a routine dental exam and just 29% had a routine eye exam. Taking a pass on preventive care, men are potentially missing screenings, scans and evaluations that can catch serious illnesses in the early stages when treatment is often more successful and cost effective. That’s why it is so important to make preventive care a priority and use wellness benefits if you have them — for instance, some supplemental insurance plans include a cash benefit for wellness exams, and many health plans include an annual checkup without cost-sharing.

Try out mental health benefits and tools
The study found that a majority of men have experienced a mental or behavioral health concern in the last 12 months. Mental health concerns were especially acute for Gen Z and millennials, with 79% reporting a mental health concern this year, compared to 57% and 68% among Gen X and baby boomers. Gen Z and millennials are also most likely to say that mental health issues affected their productivity.

So how can men and their loved ones address these concerns? Since many men reported interest in mental health and wellness tools and resources, they should first look at the benefits they already have to understand how mental health is covered. Additionally, some policies give access to a doctor or psychologist through telehealth and mental health apps. These tools and resources are worth a try because they can make reaching out for help less intimidating and more convenient.

Be proactive about financial peace of mind
Finances — and worrying about them — could be keeping men from going to the doctor. In fact, men who worry about finances are more likely to experience a behavioral or mental health concern, 78% compared to 56% who are not that worried or not worried at all. Additionally, roughly two out of five men (38%) postponed or avoided going to a doctor or filling a prescription because of the costs.

Even with health insurance, there are out-of-pocket costs that many people aren’t able to pay. Simple ways men and their families can help give themselves the gift of financial peace of mind include:

• Supplemental insurance can help take care of expenses health insurance doesn’t cover. Insured individuals can use their benefits to help with medical co-pays, deductibles and prescriptions or everyday living expenses like rent, utilities or child care.
• Financial planning resources and tools help provide a framework for making the most of your finances and preparing for the future.
• Telehealth resources can help remove the barrier of seeing a doctor or therapist in person, making it easier for men to seek the health care they need when they need it.

Make this Father’s Day and every day about health and wellness. When the men in our lives are healthy, they’re likely to be happier, more engaged and productive. This Father’s Day, make the men in your life feel valued by giving them the support they need to take care of their health. Find out more about the Aflac Men’s Health Survey at aflac.com/menshealth.

Content within this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting or medical advice regarding any specific situation.

The 2022 Aflac Men’s Health Issues Survey is a national online survey of 1,001 U.S. men ages 18-65, fielded in May 2022 by Kantar Profiles.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z22100612

EXP 6/23

2022-06-17T08:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 37 million adults in the United States? Even more surprising, 90% of people in early stage CKD are unaware that they have the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 10-30% of CKD cases have an underlying genetic cause. In fact, a New England Journal of Medicine publication revealed that 1 in 10 patients with CKD have a genetic diagnosis — a rate similar to that observed for hereditary cancer.

Your kidneys help your body function by removing waste and excess fluid, maintaining your body’s correct balance of minerals, salt and water, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. CKD means that the kidneys are damaged, leading to a potential buildup of toxic waste and fluid — putting patients at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and/or stroke.

Early detection of CKD can help people protect their kidneys, but many people don’t experience symptoms early. How can you understand if you’re at risk?

Here are six ways genetic testing for CKD can help you and your family:

1. Understand your risk.

Learning whether your family history of CKD was caused by an inherited gene provides information about your potential risk for kidney disease. If you have a family member with kidney disease, or if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, ask your doctor about genetic testing.

2. Gain knowledge about treatment options.

Tests like Natera’s Renasight™ provide personalized information and guidance into medication, treatment decisions and clinical trial eligibility. Renasight looks for hereditary causes of kidney disease in over 380 genes, and can help confirm a diagnosis and identify the underlying genetic cause of kidney disease and its progression.

“Renasight gave me answers, peace of mind, and access to a more affordable way to take charge of my own health,” said Rachelle McCray, a patient advocate and paid consultant for Natera. “For over 30 years, I waited for confirmation of whether or not I have genetic kidney disease because a biopsy was not a good option for me, and testing each gene for my assumed condition can cost thousands of dollars. The Renasight test, which is a simple blood test, confirmed I have Alport syndrome and revealed which gene of the disease I carry. The test results gave me and my doctor information about how we should consider my care moving forward. “

3. Get comfortable with the testing process.

Speaking with a genetic counselor throughout the testing process offers information about next steps. Genetic counselors are master’s trained, are often board-certified and often licensed (state-dependent) healthcare professionals who answer questions before your test and explain the results. Many genetic testing companies employ genetic counselors, and you may be able to speak with one at no cost. With the Renasight test, genetic counselors at Natera are available for complimentary pre- and post-test genetic information sessions.

“Genetic testing helps patients understand their risk, and helps healthcare providers personalize treatments,” said Maggie Westemeyer, a genetic counselor and associate director of genetic counseling at Natera. “It also helps relatives who may be at risk, and may influence decisions around family planning.”

4. Avoid unnecessary procedures.

Genetic diagnosis can help you avoid unnecessary or invasive diagnostic procedures such as a kidney biopsy for the diagnosis of inherited kidney diseases such as Alport syndrome. It can also prevent unnecessary procedures for at-risk relatives.

5. Share information with your family.

Your genetic testing results could mean your family is also at risk, so it’s a good idea to encourage them to get tested.

Because early-stage CKD often has no symptoms, genetic testing, along with standard blood and urine screening tests, provides vital information that can guide early treatment for kidney disease.

6. Take proactive steps.

If you have been diagnosed with CKD or are at risk for CKD, lifestyle changes supported by the American Kidney Fund may help slow the progression, including:

• Reducing salt and fat in your diet
• Exercising most days
• Controlling your blood pressure
• Controlling blood sugar (if you have diabetes)
• Quitting smoking
• Limiting alcohol
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Learn more at Natera.com.

2022-06-16T10:01:00

(BPT) – Every year, nearly 400,000 shelter dogs are euthanized because of overcrowding and the inability to find them a fur-ever home. Now, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Detector Dog program, many of these pound puppies can have a new lease on life.

APHIS’ National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC) trains purebred and mixed-breed beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russel terriers to sniff out invasive plant pests and animal diseases that threaten America’s agriculture, food supply and natural resources. This elite sniffing force and their human handlers undergo 8-10 weeks of rigorous training before they can graduate from the Detector Dog program and go on to serve their country.

More than 30 canine teams are working in airports, mail facilities and border crossings across the country. Every day, these dogs search, locate and respond to prohibited food, plants and animals harboring damaging insects and harmful diseases. For the past 37 years, the APHIS trained detector dogs have been working the front lines to keep harmful pests, like the Mediterranean fruit fly, out of the U.S. While Labrador retrievers and their handlers are protecting our nation’s fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas-Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops.

APHIS’ Detector Dog program is not only safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources, but it is also partnering with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and proof of concept testing of canine detection for foreign government support. There are even Detector Dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii.

The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and pest diseases that could ravage America’s crops, trees and plants. USDA APHIS wants to grow their fleet of super sniffers and are looking for more dogs to be donated to the program from animal shelters, rescue groups and private owners. To qualify, dogs must be:

• Purebred or mixed-breed beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russel terriers
• 10 month to three years old
• Friendly and in good health
• Have a high food drive
• No history of aggression

If you or someone you know would like to donate a dog, please reach out to usdacanineadoptions@usda.gov, call (887) 797-3899 or learn more at: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/ppq-program-overview/nddtc. With the public’s help, some much-deserving dogs can land a dream job and new purpose—protecting America’s agriculture and food supply.

2022-06-14T23:01:00

(BPT) – Pneumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks.

2022-06-08T13:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s common to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.¹ With an ever-changing disease like MS, everyone’s personal experience is different, so it’s important to be open and honest with your doctor about your MS symptoms and how it may affect your day-to-day life and goals.² This will help you and your doctor create a personalized plan that addresses your whole health.

Need advice on where to start? Here are three important topics to discuss with your doctor about how MS can affect your daily life.

Keep mental and emotional health top-of-mind

Following an MS diagnosis, focusing on your physical health is critical, but it’s important to also take care of your emotional well-being for overall wellness.³ Everyday life can be stressful enough, but for people living with MS, this can be compounded by the unpredictability of the disease.³ In addition to stress, people living with MS often experience other emotional changes, such as depression, anxiety and irritability.³ In fact, people with MS may be 2-3 times more likely to experience clinical depression than the general population.⁴

Nurse practitioner Stephanie Agrella, PhD, APRN, B.C., Director of Clinical Services, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Central Texas Neurology, shares her experience helping newly diagnosed MS patients over the years, noting, “Mental health is so important. I always start visits with my patients by asking how they’re feeling emotionally. Many of my patients have benefited from talking with a counselor or finding a support group.”

If you’re experiencing emotional changes like grief, anxiety or depression, consider seeking support through counseling, joining self-help groups and building a supportive environment, or seeing a mental health professional.³ There are a number of resources available to help you find support, including on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.

Understand that MS can impact your intimate relationships

Personal relationships and intimacy are crucial to living a full life, and that’s no different for people living with MS.⁵ However, MS can present challenges when it comes to intimate relationships, and changes in your sexual health may interfere with your quality of life.⁶ If you’re newly diagnosed with MS and experiencing sexual problems, you’re not alone. Sexual dysfunction is very common, yet patients and doctors are often hesitant to bring up this topic.^2,6 Discuss strategies with your doctor that may help address changes in your sexual health, including treatment.

“Some of my patients ask me if MS can impact their libido, and the answer is ‘yes,’” said Agrella. “This can happen for a few reasons, so be sure to have an open conversation with your doctor to determine if it’s your MS or something else causing changes in your sexual health. My hope is that each patient finds a doctor they feel comfortable with to discuss more intimate topics, like sexual health, that can really impact their day-to-day life.” It may be helpful to keep track of your symptoms in a journal so you can recognize patterns and have a record to reference when discussing with your doctor.⁵

Talk about what’s next in your life plans

Most people are diagnosed with MS between ages 20 to 50.⁷ With a higher prevalence of MS in women — who are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men — this can cause many patients to wonder how MS may impact their life plans like starting a family.^7,8

“Family planning is something many of my patients ask about, often at our first visit,” says Agrella. “It’s an important factor that helps shape a personalized treatment plan for them, since some treatments offer patients more flexibility.” There are no disease-modifying therapies approved for use during pregnancy.⁸ Keep your doctor updated on any plans to start a family, so you can work together to tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

Discuss available treatment options

In the past five years alone, five new MS treatments were approved in the U.S., including the most recent FDA-approved option, PONVORY^®, a once-daily oral treatment for adults with relapsing MS.^9,10 In a two-year clinical study, PONVORY^® was superior at reducing the number of relapses and lesions compared to a proven oral therapy,^* and nearly 90% of people taking PONVORY^® showed no disability progression over two years.^10†

With any medication, it’s important to understand the potential side effects. The most common side effects for PONVORY^® are upper respiratory tract infections, elevated liver enzymes (abnormal liver tests) and high blood pressure.^10‡

If you are considering pregnancy, PONVORY^® may also be an option to discuss with your doctor, as it leaves the body naturally in about one week after pausing treatment with no elimination procedure required.^10§ Use effective contraception during and for up to one week after stopping PONVORY^®.^10¶

“Especially for people who are newly diagnosed, it’s important to tell your doctor how MS is impacting your daily life, including emotional well-being and sexual health, as well as any plans to start a family,” notes Agrella. “These types of honest conversations help inform shared decision-making, which is key to a personalized treatment plan. Be sure to ask your doctor about the variety of available treatment options that may be right for you.”

PONVORY^® is not indicated for emotional changes such as depression, anxiety, and irritability or sexual changes such as sexual dysfunction.

*PONVORY^® reduced the average number of new gadolinium-enhancing (GdE) T1 and new or enlarging T2 lesions.

†There was no statistically significant difference in the percentages of people experiencing disability progression between PONVORY^® and its comparator. Disability progression was determined with predefined increases in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, which were confirmed after 3 months over the course of the ~2-year study. 3-month disability progression was observed in 10.8% of people taking PONVORY^® vs 13.2% of people taking a proven oral therapy.

