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Most of us know the usual culprits of back pain; stress, excess body weight, improper lifting technique, and poor posture. While these are the typical causes, unexpected issues can be causing all that agony. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non organic - meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573870/). We spoke to Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, NYC area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon to discuss the surprising factors that could be causing your back pain.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo can address the following and more:
1. Smoking
Smoking increases brain activity that makes people less resilient when it comes to responding to back pain. Smoking also causes premature aging of discs by decreasing blood supply to the discs in the back, thus leading to pain in the lower back.
2. The incorrect mattress
Old mattresses start to form dips from years of use. The dips in the mattress cause the spine to curve, leading to constant stiffness or pain. A mattress that is too firm can cause strain on pressure points in the knees, hip, shoulders, and back, which can cause backaches. If the mattress is too soft, your spine is not supported well enough, and the spine can fall out of alignment.
3. Your purse or wallet
Structural imbalances in the spinal column can occur when you sit on your wallet. This can happen because one side of your body is higher than the other, and an excess amount of physical stress is placed on the lower spine. This can lead to lower back pain and numbness. Carrying a heavy purse or bag on one shoulder can also cause a neck and spinal tilt that can lead to backaches. Remove your wallet from your back pocket when you are sitting down, and regularly switch your purse from one shoulder to another.
4. Your wardrobe
There are unexpected items in your wardrobe that could be causing your back pain. Skinny jeans, heavy bags, strapless bras, high heels, and backless shoes are all clothing items that may be influencing your pain. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in these clothes to promote optimal wellness.
5. Dehydration
When you are dehydrated, the spinal discs lose water, and your spine is in distress. When this happens, the spine takes on the full shock of your movements, which can lead to pain. Avoid drinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
6. Your cell phone
Constantly hunching your neck over to look down at your phone compresses and tightens the muscles and tendons in the front structure of your neck. This creates imbalance and results in reduced mobility, shoulder and neck pain, a curvature formation at the upper back, and even headaches.
7. Incorrect ergonomic work set up
Many people have been working from home due to the pandemic. Working from home has led to slouching and hunching in front of our handheld laptops or work from home setups. Slouching can lead to neck and shoulder pain, back problems, and stiff hips. Make sure to sit all the way back in a computer chair and keep your thighs horizontal to your knees at hip level.
About the Doctor
Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.
Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project. In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360
CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com
Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.
Tap into Trauma’s Emotional Energy and Use it to Power a Fulfilling Future
Los Angeles, CA, May 3, 2021 — Trauma doesn’t have to lead to a lifetime of weakness or hardship. In fact, trauma can lead to greater resilience and higher levels of achievement than we thought possible.
Dr. Randall Bell, widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving, shares a process for not only surviving trauma but also thriving in the aftermath in his latest book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience.
“It can’t happen to me” is one of life’s greatest lies, he notes. But if or when it does happen, it’s possible to harness the emotional energy generated by the traumatic event — whether it was losing a loved one, surviving a natural disaster or being a victim of violence — and use it to heal and grow in entirely new directions.
“How do you take that energy from the trauma and tap into it to do something really remarkable that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?” asks Dr. Bell.
In Post-Traumatic Thriving, he shares stories of real people (many of them, like Leo Fender, are familiar) who have done exactly that, including:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Dr. Bell juxtaposes outcomes of scientific studies with these stories to reveal common denominators among “thrivers.” He divides his insights into three sections: The Dive Stage, The Survive Stage and The Thrive Stage, and outlines a step-by-step process toward authentic healing.
As a socio-economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
Screening healthcare workers could serve as early warning system for future viruses, RCSI research
DUBLIN, May 3, 2021 – New research has shown that COVID-19 infections in healthcare workers during the first wave of the pandemic provided an accurate sample of the general population, suggesting that data from healthcare workers could be used to estimate the severity of future viruses more quickly.
The study, led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in collaboration with IBM Research, is published in PLOS ONE.
The researchers analysed the infection data from healthcare workers and the progression of the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak using the reported daily infection numbers in Ireland. Using similar data in four other countries (Germany, UK, South Korea and Iceland), computer models showed how the disease progressed in different countries related to their approach to testing, tracing and lockdown restrictions.
