DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Remote Patient Monitoring Systems Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

An increase in the chronic disease population, an increase in the aging population, and the demand for home-based monitoring devices are all the major factors driving the growth of the market. Operating home-based devices is becoming simple, and hence, these devices are being used by all age groups. They are also compact and portable and the patients can wear it all the time without unease. These devices also ensure that the patient's condition is monitored all the time. Moreover, the need to maintain the average healthcare expenditure is one of the major reasons for the growth of the market.

Despite significant factors driving the wider adoption of remote patient monitoring systems, resistance from the healthcare industry professionals toward the adoption of the patient monitoring system, lack of proper reimbursement policies, and stringent regulatory framework are the challenges faced by the market.

Key Market Trends

Multi Parameter Monitors Segment is Expected to Show Better Growth over the Forecast Period

Multi-parameter monitors are devices that monitor various parameters, such as arterial blood pressure, heart rate, body and skin temperature, oximetry, and capnography, with a single device. These devices have become popular as they are small, portable, and user-friendly. The multi-parameter remote monitoring devices are used not only by medical professionals but also by the health-conscious population, as sleep and activity monitors fall in these categories. The increased death rate due to chronic diseases across the developed countries, such as the United States, and the developing countries, raises awareness among the people to use early and easy monitoring devices.

Furthermore, their high capability to monitor various chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, is expected to fuel the demand for remote patient monitoring systems. Hence, the increasing focus on a healthy lifestyle, the growing trend of self-monitoring and preventive medicine, and increasing concern for the constant monitoring of health parameters of patients are expected to drive the growth of the overall market.

North America is Expected to be the Major Contributor to the Market over the Forecast Period

North America is leading the remote patient monitoring devices market globally, and it is anticipated to dominate the market in the future. There is a growing trend of shifting treatment from hospitals to homes, in order to reduce hospital bills. The increasing economic burden on hospitals due to a large number of inpatients, coupled with penalties imposed under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program formed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is resulting in the increased adoption of remote patient monitoring devices in the United States. Furthermore, patients prefer home healthcare due to its cost-effectiveness, privacy, and convenience, thus, boosting the market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The remote patient monitoring market is moderately fragmented and various medical device manufacturers are operating in the market, along with several specialized remote patient monitoring equipment manufacturers. The industry is highly competitive, and there is a growing trend of partnerships and agreements between the industry participants and other medical device manufacturers, in order to incorporate remote patient monitoring functionalities in their devices.

Key Topics Covered

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Deliverables

1.2 Study Assumptions

1.3 Scope of the Study

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Rising Burden of Chronic Diseases due to Lifestyle Changes

4.2.2 Rising Geriatric Population

4.2.3 Growing Demand for Home-based Monitoring Devices

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 Resistance from Healthcare Industry Professionals

4.3.2 Stringent Regulatory Framework

4.3.3 Lack of Proper Reimbursement

4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Type of Device

5.1.1 Heart Monitors

5.1.2 Breath Monitors

5.1.3 Hematology Monitors

5.1.4 Multi-parameter Monitors

5.1.5 Other Types of Devices

5.2 By Application

5.2.1 Cancer Treatment

5.2.2 Cardiovascular Diseases

5.2.3 Diabetes Treatment

5.2.4 Sleep Disorder

5.2.5 Weight Management and Fitness Monitoring

5.2.6 Other Applications

5.3 By End User

5.3.1 Home Care Settings

5.3.2 Hospital/Clinics

5.3.3 Other End Users

5.4 By Geography

5.4.1 North America

5.4.2 Europe

5.4.3 Asia-Pacific

5.4.4 Middle-East and Africa

5.4.5 South America

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Abbott Laboratories

6.1.2 Aerotel Medical Systems

6.1.3 AMD Global Telemedicine

6.1.4 Baxter International Inc.

6.1.5 Boston Scientific Corporation

6.1.6 GE Healthcare

6.1.7 Masimo Corporation

6.1.8 Medtronic PLC

6.1.9 Omron Corporation

7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vbp89s

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Global Remote Patient Monitoring Systems Market 2020-2025: Analysis by Type of Device, Application, End User and Geography - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

Sadly too many business owners today fail to see the connection and more importantly the benefit between physical and mental fitness. However, accepting that a healthy body will lead to a healthy mind is as important to business success as is paying attention to the numbers and hiring the right employees.