‡While these are the most common side effects, there are other serious potential side effects of PONVORY^®.

§When PONVORY^® is stopped, symptoms of multiple sclerosis may return and become worse compared with before or during treatment. Always talk to your healthcare professional before you stop taking PONVORY^® for any reason. Tell your healthcare professional if you have worsening symptoms of multiple sclerosis after stopping PONVORY^®.

¶PONVORY^® may be harmful to unborn babies. Patients should talk to a healthcare provider if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PONVORY^®?

PONVORY^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Infections — PONVORY^® can increase your risk of serious infections that can be life-threatening and cause death. PONVORY^® lowers the number of white blood cells (lymphocytes) in your blood. This will usually go back to normal within 1 to 2 weeks of stopping treatment. Your healthcare provider should review a recent blood test of your white blood cells before you start taking PONVORY^®. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms of an infection during treatment and for 1 to 2 weeks after your last dose of PONVORY^®:

• fever
• tiredness
• body aches
• chills
• nausea
• vomiting
• headache with fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea, or confusion (these may be symptoms of meningitis, an infection of the lining around your brain and spine)

Your healthcare provider may delay starting or may stop your PONVORY^® treatment if you have an infection.

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia or bradyarrhythmia) when you start taking PONVORY^®. PONVORY^® can cause your heart rate to slow down, especially after you take your first dose. You should have a test to check the electrical activity of your heart called an electrocardiogram (ECG) before you take your first dose.

  Only Start your treatment with PONVORY^® using the Starter Pack. You must use the PONVORY^® Starter Pack by slowly increasing the dose over a 14-day period to help reduce the effect of slowing of your heart rate. It is important to follow the recommended dosing instructions.

  Call your healthcare provider if you experience the following symptoms of slow heart rate:

• dizziness
• shortness of breath
• lightheadedness
• confusion
• feeling like your heart is beating slowly or skipping beats
• chest pain
• tiredness

Do not take PONVORY^® if you:

• have had a heart attack, chest pain called unstable angina, stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack or TIA), or certain types of heart failure in the last 6 months.
• have certain types of heart block or irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) unless you have a pacemaker.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions, or do not know if you have any of these conditions.

Before you take PONVORY^®, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have a fever or infection, or you are unable to fight infections due to a disease or taking medicines that lower your immune system.
• have had chicken pox or have received the vaccine for chicken pox. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test for chicken pox virus. You may need to get the full course of vaccine for chicken pox and then wait 1 month before you start taking PONVORY^®.
• have slow heart rate.
• have an irregular or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia).
• have a history of stroke.
• have heart problems, including a heart attack or chest pain.
• have high blood pressure.
• have breathing problems, including during your sleep.
• have liver problems.
• have or now have a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma, or squamous cell carcinoma.
• have eye problems, especially an inflammation of the eye called uveitis.
• have diabetes.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. PONVORY^® may harm your unborn baby. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you are a woman who can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control during your treatment with PONVORY^® and for 1 week after you stop taking PONVORY^®. Talk to your healthcare provider about what method of birth control is right for you during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you do become pregnant while taking PONVORY^® or within 1 week after you stop taking PONVORY^®.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PONVORY^® passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take PONVORY^®.

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

Using PONVORY^® and other medicines together may affect each other causing serious side effects.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take or have taken: Medicines to control your heart rhythm (antiarrhythmics), or blood pressure (antihypertensives), or heart-beat (such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers); medicines that affect your immune system, such as alemtuzumab; and medicines such as rifampin, phenytoin, or carbamazepine.

You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with PONVORY^®, for at least 1 week before taking and for 1 month after you stop taking PONVORY^®. If you receive a live vaccine, you may get the infection the vaccine was meant to prevent. Vaccines may not work as well when given during treatment with PONVORY^®.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you take any of these medicines.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE PONVORY^®?

