Category: Brandpoint

2018-03-19T15:01:01

(BPT) – –

2018-03-27T09:07:00

(BPT) – It’s amazing what parents do in a day. You help your kids with homework, drive them to and from practice, whip up a meal everyone will like, make sure they brush their teeth … the list goes on. Not to mention you have a job to go to. It’s a wonder parents can ever find a few minutes to relax.

While hectic can be an understatement when it comes to describing a day in the life of a parent, there are some simple and savvy ways you can save time and energy when preparing meals. Here are five tips for providing delicious weekday meals for the entire family.

1. Get in the habit of meal planning. Most people don’t realize how much time they spend stressing out about what to make for dinner each night. Something as simple as planning a weekly menu in advance can make things infinitely easier. Try sitting down on Sunday, writing down what you want to eat on each day that week and shopping accordingly. This is a simple and effective way to streamline the whole process.

2. Embrace convenience. There are far more convenient ways of getting a delicious weekday meal than chopping and sweating your way through a home-cooked recipe. You can order take out from most any restaurant these days, but Applebee’s adds an extra layer of convenience for time-crunched parents — Carside To Go(R) pickup. You simply place an order online, through the Applebee’s app, or by phone and schedule a pickup time that works for you. Then, on your way home from work, the gym or soccer practice, just pull into a designated Carside To Go parking spot outside your neighborhood Applebee’s and a team member will bring your food out to you. Deliciously simple.

3. Make food prep a family activity. Parents are always looking for a fun activity everyone will enjoy or a way to constructively engage their kids. You can knock out a few birds with one stone by encouraging your kids to become more involved with preparing family meals. For instance, you can assign them a simple side dish (it can be as easy as defrosting peas or peeling carrots) or have each kid pick a meal they want to help make each week. Whatever your approach, this is an educational and enjoyable way to spend time with your kids.

4. Don’t try to imitate the chefs on TV. We would all love to cook like those celebrity chefs on TV who don’t miss a beat and saute, grill, bake and broil any and all ingredients into a perfect dish. Don’t hold yourself to such impossible standards. Instead, focus on making delicious and nutritious meals that match your skill set and tastes. If you want to wow your family with culinary masterpieces, consider some quick and easy take out options.

5. Embrace leftovers. If you’re already in the kitchen cooking, why not add more ingredients to the pot so you can have extra meals to eat through the week? Or, instead of ordering just enough food for one night, order a couple of extra sides or entrees that you can heat up for lunch or dinner the next day.

No one said life as a parent would be a breeze, but with a few easy tweaks to how you plan, order and cook, you can make mealtime into a fun and easy part of your day.

2018-03-19T12:01:00

(BPT) – It’s no surprise that we all feel the need to get more sleep. However, for some people who feel tired all the time, it may be a sign of a bigger problem. If the urge to sleep during the day is overwhelming and irresistible, it may be excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

Roughly 20 percent of Americans have EDS. It is one of the most common complaints people make to a sleep specialist and a symptom that can be seen in a variety of sleep disorders. Being able to recognize the difference between normal sleepiness and EDS is important to your health, but more than 60 percent of Americans find it difficult to do, according to a new survey of 3,000 people conducted by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

“Occasionally feeling tired is normal,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, pulmonary and sleep specialist at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. “People with EDS have a hard time staying awake or alert during the day and may doze off during inappropriate times such as during meals, in the middle of a conversation or even when in a car stopped for a few minutes in traffic.”

EDS is a hallmark symptom of narcolepsy. Not everyone who has EDS has narcolepsy, but everyone who has narcolepsy has EDS. Narcolepsy affects approximately 1 in 2,000 Americans. It is a chronic neurological disorder in which the brain can’t control sleep-wake cycles normally. A narcolepsy diagnosis can be tricky because many disorders, such as depression, insomnia and sleep apnea, have some of the same symptoms. This may be why it is estimated that half of those with narcolepsy are undiagnosed.

Narcolepsy has five major symptoms, but you don’t need to experience them all to have it.

1. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: This is when you have an uncontrollable urge to sleep during the day.

2. Cataplexy: The weakening of muscles when you feel strong emotions like embarrassment, laughter, surprise or anger. Cataplexy can cause your head to drop, your face to droop, your jaw to weaken or make your knees give way.

3. Sleep disruption: This is when you often fall asleep quickly but wake up frequently throughout the night.

4. Sleep paralysis: Feeling unable to move or speak for a short time when falling asleep or waking up. You may also feel like you can’t breathe deeply.

5. Vivid dreaming: Often frightening dreamlike experiences that seem real and happen when falling asleep or waking up. You may experience hearing sounds or words when drifting to sleep or have unwanted visions. Sleep paralysis often accompanies these vivid dreams.

The survey also revealed that a majority of Americans don’t feel they know enough about sleep disorders. Less than 50 percent report being familiar with narcolepsy and only 70 percent report being familiar with sleep apnea. Approximately 60 percent of Americans said that they find it difficult to know when they need to talk to a doctor about daytime sleepiness.

Dasgupta adds, “If you’re having trouble staying awake during the day or experiencing other sleep-related problems, it may be time to talk to your doctor.”

To learn more about narcolepsy, take the Narcolepsy Symptom Screener or to find a sleep specialist near you, visit MoreThanTired.com.

This content is provided by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

2018-03-26T14:49:00

(BPT) – This article is sponsored advertising content from Amgen, Inc.

Those who have faced a cancer diagnosis know the experience can be overwhelming. It can present several challenges and prompt countless questions from both patients and their loved ones. But for many patients diagnosed with one incurable form of blood cancer, their first question is, “What is multiple myeloma?”

Multiple myeloma is a life-threatening blood cancer of the plasma cells, a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow that helps fight infection. Myeloma cells are cancerous plasma cells that multiply too quickly.

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, a time to take charge in the fight against multiple myeloma and bring attention to this rare blood disease that accounts for approximately one percent of all cancers globally. Although rare, multiple myeloma is increasingly becoming more prevalent in the U.S. due to a growing number of diagnoses.

Robert Lasco is one of those patients. “In my mind everything was racing,” Lasco recalled, when he learned of his multiple myeloma diagnosis, “I know several friends and family members who have dealt with different types of cancer, but I had never heard of multiple myeloma.”

While most patients respond to initial therapy, nearly all patients eventually relapse or become refractory (non-responsive) to treatment. For this reason, patients with multiple myeloma often need multiple therapies during their journey with the disease, and Lasco was no exception.

After receiving a stem cell transplant Lasco experienced a relapse. “At that point, I decided I needed to take charge of my disease and began reading everything I could about multiple myeloma and my treatment options,” Lasco explained. “After discussing with my doctor, we decided KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) would be the best option for me.”

KYPROLIS is a prescription medication used to treat patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received one to three previous treatments. KYPROLIS is approved for use in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, which are other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma. According to results from two large Phase 3 clinical trials, KYPROLIS plus dexamethasone (Kd) and KYPROLIS, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) each reduced the risk of death by 21 percent in relapsed multiple myeloma patients versus two different widely used treatment combinations (bortezomib plus dexamethasone and lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, respectively), resulting in patients living around 7.6 and 7.9 months longer, respectively.

Lasco was prescribed KRd by his doctor. Once back in remission, he was able to continue his advocacy work. He and his wife formed the Multiple Myeloma Education Fund, a nonprofit organization, aimed at building awareness of multiple myeloma.

“My experience with multiple myeloma has caused me to become very passionate about awareness and educating other people about this disease,” Lasco remarked. “You don’t have to walk with multiple myeloma by yourself. Take charge of your disease and ask for help when you need it.”

To take action and learn more about multiple myeloma during the month of March visit mam.myeloma.org.

If you would like to learn more about KYPROLIS, visit www.KYPROLIS.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

KYPROLIS^® (carfilzomib) can cause serious side effects:

• Heart problems: KYPROLIS can cause heart problems or worsen pre-existing heart conditions. Death due to cardiac arrest has occurred within one day of KYPROLIS administration. Before starting KYPROLIS, you should have a full medical work-up (including blood pressure and fluid management). You should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Kidney problems: There have been reports of sudden kidney failure in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your kidney function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS): Cases of TLS have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatalities. You should be closely monitored during treatment for any signs of TLS.
• Lung damage: Cases of lung damage have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS, including fatal cases.
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs): There have been reports of pulmonary hypertension in patients receiving KYPROLIS.
• Lung complications: Shortness of breath was reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your lung function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• High blood pressure: Cases of high blood pressure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your blood pressure should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood clots: There have been reports of blood clots in patients receiving KYPROLIS. If you are at high risk for blood clots, your doctor can recommend ways to lower the risk.
• If you are using KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone, your doctor should assess and may prescribe another medicine to help lower your risk for blood clots.
• If you are using birth control pills or other medical forms of birth control associated with a risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor and consider a different method of birth control during treatment with KYPROLIS in combination with dexamethasone or with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone.
• Infusion reactions: Symptoms of infusion reactions included fever, chills, joint pain, muscle pain, facial flushing and/or swelling, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, fainting, chest tightness, and chest pain. These symptoms can occur immediately following infusion or up to 24 hours after administration of KYPROLIS. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
• Severe bleeding problems: Fatal or serious cases of bleeding problems have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms of blood loss.
• Very low platelet count: Low platelet levels can cause unusual bruising and bleeding. You should have regular blood tests to check your platelet count during treatment.
• Liver problems: Cases of liver failure, including fatal cases, have been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. Your liver function should be closely monitored during treatment.
• Blood problems: Cases of a blood disease called thrombotic microangiopathy, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), including fatal cases, have been reported in patients who received KYPROLIS. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• Brain problems: A nerve disease called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), formerly called Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS), has been reported in patients receiving KYPROLIS. It can cause seizure, headache, lack of energy, confusion, blindness, altered consciousness, and other visual and nerve disturbances, along with high blood pressure. Your doctor should monitor your signs and symptoms.
• KYPROLIS should not be combined with melphalan and prednisone: Newly diagnosed transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients have shown an increased risk of serious and fatal side effects when using KYPROLIS in combination with melphalan and prednisone.
• Possible fetal harm: KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus (unborn baby) when given to a pregnant woman. Women should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS. Men should avoid fathering a child during treatment with KYPROLIS. KYPROLIS can cause harm to a fetus if used during pregnancy or if you or your partner become pregnant during treatment with KYPROLIS.

You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Prolonged, unusual or excessive bleeding
• Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
• Headaches, confusion, seizures, or loss of sight
• Pregnancy (women should not receive KYPROLIS if they are pregnant or breastfeeding)
• Any other side effect that bothers you or does not go away

What are the possible side effects of KYPROLIS?

• The most common side effects occurring in at least 20% of patients receiving KYPROLIS in the combination therapy trials are: low red blood cell count, low white blood cell count, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tiredness (fatigue), low platelets, fever, sleeplessness (insomnia), muscle spasm, cough, upper airway (respiratory tract) infection, and decreased potassium levels.

These are not all the possible side effects of KYPROLIS. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

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

Please see Full Product Information.

2018-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – Robert was in his early twenties when he began noticing patches of dry, red, and scaly skin. As a working chef living in California who enjoyed hiking, biking, and spending time at the beach, he tried to keep living his life as normally as possible, until the noticeable stares and reactions from strangers started to affect him. Robert started to try and hide his skin, wearing long sleeves and pants all the time, even at work and in the warm California weather.

“As a chef, I rely heavily on the use of my hands, and the heat of the kitchen made covering up all the time really uncomfortable,” said Robert. “My plaque psoriasis affected me every day.”

It was not until nearly two decades later that Robert finally received a diagnosis of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin condition that results in the overproduction of skin cells. When these cells reproduce more quickly than normal, they become raised, inflamed, red lesions, also called plaques. These plaques can be itchy and painful, usually occurring on the scalp, knees, elbows, hands, and feet, and can even cause stinging and burning.^1,2 It is estimated that more than 8 million Americans live with some form of psoriasis.³ Approximately 80% of those affected with plaque psoriasis have mild to moderate disease, while 20% have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.²

Without health insurance coverage to help cover his medical costs, Robert initially relied on home remedies in times of desperation to help alleviate his plaque psoriasis. Eventually, he enrolled in two clinical trials to try to treat his symptoms, but ultimately did not achieve the results he was looking for.

After exhausting these options, which did not result in any long-term improvements, Robert talked to his doctor who helped him join a clinical trial with a treatment called TREMFYA^® (guselkumab) that was approved in July 2017 to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet or UV light).

While in the clinical trial for TREMFYA^®, Robert experienced clearer skin for the first time in years. “After working with my doctor, I was able to take control of my plaque psoriasis symptoms such as itching, pain, and burning,” said Robert. “I’m hoping that through sharing my experiences, I will be able to help and inspire others who are faced with a similar situation.”

