FORMER PEDIATRIC NURSE LAUNCHES CHILDHOOD TRAUMA EDUCATION PROGRAM
Healing Connection offers specialized services associated with Complex Developmental Trauma
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jan. 14, 2021 – Bethany Hall, a licensed family nurse practitioner in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in Complex Developmental Trauma (CDT), has launched Healing Connection, a trauma-informed resource for training, and advocacy for childhood trauma-related education.
Hall, a nationally-recognized expert in the area of CDT, is a certified affiliate trainer in trauma competent caregiving by Trauma Free World, a nonprofit organization that provides training all around the world to those dedicated to ending childhood trauma. Hall utilizes in-person and virtual platforms to teach the neuroscience of trauma, as well as, conduct screenings, assessments and interventions, which can be utilized to increase therapeutic and healing interactions for those working with, or caring for children who have experienced CDT.
“As a veteran healthcare worker specialized in childhood trauma and a former pediatric nurse, I’ve learned so much about the underlying factors of childhood trauma, and how delicate these circumstances are in a child’s life,” said Hall. “I created Healing Connection as a way to train and educate those involved in a child’s life about CDT and how they, themselves, can become instrumental in helping children overcome trauma.”
Healing Connection supports children and adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma by raising community awareness and seeks to create community partners through centers of worship, schools and families that are trauma-informed. Healing Connection offers services to those who have an influential role in a child’s life, including parents and guardians, foster care providers, adoptive families, educators, social workers, and daycare providers, among others.
Industry experts at Healing Connection provide online or in-person support, parent coaching, and focused training with audience specific curriculum. Additionally, Healing Connection offers community networking opportunities through consultations, conference presentations, speaking engagements and panel discussions.
“We are able to identify the needs of children suffering from trauma, including CDT, the most severe and detrimental form of trauma, caused during a child’s first three years of life,” Hall said. “Our extensive training and work experience are valuable resources for those who closely work with children suffering from CDT and may even have a mitigating effect on the long-term outcomes associated with chronic and acute trauma.”
About Hall:
Hall, a West Michigan native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Cedarville University in Ohio and a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of Kentucky. She served as a clinical instructor at Spaulding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and spent five years working as a specialized pediatric nurse practitioner at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In addition to her work in medicine, Hall spent three years as a missionary with Back2Back Ministries in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, providing medical services and trauma competent trainings to at-risk children and youth, and short- and- long term caregivers.
About Healing Connection
Healing Connection supports children and adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma by raising community awareness and seeks to create community partners through centers of
ELNA Medical Forms Largest Network of Primary and Specialty Care Clinics in Canada
MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Montreal-based ELNA Medical, a leading Quebec provider of healthcare services, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Medicentres Canada, the largest chain of corporately owned medical clinics in the country.
As part of the transaction, the 38 Medicentres clinics will be integrated into the ELNA Medical network.
This deal positions ELNA Medical as the largest network of medical clinics across Canada with over 800 medical professionals working in 54 primary and specialty care and occupational health clinics throughout Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. ELNA provides both in-person and virtual care to over 1 million Canadians and 1500 corporations annually.
"Since its inception five years ago, ELNA Medical has remained true to its mission to provide service excellence for each and every patient. Our objective is to persist in providing convenient and quick access to primary and specialty care services including personalized and preventive medicine by leveraging advanced technologies. As we face the challenging and painful reality of the ongoing pandemic, our mission resonates more than ever. We are proud to expand and continue to make every effort to keep our patients and communities safe." ELNA Medical president and founder, Laurent Amram explained.
Under the new agreement and building on a long history of working together, Medicentres and Rexall Drugstores will continue to serve patients and customers looking for convenient access to healthcare services.
Wayne Samuels, General Managerof Medicentres Canada said, "We look forward to continuing our 42-year tradition of excellence and building upon the strength of our new cross-Canada network to innovate and improve every level of patient care."
This acquisition marks the first expansion beyond Quebec's borders for ELNA Medical and is one of many in the company's vision to build the most impactful primary and specialty care network of clinics, enabled by cutting-edge technology.
ELNA Medical is a privately-owned, Montreal-based company. Operating since 2016, ELNA has been delivering RAMQ-covered primary and specialty healthcare in its state-of-the-art clinics across Quebec. ELNA Medical is associated with CDL Laboratory, a diagnostic laboratory with a longstanding reputation as an industry leader in the Canadian healthcare space. True to its mission and its spirit of innovation, ELNA is committed to making a distinctive contribution to the health and well-being of every patient by providing easily accessible medical services of exceptional quality.
Medicentres Canada offers primary care (walk-in and family practice), specialist care, and occupational health services to patients and corporate clients across Canada. Founded in Edmonton as a walk-in clinic in 1979, Medicentres Canada has grown to be one of the largest chains of fully managed medical clinics in the country.
With a heritage dating back over a century, Rexall is a leading drugstore operator with a dynamic history of innovation and growth, dedicated to caring for Canadians' health…one person at a time. Operating over 400 pharmacies across Canada, Rexall's 8,500 employees provide exceptional patient care and customer service. Rexall is part of the Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd. and a proud member of the global McKesson Corporation family. For more information, visit rexall.ca.
Second year of the Montreal Heart Institute's Diabetes Prevention Clinic sponsored by Sun Life
Supporting people with type 2 diabetes throughout the pandemic
MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2021 /CNW/ - When the pandemic forced gyms to close, it caused some disruption to the plans that had been developed for patients by the team at the Montreal Heart Institute's Diabetes Prevention Clinic sponsored by Sun Life. As people with type 2 diabetes are more vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19, it was important they remained safe at home. Fortunately, when public health restrictions were implemented, telehealth was there to make remote monitoring possible. And even though part of the team at the EPIC Center had to be moved to the Montreal Heart Institute to support efforts there, the Clinic's 223 participants made significant progress over the course of the year.
60% reduced their waist circumference by an average of 5 cm
66% lost weight, with patients losing an average of 4 kg (8.8 lb)
48% reduced their circulating insulin levels, with an average absolute reduction of 23.95 mmol/L – a relative reduction of 7%
58% reduced their glycated hemoglobin (average blood sugar over 3 months), with an average absolute reduction of 0.005 pmol/L – a relative reduction of 6.8%
52% improved their fasting glucose levels, with an average absolute reduction of 0.72 mmol/L – a relative reduction of 7%
48% reduced their triglycerides, with an average absolute reduction of 0.24 mmol/L – a relative reduction of 8%
24% increased their good cholesterol (HDL), with an average absolute increase of 0.07 mmol/L – a relative increase of 6.6%
54.9% of patients completely normalized their fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin.
Impressive results Since its creation in December 2018, the Clinic has seen 223 patients and has conducted more than 17,000 fitness sessions and 1,950 individual meetings. This initiative is one of the many ways Sun Life helps people live healthier lives, which is a central component of the company's purpose. "I'm impressed at how close these participants have come to recovery despite the challenges posed by the pandemic," said Jacques Goulet, President of Sun Life Canada. "The pandemic has highlighted the consequences of diabetes, which can cause severe complications in people with the disease who contract COVID-19. This has underscored the importance of continuing to give people the tools they need to take charge of their health."
"We're pleased that we were able to maintain the Clinic's services even though the EPIC Center's activities had to be suspended. The results we've seen in our patients confirm the positive impact of regular exercise in controlling blood sugar and insulin sensitivity and show that, when combined with a high-quality diet, it can contribute to preventing and mitigating the effects of type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Martin Juneau, Director of Prevention at the Montreal Heart Institute and Supervisor of the Diabetes Prevention Clinic sponsored by Sun Life.
Remote workouts and limited resources due to the pandemic The majority of the staff at the Montreal Heart Institute had to be redeployed to the hospital to perform various functions relating to the pandemic. As a result, the team at the Clinic was without some of its key players. But this did not stop them from achieving their ambitious objectives, through group seminars and one-on-one meetings. Patients had the chance to meet with a nurse, a nutritionist, a kinesiologist, a physician, and an endocrinologist when needed, along with fitness sessions. With a lockdown in place, technology allowed these important meetings to take place virtually.
When it was no longer possible for patients to use its gym, the EPIC Center made a series of videos available to the public. From the comfort of their own homes, participants can watch and follow along for at home workouts. The short videos provide health tips and feature exercises to do at home or outdoors as a way to improve physical conditioning. This has helped participants stay on track toward meeting their goals.
A tailored program to meet growing demand It has been proven that with exercise and good nutrition, it's possible to reverse the course of type 2 diabetes. That is the core premise presented to patients of the Montreal Heart Institute's Diabetes Prevention Clinic sponsored by Sun Life. The only one of its kind in Canada, this multidisciplinary program is offered at the Montreal Heart Institute's EPIC Center and is made possible by a donation of $450,000 from Sun Life. A team of health practitioners meets periodically with participants and gives them the tools they need to make healthy lifestyle changes and improve their health.
The Diabetes Prevention Clinic's mission is to turn the tide on diabetes through early detection and healthy lifestyle strategies. The program meets a growing demand for preventive services for patients with diabetes, prediabetes, and chronic conditions that currently affect 1 in 3 Canadians. Cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes.1 Studies show that type 2 diabetics who make lifestyle changes, including a high-quality diet, regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, no tobacco use and moderate alcohol consumption, can reduce their risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes is the 5th-leading cause of premature death in the world. Hyperglycemia from the onset of diabetes has multiple adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and dyslipidemia. These issues, together with the damage hyperglycemia causes to small blood vessels, mean that type 2 diabetes increases the incidence of coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times.2
Sun Life in the community At Sun Life, we are committed to building sustainable, healthier communities for life. Community wellness is an important part of our sustainability commitment and we believe that by actively supporting the communities in which we live and work, we can help build a positive environment for our Clients, employees, advisors and shareholders. Our philanthropic support focuses on health, with an emphasis on diabetes awareness, prevention, and care initiatives through our Team Up Against DiabetesTM platform; and mental health, supporting programs and organizations with a focus on building resilience and coping skills.
We also partner with sports properties in key markets to further our commitment to healthy and active living. Our employees and advisors take great pride in volunteering close to 12,000 hours each year and contribute to making life brighter for individuals and families across Canada. Learn more about Sun Life in the community.
About the Montreal Heart Institute Founded in 1954, the Montreal Heart Institute constantly strives for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and fundamental research, ultra-specialized care, professional training and prevention. It is home to Canada's largest cardiology research centre, cardiovascular prevention centre, and cardiovascular genetics centre. The Institute is affiliated with the Université de Montréal and has more than 2,000 employees, including 245 physicians and more than 85 researchers. www.icm-mhi.org/en
About the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation Created in 1977, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and manages funds to support the realization of the Institute's innovative and priority projects and to fight cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the world. Its philanthropic events and its donors' contributions have enabled this leader in cardiovascular health to become the largest cardiac research centre in the country. Over the years, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation has raised more than $309 million in donations. Its 26,032 donors have made it possible to make important discoveries and to support the Institute's specialists, professionals and researchers to provide state-of-the-art care to tens of thousands of patients in Quebec. fondationicm.org/en
About the EPIC Center The MHI's EPIC Center is the largest centre for cardiovascular disease prevention in Canada, with more than 4,500 registered members. The Center has just over 100 employees and is part of the Prevention Branch of the Montreal Heart Institute. The centre is for healthy people who wish to stay that way (primary prevention) as well as for patients who have had a cardiac event (rehabilitation and secondary prevention). The staff includes physicians, cardiologists, an internist, emergency physicians, a physiologist, visiting professors, nurses, nutritionists, kinesiologists and rescuers. www.centreepic.org
Expert Speaker and Brain Health Doctor Addresses Worsening Pandemic-Related Mental Challenges
Chattanooga, TN, January 12, 2021 ― Forced social isolation and shuttered businesses have led to an alarming rise in anxiety, depression, suicide and other mental health challenges. As we search for a clear path toward physical and mental recovery, one world-renowned doctor is uniquely poised to address the very serious subject of brain health from both scientific and spiritual perspectives — a much needed and welcomed approach during these extremely distressing times.
Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist, master psychopharmacologist, lecturer and renowned international speaker. He is also the founder of Come and Reason Ministries and uses his understanding of the Bible and how it relates to our modern world to inform his approach to brain health and overall wellbeing.
Dr. Jennings expertly weaves spirituality with brain science to address fear, depression, anxiety and relationship issues. He recently explored at length the damaging effects of social isolation (https://comeandreason.com/index.php/en/blogs-main/903-social-isolation-during-covid-19) and its profound impact on physical and mental health, particularly for those already suffering from chronic conditions.
He is a much sought-after speaker who regularly addresses non-medical professionals on the subjects of Spirituality in Medicine, Depression and its Spiritual and Physical Connections, and Alzheimer’s Dementia. He also speaks to medical professionals on the topics of Psychotherapy in Clinical Practice, Major Depression in the Primary Care Setting, and the Neurobiology of Depression — among many others.
Dr. Jennings operates a private practice in Chattanooga and has successfully treated thousands of patients. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Life-Fellow of the Southern Psychiatric Association.
He is also a prolific author whose books include The God-Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life; Could It Be This Simple? A Biblical Model for Healing the Mind; The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind; and The God-Shaped Heart: How Correctly Understanding God’s Love Transforms Us.
To hear his presentations and to learn more about Dr. Timothy R. Jennings and his approach to brain and body health, please visit: www.comeandreason.com.
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Ontario's doctors make five recommendations to improve long-term care
TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors call on Premier Doug Ford to act quickly to combat forecasts there will be more deaths in long-term care homes in the current pandemic surge than in the first wave.
Long-term care residents account for 60 per cent of COVID deaths in Ontario. Since Jan. 1 alone, 198 long-term care residents and two staff have died of COVID-19.
Ontario's doctors have five recommendations for Premier Doug Ford.
1. Increase efforts to vaccinate all long-term care residents and caregivers, including health workers, personal support workers, other staff and relatives who provide physical and mental health support.
At the same time, continue to provide COVD-19 testing for long-term care homes – including rapid-care tests – so that they and public health officials have real-time data to prevent and-or manage outbreaks.
2. Cut the red tape preventing physicians from moving rapidly into long-term care homes with outbreaks or other significant needs.
At the same time, value all LTC employees and caregivers and provide support such as paid sick days. Personal support workers and others should not have to choose whether to go to work to earn money for food and rent or stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the short term, speed up training of new PSWs including retraining people who lost jobs in the service industry because of COVID.
3. Continue the use of virtual care in long-term homes to prevent the spread of the virus and improve access to specialists, in conjunction with in-person care where appropriate, especially in homes with outbreaks and where patients are in declining health.
Virtual care also helps LTC residents receive more timely care and limit unnecessary trips to the hospital or community medical clinics.
Financial investments may be needed to ensure that all physicians and long-term care homes, especially in northern and rural areas, have reliable internet service and devices on which to receive care virtually, and that homes have sufficient staff who are comfortable with and fluent in technology to assist residents receive care by phone, tablet or video device.
4. Appoint a chief medical officer for long-term care for each Ontario Health region to ensure the best quality care is being provided, by, for example, co-ordinating efforts between the acute and long-term care sectors, liaising with Public Health and co-ordinating physician coverage over multiple sites.
5. Shift social attitudes so that caring for frail older adults is considered to be one of the most important jobs in the world.
"The situation in our long-term care homes is dire and heartbreaking," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "We appreciate the steps the government has taken and continues to take. But we all know more needs to be done and done quickly."
CEO Allan O'Dette said the OMA looks forward to the final report of Ontario's Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission. "We can't wait to take more steps now. We urge Premier Doug Ford to act on some of these much-needed recommendations right away. We all have a collective responsibility to ensure the safety and care for the most vulnerable in our society."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Now, More Than Ever, Fighting for Our Children’s Needs Must Come First
New York, NY, January 13, 2021— Children dream without boundaries; they aspire to become paleontologists, astronauts, doctors and teachers without considering socioeconomic barriers, discrimination, disease outbreaks, violence or any one of a host of other challenges impacting their likelihood of success. It’s up to us, as a society, to help each and every child fulfill his or her potential. In fact, the future of our nation depends on it.
NBC/MSNBC public health analyst, pediatrician and activist Dr. Irwin Redlener delivers a potent wake-up call that compellingly underscores the urgency with which we must work toward fulfilling the potential of all children in his inspirational call to action, The Future of Us: What the Dreams of Children Mean for Twenty-First-Century America, which contains a new preface and afterword addressing COVID-19 and its impact on kids.
Inadequate education, barriers to health care and crushing poverty make it overwhelmingly difficult for many children to realize their dreams — and these issues have been dramatically compounded by the pandemic. Finding ways to alter these trajectories is serious, grown-up business, Dr. Redlener emphasizes, and it’s time for us to act.
“We need heartstrings to be tugged by the folks who work on the front lines … But we also need the hard-core, take-no-prisoners types who demand that those empowered to determine priorities and allocate resources understand and respond to the needs of children,” he writes.
In The Future of Us, Dr. Redlener draws upon his four decades of professional experiences to examine our nation’s health care safety nets and special programs that are designed to protect and nurture our most vulnerable kids, but that too often fail to do so.
The book follows Dr. Redlener’s long, colorful career, from his work as a pediatrician in the Arkansas delta, to treating child abuse in a Miami hospital, to helping children in the aftermaths of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. He has served on the board of USA for Africa, cofounded the Children’s Health Fund with Paul Simon (and persuaded Joan Baez to play a benefit concert) and dined with Fidel Castro. He once sat across the table from Michael Jackson, and he has traveled with presidential candidates. But his most powerful source of motivation remains the children who face terrible adversities yet dream of becoming paleontologists, artists and marine biologists. Their stories are his springboard for discussing larger policy issues that hinder us from effectively eradicating childhood poverty and overcoming barriers to accessible health care. Persistent deprivation and the avoidable problems that accompany poverty ensnare millions of children and impact the health, prosperity and creativity of the adults they become. Dr. Redlener argues that we must drastically change our approach to meeting the needs of children ― for their sake and to ensure America’s resiliency and influence in an increasingly complex world.
It is Dr. Redlener’s hope that readers will emerge optimistic about our future, with a deeper understanding of how investing in children today will increase our chances of a successful tomorrow. Fighting for our nation’s children is far from a lost cause, and nothing could be more important.
Author Irwin Redlener, M.D., is a pediatrician and founding director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, which works to understand and improve the nation's capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In 2020, Dr. Redlener created the Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative at Columbia. He is a public health analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and recently partnered with Cher in CherCares, a new program that assists communities struggling with COVID-19.
Dr. Redlener is also President Emeritus and Co-Founder of the Children’s Health Fund, a philanthropic initiative that he created with singer/songwriter Paul Simon and Karen Redlener to develop health care programs in 25 of the nation’s most medically underserved urban and rural communities. He currently serves as a special advisor on emergency preparedness to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, and regularly communicates with leadership in U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, as well as Homeland Security.
He is also the author of Americans at Risk: Why We Are Not Prepared for Megadisasters and What We Can Do Now. For more information, please visit www.irwinredlener.org.
The Future of Us: What the Dreams of Children Mean for Twenty-First-Century America
9 Common Men's Health Myths Debunked by Integrative Men's Health Expert
As the Chief Medical Officer of Vault Health– the first men’s telehealth startup offering direct-to-consumer prescription treatments testosterone replacement therapy to optimize their physical, sexual, and cognitive health– Dr. Myles Spar is an expert in integrative men’s healthcare and recognizes that accessible information is a good thing, but also knows that there’s a lot of inaccurate information out there.
"Whether it’s a well-meaning but misinformed blogger or a private company trying to dupe you into buying their supposed miracle cure, much of what you read online is just plain wrong. Don't be fooled by common health myths," says Dr. Spar.
Here are 5 “facts” that are completely false, as explained by Dr. Spar.
Myth #1: Low testosterone only affects older men and my doctor has never recommended I get my T levels tested, so they must be fine. Fact: In most men, testosterone begins to decline after age 30. Commonsymptoms of low testosterone include fatigue, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, moodiness, inability to focus, lower energy levels, and the inability to lose belly fat. When getting T levels tested, Dr. Spar recommends men make sure they get a complete hormone panel (not just the total T levels), which is just like what his practice offers at Vault Health. “Based on the complete hormone panel, we're able to come up with a personalized testosterone replacement treatment plan available to help men reach their maximum cognitive, sexual, and physical performance,” he says.
Myth #2: Sleeping late on weekends helps you catch up. Fact: Many of us have a tendency to push ourselves too hard and spread ourselves too thin. But if you think you can drive yourself into the ground during the week and then make up for it by sleeping in on the weekend, think again. In one recent study, researchers set out to determine if extra sleep on weekends could counteract the metabolic problems (like weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity) often linked to insufficient sleep during the week. They found that not only did “catch-up” sleep not work to counter these issues, muscle- and liver-specific insulin sensitivity was worse in study subjects who had weekend recovery sleep. Dr. Spar says: "The main takeaway is that rather than depriving your body of sleep during the week and trying to make up for it on the weekends, it's best to try to stick to a schedule that allows you to get adequate rest every night."
Myth #3: Men hit their sexual peak at 18. Fact: Contrary to popular belief, men are not at their sexual best when they’re teenagers. While it’s true that testosterone levels begin to spike around age 18, they continue to rise through the 20s and peak around age 30. This may explain why, according to one survey of over 12,000 people, men said they had the best sex of their lives at age 33. And testosterone isn’t the only factor when it comes to good sex. Dr. Spar says: "An older, more experienced man can have the kind of sex life he could only dream about at 18 (perhaps some of you who remember your early experiences with sex will not be surprised by this revelation). Of course, men of all ages can experience issues with sexual dysfunction."
Myth #4: More protein means more muscle. Fact: Many people consume more protein than they need, believing it will lead to increased muscle mass. But research indicates that high protein intake doesn’t lead to bigger muscles. A 2018 study looking at the effect of extra protein on the bodies of older men found that eating a high-protein diet had no significant impact on lean body mass, muscle performance, or physical function.
Myth #5:A slowing brain, lower energy levels, decreasing libido, and drops in concentration are all normal parts of getting older that cannot be prevented. Fact: Men under the age of 65 shouldn’t feel their age at all, according to Dr. Spar. “If you’re feeling tired or have noticed a drop in your libido or concentration, there’s probably something going on with your health. It could be a change in diet, activity, increased stress, or something to do with hormones. Either way, it’s a big deal and should be addressed.” he says. There's actually a lot men can do to increase libido and energy levels and ensure men are operating at their optimal cognitive, physical, and sexual performance levels. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's best to set up a telehealth doctor's appointment to check your T levels and learn about the different treatment plans and supplements available. After a quick telemedicine visit, a personalized treatment plan can be shipped overnight to your door.
Myth #6: ED only affects older men, so I don’t have to worry. Fact: Actually, mild and moderate cases of ED affect approximately 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70. These can be caused not only by age, but also by stress, tension between your partner, alcohol use, depression, opioid use, smoking, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and many other conditions that can occur in young men, too. Dr. Spar says: "There are many testosterone replacement therapy options and personalized treatment plans available, though, including Vault’s 'Sex Kit' which consists of two innovative treatments that work to help you get and maintain satisfying erections—regardless of age."
Myth #7: Your genes decide your fate. Fact: If you think genetic predisposition means certain conditions are inevitable, think again. Far from being at their mercy, you can up and down-regulate your genes through lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and stress management. As Dr. Spar explains, the ever-expanding field of epigenetics (the study of how chemical and environmental factors impact our genetic health) has revealed many ways in which we can influence our genes. For example, one study found people who ate more fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop a cardiovascular disease even if they carried copies of the gene that increases the risk of heart problems, effectively “turning off” the gene.
Myth #8: There’s no such thing as too much exercise. Fact: As an IRONMAN triathlete, it probably goes without saying that Dr. Spar is a proponent of pushing yourself to the edge of your limits. But he also knows that overtraining, a topic he explores here can lead to injury and may even be detrimental to your mental health. Dr. Spar is all for setting goals in order to drive meaningful growth and stimulate true authentic expression of what matters to you, but not at the expense of your health.
Myth #9: Fat is bad. Fact: There’s no doubt that consuming trans fats has negative consequences, especially when it comes to your heart. Harvard Health reports that the risk of heart disease rises by 23% for every 2% of calories from trans fats consumed daily. However, as Dr. Spar explains, “good” fats like those found in olive oil have actually been shown to improve heart health. Many studies indicate consuming olive oil can improve cholesterol and keep blood vessels healthy. And, much like fish oil, olive oil seems to be of special help to people at risk of developing heart problems. One randomized clinical trial found a link between olive oil consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and mortality in individuals at high cardiovascular risk.
According to Dr. Spar, it can be hard to cut through all the false information out there and resistance to taking care of ourselves is nothing new in the world of men’s health. "We know that men are more likely to repress whatever might be going on in our lives rather than address it with our medical providers. As a result, men are more likely to die from preventable causes than women. But it doesn’t have to be that way," he says.
For more information about men's health and wellness tips, facts, and myths debunked, visit www.vaulthealth.com.
Worried About Your Bones and Joints? Workouts to Try for Healthy Aging
There are a plethora of reasons why you tend to slow your activity rate as you grow old. It may be weight gain, poor health, pain issues, weakening muscles, or perhaps worries of failing. Or maybe you are worried about breaking your joints and bones. Whichever the reason, you are missing out on thehealthy benefits of an active lifestyle at an old age.
Some studies indicate that physical activities play an important role in adding years to your life (even when you start exercising at an advanced age). Other benefits of exercises include boosting your energy levels, improving your general health, weight management, and maintaining your independence.
Having seen the benefits of exercising at an old age, it’s vital you add exercises into your health regimen. But what physical activities can the seniors take part in given their vulnerabilities? Stick on to find out.
Walking
Even though your health doesn’t permit you to carry out a structured workout, simply walk. Walking, even though it’s free, benefits your body by strengthening your bones, improving cardiovascular fitness, boosting muscle power and enhancing endurance.
Yoga
Yoga provides a holistic approach to fitness, which helps build muscle strength, increases mental health, and improves aerobic fitness, critical for seniors. Even though yoga has a low impact on your bones and joints, it’s still weight-bearing, which means you need to support your body with every posture. This is essential in strengthening both your muscles and bones.
Water Sports
Whether you are swimming, undertaking water aerobics, or playing Marco Polo, water exercises are essential for your heart and strengthening your muscles. And the good thing is that water exercises help you achieve these incredible benefits with minimal stress to your bones and joints.
What if you are not a swimmer? Worry not. You can undertake water aerobics classes on the shallow end of the pool.
Cycling
If you can’t run or engage in high-impact activities, cycling is an ideal exercise to increase your legs strength. Additionally, cycling helps improve cardiovascular health and bolsters cognitive performance in older persons.
If you are worried about bad weather or inaccessibility to cycling trails, don’t be. Indoor cycling is a worthwhile option to consider. And the good thing with a stationary bike is that you don’t need to worry about falls or wearing a helmet.
You can’t stop the clock, but you can slow its tick. By considering the above mentioned age-friendly exercises, you will be destined for a healthier life in your golden years. And while at it, you can also consider biodensity, which is a safe and effective exercise-based therapy in increasing bone density and bone strength among other health benefits.
Join the Fight Against Mental Illness: View Life Through Gratitude Lenses
San Diego, CA, January 12, 2021 — The lens through which we view our experiences in life can have a profound impact on how we react to the world around us. Following his father’s death by suicide, Daniel Hack had a decision to make. He could choose to be defined by the tragedy or use it as fuel to elevate his purpose and lift millions of others with him. He chose the latter.
Daniel embarked upon a period of self-reflection, looking inward to uncover his authentic self and to cultivate a gratitude mindset — not just for himself but also for everyone he could reach. His vision materialized, resulting in Gratitude Lenses, a movement brand that includes not only quality sunglasses, but also a purpose-driven community that encourages life-seekers to live life through a lens of gratitude each and every day.
Gratitude Lenses offers high quality, polarized sunglasses crafted from acetate material in two popular styles. Inside the arms of each pair are empowering quotes: “Live life through a lens of Gratitude” and “Make it a great day!” For every pair of sunglasses sold, the company gifts a pair of sunglasses, along with other resources, to a family impacted by suicide.
The sunglasses serve as everyday reminders that, in any situation, our reality is determined by the lens through which we view life and that, just like the sunglasses, each of us is made by design and put here for a purpose.
“We have a quality product with a message of gratitude that people resonate with,” Daniel said. “Our sunglasses spark real conversations and serve as reminders to live life through a lens of gratitude.”
Additionally, those who join the Gratitude Community get exclusive access to a Daily Gratitude Affirmation app and an online community of positive-conscious people who provide encouragement and reminders to slow down and be grateful.
Founded by Daniel Hack in 2020, Gratitude Lenses is a movement brand for life-seekers who desire daily reminders to be in a place of joy, to live healthier and to live a life of purpose. The company’s vision is to transform communities by inspiring people throughout the world to live joy-filled lives while practicing gratitude and being fully present.
Health Canada approves Lundbeck's (Pr)VYEPTI® (eptinezumab)—the first and only intravenous preventive treatment for migraine
MONTREAL, Jan. 12, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Lundbeck is pleased to announce that VYEPTI® (eptinezumab) has been approved by Health Canada for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine days per month.
Michal Juul Sørensen, Vice President and General Manager of Lundbeck Canada, comments, "This is an important moment in migraine prevention. VYEPTI® is an exciting addition to Lundbeck's biopharmaceutical portfolio—one that brings an additional option to Canadians living with migraine and the physicians who support them."
VYEPTI® is the first Health Canada-approved intravenous (IV) treatment for migraine prevention. Its unique administration delivers prevention of migraine, with effects seen as soon as day one post-infusion through to 3 months.1 Canadian healthcare professionals and people living with migraine will soon have access to this new treatment option that has demonstrated effective therapeutic results in clinical trials. As a 30-minute IV infusion administered every 12 weeks, VYEPTI® offers patients with migraine a preventive therapy through 4 treatments per year.
With a novel route of administration in migraine prevention, VYEPTI® will be complemented by a patient support program to facilitate and support the administration of this IV treatment in people with migraine.
Chair of Migraine Canada and President of the Canadian Headache Society, neurologist Dr. Elizabeth Leroux comments, "With the approval of VYEPTI®, a new IV option has been added to our therapeutic arsenal—a preventive option that has demonstrated 50% and 75% responder rates and good tolerability. This could mean rapid and sustained relief for many people with frequent migraine."
"We are pleased to learn that a new medication to prevent migraine has been approved by Health Canada. Timely and equitable access to new treatment options is necessary for Canadians living with this painful and disabling condition. This is a hopeful time for patients." said Wendy Gerhart, Executive Director at Migraine Canada.
About VYEPTI® VYEPTI® is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which was purposefully developed for IV administration. The efficacy and safety of VYEPTI® was demonstrated in two phase III clinical trials (PROMISE-1 in episodic migraineand PROMISE-2 in chronic migraine, which also included patients with a dual diagnosis of chronic migraine and medication overuse headache)2,3. In both studies, VYEPTI® met its primary endpoint of decrease in mean monthly migraine days (MMD) over Weeks 1-12.
Furthermore, the clinical trial program demonstrated a treatment benefit over placebo that was observed for both doses of VYEPTI® as early as Day 1 post-infusion. The safety of VYEPTI® was evaluated in 2,076 adult patients with migraine who received at least one dose of VYEPTI®. The most common adverse reactions (≥2% and at least 2% or greater than placebo) in the clinical trials for the preventive treatment of migraine were nasopharyngitis and hypersensitivity.
The full VYEPTI® Product Monograph is available on Lundbeck Canada Inc. website.
About migraine Migraine is a complex and incapacitating neurological disease characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headaches, typically accompanied by an array of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. It is estimated to affect 2-3 million Canadians and more than 1.3 billion worldwide, and impacts three times as many women than men.4
Migraine is the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLD) among all diseases and is the top YLD cause among patients aged 15 to 49 years, according to the Global Burden of Disease study.5 Migraine has a profound impact on people's lives, their relationships, as well as their ability to carry out activities of daily living. It has been estimated that migraine accounts for 7 million lost working days annually in Canada.4
Lundbeck contact Lundbeck is dedicated to keeping physicians informed about the status and availability of VYEPTI® in Canada. In addition to requested communications including emails from head office and representatives, physicians can also contact Lundbeck Canada General Inquiries at 1-800-586-2325 Ext. 5.
About Lundbeck Lundbeck is a global biopharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases. For more than 70 years, we have been at the forefront of neuroscience research. We are tirelessly dedicated to restoring brain health, so every person can be their best.
Our approximately 5,800 employees in more than 50 countries are engaged in the entire value chain throughout research, development, production, marketing, and sales. Our pipeline consists of several R&D programs, and our products are available in more than 100 countries. We have research centres in Denmark and the US, and our production facilities are located in Denmark, France, and Italy. Lundbeck generated revenue of DKK 17 billion in 2019 (CAD 3.5 billion).
For additional information, we encourage you to visit our corporate site www.lundbeck.com/ca/en.
References:
1. VYEPTI® Product Monograph. Montreal, QC: Lundbeck Canada Inc. January 12, 2021.
2. Ashina M, et al. Eptinezumab in episodic migraine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (PROMISE-1). Cephalalgia. 2020 Mar;40(3):241-254.
3. Lipton RB, et al. Efficacy and safety of eptinezumab in patients with chronic migraine: PROMISE-2. Neurology. 2020 Mar 31;94(13):e1365-1377.
5. Stovner J, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet. 2018;17:954-976.
Dr Elizabeth Leroux receives honoraria as a consultant of Lundbeck Canada.
VYEPTI® is a registered trademark of H. Lundbeck A/S, used under license by Lundbeck Canada Inc.
SOURCE Lundbeck Canada Inc.
For further information:
Media Relations Contact, Caroline Desautels, Public Relations and Communication Consultant, 514-772-0704, cdesautels@toctoccommunications.com
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