Advances in early detection and treatment of retinal diseases made possible by retina specialists can preserve sight and virtually eliminate vision loss from conditions such as agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. People who are at risk or experience symptoms of a retinal condition should visit a retina specialist’s office which is equipped with cutting-edge imaging technologies, allowing for earlier diagnosis, closer monitoring and breakthrough treatment approaches that can help save sight.
According to the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), advanced imaging techniques and technologies a patient may encounter during a visit with a retina specialist include:
A diagnostic technique used to examine the back of the eye, including the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels. During the exam, the retina specialist shines a bright light into the eye from a special head-mounted device. The retina specialist then uses another lens, called a handheld lens, to magnify the image of the back of the eye and examine it in detail.
Fundus photography and ultra-widefield fundus photography use a specialized camera with a lowpower microscope to capture a series of highresolution images of the fundus, or back of the eye including the retina and macula, while a patient’s eyes are dilated. During this painless test, the patient is seated in front of a specialized camera and looks straight ahead while a bright light is shone
into their eye. The camera then takes multiple images of the back of the eye, which are reviewed by the retina specialist for any abnormalities or signs of disease.
A non-invasive imaging technique that uses waves of light to capture individual images of crosssections of the retina giving retina specialists a three-dimensional look at its structures and the ability to measure the retina’s thickness. During the test, the patient is seated in front of a machine that looks like a camera and asked to rest their chin on a support to keep their head still. The patient’s eyes are then scanned with a special light, which captures images of the back of the eye. The results are available immediately, which allows for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
A novel, non-invasive technique, OCT-A allows a close, three-dimensional look at the blood vessels and blood flow inside the retina and surrounding tissues. The resulting images may be in color or black and white. During the procedure, the patient is seated in front of a machine that looks like a camera and asked to rest their chin on a support to keep their head still. The patient’s eyes are then scanned with a special light, which captures images of the back of the eye, including blood vessels and blood flow.
A diagnostic technique that uses a dye injected into the bloodstream and a highly specialized camera to record blood flow within the retina and the rest of the eye. After a patient’s eyes are dilated, a small amount of dye is injected in the arm or hand.
The patient is positioned in front of a specialized camera and looks at a series of bright lights while a series of pictures are taken which show the dye as it moves through the blood vessels in the retina.
Ophthalmic ultrasound or eye ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the structures inside the eye. During the noninvasive test, a probe is placed on the eye or eyelid and the patient may be asked to move their eye in different directions. Ophthalmic ultrasound is useful in diagnosing and monitoring various eye conditions, including retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, tumors and other abnormalities.
Retina specialists have access to highly specialized imaging equipment right in their office, allowing patients to have all tests and imaging done to track the progress of their retinal condition in one location, eliminating the need to travel to a different medical office or clinic,
said Philip J. Ferrone, M.D., FASRS, president of the Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists. “Our goal is to reduce the burden on patients and their families and provide a one-stop shop for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment for everyone facing a retinal condition.”
For more information visit: www.SeeforaLifetime.org.
Source: BrandPoint
says author and renowned natural physician, Dr. Fred Pescatore. If you are going through menopause and you notice your hair is thinner, you’re not alone. Studies show more than half of women over age 50 will experience thinning hair and one reason may be declining estrogen (hormone) levels that are associated with menopause.
“Changes in hair health and appearance can take an emotional toll on many women, often leading to lower levels of self-esteem. My patients come to me confused, looking for solutions that are effective with minimal side effects. I direct them to lifestyle adjustments, along with a unique, science-backed natural ingredient called Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract.”
Women spend up to 40% of their life in menopause and, by 2025, 1.1 billion women worldwide will be going through this transition. Menopause often brings disruptive symptoms that can impact all aspects of life, from family to work. Hot flashes and trouble sleeping are often experienced during menopause and those signs can also be accompanied by under-discussed symptoms, like hair thinning.
Hair thickness naturally decreases with age. When you add hormonal changes during menopause on top of that, many women become concerned with their hair health – from how fast it grows to how thick the hair strands are,
Pycnogenol is a natural supplement from the bark of the maritime pine tree that grows along the coast of southwest France. For decades, studies have shown its benefits for skin health and menopause. Now, new research finds it also significantly increases hair density in menopausal women.
“I’ve recommended Pycnogenol to my patients for years as a natural ingredient for menopause and beauty support, and as an important building block of overall wellness since it acts as an antioxidant, circulation booster and natural anti-inflammatory,” says Dr. Pescatore. “This new study demonstrates an exciting additional benefit of Pycnogenol. After just two months, hair density in menopausal women increased by 30%. It is simple, safe, and effective.”