Results may vary. TREMFYA^® may not be right for everyone. Only your doctor can decide if TREMFYA^® is right for you.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?

TREMFYA^® may cause serious side effects, including infections. TREMFYA^® is a prescription medicine that may lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. Your healthcare provider should check you for infections and tuberculosis (TB) before starting treatment with TREMFYA^® and may treat you for TB before you begin treatment with TREMFYA^® if you have a history of TB or have active TB. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during and after treatment with TREMFYA^®.

• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, including:
• fever, sweats, or chills
• diarrhea or stomach pain
• muscle aches
• shortness of breath
• weight loss
• blood in your phlegm (mucus)
• cough
• burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal
• warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body different from your psoriasis

Before using TREMFYA^®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have any of the conditions or symptoms listed in the section “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?”
• have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back.
• have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). You should avoid receiving live vaccines during treatment with TREMFYA^®.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TREMFYA^® can harm your unborn baby.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TREMFYA^® passes into your breast milk.

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

What are the possible side effects of TREMFYA^®?

TREMFYA^® may cause serious side effects. See “What is the most important information I should know about TREMFYA^®?”

The most common side effects of TREMFYA^® include: upper respiratory infections, headache, injection site reactions, joint pain (arthralgia), diarrhea, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), fungal skin infections, and herpes simplex infections.

These are not all the possible side effects of TREMFYA^®. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Use TREMFYA^® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide for TREMFYA^®, and discuss any questions that you have with your doctor.

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.

075142-170622

References:

¹ National Psoriasis Foundation. About Psoriasis. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis.

Accessed January 8, 2018.

² American Academy of Dermatology. Psoriasis. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-conditions-by-the-numbers

Accessed February 2, 2018.

³ National Psoriasis Foundation. About the National Psoriasis Foundation. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-us.

Accessed January 11, 2018.

© Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2018 March 2018 cp-49519v1

2018-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – Vacation may be a time to relax, but things can take a serious downturn if you lose your passport or if there is disastrous weather at your destination — or worse, you need an emergency medical evacuation. Though travel insurance can seem like just one more expense, without it, an emergency evacuation can cost over $100,000!

Travel insurance is a simple way to protect your belongings and minimize losses. Angela Wong of USAA Travel Services says, “Travel protection, offered through companies like Travel Insured International, provides travelers with that extra peace of mind so that they’re covered should the unexpected happen while away from home.”

To get a quote, you will need the following information:

* Number of travelers

* Age of travelers

* Trip dates

* Overall trip cost (which includes pre-paid, non-refundable expenses such as accommodations, airfare, cruises, tours and excursions)

Tip: To compare quotes and make more sense of them, divide the quote by the number of days you’ll be traveling to get the cost of coverage per day.

In most cases, the chances are that your travels will go without a hitch. However, if they don’t, you could be in real financial trouble. Wong adds, “Benefits often provide coverage for emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption protection, medical insurance and baggage insurance.”

* Trip cancellation or interruption: With trip interruption coverage, you’ll have the money to refund the expenses of a new return ticket or to stay in a comfortable hotel.

* Emergency illness or injury: With travel medical coverage, you won’t be paying a huge medical bill. You’ll also have assistance services — in your own language — to locate a suitable medical facility and arrange transportation.

* Baggage delay, loss or theft: With coverage for delayed bags, you can relax. You’ll also be reimbursed for the essential items you need to start enjoying your trip.

* Bankruptcy of travel supplier: You’ll be able to recoup your expenses and reschedule your vacation.

* Weather-related delay: With protection against weather damage, you’ll be able to recover your pre-paid costs while travel assistance services will help you arrange a vacation to a new location.

With these coverage options, it is important to be upfront about pre-existing conditions and read the fine print to understand what you’re paying for. Remember: Don’t pick one just because it’s cheap; make sure you understand your needs and purchase one that makes sense.

While people understand the importance of travel insurance, they don’t often understand how it works. It’s really quite easy and no different than auto or home insurance. If an incident occurs, just contact your travel protection provider and start a claim to receive reimbursement and assistance.

At the end of the day, a vacation is about spending time with loved ones, unwinding from the daily routine and making happy memories. It’s not about worrying endlessly about all the things that could go wrong. Therefore, when it comes to protecting ourselves and our precious belongings, we shouldn’t think twice about travel insurance — it’s a must.

For more information on travel insurance coverage and to request a quote, visit USAA Travel or Travel Insured International.