• Take PONVORY^® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• Take PONVORY^® 1 time each day.
• Swallow PONVORY^® tablets whole.
• Take PONVORY^® with or without food.
• Do not stop taking PONVORY^® without talking with your healthcare provider first.
• Do not skip a dose.
• Start taking PONVORY^® with a 14-day starter pack.
• If you miss taking 1, 2, or 3 tablets in a row of PONVORY^® in the 14-day starter pack, continue treatment by taking the first dose you missed. Take 1 tablet as soon as you remember. Then, take 1 tablet a day to continue with the starter pack dose as planned.
• If you miss taking 1, 2, or 3 tablets in a row of PONVORY^® while taking the 20 mg maintenance dose, continue treatment with the 20 mg maintenance dose.
• If you miss taking 4 or more tablets in a row of PONVORY^®, while taking the 14-day starter pack or the 20 mg maintenance dose, you need to restart treatment with a new 14-day starter pack. Call your healthcare provider if you miss 4 or more doses of PONVORY^®. Do not restart PONVORY^® after stopping it for 4 or more days in a row without talking to your healthcare provider. If you have certain heart conditions, you may need to be monitored by your healthcare provider for at least 4 hours when you take your next dose.

What are the possible side effects of PONVORY^®?

PONVORY^® may cause serious side effects, including:

• breathing problems. Some people who take PONVORY^® have shortness of breath. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening breathing problems.
• liver problems. PONVORY^® may cause liver problems. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking PONVORY^®. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver problems:

• unexplained nausea
• vomiting
• stomach (abdominal) pain
• tiredness
• loss of appetite
• yellowing of the whites of your eyes or skin
• dark urine

• increased blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure during treatment.
• types of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Certain types of skin cancer have happened with drugs in the same class. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any changes in the appearance of your skin, including changes in a mole, a new darkened area on your skin, a sore that does not heal, or growths on your skin, such as a bump that may be shiny, pearly white, skin-colored, or pink. Your doctor should check your skin for any changes during treatment with PONVORY^®. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.
• a problem with your vision called macular edema. Tell your healthcare provider about any changes in your vision. Your healthcare provider should test your vision before you start taking PONVORY^® and any time you notice vision changes during treatment with PONVORY^®. Your risk of macular edema is higher if you have diabetes or have had an inflammation of your eye called uveitis.
  Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• blurriness or shadows in the center of your vision
• a blind spot in the center of your vision
• sensitivity to light
• unusually colored (tinted) vision

• swelling and narrowing of the blood vessels in your brain. A condition called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) has happened with drugs in the same class. Symptoms of PRES usually get better when you stop taking PONVORY^®. However, if left untreated, it may lead to a stroke. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• sudden severe headache
• sudden confusion
• sudden loss of vision or other changes in vision
• seizure

• severe worsening of multiple sclerosis (MS) after stopping PONVORY^®.
  When PONVORY^® is stopped, symptoms of MS may return and become worse compared to before or during treatment. Always talk to your healthcare provider before you stop taking PONVORY^® for any reason. Tell your healthcare provider if you have worsening symptoms of MS after stopping PONVORY^®.

The most common side effects of PONVORY^® include:

• upper respiratory tract infections
• elevated liver enzymes (abnormal liver tests)
• high blood pressure (hypertension)

These are not all the possible side effects of PONVORY^®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. See “What is the most important information I should know about PONVORY^®?”

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., at 1-800-JANSSEN (1-800-526-7736).

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

Trademarks are those of their respective owners.

cp-214883v2

This article is sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Newly Diagnosed. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed April 18, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/Newly-Diagnosed

2 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS Signs & Symptoms. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms

3 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS Emotional Changes. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Emotional-Changes

4 Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG. Depression in multiple sclerosis. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-472. doi:10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555

5 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Intimacy and Sexuality in MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Brochure-Intimacy-and-Sexuality.pdf

6 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Sexual Problems. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Sexual-Dysfunction

7 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Who Gets MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 1, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Who-Gets-MS

8 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Pregnancy and Reproductive Issues. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Living-Well-With-MS/Diet-Exercise-Healthy-Behaviors/Womens-Health/Pregnancy

9 National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Disease-Modifying Therapies for MS. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. Accessed February 28, 2022. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/Brochure-The-MS-Disease-Modifying-Medications.pdf

10 PONVORY^® [Prescribing Information]. Titusville, NJ: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. April 2021.

2022-06-07T11:01:00

(BPT) – Hurricane season begins in June, but millions across the country have already experienced severe weather this year, including thunderstorms and tornadoes. These storms will continue in various areas of the U.S. throughout the summer and into the fall. Safeguarding your family from an approaching hurricane or other severe weather should be your top priority, but other threats can also cause serious harm after a storm passes. These can include fires, electric shock and what is known as the “invisible killer”: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

When severe weather causes power outages, many families use gasoline-powered portable generators to keep the lights on and appliances and devices running. However, improper use of portable generators causes increased risk of CO poisoning — which can kill your family in minutes. Because CO is invisible and has no odor, CO poisoning can happen quickly. Someone may suddenly become unconscious before they recognize the symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness.

According to recent data shared from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), African American families are at a higher risk of death from CO poisoning. CPSC estimates approximately 80 consumers die each year from CO poisoning caused by portable generators. African Americans accounted for 22% of generator-related CO deaths from 2010-2020, nearly double their estimated 13% share of the U.S. population.

Because the hazards of a hurricane, tornado or other severe weather are not over when the storm passes, take care to keep your family safe even in the aftermath of severe weather.

“It takes only one hurricane or severe storm to cause massive destruction and loss of life,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “That is why I urge consumers to follow CPSC’s safety tips to be prepared ahead of storms — and to stay safer after storms have passed.”

To start, if you use a portable generator, follow these safety tips:

Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage (even with the door open), basement, crawlspace, shed or on a porch. Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent buildup of lethal levels of CO.

Keep generators at least 20 feet away from your house.

To stay safe, be sure to direct the generator’s exhaust away from the home — and from any buildings someone could enter.

Maintain your generator.

Just as you would check your lawn mower, car or major appliance, make sure your portable generator receives regular maintenance. Read and follow all labels, instructions and warnings on the generator and in the owner’s manual.

Choose a generator with auto CO shut-off.

When purchasing a new generator, ask the retailer for a portable generator that shuts off automatically when high levels of CO are present. Some models with CO shut-off also have reduced emissions. These models may or may not be advertised as certified to the latest safety standards for portable generators: PGMA G300-2018 and UL 2201.

Use and regularly test alarms in your home.

Place battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on each level and outside separate sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be installed on each level and inside bedrooms. Test CO and smoke alarms monthly to make sure they’re working properly and replace batteries, if needed.

Follow these additional safety tips during storm season:

• After a storm, look for signs your appliances have gotten wet. Do not touch wet appliances still plugged into an electrical source.
• Before using appliances, have a professional or your utility company evaluate them for safety. Replace all gas control valves, electrical wiring, circuit breakers and fuses that have been under water.

Gas leaks

• If you smell or hear gas leaking, leave immediately and contact your gas authorities from outside your home.
• Do not operate any electronics, such as lights or your phone, before leaving the house.

Using charcoal and candles

• Never use charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal in enclosed spaces can produce lethal levels of CO. Do not use a charcoal grill in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Use caution burning candles during an outage — flashlights are safer. If using candles, do not use them on or near anything that could catch fire. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when leaving the room and before sleeping.

Stay informed and be prepared so you can keep your family safer all summer.

Learn more at CPSC.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/carbon-monoxide/carbon-monoxide-safety.

2022-06-06T10:01:00

(BPT) – How many times in your life have you started a diet? If you’re one of the 45 million Americans who try to diet each year, you will not be surprised to learn that most people only stick with a diet for 6 months or less, and then the weight returns. In fact, two out of five people on a diet quit in the first seven days.

Here are five reasons why diets fail, making long-term weight loss success so challenging without a more effective solution:

1. Diets work against the way your body naturally functions. They deprive you of food and create hunger or a feeling of starvation. When dieting, your body responds by slowing down many of its normal functions (metabolism) to conserve energy, making weight loss difficult.
2. Dieting and what you eat are not the only considerations for sustained weight loss. Sleep, physical activity, emotional well-being, and medications are just a few of the other factors that impact weight loss. For example, if you don’t get enough sleep, you need more energy to function and may eat more food to gain that energy.
3. Diets don’t fit into normal, everyday life. There is no denying that eating plays a big role in our social lives. Most of us enjoy family picnics, restaurant meals, and snacks during sporting events. Trying to diet and maintain social connections is difficult when food is at the center of so many of our daily activities.
4. Diets aren’t satisfying and cause stress. No one enjoys dieting. In fact, numerous studies link dieting with feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and increased stress.
5. Dieting to lose weight may not align with nutrition needs for health issues. A low-calorie diet may dangerously impact blood sugar levels for diabetics. Plus, important nutrients like calcium are often missing from diets, leaving dieters at risk for osteoporosis or fractures/broken bones.

If you’re ready to get off the dieting roller coaster and achieve long-term weight loss, it may be time to get serious about a weight-loss procedure.

Have you considered an adjustable gastric band system that can be your key to long-term weight loss? It involves a short, outpatient procedure and gives you power over your hunger and more control over your weight loss than other weight-loss surgery options.

Backed by 25 years of clinical evidence, the FDA-approved Lap-Band^® system features an adjustable gastric band placed around your upper stomach to help limit your food intake and promote your feeling of fullness.

On average, patients kept off 60% of their excess body weight after 5 years of having the Lap-Band. It’s the least invasive and safest weight-loss surgery, and it is covered by most health insurance¹.

For those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity related comorbid conditions, like diabetes or hypertension, the Lap-Band can be a powerful tool to help you take control of your weight and improve your health. It can be tightened or loosened as your body or physical needs change over time, helping to provide sustainable weight loss over the long term. Regular adjustments by your surgeon help you continue losing weight. Think about it like having to tighten your belt as the weight comes off.

“With the Lap-Band, you can curb constant hunger, gain control over your weight, improve your health, and sustain your weight loss for the long term,” says Vafa Shayani, M.D., of the Bariatric Institute of Great Chicago and one of the country’s leading surgical experts on gastric banding. “It is important to consult with your physician and surgeon to create a personalized weight-loss plan and monitor your health status as you implement the solution.”

Visit Lap-Band.com to find a Lap-Band surgeon near you.

Important Safety Information

Patients’ results and experience may vary. The LAP-BAND^® System is indicated for weight reduction for patients with obesity, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2 or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2 with one or more obesity-related comorbid conditions. It is indicated for use only in adult patients who have failed more conservative weight-reduction alternatives. This surgery requires significant changes in eating habits. This system is contraindicated in non-adult patients (patients under 18 years of age) with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, severe cardiopulmonary diseases, esophageal or gastric varices, portal hypertension, or who currently are or may be pregnant. Placement of the system is major surgery and, therefore, death can occur. Most common related adverse events include: band slippage, pouch dilatation, stoma obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, esophageal dilation, cholelithiasis, incisional infection, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, or nausea and vomiting.

For full safety information: https://www.lapband.com/safety/. CAUTION: Rx only.

¹ Ray James, Ray Shahla. Safety, efficacy, and durability of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in a single surgeon U.S. community practice. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.

2022-06-02T08:43:14

(BPT) – Each year, June 1 marks World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day, a global event celebrated every year to bring awareness to this rare disease that affects more than 100,000 people (according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders) in the United States.

Hypoparathyroidism may occur after thyroid, parathyroid or other neck surgery where the parathyroid glands are either damaged or removed. When this happens there is either insufficient or no parathyroid hormone available for calcium regulation.

The condition causes lower than normal levels of calcium in the blood due to insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone and can affect individuals of any age. Since calcium is necessary to supply the body with the energy needed for muscle contraction, symptoms of hypoparathyroidism often are related to the dysfunction of muscles and nerves, and also affect a broad range of different organ systems, including kidney, bone, brain, heart and gastrointestinal. Symptoms may include tingling or burning in the fingertips, toes and lip, or muscle aches or cramps in the legs, feet, stomach or face.

For this year’s World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day, the HypoPARAthyrodisim Association (HPA) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the “Patient-Powered Data Platform” — the first of its kind for HPA.

The HPA is working to build this Patient-Powered Data Platform for patients and caregivers of those living with hypoparathyroidism. When someone participates in the Patient-Powered Data Platform, they will help accelerate research and the development of new treatments. Other benefits of participating in the Patient-Powered Data Platform include:

• Informing researchers how hypoparathyroidism impacts patients and changes over time
• Enabling better data to use in drug development and clinical trials
• Giving patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials
• Reducing the time it takes to study new medicines
• Accelerating the time to get treatments to patients

In rare disease research, gathering data is an essential first step, and an important way for patients and their caregivers to contribute to advancing care for their communities. By having a robust platform of data, HPA will be able to generate more interest from clinicians, researchers and drug developers that they need in order to help progress advancements for hypothyroidism.

“Through the upcoming launch of our Patient-Powered Data Platform, the HPA is continuing to live out its mission of making a world without hypoparathyroidism,” said Deb Murphy, Director of Research and Studies, and former President at HPA. “Everyone at the HPA works tirelessly to bring better awareness and recognition to this condition, and by teaming up with doctors, researchers and specialists, we are confident that the Patient-Powered Data Platform will help bring about new and more treatment options, therefore improving the lives of patients and caregivers.”

To stay updated on the patient-powered data platform and other HPA initiatives please visit: https://hypopara.org/.

2022-06-01T10:01:00

(BPT) – June is PRIDE Month. It’s a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, reflect on how far society has come and look to the future on work to be done. PRIDE, which stands for “Personal Rights in Defense and Education,” is celebrated with parades, special events and commemorations of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Stonewall is widely considered to be the beginning of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

Despite the progress of the last 50 years, there’s more work to do, especially in the field of healthcare. Many LGBTQIA+ community members face barriers for their care in mental or physical health. For example, a survey conducted in 2020 by the Center for American Progress found that 15% of LGBTQ respondents reported postponing or avoiding medical appointments because of a provider’s reputation for disrespect or discrimination.

“The LGBTQIA+ community has long been underserved and discriminated against. That is unacceptable, especially in healthcare where everyone deserves to be treated with respect regardless of how they identify,” said Dr. Pooja Mittal, Chief Health Equity Officer, Health Net. “We strive to enhance our ecosystem of support, from our customer service team to working with providers, to training that includes and elaborates on how to best address the needs of the LGTBQIA+ community.”

Barriers to Accessing Healthcare

One of the many problems the LGBTQIA+ community experiences is health providers having a lack of understanding and awareness of their needs as patients. This makes it difficult for the patient to feel comfortable. It’s also a challenge for healthcare providers to manage the best possible care for their patients. Even providers who are LGBTQIA+ friendly may struggle with knowledge and experience.

Another barrier that affects this population is when their providers don’t understand or aren’t able to advocate for services they need. Even getting the right insurance coverage for treatments, making the right referrals and prescription privileges are a challenge. This can lead to higher healthcare costs if patients are forced to see multiple providers or pay out-of-pocket for care that can and should be covered by insurance.

Barriers such as these can lead to poorer health outcomes for the LGBTQIA+ community, such as depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts, suicide, eating disorders, and alcohol and substance abuse.

Improving Health Disparities

Look around — your friends, your family, your coworkers. Chances are you know someone who identifies as LGBTQIA+. There are many ways to be supportive. This is especially true for healthcare leaders who can improve conditions for the LGBTQIA+ population. Health Net, which has been serving California’s most vulnerable populations for more than 40 years, has implemented a variety of policies to support their LGBTQIA+ members, including:

• Increased awareness and understanding of the needs of LGBTQIA+ patients by providers
• Modifications to the company’s customer service organization to collect SOGI (sexual orientation or gender identity) information on an opt-in basis, which can help identify health care disparities
• Gender diversity and cultural competency training for providers
• Gender neutral language training for company staff
• Providing grants and sponsorships to community-based organizations that support outreach, offer resources, and assist with behavioral health services for the LGBTQIA+ population

PRIDE is an important time to remember that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter who they are or who they love. Everyone has a role to play in making sure that people can live a healthy life, free from discrimination and prejudice.