Staying fit is not an easy task for todays business owner given their busy schedule, poor eating habits, high stress, sedentary life style and lack of exercise.

Understanding these things is not the issue but doing something about them is. Smart business owners understand that business success is greatly enhanced by being physically fit and mentally alert. Many also understand that the two work very well together. However, the smart ones follow a regimen for their physical/mental health just as they follow a plan for their business.

What follows are four habits that business owners can use to stay physically fit thus enhancing their mental alertness:

Develop and follow an exercise program

All business owners understand the time crunch that comes with leading and growing a business. Setting aside time for regularly scheduled workouts can be difficult, and blocking out two hours at a fitness center is next to impossible. So the answer can be interval training workouts where you have a short but high intensity exercise regimen like running, walking, biking, weights, swimming or any combination of these for 40 to 60 minutes 3 to 4 times per week.

Remember that the best exercise you can do is what you will do.

Get the proper amount of sleep

In order to make the best business decisions, it is important for business owners to be well rested. Getting a good nights sleep is vital to your emotional state and to your thinking process thus enhancing your creativity, confidence, leadership and decision making.

Have a healthy diet

Here, it is important to remember that you cannot exercise off a bad diet. Eating right is not about dieting, but instead, it about staying away from the wrong foods. The right foods include proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, eggs, natural fats and healthy oils. There are a lot of recommended diets from which to choose for a healthy lifestyle.

It is equally important to stay hydrated with water. Getting your nutrition intake right is very important to your overall health and physical appearance. The old saying is true "we are what we eat."

Recharge your brain through meditation

The rest your brain will experience during meditation, or creative daydreaming, can give you a spike in your energy level. This actually can lead to a decrease in your anxiety, fear and stress levels. This can be particularly helpful during those times when you have to make a critically important business decision.

Everyone will agree that the healthier we are the better we feel about ourselves, our job and our company and the better we feel the more effective we can be.

It isnt enough for business owners to want to be healthy just to achieve business success. Business owners should want to be physically and mentally healthy so they can better enjoy the fruits of their labor and life in general.

Dan Short is a Certified SCORE Business Mentor. SCORE is the nations largest provider of free business mentoring services to small businesses and start-ups. Savannah SCORE was named the 2019 "Mid-Market Chapter of the Year". To schedule a free business mentoring/coaching session with an expert Savannah SCORE business mentor, go to savannah.score.org and click on "Find A Mentor" or call 912-652-4335.

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Ask SCORE column: The link between fitness and success - Savannah Morning News

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing and business closures have become the norm, it can be difficult to be as active as we once were.

As a result, we may be staying home more and indulging in more sedentary activities, such as watching TV and playing video games.

More than ever, though, it is important to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle.

One way we can do this, according to new research, is to cut back on our time watching TV.

In fact, researchers say cutting back to 2 hours a day may be a good way to prevent poor health.

The study used data from people who were recruited between 2006 and 2010 to participate in the UK Biobank, a large, long-term study aimed at studying how genetics and environment impact the development of disease.

In the study, the researchers looked at data regarding the lifestyle and demographics of 490,966 people between the ages of 37 and 73.

The study participants were followed from 2006 to 2018, with their data being linked to national routine death and disease registries.

To rule out the possibility that poor health was causing the participants to be more sedentary and watch more TV, the researchers excluded those who had cancer and cardiovascular disease from their study.

In addition, they left out anyone who had had any adverse event related to their health in the 2 years prior.

When they analyzed the data, the team found that those who had the lowest overall health risks were those who viewed TV for 2 hours or less per day.

They estimated that 6 percent of all deaths and 8 percent of cardiovascular deaths were associated with TV-viewing time.

Furthermore, if the participants limited TV time to 2 hours a day, it could potentially prevent or delay all deaths by 5.62 percent and cardiovascular deaths by 7.97 percent.

According to Furong Xu, PhD, professor of health and physical education at the University of Rhode Island, the physical act of watching TV is not what contributes to poor health.

Instead, she said, it is being used as a surrogate measure of how sedentary a persons lifestyle is.