Healthcare workers in Ireland made up 31.6% of all test-confirmed infections while only representing 3% of the population. However, the researchers found that the healthcare worker data closely related to that of the entire population after using software to create a more accurate picture of how widespread the disease was.
This suggests that governments could use data from only healthcare workers to inform decisions on whether to implement restrictions, wide-scale testing and contact tracing for future viruses.
“As we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing countermeasures early can save lives and reduce the spread of the disease,” said RCSI Professor of Chemistry Donal O’Shea, who led the work.
“However, wide-scale testing can take time to set up, delaying decisions and costing lives. While the healthcare population is no longer an accurate sample of the general population for COVID-19 due to different vaccination rates, governments could use data from their healthcare worker population to make informed decisions on what measures to implement earlier when future viruses emerge.”
The research noted that very few nations were able to set up effective systems that tested the entire population, carried out contact tracing and quarantined those infected with COVID-19.
“Setting up wide-scale testing systems for healthcare workers is much easier than setting up a similar programme for everyone since the infrastructure for testing for diseases is always in place in healthcare settings,” said Dr Dan Wu, honorary lecturer in the RCSI Department of Chemistry and first author on the paper.
“A screening programme that tested all healthcare workers would have the additional benefit of catching asymptomatic spread of the disease since all healthcare workers would be tested. If governments could catch highly infectious diseases and implement countermeasures early, this could possibly prevent new viruses from erupting into another epidemic/pandemic.”
ENDS
About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a world-leading university for Good Health and Well-being. Ranked second in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, it is exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.
RCSI is an international not-for-profit university, headquartered in Dublin. It is among the top 250 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
Visit the RCSI MyHealth Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.
For more inform
How are we feeling? Canadians are worried, bored, stressed, lonely and sad
CMHA and UBC release data on emotional impact of the pandemic for Mental Health Week
TORONTO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people in Canada, as 77% of adults report feeling so-called negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five most common responses across Canada were ‘worried or anxious,’ ‘bored,’ ‘stressed,’ ‘lonely or isolated’ and ‘sad’. This is according to the third round of data from the Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health national monitoring survey released today by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with UBC researchers to mark CMHA’s 70th annual Mental Health Week.
“While it’s discouraging to think that so many Canadians are feeling upset, difficult emotions may actually be an appropriate response to a major event like a global pandemic,” says Margaret Eaton, National CEO of CMHA. “It’s a sign of good mental health when someone can experience a full range of emotions, and recognize, understand and manage how they feel—even when it’s uncomfortable. Being able to make an emotional connection is also part of how we seek comfort and reassurance from people in our lives.”
Emotions represent our inner mental states. They arise in response to life events and experiences and can initiate changes in the body and in our behaviours. Some emotions are a positive experience, such as feeling calm, hopeful or secure and others are more challenging, such as anxiety, sadness, anger and hopelessness. Our emotional responses to significant events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, both reflect and contribute to our overall mental health status.
“Good mental health is not about being happy all the time but having appropriate emotional and behavioural responses to stressors and life events,” says lead researcher Emily Jenkins, a professor of nursing at UBC who studies mental health and substance use. The pandemic has caused significant loss—of loved ones, of connection, of feelings of security. This can contribute to very challenging emotions that are important to acknowledge and process. Hiding your emotions can prevent you from communicating with other people in your life and empathizing with what loved ones are going through. Sharing our very normal feelings of sadness, fear and worry is particularly important during this unusual time of stress, uncertainty and loss.”
Research shows that putting your negative emotions into words disrupts and reduces activity in the amygdala, the part of your brain that drives your responses to stress and fear. Having a specific label for what we’re feeling increases activity in the prefrontal and temporal regions of the brain. The act of naming our emotions can actually help us feel calmer and help us understand what we’re going through.1
However, it is important to know when anxious feelings become a cause for concern. Feeling anxious is not the same as having a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but our emotions give us clues to how we’re really doing. Indeed, those experiencing the most challenging emotions related to the pandemic were also the most likely to report a decline in their mental health, as well as suicidal thoughts.
“It’s time to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed for prolonged periods of time or have persistent feelings of worry, anger or despair,” says Anne Gadermann, co-lead researcher and professor at the School of Population and Public Health, UBC. “Or, if challenging emotions are interrupting your daily functioning, negatively impacting your relationships, your ability to work or enjoy life or causing you to rely on substances to cope. If you are having thoughts or feelings of suicide, you should seek help for your mental health.”
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in our society is complex; however, suicidal thoughts and feelings in the general population remain elevated at 8%, compared to 6% in the spring 2020 and 10% in the fall of 2020—substantially higher than the 2.5 per cent observed pre-pandemic in 2016.
Overall, a large number of Canadians (41%) report a decline in their mental health since the onset of the pandemic, compared to 38% in the spring and 40% in the fall of last year. Also, consistent with the first and second rounds of data, the decline is more pronounced in people who are unemployed due to COVID (61%), those with a pre-existing mental health condition (54%), those aged 18-24 (50%), students (48%), those who have a disability (47%) or identify as LGBTQ2+ (46%).
The good news is most Canadians (79%) say they are coping at least fairly well with the stress of the pandemic, using approaches such as: walking or exercising outside (51%), connecting with family and friends virtually (43%), maintaining a healthy lifestyle (40%), keeping up to date with relevant information (38%) and doing a hobby (37%).
Canadians also report they have increased their screen time (57%), are consuming more food (28%), are doing more online shopping for things they don’t need (18%), and are using more substances like drugs and alcohol due to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic (13%).
“Mental health is something we can protect, not just something we can lose,” says Eaton. “Factors that promote well-being include big-picture things like social and economic security, freedom from violence, harm and trauma, and access to mental health resources. It also involves smaller things like making healthier daily choices, connecting with loved ones and learning more about ourselves. When we understand and work with our emotions, this helps protect our mental health—during tough times like the pandemic and throughout all the ups and downs of life.”
The focus of this year’s Mental Health Week is to promote the importance of emotions and the role that understanding them plays in good mental health. Mental Health Week is generously supported by Major Partner Shoppers Drug Mart as well as Westland Insurance, Leith Wheeler, Rogers tv and the Not Myself Today program. To get involved, you can:
Share your support on social media by downloading a toolkit and using hashtags #GetReal and #MentalHealthWeek
Donate to support CMHA mental health programs and services at www.cmha.ca/donate
Connect. If you or someone you love is struggling, please contact your local CMHAor visit the Government of Canada’s Wellness Together portal. If you are in crisis, please call 1-833-456-4566 toll free in Canada (1-866-277-3553 in Quebec) or dial 911.
About the data The survey was dispatched by Maru/Matchbox in late January, 2021 to a representative sample of 3,037 people ages 18 and up living in Canada. It is the third round of a national monitoring survey that is also aligned with work being conducted by the Mental Health Foundation in the U.K. To access a complete summary of the findings, please click here.
About the Canadian Mental Health Association Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca
CDA extends Sun Awareness Week to Month of May: ‘Sun Safety for Every Day and Every Body’
OTTAWA, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year, the Canadian Dermatology Association is extending activities of its Sun Awareness Week, May 3 – 9, 2021 throughout the month of May. The CDA will share important messages and ‘myth buster’ facts through its social media channels to emphasize the importance of sun safety for every day of the year and for every body.
CDA Sun Awareness Week- Reaching Canadians each year for the past 32 years! For each year since 1989, the CDA has recognized the nationwide Sun Awareness Week to educate all Canadians about the dangers of too much sun and the need to protect themselves every day from harmful UV radiation so we can stop the rising incidence of skin cancer in Canada.
This year’s Sun Awareness Week is Monday, May 3 to Sunday, May 9, with national social media activities extending throughout the month of May. Check www.dermatology.ca/SunSafety and the CDA social media channels for Sun Safety messages and facts like ‘myth busters’:
Due to public health restrictions, this year’s campaign will focus mostly on social media rather than in-person events. Week 1 will highlight sun safety and sunscreen facts. Week 2 will concentrate on other sun prevention and protection facts. Week 3 will centre on the self-identification of various skin lesions. Week 4 will feature the role of a certified dermatologist in prevention, identification and treatment of skin cancer and sun damage.
“The CDA has been at the forefront of providing credible evidence-based information about sun awareness for over 30 years. The CDA National Committee on Sun Awareness was formed in 1989 and I had the privilege of becoming the National Chair in 1990. Free public skin screenings began in 1991 and continued across the country until last year with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic,” says CDA President, Dr. Jason K. Rivers.
“Probably more than ever, we all will be craving the outdoors to enjoy the summer weather of 2021. Nonetheless, it will remain our obligation to remind everyone and everybody, regardless of skin colour, to be sun safe,” says Dr. Rivers.
The CDA continues to monitor issues regarding sun safety and sunscreens, continually assessing the science of sunscreens and the potential impact they may pose to humans, animals, and the environment.
Skin cancer (melanoma) is one of the fastest growing cancers in the world and it is one type of cancer that can be prevented. When the UV Index is 3 or higher, protect your skin as much as possible. In general, the UV Index in Canada can reach 3 or higher from 11am to 3pm between April and September, even when cloudy.
Seek shade between 11am to 3pm.
Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protected sunglasses.
Use SPF 30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.1 Apply sunscreen generously and reapply when required.
Don’t use UV tanning equipment or purposely try to get a suntan; avoid getting a sunburn.
Early detection is key. Everyone should regularly perform a skin evaluation and see a certified dermatologist if you spot something suspicious.
CDA extends Sun Awareness Week to Month of May: ‘Sun Safety for Every Day and Every Body’
The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian certified dermatologists. The association provides easy access to a reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public. To learn more about CDA initiatives visit dermatology.ca and join the conversation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or YouTube.
TORONTO, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Dosecann, an in-house brand owned by Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. (TSX - XLY) (“Auxly”), announces the launch of Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream, a new, high-strength, differentiated cannabis topical cream for Canadian wellness consumers. With 1,200mg of cannabidiol (CBD) per 60 ml unit, Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream has double the potency of any CBD topical currently available in the Canadian marketplace and is competitively priced to deliver the best value for a CBD topicali. Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream is available to order now for wholesalers across Canada, is available to consumers now in British Columbia and Saskatchewan and will also be available in Alberta in coming weeks.
Dosecann Daily CBD Cream was developed by a team of scientists, researchers and formulation experts at Auxly’s state-of-the-art laboratory in Charlottetown, PEI, under the direction of Dr. Bob Chapman, Chief Science Officer, Dosecann.
“Topicals were among the very first products we conceived of at Dosecann and I’m extremely proud that after thorough development and testing, we’ve landed on a formula that we believe is the best in the marketplace,” said Dr. Chapman. “Consumers use topicals to provide daily relief from a wide variety of symptoms such as localized pain relief, muscle soreness, tension and inflammation. Our team was driven to ensure that Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream offers industry-leading potency along with a formulation designed to boost CBD penetration and provide the skin moisturizing properties of high-end skin creams.”
“We’re excited to launch Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream and expand our expertise in the 2.0 segment into topicals,” said Brad Canario, Brand Director, Auxly. “We know from research that topicals are a high-frequency segment, with nearly 50% of topical consumers using daily, and further, that amongst Canadian cannabis users, creams are the #1 topicals format. We believe we have a truly differentiated product for wellness consumers looking for daily relief from a variety of symptoms and, as always, we focused on our pillars of quality, safety and efficacy at every stage of product development.”
The proprietary Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream formula combines high-quality CBD extract with Natralipid™ Meadowfoam seed oil, a plant-based emollient found in high-end skin creams and valued for moisturization, transdermal barrier repair, skin penetration and unsurpassed stability. The result is a product that promotes the fast, effective absorption of high-quality CBD extract so that the cannabinoids can get where they’re needed quickly, all the while soothing the skin by locking-in moisture without leaving a greasy feeling behind. Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream has a mild, neutral bamboo scent and is packaged in a recyclable glass jar with a built-in seal to preserve freshness.
Dosecann Daily Relief CBD Cream is the latest cannabis 2.0 release from Auxly, who achieved the #1 market-share position for Cannabis 2.0 products in 2020. With today’s launch, Dosecann expands its offering of natural, science-backed products, which includes oils and precision-dosed capsules made with omega-rich Ahiflower™ oil.
About Dosecann Dosecann is a world-class developer of innovative cannabis products for the wellness-focused consumer, wholly owned by Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. Proudly processed at Auxly’s 52,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Dosecann products are developed and manufactured on-site by a world-class team of scientists and experts, ensuring high-quality, precision and consistency. Dosecann’s wellness products, available at licensed cannabis retailers across Canada, consist of non-GMO capsules and oils. Built on the pillars of quality, safety and efficacy, Dosecann is cannabis – down to a science.
Learn more at dosecann.com and stay up to date at Twitter: @Dosecann; Instagram: @dosecann; Facebook: @dosecann.
About Auxly Cannabis Group Inc. (TSX: XLY) (OTCQX: CBWTF) Auxly is leading Canadian cannabis company dedicated to bringing innovative, effective, and high-quality cannabis products to the wellness and adult-use markets. Auxly's experienced team of industry first-movers and enterprising visionaries have secured a diversified supply of raw cannabis, strong clinical, scientific and operating capabilities and leading research and development infrastructure in order to create trusted products and brands in an expanding global market.
Learn more at auxly.com and stay up to date at Twitter: @AuxlyGroup; Instagram: @auxlygroup; Facebook: @auxlygroup; LinkedIn: company/auxlygroup/.
For more information please contact: Scott Campbell, 647-402-4957, press@auxly.com
Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information:
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to: Dosecann’s execution of its product development and commercialization strategy; consumer preferences; political change, future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis, cannabis products and cannabis health products; and competition and other risks affecting Auxly in particular and the cannabis industry generally.
A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking information in this release including, but not limited to whether: there is acceptance and demand for current and future Dosecann products by consumers and provincial purchasers, and general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which Auxly operates will remain the same. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information currently available and what management believes are reasonable assumptions. Forward-looking information speaks only to such assumptions as of the date of this release. In addition, this release may contain forward-looking information attributed to third party sources, the accuracy of which has not been verified by Auxly. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Auxly does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FeraMAX® Named #1 Recommended Iron Supplement by National Pharmacists and Physicians for Sixth Consecutive Year
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioSyent Inc. (“BioSyent”, TSX Venture: RX) is pleased to announce that for the sixth consecutive year, FeraMAX® has been named the #1 recommended iron supplement brand in a national survey of Canadian physicians and pharmacists.
The 2021 OTC Recommendations Survey was conducted by EnsembleIQ, Research, Insights and Innovation team and the following publications and websites: Pharmacy Practice + Business, The Medical Post, Profession Santé, CanadianHealthcareNetwork.ca and ProfessionSanté.ca. This annual survey was conducted online between October 2020 and January 2021 with Canadian retail pharmacists and physicians. In total, 1,812 surveys were completed by pharmacists (including 647 Québec pharmacists) and 657 surveys were completed by physicians (including 268 Québec physicians).
FeraMAX® was named by both pharmacists and physicians surveyed (in both Québec and all Canada) as the most recommended iron supplement brand to Canadian patients.
Last year, BioSyent Pharma Inc. launched FeraMAX® Pd Therapeutic 150, the first product under a patented formulation made with a homogeneous polysaccharide, Polydextrose, linked to ferric (Fe3+) elemental iron to form the proprietary Polydextrose Iron Complex (“PDIC”).
“We are delighted with the continued vote of confidence by healthcare professionals in FeraMAX® as their trusted choice for iron deficient patients,” remarked Mr. René Goehrum, President and CEO of BioSyent. “This recognition is especially meaningful in an environment fraught with the complexities of changed healthcare practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. We express our appreciation to healthcare professionals and patients and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with ongoing innovation and commitment to the overall iron health of Canadian patients.”
About FeraMAX®
FeraMAX® Pd Therapeutic 150 is an oral iron supplement indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. This is a patented formulation and the only Polydextrose Iron Complex (PDIC) in Canada. It offers several benefits compared to conventional iron salt supplements and is well-tolerated. FeraMAX® is Vegan Certified and provides an iron therapy option for vegans, vegetarians, and patients with other dietary restrictions. FeraMAX® Pd Therapeutic 150 is also recognized by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, for demonstrated scientific evidence of safety and efficacy. FeraMAX® Powder (Polysaccharide-Iron Complex) is available in a pleasant tasting, dissolvable powder for pediatric patients.
For more information on FeraMAX®, please visit www.feramax.com.
About BioSyent Inc.
Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol “RX”, BioSyent is a profitable growth-oriented specialty pharmaceutical company focused on in-licensing or acquiring innovative pharmaceutical and other healthcare products that have been successfully developed, are safe and effective, and have a proven track record of improving the lives of patients. BioSyent supports the healthcare professionals that treat these patients by marketing its products through its community, specialty and international business units.
As of the date of this press release, the Company has 12,706,275 common shares outstanding.
For a direct market quote for the TSX Venture Exchange and other Company financial inform
CCRM and Amgen partner to advance emerging medical innovations
New fund to support regenerative medicine discoveries with high potential impact for patients
TORONTO and MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 29, 2021 /CNW/ - New regenerative medicine discoveries, including cell and gene therapies, will never reach patients without access to the funding, expertise and other specialized support that are required to move along the commercialization pathway. To address this need, CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing regenerative medicine-based technologies and cell and gene therapies, and Amgen, a global leader in the biotechnology industry, are announcing a multi-year fund, for early-stage regenerative medicine-based technologies and therapies to benefit patients and the health-care system. The collaboration is made up of equivalent investments from CCRM and Amgen.
To bridge the gap from bench to bedside, the program will identify, develop and commercialize promising technologies and therapies arising from research conducted in institutions that form CCRM's global network. CCRM and Amgen's contributions will range from financial support to in-kind technical services and expertise.
"CCRM's collaboration with Amgen to create this fund is a perfect example of how public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to support development and commercialization, and change patients' lives," said Michael May, President and CEO, CCRM. "The regenerative medicine research ecosystem across Canada offers a rich discovery pipeline and it is ready for such a program."
"There are few places in the world that have clustered all the necessary resources and talent to drive regenerative medicine from the bench to the bedside. Canada has consistently led the way for decades," said Alan Russell, Vice-President, Research, Amgen Inc. "Amgen is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with CCRM and leverage an extraordinary platform to benefit patients."
To identify opportunities, a Joint Steering Committee, made up of representatives from both CCRM and Amgen, will assess proposals from CCRM's Canadian and international member institutions. Selected projects will possess high scientific merit, be developed by scientists and academics with established credentials and expertise, and demonstrate the greatest potential to have an impact in the industry.
Regenerative medicine, including cell and gene therapy, harnesses the power of (stem) cells, biomaterials, molecules and genetic modification to repair, regenerate or replace diseased cells, tissues and organs. It has the promise of creating revolutionary new treatments for devastating and costly conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
About CCRM CCRM is a global, public-private partnership headquartered in Canada. It receives funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners. CCRM supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at ccrm.ca.
About Amgen in Canada As a leader in innovation, Amgen Canada understands the value of science. With main operations located in Mississauga, Ontario's vibrant biomedical cluster, and its research facility in Burnaby, B.C., Amgen Canada has been an important contributor to advancements in science and innovation in Canada since 1991. The company contributes to the development of new therapies and new uses for existing medicines in partnership with many of Canada's leading healthcare, academic, research, government and patient organizations. To learn more about Amgen Canada, visit www.amgen.ca.
SOURCE Amgen Canada
For further information:
CCRM: Stacey Johnson, Director, Communications and Marketing, 647-309-1830, stacey.johnson@ccrm.ca; Amgen Canada: Natasha Bond, Head of Corporate Affairs, 905-285-3007, natasha.bond@amgen.com
Coinciding with Autism Awareness Month, New Kids Book Helps Us Navigate Differences in Our 8 Senses
Richmond, VA, April 29, 2021 — Published to coincide with Autism Awareness Month, and armed with a lot of confidence and inspiration, neurodiverse author Lindsey Rowe Parker releases her first children’s book, Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down (April 1, 2021; BQB Publishing; ISBN 978-1945448; $14.95; Hardcover), with autistic illustrator Rebecca Burgess, whom Lindsey met on Twitter. The book is also available in Spanish, titled Meneos, Pistones, Y Apretones Para Calmar Mi Cosquilleo. When Lindsey became newly diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and ADHD, her world finally made sense—giving her the confidence as a parent to go through a medical journey with her daughter, who is autistic. This story is written from Lindsey’s own sensory experiences and inspires parents who are looking for that sensory input, which they themselves may not have a name for.
The theme of Wiggles… is that the child is accepted and understood. They are not asked to change; they are supported; they can be themselves; and most importantly, they are loved. Wiggles… focuses on the eight senses: smell, sight, hearing, taste, touch, PLUS proprioception, vestibular and interoception.
The brightly illustrated story follows a young girl with heightened sensory experiences through her day with fun, interactive sounds and motions. The reader may vicariously experience the vibration when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her spoon on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands—these are the things that calm her jitters down.
Lindsey recounts, “There were sensory preferences that I had as a child that I thought were weird or strange, not like other kids I knew. Through pediatric occupational therapies with my kiddos, I have a greater understanding of not only some of their sensory needs, but my own. It’s like a lightbulb went on, and I thought, “Oh wow, now I get it.” On working with Rebecca to illustrate the book, “Rebecca was absolutely the perfect person to bring this story to life because she understood life’s experiences as an autistic person. You can feel the support and understanding in the illustrations.”
Author Lindsey Rowe Parker is a mom at the tail end of toddlerhood, embracing the next phase of parenting while learning to navigate and advocate for her young autistic daughter. With a recent adult diagnosis of ADHD, and a new deeper understanding of her own sensory experiences, she has begun to delve into the neurodiversity community, learning all she can from neurodiverse voices. This is her first picture book, and she hopes it connects with everyone who has felt the need for a wiggle, stomp or squeeze! Lindsey lives in the Richmond, VA, area with her family. Rebecca “Bex” Burgess is an autistic illustrator living in the UK. They love history and nature, but comics and illustration most of all! Their passion has led them to work with the likes of The Guardian and Jessica Kingsley Publishing. Rebecca is most famous for their online comic, Understanding the Spectrum, explaining autism that has been shared in several books and used by parents, teachers and doctors. For more information, please visit wigglesstompsandsqueezes.com.
Major Depressive Disorder: The Hope-Filled Battle for the Causes and the Cures
Spokane, WA, April 29, 2021 — The voice on the other end of the phone was familiar but shaky. It was Sarah’s friend Carolyn, and she was grappling with suicidal ideation.
“Something had her in its grip and would not let go,” Sarah Zabel explains. “I kept wondering, what’s doing this? How does a normal, happy person come to feel life is so bad that she must kill herself?”
A decade after that first phone call, solutions for Carolyn’s major depressive disorder remained elusive, and Sarah felt compelled to understand why.
Fighting Chance: How Unexpected Observations and Unintended Outcomes Shape the Science and Treatment of Depression delivers a 360-degree look inside the world of this debilitating illness, featuring interviews with more than 20 experts in the fields of neuroscience and psychiatry, current research and the unforgettable stories of 16 people personally impacted by depression.
Described by Sarah as a “science book for non-scientists,” Fighting Chancetackles key questions that have guided scientific research for decades and delves into the discoveries that have formed the medical world’s understanding of the disorder. Peppered throughout are more than 20 illustrations that help explain the science involved — making it widely accessible.
Sarah adeptly explores topics ranging from the neurobiology of depression to antidepressant medications; stress and inflammation; genetics; suicide; traditional and alternative therapies and treatments; and even gives a nod to Big Data’s efforts to clarify depression’s causes and cures.
Ultimately, Fighting Chance is a tale of human endeavor and ingenuity, of downright weird experiments and serendipitous discoveries, and of people who valiantly battle for answers for themselves and for people they will never know.
Author Sarah Zabel graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in computer science in 1987 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. She retired from the Air Force in 2018 as a major general and decided to turn her focus to her life-long love of learning and become a science writer. She set herself the task of first coming to understand, and then to explain for other lay-persons, the science behind some of life’s most complex but important human experiences. Inspired, intrigued and frustrated by an enduring friend’s battle with depression, she set that topic as her first task. Sarah does occasional consulting and other activities associated with her time as one of the military’s leaders in cyberspace operations and security, in the provision of communications and other services to a community, and leadership of a diverse workforce.