HYDRATE, MASSAGE, AND A BALANCED DIET
There are other simple lifestyle adjustments that can help as well. Dr. Pescatore suggests, “Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your scalp stay hydrated. Massage your scalp daily to enhance circulation. Eat a balanced diet to ensure you are getting the nutrients your hair follicles need, including vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin B12.”
For more information, visit https://www.pycnogenol.com/home/.
Source: StatePoint
that smile satisfaction is one of the top three drivers of self confidence among U.S. adults. Give yourself the gift of innovative brushing technology. The iO Series 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush from Oral-B, for example, allows you to personalize your brushing experience with its five smart modes: daily clean, intense, whitening, sensitive and super sensitive. No ordinary toothbrush, this one is designed to help you brush smarter and more safely. To help protect gums, a smart pressure sensor displays a red light when you’re brushing too hard and a green light when you’re brushing just right, and its dentist-inspired round brush head cleans with micro-vibrations and oscillating action. Plus, a connected app tracks brushing behavior to ensure you’re targeting all six zones of your mouth, and a vibrating timer lets you know when you’ve brushed for the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.
By: d-mars.com News ProviderCarving out some “me time” is not just good for your mental health, physical wellness, and confidence, as many moms know, it can actually make you a better parent. According to a survey of moms conducted by Hutchinson and Cassidy, those who had higher self-esteem had higher levels of perceived parenting confidence.
HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE
1. GET SOME REST: We live in a goal-oriented society where the value of rest and relaxation is not always emphasized. Whether it’s a spa day with your best friend or curling up with a good book at home, be sure your schedule includes adequate time to recharge your batteries.
2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SMILE: One of the best ways to foster self-confidence is with a clean, healthy smile. In fact, a 2020 Cigna Dental Report found
3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND: So much of motherhood is ensuring everyone has what they need, and often, your own needs can fall by the wayside. There are many ways to take time to check in with yourself though. You could buy yourself a beautiful journal and jot thoughts down for a few minutes each evening or check out apps like Headspace, which can help get you started on meditation practice. Even a 10- or 15-minute walk at lunchtime can be a powerful mood-booster and an opportunity to reflect. You might also consider taking up a hobby that offers the chance for self-expression, such as painting, poetry, music, or crafting. When it comes to parents and caretakers, the importance of self-care can’t be overstated. Kick off new routines that boost your self-confidence and your well-being.
Source: StatePoint
Did you know that the younger someone is when they start drinking alcohol or using other drugs, the more likely they are to develop a substance use disorder as an adult? And with more than 140,000 people dying from excessive alcohol use in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s crucial for all the important people in young people’s lives - parents and caregivers, educators, and community members - to talk with them regularly about the harms of alcohol and other drug use and to look for signs that may signal they need additional support.
You can help kids understand the risks of substance use, provide them with a supportive and nurturing environment, and help prepare and empower them to make good choices - and it all starts with talking. In fact, the sooner you talk with kids about alcohol and other drugs, the greater chance you have of influencing their decisions about substance use. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) “Talk. They Hear You.”® campaign provides resources and tools that will help you get informed, be prepared and take action by starting meaningful conversations with kids at an early age and continuing to talk as they get older.
Before you start talking with youth about substance use, underage drinking and other drug use. The adolescent or using other drugs has especially negative consequences judgment and increased risk for injuries, violence, behavioral such as motor vehicle crashes, accidents, suicide and homicide. Use and Health from the Substance Abuse and Mental overdose deaths increased by 109% from 2019 to 2021, fentanyl, counterfeit pills, and stimulants.
You can learn more about the effects of underage drinking “ WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING - PREVENTION WISDOM, AUTHENTICITY, parents, caregivers, and experts lending their knowledge, about youth substance use and mental health. Additional fact sheets, and brochures, provide information about the as discussion starter ideas and suggestions on what to say
use, it’s important to get informed about the dangers of brain is still developing, which is why drinking alcohol consequences for young people. Consequences can include impaired behavioral and academic problems, and even death due to events homicide. In addition, the 2021 National Survey on Drug Mental Health Services Administration found that adolescent largely due to opioids (90%) and illicitly manufactured drinking and other drug use by listening to the campaign’s AUTHENTICITY, AND EMPOWERMENT” podcast. It features knowledge, unique perspectives, and experiences to discussions Additional “TALK. THEY HEAR YOU.” materials, including videos, the risks of drinking alcohol and using other drugs, as well say and how to say it.
