Love Will Help Us Through the Pandemic – Dr. Liza Leal
For many of us, 2020 was the year from hell and 2021 is the year that hell froze over.
But the terrible impacts of this record-setting winter are going to fade away with Spring. And there is a quick and reliable way to improve the love and warmth in our lives and get some badly needed help to relieve the stress and pain and isolation we are all feeling from covid. All you need to do is simply tell people why you love them.
You can turn the day bright simply by telling them why you love them. There are lots of areas you can focus on. The key is to pick even just one thing.
Describe to them they ways you love them that makes you feel cherished.
Tell them the specific things you like hearing them say and do, especially when they talk about you to other people.
Tell them how they made you feel when they provided you with emotional support during a tough time, a recent crisis or a difficult experience you went through recently.
Tell them that how you respect and admire how they are different (and better) than you in one or more ways. Recognize and praise them for these differences.
Tell them where and how you appreciate the way they communicate well with you. Recognize them for the things they have said and tell them how they made you feel.
Tell them how much you love to spend time with them doing the things you enjoy to do together. Tell them how you cherish those certain moments that you share together pursuing a common interest.
Tell them how you are attracted to them physically, and how much you are interested in and wanting to be physically intimate with them.
Follow Up and Take Action
You will dramatically improve the love you receive in return by taking additional action to reinforce the feelings you just identified.
Raise the heat by taking action. Think about the seven things your partner likes the most that you do and take actions to deliver more of it in spades.
Make a date!
Pay more attention to the key areas that influence the state of your relationship and jumpstart your romance to achieve greater intimacy.
Practice makes perfect.
Ask your partner what you can do to make their day better or easier. Say these three powerful words to your partner more often: “I love you”. Show affection to your partner on a regular basis.
Two people may love each other, yet not like or accept everything about each other as they are. Think about going to town and focusing on the positive things you do like about your partner. Stop yourself when you start to criticize or complain. Force yourself to say something positive instead. Compliment them. Commend their strength, their action, their self-control, whatever it is that they do.
Tell them, “I am here for you. I will stand by you” Encourage them to develop their full potential.
Feed them what they love. Create new habits and expand the activities they enjoy the most. Form new habits to help you both get by in hard times. If restrictions keep you from going out, have a weekly date at home. Turn on the music and be silly, or dance with your partner in the kitchen, or make brunch on the weekend if your partner usually cooks. Enjoy a change of scenery by taking a walk in a new location or a park, taking a drive together, and going for a hike. To a new location or destination.
Indulge them in what they love.
Learn about your partner’s favorite hobbies and support them in their enjoyment of the topic. Figure out a way to spend time with them both of you doing what the other loves. .
Listen More to Achieve Greater Understanding
Ask how they feel about something and then keep your mouth shut. Listen and learn. Let them rant and rave all they want. No talking at all. Don’t say anything except “uh huh”. Just shut up and listen and learn what your partner believes, desires, feels, and hopes. The more you listen, the more you will know and the better you will really understand, and the more you will truly be able to experience true love.
These seven elements are the foundations of emotional intimacy. They are crucial for all people, especially those affected by chronic pain and other ongoing health issues.
Together, they form a solid roadmap for greater love – a solid path on which you and your chosen partner can walk together hand in hand through the current pandemic and beyond.
Cupid’s Challenge, Embracing, Restoring Love, Affection, Intimacy and Respect Through the Challenges of Chronic Pain,
Liza Leal, M.D.
List $16.95
113 pages paperback
First Printing, 2021 ISBN-13: 978-1-951805-62-3 print edition ISBN-13: 978-1-951805-63-0 ebook edition Published by Waterside Productions
Dr. Liza Leal is board certified in Family Medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine, and lives and practices in Sugarland, Texas. She is the Chief Medical Officer of Meridian Medical Dental Healthcare and Meridian Health Institute. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School and completed her internship and residency at the Christus St Joseph Hospital in Houston. She is an active blogger and podcaster on integrated and functional approaches to health. She is also the author of the book Living Well with Chronic Pain (2015) and coauthor of the book Stem Cells Made Simple (2018) with Dr. Duncan Foulds.
Dr. Leal, knows firsthand the devastation of living in chronic pain, she was diagnosed at the age of 23, her third year in medical school and was in a wheel chair the next few years. During her final year in residency, she learned to thrive again, giving up her yellow canary scooter for a pair of high heels, going from 204 lbs to 130 lbs, like many suffering from chronic illness and stress she had to change her habits to learn to live and thrive which is why she chose a path of integrated and functional medicine to help her patients get their life back too.
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Faith and Tenacity Continue to Drive 91-Year-Old Founder of Boston Area Homeless Shelter
Boston, MA, March 2, 2021 — Sylvia Anthony firmly believes that life is a gift from God, and she’s been using her gift to impact more than a thousand homeless women and children through her nonprofit, Sylvia’s Haven, which she launched in 1987. At 91 years young, Sylvia remains steadfastly involved with Sylvia’s Haven, and hopes to inspire others to overcome life’s challenges and pursue their passions.
“When we do the right thing with the right motives, there is no limit to how far we can go with the help of God,” she writes in her poignant memoir, Till the End of Time. “My advice to you is never give up, whatever comes your way; it is all worth it.”
Sylvia had endured a difficult childhood that included an abusive father and a disinterested mother. Sylvia married young and remained in an abusive marriage until a divorce that left her alone to support her three children. Through her ambition and strength of character, Sylvia persevered, building a life for herself and her kids. After raising her children, Sylvia remarried — still, there was a void. She felt a calling to help young women, and her husband, Rick, encouraged her to follow her heart. Initially designed for homeless pregnant women, her shelter opened on January 25, 1987. Sadly, her husband lost his battle with cancer on March 30 of the same year, telling Sylvia before he died to “go get the girls.” And she’s been giving new hope to young, homeless women ever since.
Hers has been a lifetime woven with tragedy and triumph, but at Sylvia’s core burns a powerful source of courage and tenacity. She shares her remarkable story in Till the End of Time, which chronicles her early days as an unwanted child, born at the onset of the Great Depression; through her turbulent first marriage, which blessed her with three children; to finding love and discovering her divine purpose later in life. The book includes a chapter with testimonials from women who have been helped by Sylvia’s Haven, underscoring the impact of her unwavering dedication to others. Till the End of Time is the ultimate love story, woven with heartwarming memories, inspirational anecdotes and life lessons that will inspire readers to share their own God-given gifts with others.
Author Sylvia Anthony was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame on June 15, 2020. Invited to their museum in Seneca Falls, New York, she drove more than 350 miles for the appointment! Shortly thereafter, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who's Who.
A woman of faith, courage, tenacity and love, Sylvia firmly believes that the “golden years” are a time to get busy. As the founder and president of Sylvia’s Haven, a shelter for women and children near Boston, she has helped transform over 1,100 lives in the past three decades. Sylvia refers to her organization as her “magnificent obsession.” Life hasn’t always been easy for Sylvia, but she believes that God not only gives her courage during times of hardship, but also keeps her healthy so that she may realize her dream to open up Sylvia’s Haven locations in all 50 states.
Till the End of Time rose to No.1 in four different categories when it was launched on Amazon and has received 5-star reviews.
Stop the COVID Stress Spiral: How to Calm Yourself Down When It All Gets to Be Too Much Pandemic stress isn’t just impacting frontline workers; it hurts all of us. Diana Hendel, PharmD, and Mark Goulston, MD, share advice for recognizing and alleviating COVID-related stress whenever it takes hold.
Nashville, TN (March 2021)—Now that the pandemic has raged on for nearly a year, people’s stress levels are through the roof. Teachers, healthcare employees, and other frontline workers, along with parents, kids, and all other citizens, are feeling the impact. It’s gotten so bad that even veteran media professionals are struggling to keep a stiff upper lip (take, for example, the live emotional breakdown of CNN journalist Sara Sidner as she reported outside of a hospital in South Los Angeles where COVID is surging).
While many people realize they are facing unparalleled levels of stress and anxiety, others may be so busy trying to keep their lives together that they’re not even aware of how frazzled they are. But no one thrives when they constantly feel afraid, exhausted, and overwhelmed, say Diana Hendel, PharmD, and Mark Goulston, MD.
“COVID-19 has pushed many of us into survival mode,” says Dr. Hendel, coauthor along with Dr. Goulston of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “We are doing what’s necessary to survive, but the stress of continuing to function while under such extreme pressure to carry on eventually takes a toll.”
“It is important to learn to recognize when your stress is rising and take steps to mitigate it,” adds Dr. Goulston. “Acknowledging what’s going on with your mental health empowers you to do something about it.”
The good news is it doesn’t take much time or effort to reduce stress—even the severe stress so many are facing right now. Read on for this tool kit of simple “stress stoppers” you can use any time you feel stress or anxiety taking hold.
Do frequent self “check-ins” to recognize when your stress levels are rising. When you’re busy and under pressure to perform, it’s easy to go on “autopilot.” Therefore, periodically pause and do a quick self-assessment throughout the day. Consider your emotional state (Do I feel friendly and engaged, or edgy and aggressive?) as well as your physical state (Is my body calm and at ease, or is it holding onto tension?).
“Take 20 or 30 seconds to scan your body and identify areas that may be holding onto tension or stress,” says Dr. Hendel. “For example, you might be carrying tension in your jaw or shoulders. When you notice an area that is tense, gently release the tension. Over time it should become easier to recognize when stress begins to take hold—and to do something about it.”
Ground yourself when you start feeling overwhelmed. Grounding is a great way to reduce anxiety and arrive in the here and now. Use it any time you feel carried away by anxious thoughts or feelings, or triggered by upsetting memories and flashbacks.
Find a comfortable place to sit (or stand). If sitting, rest your hands on your legs. Feel the fabric of your clothing. Notice its color and texture.
Next, bring your awareness to your body. Stretch your neck from side to side. Relax your shoulders. Tense and relax your calves. Stomp your feet.
Look around and notice the sights, sounds, and scents around you for a few moments.
Name 15-20 things you can see. For example, the floor, a light, a desk, a sink.
As you keep looking around, remind yourself that The flashback or emotion I felt is in the past. Right now, in this moment, I’m safe.
Pause and take a few deep breaths. We tend to hold our breath whenever we are stressed, but this only exacerbates feelings of anxiety and panic. Instead, use “box breathing” to calm yourself and heighten your concentration. Box breathing is the technique of taking slow, deep, full breaths. Here’s a tutorial for when you’re feeling triggered.
Slowly exhale your breath through your mouth. Consciously focus on clearing all the oxygen from your lungs. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for four slow counts. Hold your breath for four more slow counts. On the next four counts, exhale again through your mouth until your lungs are empty. Hold your breath again for a final slow count of four beats.
Reach for something that anchors you in the present moment. Carry a small reminder of what you love about your life and focus on it if you feel triggered and need to center yourself. It might be a photo of your kids or pet, a small rock you picked up on a scenic nature hike, or a special necklace. Think of the gratitude you feel for your life whenever you look at this token.
Keep something that makes you laugh nearby. Humor is a great way to alleviate stress. Tape a clip of a funny cartoon to your work area or carry a small notebook with jokes that make you laugh every time you read them.
Use calming affirmations to give you strength and peace. Written positive statements can give you a lift when you feel yourself sinking. If self-talk is not for you, imagine a supportive other saying these to you in your mind’s eye. A few examples:
I feel energized and ready for anything the day has in store for me.
I accept myself as I am. I am enough.
I am safe in this moment.
Let your feelings out (when possible) at work. At times you may find you need to step away from your work duties for a few minutes and give any intense emotions you might be experiencing some “breathing room.” Try to move to a private area so you can cry or discreetly express your feelings. Sometimes you need to release the stress that’s built up in your body, and finding a private place to let the tears fall or vent for a few minutes can lighten your stress and enable you to get back to work.
Play a mind game. “If there is no way to speak to someone else and you need comfort in the moment, imagine talking to someone who loves you,” says Dr. Goulston. “Imagine that they are listening and lovingly holding and encouraging you. As you hear them talking and walking you through it, you will feel their love and belief in you. This kind of mental pep talk can be a bridge until you are able to speak your feelings to somebody in person.”
Head outdoors for a few minutes. If at all possible, try to get outside for a few minutes of fresh air when you are feeling stressed. Take deep breaths, stretch your arms and legs, and take in the gifts of nature around you. And if possible, invite another person (either someone in your household or a coworker if you are at work) to join you for a 10-minute walk so the two of you can blow off steam.
“When you do nothing about ongoing stress, it can increase until it dominates your life,” concludes Dr. Hendel. “None of us can afford to be sidelined when we need all of our energy to face these current challenges. But it is never too late to take charge of your mental health and build up the resilience that will sustain you through the pandemic and beyond.”
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About the Authors: Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching—which he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs—and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He is the creator and developer of Surgical Empathy, a process to help people recover and heal from PTSD, prevent suicide in teenagers and young adults, and help organizations overcome implicit bias.
Dr. Goulston is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life. He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there. He also is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation About Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior subject-area expert across all media, including news outlets ABC, NBC, CBS, and BBC News, as well as CNN, Today, Oprah, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune,Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One. He was also featured in the PBS special “Just Listen.”
Diana Hendel, PharmD Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
About the Book: Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
COVID-19 Contributes to Uptick in Opioid-Related Deaths
Baltimore, MD, March 2, 2021— Telemedicine and tele-mental health services have emerged as valuable resources for those battling addictions during our country’s expanding opioid crisis. The availability of remote healthcare services gives hope for those struggling with their addictions against a backdrop of social isolation, explains Dr. Paul Christo, anAssociate Professor in the Division of Pain Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and he adds, clinicians need to advocate to their patients that online treatment options are available.
Dr. Christo, who is on the frontlines working to curb the impact of the opioid crisis, also wants patients to know that critical medications for maintaining sobriety can now be prescribed by telehealth or telephone.
"The number of fatalities from opioid-related overdoses could be nearly 30 percent higher than reported due to missing information or incomplete death records,” he says. “The worst fear is that because of social isolation, people are not being found or treated immediately."
The opioid epidemic today progressed in three phases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first involves deaths caused by prescription opioids, the second, an increase in heroin use, and the third, a surge in the use of synthetic opioids or fentanyl. Experts say the U.S. is right in the middle of the third phase of the epidemic, due to the increasing availability of fentanyl and increasing rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids.
According to a recent study there were 632,331 drug overdoses between 1999 and 2016. Most of these deaths (78.2 percent) were drug overdoses with known drug classification. Moreover, 21.8 percent were unclassified drug overdoses. A further investigation revealed that for unclassified drug overdoses, 71.8 percent involved opioids, translating to 99,160 additional opioid-related deaths.
There were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, according to an estimate from the CDC. Based on findings from the new study, over half of those deaths — about 47,000 — are suspected of having involved opioids.
Another study on opioid overdoses found that the number of drug overdose deaths decreased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Almost 70 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid of those deaths.
“COVID 19 impacted the drug supply chain by closing borders on some regions, and it led to the higher death rate,” Dr. Christo explained. He added that drugs become more challenging to get, and the potency of overdose goes up. It also impacts the price, everything goes up, and in that sense, it becomes more deadly each day, according to Dr. Christo.
About Dr. Paul Christo
Dr. Paul Christo serves as Director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is the author of Aches and Gains, A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Your Pain. Dr. Paul Christo also hosts an award-winning, nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM radio talk show on overcoming pain called, Aches and Gains®. For more information about Dr. Paul Christo. Please visit www.paulchristomd.com.
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Launch of generic brands for expensive oncology drugs improves treatment affordability and access in India, says GlobalData
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has recently approved several generic versions of sunitinib to treat kidney cancer. Against this backdrop, the approval of generic brands of expensive oncology drugs will not only help in reducing the cost of these life-saving drugs but also improve access and adherence to treatment in the future, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Krishna Srinivasaraghavan, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Expensive cancer diagnostics and treatment add to the economic burden in India, as major proportion of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure is borne by patients. As a result, non-affordability and limited access to basic treatment account for higher cancer mortality rate in the country.”
As per India’s National Cancer Registry Programme, the estimated number of people living with cancer in 2020 was around 2.25 million, with over 1.16 million new cases being registered every year. Reportedly, cancer claimed 0.7 million lives in 2018.
According to GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, 1,351 generic drugs are available in India for the treatment of different cancers, as of 26 February 2021.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has recently launched Sutib, the generic version of sunitinib oral capsules to treat kidney cancer in India. Beta Drugs and Shilpa Medicare have also launched sunitinib generics with brand names ‘Adsunib’ and ‘Sinishil’, respectively. Other companies with sunitinib generics include Globela Pharma Pvt Ltd and SP Accure Labs Pvt Ltd.
In 2020, Zydus Cadila launched a generic brand of enzalutamide ‘Obnyx’ for prostate cancer (weekly therapy), reducing the monthly treatment cost by 70%. Several other companies too had launched enzalutamide generics in India. Similarly, the launch of dasatinib generics reduced the monthly treatment cost for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) by more than 96% compared to originator brand drug.
Mr Srinivasaraghavan concludes: “Landmark verdicts in Novartis’ Gleevec case and Bayer-Natco cases are examples where the Indian law and regulatory norms encouraged generic versions of the expensive medicines to be available and accessible to patients at an affordable price, at the earliest possible time. Such examples will significantly favor Indian patients.”
Comments provided by Krishna Srinivasaraghavan, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData
This press release was written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData’s team of industry experts
About GlobalData
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
World's Fastest COVID-19 Virus Detection Insta-Test: Results in Under 15 Seconds
EDMONTON, AB, March 2, 2021 /CNW/ - GLC Medical (GLCM) Inc. is pleased to announce completion of development of the GLCM SARS-CoV-2 Insta-Test, delivering results in under 15 seconds, offering the world the fastest, easiest to use and most cost-effective solution to screen for COVID-19. This point-of-care, graphene-based biosensor will enable the world to regain a sense of freedom and bring "normal" back into our future. At a time when people are longing for solutions to the pandemic, GLCM delivers an innovative solution for instant testing, helping to reopen our economies, enabling employers to ensure a safer work environment, allowing schools and universities to reopen, and providing governments and their frontline workers a screening device which will provide confidence that an end to this global health crisis is possible.
Donna Mandau, President & CEO said, "Insta-Testing is essential to quickly identify and manage regions with high infection rates. The more testing we are able to do, the more confidence we will have in the safety of our environments. Today, as we hear ongoing news about a potential third wave, and new variants creating even more challenges for the world, we are pleased to offer our innovative and revolutionary Insta-Test, an urgently needed solution to help us cope with this global pandemic. The successful completion of this development introduces an effective platform for future testing solutions as GLCM's graphene is tailorable and offers a rapid solution to emerging and future strains of SARS and other viral diseases. We look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks as we enter clinical trials and plan for market deployment."
The GLCM SARS-CoV-2 Insta-Test is a one-of-a-kind saliva test, eliminating the nasopharyngeal swab and all certified practitioner oversight requirements. It does not require expensive equipment or a lab to process results. GLCM's in-vitro diagnostic device produces a signal when exposed to COVID-19 viral antigens and directly detects the virus in under 15 seconds. This Insta-Test is an "at the door" technology, perfect for any situation that requires immediate and reliable results managing large groups of people. This screening tool is ideal for people boarding a plane or cruise ship, entering a venue for a concert or sporting event, entry into casinos, schools, theme parks and endless other scenarios.
Dr. Leah Coumont, Chief Science Officer said, "I am pleased with the results of our validation testing and the entire team at GLCM is proud to deliver such an important diagnostic tool to help governments, businesses, and families navigate COVID-19. This development has been a monumental task which has brought together an extraordinary team of experts, technologists, and organizations from diverse backgrounds to generate extraordinary new technology. We are excited to commence clinical human trials with the aim of timely deployment of our device, and even more excited to continue to develop new diagnostic solutions on this groundbreaking testing platform".
A world-renowned institute of virology has provided validation of the efficacy of the GLCM Insta-Test via pre-clinical assessments. The device will soon enter clinical human trials and using the sensitivity and specificity data that will be generated from these trials along with very detailed laboratory validation, GLCM is working to prepare the necessary regulatory, safety, and manufacturing data for submission to Health Canada, United States' FDA EUA and WHO. We are progressing rapidly and with great confidence towards our objective of achieving an excellent correlation with industry standard rt-PCR in negative and simulated positive samples. Based on current indications, demand is expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of units per annum and GLCM is working towards meeting these demands.
About GLC Medical (GLCM) Inc. GLC Medical (GLCM) Inc. is a subsidiary of Graphene Leaders Canada (GLC) Inc., a Canadian technology company producing high-quality graphene nanomaterials for development of new product innovations. GLCM offers graphene-enhanced solutions in the medical industry leveraging our material science expertise in working with graphene and developing products and solutions to serve the betterment of People and Planet. GLCM's tag line is "Health through Technology".
First Drug Approval for Dayvigo in Asia Outside of Japan
TOKYO, Mar 2, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that its Hong Kong subsidiary Eisai (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. has obtained approval for the in-house-discovered and developed orexin receptor antagonist DAYVIGO (generic name: lemborexant) for the treatment of adults with insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. This approval is the first approval for DAYVIGO in Asia outside of Japan.
DAYVIGO is a dual orexin receptor antagonist that inhibits orexin neurotransmission regulating sleep-wake rhythm by binding competitively to the two subtypes of orexin receptors (OX1R and OX2R). DAYVIGO acts on the orexin neurotransmitter system and is believed to facilitate sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and wake by regulating sleep-wake rhythm. DAYVIGO binds to orexin receptors OX1R and OX2R and acts as a competitive antagonist with stronger inhibition effect on OX2R, which suppresses both REM and non-REM sleep drive, such that DAYVIGO may provide faster sleep onset and better sleep maintenance to patients.
In June 2020, DAYVIGO was launched in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance; and in July 2020, DAYVIGO was launched in Japan for the treatment of insomnia. In addition, DAYVIGO has been approved in Canada, and an application for approval has been submitted in Australia. In Asia, Eisai has currently submitted applications to the respective regulatory authorities in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, and plans to further expand submissions of applications for approval in other countries.
Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or both, despite an adequate opportunity to sleep, that can lead to daytime consequences, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability.(1),(2) Insomnia is one of the most common sleep-wake disorders. Approximately 30% of adults worldwide have symptoms of insomnia.(3),(4) In Hong Kong, over 35% of adults are reported to have symptoms of insomnia.(5) In particular, older adults also have a higher prevalence rate with many experiencing insomnia symptoms for months to years. As a result, insomnia causes various social losses, such as long absences and reduced productivity. It can increase the risk of falls in older adults.(6)
Eisai will continue its efforts to deliver DAYVIGO as a new treatment option to insomnia patients across the world with the hope of contributing to restoration of daytime function and recovery for patients with insomnia by potentially delivering an active daytime life through fast sleep onset and good quality sleep.
About DAYVIGO (Generic Name: Lemborexant)
DAYVIGO is Eisai's in-house discovered and developed small molecule that binds to orexin receptors, OX1R and OX2R, and acts as a competitive antagonist (IC50 values of 6.1 nM and 2.6 nM, respectively). The mechanism of action of DAYVIGO in the treatment of insomnia is presumed to be through antagonism of orexin receptors. The orexin neuropeptide signaling system plays a role in wakefulness. Blocking the binding of wake-promoting neuropeptides orexin to receptors OX1R and OX2R is thought to suppress wake drive (Ki values of 8.1 nM and 0.48 nM, respectively). Higher affinity and faster on/off receptor kinetics of DAYVIGO to orexin receptor 2, which also suppresses non-REM sleep, indicates its potential to facilitate non-sedative onset and maintenance of sleep.
In addition to the indication of insomnia, a clinical study of DAYVIGO in the treatment of Irregular Sleep Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD) associated with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia is underway.
About Sleep-Wake Disorders and Insomnia
Sleep-wake disorders consist of disease categories such as insomnia, ISWRD, hypersomnia and breathing-related sleep disorders. Among the sleep-wake disorders, insomnia is the most common with persistent insomnia symptoms experienced by approximately 30% of the adult population worldwide.(3),(4) Insomnia disorder is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or both, despite an adequate opportunity to sleep, which can lead to daytime consequences, such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability.(1),(2)
Sleeping well is essential for good health, including brain health.(7) Studies suggest an optimal sleep duration between seven and eight hours.8 Poor sleep is associated with a wide range of health consequences, including an increased risk of hypertension, accidental injury, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, stroke, dementia and adverse effects on mood and behavior.(1),(8)
Women are 1.4 times more likely than men to suffer from insomnia.(9) Older adults also have higher prevalence of insomnia as aging is often accompanied by changes in sleep patterns, including disrupted sleep, frequent waking, and early waking, that can lead to less sleep time.(10)
About the Anti-Insomnia Drug Market in Hong Kong
The anti-insomia drug market in Hong Kong as of 2019 valued at approximately 7.6 million USD, comprising nearly 8% of the insomnia drug market in Asia (Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand).(11)
(1) Ferrie JE, et al. Sleep epidemiology - a rapidly growing field. Int J Epidemiol. 2011;40(6):1431-1437. (2) Roth T. Insomnia: definition, prevalence, etiology and consequences. J Clin Sleep Med. 2007;3(5 Suppl):S7-S10. (3) Institute of Medicine. Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation: An unmet public health problem. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. 2006. (4) Ohayon MM, et al. Epidemiology of insomnia: what we know and what we still need to learn. Sleep Med Rev. 2002;6(2):97-111. (5) Wong, et. al. Prevalence of Insomnia among Chinese adults in Hong Kong: a population-based study. J Sleep Res. 2011; 20: 117-126 (6) National Institute of Public Health. Sleep disorders practice guidelines - for the proper usage of sleeping medications and the withdrawal: insomnia medical manual aiming for breaking through (available in Japanese only). (7) Cappuccio FP, et al. Sleep duration and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sleep. 2010;33(5):585-592. (8) Pase MP, Himali JJ, Grima NA, et al. Sleep architecture and the risk of incident dementia in the community. Neurology. 2017;89(12):1244-1250. (9) Roth T, et al. Prevalence and perceived health associated with insomnia based on DSM-IV-TR; International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision; and Research Diagnostic Criteria/International Classification of Sleep Disorders, second edition criteria: results from the America Insomnia Survey. Biol Psychiatry. 2011;69:592-600. (10) Crowley K. Sleep and sleep disorders in older adults. Neuropsychol Rev. 2011;21(1):41-53. (11) Copyright - 2021 IQVIA.Internal analysis based on IQVIA Analytics Link 2019. Reprinted with permission.
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8 of the Best Female-only Wellness Retreats to Celebrate International Women’s Day
With one in three people now prioritising wellness on holiday and the rapid rise of solo female travel, there has never been a better way to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March than by booking a future wellness retreat. Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists have rounded-up the best female-only wellness retreats for solo travel for those looking to book a well-deserved wellness break for Autumn/Winter 2021/2022 when we anticipate current barriers to travel will have been lifted. From relaxing on the glistening shores of the Algarve with an immersive yoga experience, to increasing your fitness on an intensive bootcamp overlooking the striking Thai mountains, these exclusive health and fitness retreats are guaranteed to enlighten and empower every woman.
Surrounded by privacy walls for ultimate seclusion and nestled in lush tropical gardens, Ocean Soul Retreat is ideal for solo female travellers craving peace and tranquillity. Connect your mind, body and soul with holistic therapies, nutritious food, and relaxing massages at this luxurious women’s only retreat. This wellness programme is based on your desire to engage in as many or as little activities as you like, adapting to your wellness requirements..
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 6 nights at Ocean Soul Retreat for £2,750pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Kickstart your journey to your health and fitness goals on this female-only intensive bootcamp, set against the striking mountains of Koh Samui. Work out alongside British Military Trainers to lose weight and improve your mental and physical strength. With daily yoga classes and rigorous activities like boxing and circuits, you will be pushed to your limits, leaving you feeling body confident and headstrong.This is a truly life-changing experience, which will improve your mental and physical strength in the company of other like-minded women.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at GI Jane Thailand for £995pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
This tailored female-only healthy aging programme is designed to take away the fear and negative impacts that come with aging, particularly amongst women. Focusing on the physical and emotional issues of Menopause, SHA uses western wellness approaches and holistic treatments to specifically target and reduce sleeping problems, weight gain and hormonal imbalances. SHA provides ample support through experienced consultants to help women adjust to bodily changes and preserve youthfulness and vitality.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at SHA Wellness Clinic for £8,675pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Embark on a journey of empowerment and enlightenment on the Thai ‘island of healing’, with this bespoke women’s holistic health programme at Absolute Sanctuary. Surrounded by lush vegetation, this programme addresses all aspects of mental and physical health, as well as hormonal imbalances. Hormones can create havoc on the body and mind, and as such rebalancing is essential to restore health, and calm and focus the mind. Through a combination of cleansing therapies, physical activities, and nourishing cuisine, this empowering experience will help you to re-energise, revitalise and rebalance.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Absolute Sanctuary for £2,170pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Encircled by pristine forest and majestic mountains, Ananda in the Himalayas is the ideal destination for women seeking a peaceful escape of self-realisation. Your Dhyana programme will enhance your physical and mental strength, whilst creating emotional and spiritual balance to harmonise mind and body. Experience a calming combination of personalised one-on-one Hatha yoga sessions, daily meditation, mantra chanting, traditional Pranayama breathing techniques, and Kundalini back massages. You will leave feeling relaxed and refocused, with the tools to continue your self-study at home and remain in harmony with yourself.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Ananda in the Himalayas for £2,535pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Breathe in the fresh ocean air as you immerse yourself in the physical and mental health benefits of yoga. This exclusive retreat, led by yoga master Trevor Laurency is perfect for women looking to reconnect with their inner purpose, on the golden beaches of the Algarve. With over 25 years’ experience in holistic teaching, Trevor will guide you through a variety of yoga styles, inducing calm and total relaxation. Make lifelong friendships with yogis from all around the world as you engage in daily yoga classes together.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Longevity Cegohna Country Club for £1,670pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Escape to the Balinese foothills and find inner peace at the edge of the jungle, on this female-only retreat set against the panoramic views of ancient volcanoes. Learn about spirituality and self-healing, as you begin your wellness journey to inner-transformation and empowerment. Focusing on the reduction of mental tension and emotional blockages, you will be guided through a holistic programme of daily meditations, mindfulness, spiritual workshops and carefully crafted nutritious meals. You will leave feeling emotionally balanced and renewed, with self-help practises that you can implement in everyday life.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Bliss Body retreat for £2,500pp. Price includes full board, return transfers, and a wellness programme.
Overlooking lush vineyards, this luxurious wellness haven is perfectly located for women looking to turn back time at the foothills of the Swiss Alps. By undergoing various medical diagnosis, attending exercise classes and following a nutrient-rich meal plan, you will observe significant changes in your overall health and well-being. You will be enriched with the knowledge of how to slow down the biological aging process and maintain a higher quality of life, leaving you not only looking, but also feeling younger.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 4 nights at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz for £4,830pp. Price includes full board and a wellness programme.
Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that originated in the UK in 2010 and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph as a result of his passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives.
Health and Fitness Travel offers clients a tailor-made seamless service with the very best health and fitness holidays, handpicked by its expert team, together with exclusive and added value packages with the best deals. As leading specialists, Health and Fitness Travel has also created their own collection of trademark healthy holidays in various destinations which include Fusion Fitness™, Mindful Triathlon™, BodyBreaks™ and Discover Recover™, offering clients the best value and holiday experience. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com /www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/wellness-holidays
Terminal Illness Causes Family Secret to Surface in Heartfelt Story of Severed Trust and Forgiveness
Dallas, TX, March 1, 2021 — Natalia Foster is the family secret that her biological father, Joe Russo, was supposed to take to his grave. But when Natalia learns that Joe, an Italian man she’s never met, is dying of a terminal illness, she’s forced to confront the truth of her parentage and make a difficult decision: Should she remain in the shadows or make herself known to Joe and his family?
The Wool Over Their Eyes, from Dione Martin, is an authentic, heartfelt story about complex family dynamics and the emotions that must be unpacked when long-buried secrets push their way to the surface.
Joe’s immediate family, including his devoted wife, Rosa, know nothing of Natalia’s existence. Her gray eyes — exactly like Joe’s — and simple math prove that Natalia is a product of Joe’s infidelity, making a mockery of Rosa’s marriage. If his family discovers the whole truth — that Natalia is not only illegitimate but also Black — family bonds will be shattered.
In the midst of Natalia’s family drama and pain, another life-changing decision emerges. Natalia must choose between two loves — a long-lost one and a new one. Her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Davis, who captured her heart and connected with her soul, resurfaces. But she meets a handsome doctor, David Duplessis, who’d cared for her father. Just as the relationship begins to blossom, David commits an act that severs her trust and sends her spiraling further into her dark abyss.
The Wool Over Their Eyes is loosely based on Martin’s personal experiences. She drew upon her own memories and insights of growing up without her biological father and being betrayed in her own marriage to inform her narrative and give her characters depth and authenticity.
“I wrote The Wool Over Their Eyes for fatherless girls, for women who have been betrayed, for those who have been rejected because of their race (or otherness) and for families that have been torn apart by secrets, lies and deception,” Martin reflects. “Healing is possible – through change, through empathy, through faith and through forgiveness.”
Author Dione Martin was born and raised in New Orleans, where she spent much of her childhood and teen years reading. She earned her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Minnesota-Morris and her Master’s in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a senior communications director at Brinker International. She lives in Dallas with her two daughters and enjoys running, cooking, performing arts and attempting DIY projects. The Wool Over Their Eyes is her debut novel, and she is working on her next one.
Tips for Properly Fueling Your Body When Starting to Lift Weights
Whenever preparing to engage in fitness activities such as weightlifting, it is important to fuel your body. This activity supercharges your body and ensures that you maximize your workout. Below are four elaborate tips onhow to properly fuel your body.
Proper Body Hydration
Commonly most people will sweat when working out. However, the extent to which they will sweat depends on the environment and the intensity of the exercise. This aspect causes most people to become dehydrated.
Therefore, it is crucial to drink enough water to keep yourself adequately hydrated during the workout session. The best way to test whether you are well hydrated is by measuring your body weight before and after a workout session. If you find that you lost weight after the exercise, it might mean that you were not well hydrated. It also means that you will need to ingest 16 ounces of fluid the next time.
Eat Enough Carbohydrates
During workout sessions, the fuel burned by the body is mostly carbohydrates. Therefore you should obtain 50%to 60% of your calories from foods rich in carbohydrates. These allow you to have adequate energy for maximum exploitation of your workout sessions.
People with a modest exercise plan lack the same energy requirement as those who are performance athletes. Therefore, These moderate exercisers do not need a special carbohydrate diet before or after a workout as long as they eat such food during normal days. However, you might need to take a special carbohydrate meal before beginning high-intensity workout sessions.
Spread Your Protein Intake
The quantity of proteins required when exercising depends on your body size and the type of workout you undertake. However, recommendations dictate that you should obtain 15 to 20% of your calories from food rich in proteins. These proteins will assist you in achieving your workout goals.
If you are engaging in weightlifting exercise intending to build lean muscles, you might need to ingest more proteins. This is because proteins are crucial in the process of bodybuilding and creating muscles.
Maintain an Overall Healthy Diet
When preparing for exercises like weightlifting, most people tend to focus on their diets before and after a workout. However, what you eat and drink for the rest of your day matters as much. Observing a generally healthy diet ensures that your workout sessions are constructive.
There are numerous ways of ensuring a healthy diet. One of the effective ways is applying theeat anything diet. This process helps you establish a good and healthy relationship with food.
In conclusion, weightlifting is a vigorous exercise that requires proper preparation. The above tips will help you properly fuel your body and have adequate energy when undertaking the exercise. The insights will also ensure that your weightlifting exercise is successful.
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