The more someone watches television, the less they are moving their bodies, said Xu.

Xu said, in her opinion, that the take home message of this study is the importance of physical movement in health.

Everyone needs a break every once in a while, she noted, but TV is only one way that people can unwind.

Doing other physical activities can result in lower health risk over time.

The study authors concurred with Xus assessment, writing that TV watching is only one type of sedentary behavior. Other sedentary activities, for example watching videos on your smart phone, can also lead to adverse effects on your health.

The authors further noted that other factors may contribute as well, such as lower socioeconomic status and snacking on unhealthy foods.

Dr. Vijaya Surampudi, assistant professor of medicine in the UCLA Division of Human Nutrition, suggested first of all speaking with your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen. Your doctor can help you determine what type of activities are best for your personal needs.

In addition, she had the following suggestions for how to begin incorporating more activity into your daily life:

As far as your ultimate activity goals, Xu said the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendation of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity is a good target.

People who watch more TV, and as a result, are more sedentary, are at greater risk for poor health.

By becoming more physically active, we can improve our health and decrease our risk of dying prematurely.

Cutting back on sedentary activities such as watching TV allows more time for being physically active.

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Here's Why You May Want to Limit Your TV Time to 2 Hours a Day - Healthline

The historic Levitt Shell has joined forces with Baptist Memorial Health Care to provide a health and wellness series. The online programming features yoga, Pilates, mental fitness, healthy recipes, and more offerings geared toward wellness, prevention, and community health.

While the partnership might seem unlikely at first glance, Levitt Shell executive director Natalie Wilson says the series fits perfectly with the organization's mission to build community through music and education.

"We believe that as a public gathering space, we have an ethical responsibility to the health of our community, especially during a global pandemic," says Wilson.

Ann Marie Wallace, senior community outreach coordinator for Baptist Memorial Health Care mirrors Wilson's sentiments: "We are excited to partner with Levitt Shell on this free interactive health and wellness program for our community. Being able to stay active is more important than ever during this global pandemic."

The healthy living programming is streamed through Facebook Live and other platforms to support ways to make a healthy lifestyle accessible for all. According to Wallace, the virtual aspect "can help reduce barriers to healthy living."

The unique programming is suitable for the entire family and features other partners, including Sumits Yoga, Art of Living Foundation, and Edible Memphis. Times will vary. The full schedule can be found on the Levitt Shell website and Facebook page. This week's programming will feature Morning Yoga and Pilates, in partnership with Sumits Yoga, on Saturday and Food Science 4 Kids, in partnership with Edible Memphis.

If you are interested in sponsoring an upcoming class or have another idea for programming, please contact Lauren Veline via email at lauren@levittshell.org.

levittshell.org, Visit the Levitt Shell website or Facebook page, full schedule offered every Saturday and Sunday through August, Free.

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Levitt Shell Offers Health and Wellness Series - Memphis Flyer

For the majority of his career, James Hill, PhD, chair of the nutrition sciences department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has devoted his time and attention to health and wellness issues. And in holding positions such as chair of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Consultation on Obesity, that meant honing in on the more physical aspects of a healthy lifestyle. He even helped to create national guidelines for treating and preventing obesity. But Hill is leading the charge in rethinking what we believe to be a healthy lifestyle, suggesting that taking a holistic approach to wellness is of the highest importanceeven more so than simply losing weight.

"Wellness is still a rather vague concept with no clear definition and no definitive method of measurement," Hill said in a statement ahead of the keynote address he gave on Sept. 28 at the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). He urged people to "consider the advantages and disadvantages of a focus on wellness, as well as issues of definition, measurement, and method of change."

The problem, as Hill sees it, is the separation of the different aspects of wellness and the trend of people focusing their efforts on one thingdiet and exercise, for exampleas the answer to their problems. Hill says this singular approach simply isn't working. Considering the fact that the adult obesity rate in the United States is 42.4 percentthe highest rate ever recorded, according to the Trust for America's Health 2020 reportit's clear something is amiss.

"As a country, we're just not well. We're suffering from so many of what I call lifestyle-related chronic diseases," Hill recently told Healthline. "I think we definitely need a concept like wellness that can unite obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and so on."

Hill even admits that he was guilty of not seeing the bigger picture early in his career. "I started out way more focused on physical health: fitness level, risk of diabetes, and so on," he said. "In recent years, what's become clear to me is that one of the key parts of this is the whole mental or psychological component."

Story continues

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Once he had this revelation, Hill began to think about a healthy lifestyle not centered around a number on a scale or the fear of heart disease, but one where an individual's sense of self, their life's purpose, their physical well-being, and their idea of happiness weren't each a singular idea or pursuit, but intertwined with one another into one concept: wellness.

So, what would Hill say to someone today if they asked him how they should go about getting healthy?

"Think about why you want to change and dive deep into thinking about how you want to align how you're living your life with those things that are most important in your life," he said. "The behavior change can happen. It's the sustainability of it that's difficult, and it's aligning that lifestyle with what we call purpose in life that's necessary to sustain it." And for more on how to work wellness into your daily life, check out The Single Best Thing You Can Do for Your Health Right Now.

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A Nutrition Expert Just Said This Is More Important Than Losing Weight - Yahoo Lifestyle

The 5K is limited to 50 participants and will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. Facial coverings are recommended for ages 10 and older.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas A new addition headed to Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront this weekend is a free 5K along the scenic Bayfront.

The 5K kicks off this Saturday, August 29, 2020, at 7:30 a.m.

"The 5K is limited to 50 participants and will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. Facial coverings are recommended for ages 10 and older and temperature check at sign-in," said organizers.

The health and wellness initiative called Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront offers fitness activities for all ages and skill levels.

"The community is invited to take advantage of the FITNESS LANE, join Wellness Sessions, and play in the Kids Zone. The Kids Zone includes an obstacle course, noodle hockey, and scoop ball. H-E-B is a community partner providing fruit and water for all participants," said officials.

The Coffee Mugg, a local coffee shop, will be on-site handing out freshly brewed coffee this Saturday for the event.

"The FITNESS LANE is open for people to get moving in a safe, vehicle-free environment. No registration is required. Walk, jog, run, or bike in a designated 1.25-mile fitness lane from Cole Park to Lawrence Street! The FITNESS LANE is available every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The fitness lane will help to reduce the overcrowding of the sidewalks and enable social distancing of at least six feet while exercising," added organizers.

According to city officials, an expanded fitness lane has been created along Ocean Drive to Shoreline Boulevard that will temporarily close northbound traffic from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. for residents to bike, run, jog and walk along the bayfront from Cole Park to Art Center of Corpus Christi.

In coordination with Victor Betancourt of VFit Productions and the Citys Park and Recreation Department, the City will offer Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront exercise and wellness events for ages 8 and older, of all abilities, on Saturdays from 7 a.m. 11 a.m. at The Waters Edge, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd. Check-In, Fitness Moves session and the Childrens Activity Area will be held at McCaughan Park.

Zumba and Yoga will be held at the Islanders Pavilion next to the playground. Participants are also eligible to receive give-away rewards. The Kids Zone, for ages 8-12, begins at 9 a.m.

The 40- to 60-minute fitness sessions:

Class sessions are limited to 20 participants per class. The public can register for classes and the 5K through the online registration link http://www.cctexas.com/safefunfit.

Organizers say measures will also be taken for appropriate physical distancing for the safety of the participant. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and water, as appropriate, for their workout.

Everyone in our community is strongly encouraged to use all preventative measures and that includes exercising. Our goal is to have a community of healthy residents who will reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by taking advantage of our natural environment for their outdoor fitness, said Peter Zanoni, City Manager.

Reasonable accommodations are provided upon request and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For assistance or to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 361-826-3460, in advance.

For more information about Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront, visit http://www.cctexas.com/safefunfit.

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'Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront' hosting free 5K event this Saturday - KIIITV.com

Hamilton Brower hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Hamilton Brower hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Photo: Deborah Rose /Hearst Connecticut Media

Hamilton Brower hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Hamilton Brower hopes to inspire others to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Health and wellness are focus of New Milford non-profit

NEW MILFORD Inspiration and empowerment.

These are two key elements Hamilton Ham Brower of New Milford is sharing through his nonprofit organization, Stand Up 4 Health.

Through the sharing of resources, and by offering workshops, events and other activities, Brower said he hopes to inspire individuals through educational resources on preventative health care and foundational solutions for optimal health.

We believe that you dont know when you dont know, Brower said of the organizations mission statement. But that we can all learn.

Brower recently began offering a variety of workshops and events at The Henderson Center for Excellence for Youth Empowerment at The Silo on Upland Road in the Northville section of New Milford, where he was invited by Alessandro Piovezahn, chairman of the board at Hunt Hill Farm nonprofit organization, to set up a health and wellness sanctuary at the site.

Resident Jeanne Street, a local spiritual medium, healer and author, learned of Stand Up 4 Healths mission and the opportunity to build a holistic type of hub at The Silo and felt moved to participate.

Hes selfless, Street said of Brower. Everything hes doing is for love, its on the vibration of love. Its giving back and sharing. Its humanitarian.

Street is offering a meditations series and has offered health workshops at The Silo already. She also interviewed Brower for her Angels Dont Lie podcast.

Sheree Sudram, a licensed hypnotherapist and former manager of the wellness department at Mountainside Treatment Center in Canaan, learned of Browers efforts at The Silo and is now helping tend the herb garden, formerly cared for by the late Ruth Henderson, who with her husband Skip purchased the property on which The Silo is situated in 1968.

I felt like were all kindred spirits, Sudram said of Brower and others she has met who are involved with Stand Up 4 Health and The Silo.

A drum circle is also being coordinated.

Having the opportunity to help Piovezahn create a health and wellness sanctuary at The Silo is important to Brower.

When Alessandro and I started talking about this, I just wept, Brower said of the instant connection and vision he and Piovezahn shared when they spoke of a health and wellness sanctuary. This (opportunity) is pure, unadulterated joy and bliss.

Brower has long felt called to share a message about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle that can optimize ones physical body and spiritual self.

Once I stepped in to Stand Up 4 Health, I knew it was the commitment I had made in 1995 to find the health, energy and strength to become the light, so that I can walk in the darkness and illuminate the path for others, so they dont have to live in fear, Brower related.

Brower said he masked the pain and fear he had after being diagnosed with HIV in 1989.

I was trying to project an image of health (as a body builder), but I was hiding my illness from everybody, Brower admit. What I really managed to do was, not just hide it from everyone else, but hide it from myself.

By the mid-1990s, Brower had developed full-blown AIDS. He was adamant that his life his story was not going to be like the one portrayed in the movie Philadelphia.

The movie wasnt going to be my Troy, he said, citing how the realization was the turning point of his life, when he committed to educate himself so he could survive his health issues.

Survival mode is necessary, but its fight or flight, and thats inflammatory and fear based, said Brower, who over the years developed recognition for his walks downtown with his late dog, Buddy.

Now, as he immerses himself into Stand Up 4 Health, Brower claims he is finally thriving.

To thrive, thats a huge leap, he said. Thats when you release your life from fear and you turn it into something, when you dedicate your energy and your spirit and knowledge to help other people thrive. Its when you quit focusing on yourself. When you start thriving, you become selfless.

Stand Up 4 Healths logo a small heart whose line extends out in ripples into the shape of an apple designed by Browers friend, illustrates that message.

Its loving each other from the inside out, living authentically, living from survivor to thriver, Brower said.

Brower said in the late 1990s, when he was in his late 20s, he was in survival mode and participated as an activist to fight to get breakthrough medications released sooner than later.

Everyone around me was dying, he said.

After hearing Mathilde Krim, who was a medical researcher and founding chairwoman of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, relay to the world that it isnt any one medicine to help patients with HIV/AIDS, but rather a cocktail, he began to understand health in a new way.

Brower was part of a study with David Ho, who introduced a number of scientific contributions to the understanding and treatment of HIV infection. It really helped people, including me, he said.

Our bodies are designed to heal themselves, Brower explained. They want to survive, they just have to be given the right ingredients so they can do what they can do. Those ingredients arent Twinkies and Big Macs.

In 2009, after doing well on medicine, Brower suffered a major heart attack that led him to a visit to Dr. Tamara Sachs, an integrative medicine doctor in town.