To make sure you’re prepared for these important conversations, download the “Talk. They Hear You.”® mobile app on the App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Store. The app’s resources and tools will show you how to turn everyday situations into opportunities to talk with kids about underage drinking and other drug use - equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to start and continue conversations on these difficult topics as they get older.
The app can also help communities promote and implement the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign locally and assist student assistance professionals, school leaders, and families in working together to support the needs of students who may be struggling with substance use, mental health, or school-related issues.
Having short, frequent conversations with youth can have a real impact on their decisions about substance use. And lots of little talks are more effective than one “big talk.” Sitting down for the “big talk” about alcohol and other drugs can be intimidating for everyone involved.
Try using everyday opportunities to start and continue the conversation - in the car, on the bus or subway, during dinner or while watching TV or playing video games. Having many little talks takes the pressure off trying to get all the information out in one lengthy discussion, and kids will be less likely to tune you out.
During these conversations, kids may ask you some tough questions - and “Talk. They Hear You.” has tips to help you be ready to answer them. The campaign’s fact sheets and discussion starter videos show you different ways to talk about substance use and have open, honest conversations.
If you’re an educator or part of a community organization, you can use the “Parents’ Night Out” materials and discussion starter video series to host interactive, facilitator-led educational sessions on substance use prevention. User-friendly toolkits are available for download and include all the materials needed for a single hour-long “Parents’ Night Out” session, or a series of three one-hour program sessions. These toolkits contain everything you’ll need to plan, prepare and host in-person and virtual “Parents’ Night Out” events in your community. Visit the “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign website to learn more.
The campaign’s Screen4Success tool, available via the “Talk. They Hear You.”® mobile app, can help parents and caregivers better understand the health, wellness and wellbeing of their children and find resources to address their needs. Screen4Success asks questions about substance use, mental and physical health, general wellbeing, and family life. This provides an easy way to identify areas where children may benefit from additional support. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to fill out the screener with their kids, as it provides opportunities for discussion now. If that’s not possible, they can send it to their kids to complete it on their own.
Pledge to start - and keep - talking with kids about underage drinking and other drug use prevention: because when you talk, they hear you!
Source: BrandPoint
For nearly sixty years we’ve provided essential care for the place we call home. Saving lives in the middle of the night at a nationally renowned trauma center.
Delivering at-risk babies against all odds, from all across the county.
You might not know our name. And that’s okay.
YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.
Anew study shows that after some progress, the number of deaths and years of possible life lost among America’s Black population stopped going down and then started going up again.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) said their results show that new ways of doing things are needed.
JAMA looked at statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that when the coronavirus pandemic hit the world in 2020, the number of deaths and years of potential life lost went up. Compared to white people, 1.63 million more Black people died than they should have. Experts said that’s the equivalent of 80 million years of potential life during the study period, which took place from 1999 to 2020.
“After a period of progress in reducing disparities, improvements stopped, and differences between the Black population and the white population got worse in 2020,” JAMA experts wrote. “Because of the pandemic, experts stated that years of growth had ended. They said the pandemic affected Black Americans more than other groups.”
Herman Taylor, one of the study’s authors and head of the cardiovascular research institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, said, “The study is very important for about 1.63 million reasons.”
“Real lives are being lost. Real families are missing parents and grandparents,” Taylor declared. “Babies and their mothers are dying. We have been screaming this message for decades.”
Clyde Yancy, an author of the study and chief of cardiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, told reporters that high death rates among Black people have less to do with their genes.
However, it has more to do with the country’s long history of discrimination, which has hurt generations of Black people’s chances of getting an education, a good place to live, and a good job.
Yancy said that Black areas redlined in the 1930s, meaning that mortgages and other investments were too “high risk” for them, are still poorer and sicker today.
Yancy remarked that there were also more COVID infections and deaths in ZIP codes that used to be redlined.
“It’s very clear that we have an uneven distribution of health,” Yancy said. “We’re talking about the freedom to be healthy.”
In 2021, non-Hispanic white Americans could expect to live to 76 years old, but non-Hispanic Black Americans could only hope to live to 71 years old.
A big reason for this difference is another study that showed that non-Hispanic Black babies are 2.5 times more likely to die before their first birthday than non-Hispanic white babies.
Non-Hispanic Black mothers are more than three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related problem than non-Hispanic white moms.
Source: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent