Author: trainitright

‘Text Neck’ Means Trouble For Those Addicted to Mobile Devices

Well before the invention of cell phones, medical experts agreed that poor posture is the leading cause of back and neck pain. But the explosion of 24-7 cell phone use has seriously compounded this problem - and even given rise to a new medical condition: ‘Text Neck”.

“Text neck” is the nickname for all the back, neck and spinal issues affecting those who spend too much time on their cell phones and mobile devices.  It is due to the constant hunching over people do to peer into their mobile screens, which malforms the spine.  Physicians are reporting children as young as eight years old are affected.

Collectively, Americans check their smartphones over 8 billion times per day. And young adults age 18 to 24 send or receive an average of 109.5 text messages on a typical day. .

“Just look at any crowd of young people, chances are most are exhibiting very poor posture from tilting their head down to read their device. This forces their neck & back muscles to work at awkward angles - just to keep the body upright, and pain and strain is often the result,” says Robert Gearhart, an operating room nurse and co-inventor of Body Aline (www.bodyaline.com), an exercise machine designed to strengthen the back and realign the spine.

“Cell phones aren’t going anywhere, so it looks like text neck will become a health problem of epidemic proportion in the years ahead,” Gearhart said.  “If the trend continues, it looks like in 20 years the number of people who will have spine issues due to this will be astronomical.”

He says the best way to check your mobile device is to stand up straight and look at your device at eye level instead of reading it next to your torso, which usually results in your chin going down towards your chest. Or lie on your stomach when spending long periods of time on your phone. This provides a safe and natural passive isometric exrcise to restore the natural curve to the neck.

Of course, it is not just mobile devices that can give a person back problems – there are many causes and some, such as arthritis, have no easy answers.  However,  Gearhart says frequently the cause of back pain can be something that can be adjusted with proper lifestyle choices, such as:

  • Take breaks from desk jobs. When working at a computer, take a short break every 15 or 20 minutes, then move around and change your body and head positions.
  • Adjust your workspace. Set your computer monitor at eye level. Raise your smartphone to eye level rather than lowering your head. Get a tablet holder to elevate your device close to eye level. If possible, get a standing desk or an ergonomic chair. Don’t slouch at your desk.
  • Use voice-to-text as often as possible.  This cuts down on the amount of time you are looking down at your phone.
  • Hold Your Phone At Eye Level.  Do not look down and allow your chin to move towards your chest when you are on your mobile device.  This causes the back of the neck to support the head instead of the shoulders.

“Taking some preventative measures,” Gearhart says, “is much easier than trying to treat a spine that is already out of alignment.”

 

About Robert Gearhart

Robert Gearhart, the co-inventor of Body Aline (www.bodyaline.com), is an operating room nurse. He noticed an increasing number of patients with back problems, and teamed with Jason Bowman, a certified personal trainer and former engineer, to create Body Aline.  It is an exercise machine designed to strengthen the back and realign the spine.

Maria Shriver Launches New Program with BrainHQ to Help Women Make Cognitive Health Part of Their Wellness Routines 

SAN FRANCISCO June 12, 2018 –  Maria Shriver is an award-winning journalist, a New York Times bestselling author, and one of the world’s leading advocates for women and Alzheimer’s. Now, she has just announced via an online video that she is teaming up with the brain exercise platform BrainHQ to offer a new program that is dedicated to raising the bar on women’s brain health. 

This special version, which can be found online at brainhq.com/maria, launched to coincide with celebration of Brain Awareness Month. It also follows the huge success of Shriver’s Move for Minds initiative, which runs throughout June and works to educate women about lifestyle changes they can make to improve brain health.

“Women’s brains have a special journey, with different experiences and challenges from those of men,” Shriver said. “We must recognize the ways that women’s brains are different and we must broaden our definition of women’s health to include the brain. My goal is to give women the information and resources they need to keep their brains active and healthy throughout life. Together with BrainHQ, we’re now offering women a practical and scientifically-proven tool that can improve cognitive health and can fit easily into busy lives.”

As founder of The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, Shriver has been at the forefront of educating the public that women are at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010, “The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s,” reported for the very first time that women make up two-thirds of all the Alzheimer’s cases in this country and that Alzheimer’s is predominately a woman’s disease.

“I see this as the ultimate women’s empowerment issue,” Shriver said. “Women work their whole lives to be recognized for their minds, and then Alzheimer’s puts them at risk of losing them. That’s unacceptable to me, and I won’t rest until we find a solution.”

“When it comes to cognitive performance, I hope BrainHQ program can be one piece of the puzzle for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond,” Shriver continued. “I also hope it can be a tool for caregivers, as well as for fitness trainers who can make this an integral part of any workout. Let’s face it, stretching, training and challenging your brain is just as important as stretching, training and challenging your body.”

Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, the maker of BrainHQ, noted there are more than 100 peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of the exercises in BrainHQ, across varied populations. Those benefits include better performance in standard measures of cognition (e.g., speed, attention, memory); in standard measures of quality of life (e.g., mood, confidence, health-related quality of life); and in real world activities (e.g., balance, driving, activities of independent living).

In her online video announcing the collaboration, Shriver spoke to neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson about the benefits of BrainHQ cognitive training.

“Brain training has a ton of evidence, and the strongest evidence has been with the BrainHQ program,” Isaacscon said. “In randomized studies where they track people over years, they’ve found that people who participate in brain training activities … find that their brain function has improved.”

As with the regular version of BrainHQ, this special version gives users access to dozens of exercises that continuously personalize to each user, and the ability to measure and improve brain performance over time. The new version adds some women’s health context for the exercises, as well as encouragement from Maria Shriver.

People can use different exercises for free each day, or can get a general access subscription for as little as $8 per month.

“Maria Shriver has done incredible work raising the public consciousness about women’s brain health,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke. “We hope our collaboration will help women recognize the importance of doing brain exercises and caring for their brains, so they can remain top performers throughout life.”

Medical Cannabis Leadership from Canopy Growth and Subsidiary Spectrum Cannabis

 

Clinical Trials, Price & Excise Tax Relief, and Worldclass Leadership Underpin Commitment to Patients and Healthcare Professionals

SMITHS FALLS, ON, June 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) (the "Company" or "Canopy Growth") is pleased to provide the following updates on its medical cannabis program and to re-affirm its strong commitment to medical cannabis, the patients who depend on it, and the Healthcare Professionals who prescribe it.

HISTORIC CLINICAL TRIAL MILESTONES

Marking a major milestone for medical cannabis in Canada, a Phase IIb "in-human" clinical trial application was submitted by Canopy Health Innovations Inc. to evaluate the use of medical cannabis in the treatment of insomnia. Having received approval to proceed with these clinical trials in the form of a No Objection Letter (NOL) from Health Canada, Canopy Health will now proceed with these robust clinical trials, in collaboration with a leading Canadian research institution.

In light of the significant potential for cannabis in treating  a range of medical conditions, this is the first in a planned series of trials to investigate and quantify the therapeutic effect of cannabis and cannabinoids across a selection of indications with significant unmet needs, working towards the ultimate goal of patented, insurance-eligible cannabinoid-based medicines.

WORLDCLASS LEADERSHIP FOR A GLOBAL INDUSTRY

As previously announced, starting in July 2018, Dr. Mark Ware will commence his role as the Company's Chief Medical Officer. Under his leadership the Company will continue to lead the global medical cannabis industry forward with a focus on research, product innovation, and stakeholder education in the numerous regions where Spectrum Cannabis operates, including Latin America, Australia, Europe and North America.

PATIENTS-FIRST PRICING MENTALITY

Honouring our commitment to affordable medical cannabis and pricing predictability for patients, Canopy Growth is pleased to inform  patients  that, upon the passing of the Cannabis Act, the Company will absorb the proposed excise tax on all Spectrum Cannabis products sold in Canada. Affordability is a key consideration for patients. It is important today to show leadership and reduce the price burden placed on our customers,while we work towards insurance eligibility for medical cannabis.

On top of this, all Spectrum Cannabis dried flower products will be priced at $8.50 per gram or less. If a registered customer is currently paying more for a Spectrum flower product this means new savings, and if they are paying less that price will remain the same. As always, Spectrum Cannabis products available online through TweedMainStreet.com are eligible for our industry-first Compassionate Pricing Program that assists those on limited incomes afford their medicine.

"Using Canada's rich eco-system of researchers and established cannabis stakeholders as a centre of expertise, Spectrum's global expansion is rooted in sophistication," said Mark Zekulin, President, Canopy Growth. "We are proudly a research and patient focused company that will continue to drive the cannabis innovation agenda forward around the world."

Here's to Future Growth.

About Canopy Growth Corporation

Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time.

Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House seeds, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates ten licensed cannabis production sites with over 2.4 million square feet of production capacity, including over 500,000 square feet of GMP-certified production space. The Company has operations in eight countries across four continents. The Company is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and through its partly owned subsidiary, Canopy Health Innovations, has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers Corporation, the Company is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including pricing, clinical trial execution, the planned acquisition of Canopy Health Innovations, and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 28, 2017 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws.

 

SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation

ProMIS Neurosciences Initiates Manufacturing of PMN310, its Lead Therapeutic Antibody for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

 

Program is on track for clinical trial start in H2 2019

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, June 12, 2018 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of precision treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the initiation of producer cell line development for PMN310, its lead therapeutic antibody candidate for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Selexis, SA will carry out this critical first step in the manufacturing of antibody therapeutics using the proprietary Selexis SUREtechnology Platform™.

ProMIS' lead antibody product candidate, PMN310, is a humanized antibody that binds with high affinity and selectivity for the toxic oligomers of amyloid beta (Aβ), a recognized root cause of AD. PMN310 is anticipated to enter phase I clinical trials in the second half of 2019.

"We recently completed successful affinity maturation of PMN310, which in addition to its unique and highly selective binding profile offers increased opportunity for best in class therapy for Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Elliot Goldstein, ProMIS President and CEO. "We are now initiating the manufacturing process with Selexis' proprietary, high-performance technology platform for cell line development based on its proven track record for rapid and stable production of antibody therapeutics such as PMN310."

Selexis' proprietary and high performance SUREtechnology Platform facilitates the rapid, stable and cost-effective production of virtually any recombinant protein including those that are difficult to express in other systems.

"It is rewarding for us to leverage the fast speed/timelines and superior performance of the Selexis platform to rapidly and predictably advance PMN310 into the clinic with the goal of supporting ProMIS Neurosciences as they seek to bring a much needed treatment option to patients with Alzheimer's disease," said Yemi Onakunle, PhD, Selexis vice president, business development and licensing. "We believe our best-in-class technology can help propel forward this best-in-class therapeutic candidate."

About Selexis SA

Selexis SA is a pioneering life sciences company and a global leader in mammalian (suspension-adapted CHO-K1) cell line generation, providing unparalleled proprietary technology and the highly specialized expertise that is necessary to translate scientific innovation into life-saving medicines for patients. Selexis' SUREtechnology Platform™ facilitates the rapid, stable, and cost-effective production of virtually any recombinant protein and provides seamless integration of the bioproduction continuum, spanning discovery to commercialization. With more than 100 partners worldwide, more than 100 drug products in clinical development and three commercial products utilizing Selexis-generated cell lines, the Company has a history of empowering scientists and biopharmaceutical companies around the world to realize the full potential of their research. More information is available at www.selexis.com.

About ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.

ProMIS Neurosciences is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing precision medicine therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's proprietary target discovery engine is based on the use of two complementary techniques. The Company applies its thermodynamic, computational discovery platform—ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates — to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision medicine approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD.  ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN.TO, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

For further information please consult the Company's website at:  www.promisneurosciences.com

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Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.  This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates",  believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

ONTARIO, CANADA - JUNE 12, 2018 - Author Roxane Monette, a health and fitness professional, is offering a FREE copy of her book for a limited time through her website.

Health and fitness professional Roxane Monette is the author of Fit Inside Out: A Beginner's Guide to a Healthy Body and Mindset (WTF Is So Scary About Fitness?!).  In her book, she explores common myths about fitness and offers help on starting a personal fitness journey for readers of all ages. Now, Monette is offering a FREE copy of her book through her website for a limited time.

Fit Inside Out is targeted to help people who feel lost, overwhelmed, and confused about their perceived level of fitness by providing them simple guidance while beginning a fitness journey. Whether readers are brand-new to fitness or have been involved in fitness activities in the past, this book can help. Monette encourages readers to return to a healthy body and mindset by speaking to them on a personal level about finding self-worth and taking action in small steps towards feeling better overall.

According to the author, fitness is not just about looking good on the outside, but it is also feeling good on the inside.

“The fitness industry can be quite contradictory, which causes confusion for anyone who wishes to become fit,” Monette says.

The book eases the stress and confusion by simplifying the process, reminding people to have fun, stay happy, and be engaged throughout their journey.

Fit Inside Out offers advice on discovering self-worth, getting started in fitness, having a positive mindset, discovering help for fitness goals, setting appropriate expectations, and overcoming daily obstacles as well as monitoring proper nutrition.

For a limited time, visitors to the author’s website at www.fitinsideoutbook.com can download a FREE copy of the book, a $32 value. For more information, visit the author’s website.

 

About Roxane Monette

Roxane Monette is a health and fitness professional and author of a book on achieving optimum health at any age. She offers clients and readers supportive, positive advice on exercise and nutrition.

Delta 9 Cannabis and Fort Garry Brewing Release 'Legal Lager' Beer

 

WINNIPEG, June 12, 2018 /CNW/ - DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC. (TSXV: NINE) ("Delta 9" or the "Company") and the Fort Garry Brewing Company celebrated the Monday night launch of their first jointly developed beer.

Delta 9 Legal Lager is now on sale at MLLC liquor outlets across the province, and is the first beer produced as a collaboration between a brewery and a legal cannabis company. Delta 9 provided the raw hemp material for the beer while Fort Garry Brewing is responsible for production and marketing. Both companies shared the cost of research and development.

Legal Lager is an alcoholized beer infused with material from hemp seeds, and therefore contains no cannabis or any other psychoactive agent produced from the cannabis plant. However, the hemp beer released this week is a first step in an ongoing research and development project to jointly produce a cannabis beer that contains THC.

The two companies are currently developing a co-branded, cannabinoid-infused beer that contains no alcohol. Release of that Phase 2 product would be developed internally as a concept beverage, and would not be sold or made available to the public until it is approved by Health Canada and relevant provincial regulatory bodies.

Under the agreement, Delta 9 will incur the costs and responsibility for marketing and distribution of the Phase 2 cannabis beer, which could not legally be sold in liquor stores.

"Since Delta 9 is one of the companies awarded a retail license from the Province of Manitoba, we are ideally placed for distribution and sale of this type of product," explained Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot.

"Legal lager is a hemp based beer, so it's something new we've created," said Fort Garry's head brewer Daniel Geddes. "It's quite unique in the industry and there's not a lot of hemp beers available. We wanted to add a little more complexity to this beer, as well as showcase the hemp itself.

"Frankly as it competes with alcohol or soda pop or other beverages, we've got something that's lighter on alcohol and doesn't give you a hangover; that's a pretty competitive value proposition," Arbuthnot said.

Coverage of the Legal Launch can be seen on CityTV News: https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/video/2018/06/08/hemp-infused-beer-coming-to-canada/

"We see this as a great partnership between two of Manitoba's best-known brands," Arbuthnot added. "Fort Garry Brewing is one of the best craft brewers in Canada and they make my favourite beer, while Delta 9 is truly Manitoba's Own Cannabis Producer.

"This is a Made-in-Manitoba product that's ready for people in our province to enjoy this summer."

About Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.
Delta 9's wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-Tech Inc., is a licensed producer of medical marijuana pursuant to the ACMPR and operates an 80,000 square foot production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Delta 9's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NINE".

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the Company's future business plans and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to: (i) Delta 9's expansion plans; (ii) Delta 9's production of cannabis; (iii) approvals for Delta 9's production facilities by Health Canada; (iv) demand for Delta 9's products; and (v) Delta 9's cost to produce its grow pods. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including that Delta 9's currently contemplated expansion and development plans may cease or otherwise change, Delta 9's production of cannabis may be lower than expected, Delta 9 may not obtain the required approvals from Health Canada, demand for Delta 9's products may be lower than anticipated, Delta 9's cost to produce its grow pods may be higher than expected and all other risk factors set forth in the filing statement of Delta 9 dated October 25, 2017 which has been filed on SEDAR. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Delta 9 Cannabis Inc.

85 per cent of Canadians now have publicly funded access to a potentially life-extending treatment for patients with rare lung disease

 

- Patients living in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador are hopeful Uptravi will soon be accessible all across Canada -

VANCOUVER and HAMILTON, ON, June 12, 2018 /CNW/ - The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada (PHA Canada) and Scleroderma Canada join together in praising the Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador governments for following Quebec's lead by providing public funding for Uptravi (selexipag) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This action stems from the conclusion of pricing negotiations for Uptravi by the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA). The PAH and scleroderma communities are hopeful that the remaining provinces and territories across Canada will promptly follow suit to ensure that PAH specialists are able to provide optimal, individualized treatment to improve the outcomes for patients living with this potentially fatal disease.

"The voices of the PAH and scleroderma communities have been heard. We commend the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, for joining Quebec and making Uptravi accessible through public funding," says Dr. Sanjay Mehta, MD, FRCPC, FCCP, Director of the Southwest Ontario Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at the London Health Sciences Center in London, Ontario, and Board Chair of PHA Canada. "While these provinces have recognized the highly complex and serious nature of PAH, our work will not be done until the balance of patients in Canada have timely and equitable access to optimal treatment options."

In January 2016, Uptravi became the third new treatment for PAH to be approved by Health Canada in recent years. Later that year, the Common Drug Review (CDR) also recommended Uptravi be publicly funded in Canada.

"We are so pleased to now be able to tell our patients that Alberta has joined the expanding list of provinces providing public funding for Uptravi," says Dr. Dale Lien MD, Professor of Medicine, Director Pulmonary Hypertension Program, University of Alberta. "The severe and progressive nature of pulmonary arterial hypertension means that patients must have timely access to all Health Canada-approved treatments for PAH, in order to receive the individualized care they require to improve and extend their lives."

PAH is a rare but very complex and serious lung disease. It is defined by high blood pressure in the lungs, which leads to enlargement and weakness of the right side of the heart – a type of heart failure. PAH is a common complication of systemic scleroderma (SSc), a chronic hardening and thickening of the skin and internal organs, and can be very severe in patients affected by this progressive connective tissue disease.

"My world was turned upside down following my diagnosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension. On any given day, even with the treatments I am on, the most I can do is take my young children to and from school – I'm lucky if I have the energy to do anything else. My disease not only affects me but my whole family, as I am more dependent on them now," says Ladho S. Panesar-Chugger, PAH patient in Markham, Ontario. "My life depends on adding a third medication to my treatment regime, and my specialist has been recommending Uptravi for many months. As an Ontarian who relies on public funding, I will now finally have access to it. That's my wish for all Canadians like me."

There is currently no cure for PAH and while the prognosis for patients has improved somewhat in recent years, it remains poor despite treatments available in Canada. The average survival in adults following a PAH diagnosis is estimated at only five to seven years, and only three years for those affected by scleroderma-associated PAH (SSc-PAH). This means that patients do not have the time to wait for necessary, potentially life-extending treatment options to be made accessible through public funding.

"Those living with PAH or SSc-PAH do not have time to wait for necessary treatment. Take my mother's experience, for example; she lost her battle with SSc-PAH in November 2017 while waiting for publicly funded access to treatment," says Stephanie Keyes, daughter and SSc-PAH caregiver from Gananoque, Ontario. "As a family, we consider her journey to be her legacy. Our hope is that sharing her story will benefit others who are also pleading for treatments not accessible to them through their provincial drug plans. For many suffering with this condition, these treatments are a matter of life or death."

Today, approximately 85 per cent of Canadians now have publicly funded access to Uptravi. The PAH and scleroderma communities are optimistic that all patients living in Canada who rely on provincial or territorial drug plans will soon have access to Uptravi.

Please visit TakeActionPAH.ca for more information.

SOURCE Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada

Natural Ways to Stop Excessive Sweating This Summer - Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O.

Now that summer is (unofficially!) here, most of us are delighted to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. However, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is an issue that afflicts many more people than you might think and can stem from a large number of underlying triggers. Though it may seem like a trivial matter, it can cause a handful of setbacks: stained clothing, physical discomfort, and social embarrassment, among others. Deodorant may seem like the obvious fix, but this household staple is in fact teaming with harmful toxins such as parabens, propylene glycol, aluminum compounds, and many others. To remedy the burden of hyperhidrosis sans carcinogens and other toxic ingredients, go for a natural fix.

 

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board-certified in family and anti-aging medicine, suggests the following natural solutions to finally enjoy the warm weather in comfort:

 

  1. Apply a Natural Astringent like Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a commonly used natural herb often found in liquid form as a skin toner. The same potent astringent properties that make it a popular natural toner also make it a great sweat-reducer. When topically applied, witch hazel acts as an antiperspirant by tightening the pores. Wet a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply to your most problematic areas. Other natural astringents include black tea, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar.

 

  1. Supplement with B-Vitamins and Vitamin D

Excessive sweating may very well be a sign of an unhealthy endocrine system. To restore hormonal imbalances to optimal levels, B-vitamins will often do the trick. Likewise, vitamin D is an essential piece in hormonal regulation, and nearly half of Americans are deficient in it!

 

  1. Transition from Processed Foods to Natural Ones

Though highly processed foods may be practical and cheap, they are packed with toxic substances like artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, and they are very hard for the body to digest. As your body tries to rid itself of these toxins and break down such unnatural foods, it has to work in overdrive, thus producing more sweat. Instead of going for pre-packaged or fast food, especially those high in fat, opt for fruits, vegetables, nuts, organic poultry or meat, and wild-caught seafood.

 

  1. Cut Back on Coffee and Other Caffeine-Loaded Drinks

As a stimulant, caffeine raises your heart rate and blood pressure, causing sweating to increase as well. Coffee can be double-trouble, as the warmth of the drink can exacerbate the hyperhidrosis problem. Swap out coffee for something a little less stimulating, such as an iced herbal tea like energizing ginseng.

 

  1. Utilize the Benefits of Baking Soda

Not only does baking soda neutralize odors, it also alkalizes (neutralizes the pH of) your sweat, decreasing the growth of the bacteria in sweat. Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part cornstarch and add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to create a sublime natural deodorant.

 

  1. Try to Drink Less Alcohol

Alcohol both increases heart rate (and thus body temperature) and dilates the skin’s blood vessels. As a consequence, alcohol makes you sweat more. If excessive sweating is a real issue for you, consider limiting your alcohol consumption.

 

  1. Less Salt in, More Salt on

Very high dietary sodium has been linked to excessive sweating, as high sodium concentrations make our bodies try to excrete the excess salt in urine and sweat. On the other hand, applying salt onto the body has many benefits in regard to excessive sweating. Salt absorbs sweat, dries the skin, and closes your pores, all of which help to reduce sweat production.

About the doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

 

 

 

 

 

How Can a Fitness Retreat Improve Your Training Regimen?

Going on a fitness retreat can be a life-changing experience for exercise buffs. It can help exercise lovers learn about all sorts of exciting and effective wellness options. If you’re looking to enhance your training regimen considerably, going on a fitness treat may just be the way to go for you.

Fitness Retreats Can Make Fine Learning Opportunities

Fitness retreats give participants access to all types of classes and programs that involve exercise and wellness overall. If you want to up the ante with your training, going on a fitness retreat can help you explore more options. You may want to integrate yoga, Pilates or swimming into your regimen. People who want to find out about the missing pieces of their training routine puzzles often benefit greatly from retreat participation.

Fitness Retreats Can Help You Connect with Experts

Fitness retreat participation can connect you to experts who have a lot of expertise regarding training and exercise in general. If you want to ask important questions that involve strengthening your training regimen, there’s no better place for you than a retreat. If you have a yoga instructor who seems to know what she’s doing, you can ask her pertinent questions that involve integrating the practice into your weekly or daily training approach.

Fitness Retreats Can Help You Meet Brand New Faces

These retreats give people the power to meet fitness experts. They give them the equally precious chance to meet fellow fitness enthusiasts as well. If you meet another individual who is just as committed to in-depth training as you are, you can ask for helpful suggestions. A fitness retreatpresents people with so many opportunities to get to know others well. You can get to know people who are part of programs that interest you. You can get to know people during retreat mealtimes and social gatherings.

Fitness Retreats Can Give You Motivation

Fitness retreats tend to be supportive and friendly environments that are conducive to success. Fitness retreat attendance can often motivate people to do better with their training sessions. It can often keep people accountable and moving forward. If you want to have the world’s finest and most comprehensive training regimen, a fitness retreat experience may be effective.

Fitness retreats can help people in all kinds of ways. They can help people make new friends. They can help people have fun. They can even help them upgrade their existing training routines.

Fighting Tobacco Use Among Adults with Mental Illness

UH Doctoral Student to Provide Online Individual Feedback

HOUSTON, June 11 – Of all the groups that try to quit smoking, it seems hardest for those who suffer from anxiety and depression. The health effects are jarring: People with mental illness or substance use disorders die about five years earlier than those without these disorders and many of those deaths are caused by smoking cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s why University of Houston psychology doctoral student Brooke Kauffman is targeting that group, creating personalized feedback to help them quit smoking. She’s assisted in her efforts by $104,064 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

To address smoking among those who suffer anxiety and depression, Kauffman is examining distress tolerance, the skills needed to help tolerate physical and psychological distress. Although there has been progress in targeting distress tolerance to decrease risk for emotional disorders and facilitate success in quitting smoking, no targeted efforts have focused on addressing distress tolerance in earlier phases of the quit process like in the motivation period or in the phase of pre-cessation (thinking about and preparing for quitting).

So Kauffman will do just that, offering services to patients at the university’s Anxiety and Health Research Lab/Substance Use Treatment Clinic.

“We are not targeting treatment seeking people. These patients may not even be thinking of quitting, but we will ask them while they’re here for psychological services if they would like to participate in the study,” said Kaufman. There is room for 130 patients in the study and individualized, interactive online feedback will await each one.

Depending on what they answer, they will be led to different areas of the survey. For instance, when asked how many cigarettes they smoke each day, their results will be compared to how many cigarettes are smoked by others in the United States or in Texas to compare their habits. This way they get feedback of where they stand relative to other smokers. Interestingly, most people are surprised by their results.

“They also get to enter guesses as to how much others smoke compared to themselves. Typically they think people smoke a lot more than they smoke and when they see that others smoke less, it provides normative feedback that can really open their eyes,” said Kauffman who compares the process to reviewing your electric bill.

“When you review your usage on your bill you are often surprised how much electricity you may be using comparative to others and you may try to reduce your electric usage and your bill,” she said.

Kauffman believes her study will be increase motivation, confidence and intention to quit while reducing perceived barriers.

“Regarding withdrawal symptoms, we will work with patients to withstand those symptoms and to learn to cope with distress through other means besides smoking,” she said. Once thought to be a coping mechanism, smoking can actually increase anxiety.

“When you’re going through withdrawal, even for periods between cigarettes, the symptoms can mimic those of anxiety including a racing heart and shortness of breath,” said Kauffman.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States (US), contributing approximately 480,000 premature deaths annually.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 45,000 students.