2018-03-28T12:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know that according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, and about half of them don’t even realize they have it? Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight” because it is asymptomatic and painless, and can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. However, those who are aware of their glaucoma may feel the pressure of managing their condition.

The National Eye Institute (NEI) characterizes glaucoma as damage to the eye’s optic nerve that can result in vision loss. This can occur when fluid build-up increases the intraocular eye pressure (IOP) to a point that can no longer be tolerated by the optic nerve, causing irreversible damage. As the disease progresses, Kellogg Eye Center reports patients may lose their peripheral vision, and experience tunnel vision, blind spots or even complete blindness.

The burden of managing the condition may be frustrating, seemingly unnecessary and cumbersome. Because glaucoma is a chronic condition, it has to be managed for life. However, the nerve damage caused by increased IOP could have no symptoms, which makes adhering to a treatment schedule a struggle for many. The GRF reports that research has shown approximately 40 percent of patients do not take their glaucoma medications as prescribed, or do not continue to refill them.

“The daily adherence to strict treatment regimens is overwhelming for many patients suffering from increased intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma,” said Dr. Brian Flowers* of Ophthalmology Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. “Patients should work closely with their eye care provider to determine a schedule that works for them, or to discuss surgical options that may help reduce dependence on daily drops.”

Alcon, the global leader in eye care, offers the following tips that may help relieve the pressure of daily treatment regimens for their IOP.

1. Visit your doctor for a regular eye screening. Since the condition can silently progress, only experts can appropriately diagnose and treat this “silent thief of sight,” while providing guidance on treatment that may work best for you.
2. Follow a schedule that works best for you. Be sure to take your medication exactly as directed, by setting reminders or timers, according to the GRF. Consult your doctor on the best way to manage your medication schedule, on your terms.
3. Consider one of the microinvasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) options that may reduce your need for glaucoma medications. For those with increased IOP associated with mild-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma and undergoing cataract surgery, the CyPass^® Micro-Stent from Alcon is an innovative option that not only can ease the pressure in your eyes, but may also help reduce daily dependence on topical glaucoma medications. Talk to your doctor to see if this option is right for you.

“The first step to easing the pressure caused by glaucoma is becoming informed, and knowing to visit your doctor regularly so that you can be diagnosed as early as possible,” said Dr. Randy Craven* of Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. “After being diagnosed, work with your doctor to consider your options so you can continue to live your life fully despite the condition.”

Considering your personal lifestyle when deciding your course of treatment is key to easing the pressure due to glaucoma, and will help you and your doctor decide the best path forward, and whether a MIGS option, such as CyPass^® Micro-Stent, could be right for you.

Visit MyCyPass.com for more information about how you can lower your eye pressure at the same time as cataract surgery and to find a CyPass^® Micro-Stent surgeon in your local area.

CyPass^® Micro-Stent Important Product Information

INDICATION: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is used to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who are undergoing cataract surgery.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent should not be used if:

• You have a type of glaucoma other than primary open-angle glaucoma
• Your eye anatomy or condition is unusual; for instance, if the area in your eye is too narrow to implant the CyPass^® Micro-Stent, or if there is a condition that may prevent your eye surgeon from seeing where the CyPass^® Micro-Stent will be implanted

PRECAUTIONS: Your eye surgeon will monitor you after surgery to make sure your eye pressure is controlled. If it is not, your eye surgeon may recommend appropriate medication or other treatment to control your eye pressure. The safety and effectiveness of use of more than a single CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been established. The CyPass^® Micro-Stent has not been shown to be an alternative to treatment of glaucoma with medicine.

ADVERSE EVENTS: The CyPass^® Micro-Stent was studied in a clinical trial to compare the performance of cataract surgery with the CyPass^® Micro-Stent to cataract surgery alone (without the CyPass^® Micro-Stent). In this study, the most common adverse events in both groups included: significant loss of corrected vision (8.8% for the CyPass^® Micro-Stent vs 15.3% for cataract surgery only); visual field disturbances requiring steroid eye drops 30 or more days after surgery (8.6% vs 3.8%); significant worsening of visual field (6.7% vs 9.9%); significant increases in intraocular pressure 30 or more days after surgery (4.3% vs 2.3%); and eye swelling either 30 or more days after surgery, or severe in nature (3.5% vs 1.5%).

The CyPass^® Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device.

Talk to your eye doctor to see if the CyPass^® Micro-Stent is right for you.

*This release was provided by Alcon and Drs. Craven and Flowers are paid consultants.

2018-04-03T09:01:00

(BPT) – Many women and their doctors are still confused about the safety of estrogen. When introduced, estrogen was believed to be good for you. But, following the Women’s Health Initiative study 15 years ago, women were told that hormone therapy could, in fact, lead to an increased risk of cancer, blood clots and heart disease. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to Dr. Mache Seibel, author of The Estrogen Fix.

Today, women are learning that use of hormone therapy (HT) can minimize risks and maximize menopausal relief for common symptoms like hot flashes, dryness, mood swings, fractured sleep, brain fog, irritability and weight gain. When taken at the right time, estrogen therapy can lead to substantial improvements in health and quality of life and lower the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and dementia. Women should be aware of one caveat: beginning estrogen after a woman’s estrogen window closes at age 65 may increase their risk for breast cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis.

Heeding advice about how and when to stop taking HT is important and revealed in new studies featured in Dr. Seibel’s The Estrogen Fix. The book reaffirms the safety of vaginal estrogen for the heart and brain, as well as its effectiveness in controlling weight; additionally, the book outlines newly available estrogens and progesterones, discusses misconceptions about compounded hormones and estrogen pellets and offers the latest hormone-free FDA solutions for women with vaginal dryness.

The following are 5 creative approaches to combat menopausal symptoms:

1. Hot flashes: Women experiencing hot flashes and night sweats can find relief using an FDA-approved estrogen hormone therapy called Divigel, a cool, clear gel that is applied to the upper thigh daily. It contains the plant-based estrogen hormone estradiol, the same hormone made naturally by a woman’s ovaries before menopause and delivers estrogen identical to that naturally produced in the body.

2. Irritability/sleeplessness: Quality sleep is often a challenge during menopause and can contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. A natural supplement with melatonin like Vitafusion Beauty Sleep promotes a good night’s sleep without prescription medication. Sex and/or self-pleasure are natural ways to decrease stress and can help with the onset and quality of sleep. The oxytocin released with hugging, stimulation and orgasm can increase feelings of calm and safety, causing cortisol levels to drop, thus optimizing sleep. Orgasm releases prolactin, helping you fall asleep faster and more efficiently.

3. Painful sex: Internal vaginal dryness can be relieved for three days with hormone-free Replens Vaginal Moisturizer. Alternatively, prescription remedies like vaginal estrogen or DHEA can be used. Don’t forget to incorporate a personal silicone lubricant like Replens Silky Smooth just before sex to ease penetration, increase comfort and reduce abrasion.

4. Weight gain? Eat to defeat menopause: Food is the fuel for every cell in your body, so avoid packaged and processed foods and limit sugary drinks and desserts to ensure you’re optimizing energy. Stick to unprocessed whole foods as there are no hidden ingredients or calories. Your body will also appreciate fresh and/or organic produce and hormone-free meat or grass-fed beef as often as possible. Eat to Defeat Menopause: The Essential Nutrition Guide for a Healthy Midlife offers practical advice and information on how to choose and prepare meals to optimize health during menopause.

5. Hair lacking luster, less-than-glowing skin and brittle nails: Loss of estrogen leaves many women dealing with thinning hair, increased dry skin and brittle or breaking nails. Introducing biotin into your diet with a raspberry-flavored gummy like Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin & Nails can ensure you’re consuming sufficient biotin and other helpful nutrients including vitamins C and E.

Every woman has safe, new options, from prescription HT to those available over-the-counter, to suit her unique needs. Schedule a chat with your health provider to discuss the right hormone therapy or alternative option for your personal menopausal challenge.

2018-04-02T12:45:00

(BPT) – It’s time for America’s workforce to wake up. If you are one of the tens of millions of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours each night — the amount recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) — you are likely jeopardizing performance, increasing accident risks and putting everyone in danger during commutes. Getting enough sleep every night is key to improving productivity, safety and quality of life.

Here are some tips to make sleep work for you.

Don’t burn the midnight oil

Working late nights might impress your boss, but restricting your sleep can lead to trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling emotions and more, severely affecting your productivity at work. The National Safety Council reports that workers who sleep fewer than six hours per night cost employers six days a year in productivity.

Sleep for safety

Workers who sleep less than six hours per night are also at higher risk for injury, according to the Sleep Research Society. Cognitive and motor performance impairments caused by sleep deprivation can be comparable to drinking alcohol. If you make it a daily priority to recognize the signs of fatigue before, during and after work, and refuse to drive drowsy, you can reduce the risk of serious injury for yourself and others. This may be especially true if you work a job that involves manual labor or heavy machinery.

Strategies for non-traditional work hours

Some of the more high-risk professions involve working irregular hours. Shift workers — who can be nurses, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, transportation operators and more — work overnight or early morning hours with irregular or rotating shifts, causing upheaval in the body’s circadian rhythm and natural sleep/wake cycle. According to the AASM, shift workers may sleep up to four fewer hours per night than those working traditional hours, increasing the risk for injuries, accidents and drowsy driving. The CDC reports that serious long-term health problems are a concern, too.

However, there are ways for shift workers to combat this problematic sleep schedule.

Tips for ‘wake time’

* Avoid exposure to sunlight if you need to sleep during the day, and wear sunglasses if you must go outside.

* Use moderate amounts of caffeine in the early part of your shift.

* Use public transportation, rideshare or take a cab, or arrange rides from friends or family after a work shift.

* Take a 20- to 30-minute nap during a work break or before a night shift.

* Get help from a sleep specialist to reinforce your body clock with strategically timed bright light therapy.

Tips for ‘sleep time’

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours before you go to bed.

* Plan for any major changes in your shift schedule by altering your sleep time a few days in advance.

* Try to keep the same schedule on workdays and days off and create an effective “wind down” routine before going to bed.

* Keep your bedroom at a cool temperature, turn off all electronics and only do relaxing activities like reading or journaling.

Use the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project’s bedtime calculator, which helps you find your ideal bedtime based on when you need to wake up for work — even if that’s in the middle of the night.

Getting at least seven hours of sleep isn’t just a matter of feeling alert for productivity and safety on the job; it’s a necessary component of good health and well-being. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you should talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a board-certified sleep medicine physician at an accredited sleep center for help. For more information go to www.sleepeducation.org.

2018-04-02T10:01:01

(BPT) – Approximately 2 million Americans are battling a disease that many people may not understand or feel ashamed to admit being impacted by: opioid addiction.[1] Like many other diseases, opioid addiction can be a continued struggle for afflicted individuals and for their families and caregivers.[2] People living with opioid addiction — and their loved ones — may face judgment from others who see it as a failure of will or a “choice,” and do not understand that it is a disease.[3] Because of this stigma, people battling opioid addiction may be afraid to ask for help or feel uncertain about where to find information and how treatment options along with counseling may help.

Education that opioid addiction is a disease must continue to ensure that stigma does not impede people with opioid addiction from getting the help they need. Studies have shown that the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may help patients on their road to recovery because it is a combination of medication, which helps to treat the physical effects of addiction, and counseling, which helps teach people effective recovery skills.[3]

While MAT has been proven to effectively help in the treatment of opioid addiction, research has suggested it is often underutilized among healthcare professionals. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of adults with substance use disorders in the U.S., including those with opioid use disorder, receive any kind of treatment.[1]

Dr. Stephen Stahl, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at University of California San Diego and a contracted spokesperson for Alkermes, has pioneered the successful use of MAT and believes there are many people battling opioid addiction that may benefit from finding a treatment approach that is right for them.

“Counseling and medication each have an important role in recovery from opioid addiction. Counseling helps people understand underlying issues and effective recovery skills, while medication can help treat the physical effects of addiction. When used together, these options can be effective,” said Dr. Stahl. “Being an advocate for someone struggling with opioid addiction starts with knowing all you can about the different treatment options that may help pave the road on the recovery journey.”

Dr. Stahl recommends the following important steps for families looking for information on MAT programs:

• Understand how MAT works
  Research suggests: Counseling targets the cortex to help treat the psychological aspects of dependence. Medication targets the limbic region to help treat the physical effects of dependence.

• Explore different treatment options that may be available
  There are different types of medication used with counseling to treat opioid dependence: antagonists, agonists and partial agonists. Consult a healthcare provider for more information on selecting a treatment approach that best suits the individual’s needs.

• Learn more through the stories & experiences of others
  A new initiative called Let’s Change the Conversation provides guidance about how to start a conversation with a loved one or healthcare provider about MAT, inspirational stories from other families touched by opioid addiction as well as information about an available treatment option.

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