It was then Brower realized he was neglecting the root cause of why his body wasnt functioning at peak because he wasnt giving it proper levels of nutrition to aid the body in healing itself.

Brower emphasized the importance of healthy food choices, many of which are plant based and rich in nutrients.

He made lifestyle changes, most importantly eating healthier. He also learned about Juice Plus+ products, which are made from juice powder concentrates and oils from more than 40 different fruits, and grains, and tower gardens, which enable individuals to grow fresh, nutrient-rich food without soil.

In recent years, Brower has donated more than 20 towers to various sites, including schools, The Silo and other locations.

He is exploring making donations of fresh produce grown on the towers through a collaboration with the towns food bank.

I want to educate people how our bodies function and how to optimize our physiology, too, so we can all thrive, Brower related.

As a non-profit, Brower is committed to donate 100 percent of what he makes from the sale of the book he co-wrote with Annette Parker Martin, Magnificent Words to Live By, Juice Plus+ and Tower Gardens and anything else he does to fund the Stand Up 4 Health mission.

Sudram described herself as a strong proponent of wellness and who, like Brower, believes that humans are multi-faceted beings who need the mind, body and spirit to all be working well to be functionally at its best.

If the body is showing symptoms of something, thats a symptom of a larger issue, said Sudram, who plans to offer workshops for Stand Up 4 Health.

The collaboration between Stand U 4 Health and The Silo is a positive thing for the community, Sudram said.

Its a real nurturing environment to serve everyone in the community from all walks of life, she said.

Street agreed, adding, Its amazing what (Hamilton) is
doing to feed the community.

For more information, email info@standup4health.org , call 917-756-5185 or visit http://www.standup4health.org.

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Health and wellness are focus of New Milford non-profit - The Greater New Milford Spectrum

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In this 2019 file photo, execise instructor Jennifer Breedlove leads students in a U-Jam classes.

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In this 2019 file photo, execise instructor Jennifer Breedlove leads students in a U-Jam classes.

According to researchers from the from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute, the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and

Reduce the risk of breast cancer through a targeted diet and an active lifestyle

Breast cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall with over two million new cases in 2018. While there are many hereditary and genetic factors thought to contribute to developing breast cancer, strong evidence exists the risk of many different types of cancer can be greatly reduced through an active lifestyle, maintaining a healthy body weight and adopting a diet that limits sugar, fast foods, processed foods and favors a plant-based approach, according to researchers from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Cancer Research Institute.

Our evidence shows that fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains and fibre, play a crucial role in protecting us against certain cancers, as well as weight gain, overweight and obesity, Dr Giota Mitrou, World Cancer Research Fund Internationals Director of Research wrote in a 2018 report entitled Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: A Global Perspective.

The 2018 report detailed evidence that a diet that includes many non-starchy vegetables is believed to decrease the risk of oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer. Medical experts now recommend adopting a diet that includes mostly plant-based foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans as a goal toward a healthy lifestyle as plant-based foods are high in the types of fiber, nutrients, and phytochemicals (natural substances) thought to prevent cancer. Researchers say foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and other natural substances called phytochemicals are known to help protect against cancer.

What types of food should be avoided?

Researchers recommend avoiding processed foods high in fat and refined starches such as white bread or pasta, biscuits, cakes and pastries. A diet that includes large amounts of processed foods and fast foods high in fat, starches or sugars also often causes weight gain and obesity, which is known to cause cancer. While most foods undergo some form of processing before consumption, fast food and highly processed foods have generally undergone industrial processing and are often higher in energy and lower in micronutrients. In general, researchers say it is best to avoid potato products such as chips and crisps, products made from white flour such as bread, pasta and pizza, cakes, pastries, biscuits and cookies. Strong evidence also exists that the consumption of either red or processed meat also increases the risk of cancer. Although medical experts dont recommend avoiding red meat completely as it can be a valuable source of protein, iron and other micronutrients, in particular protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12, but avoiding processed meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation is advised. Processed meat can include ham, salami, bacon and some sausages such as frankfurters and chorizo. Minced meats such as fresh sausages may sometimes, though not always, count as processed meat. But, a healthy diet doesnt necessarily include meat and those who choose to meat-free diets can adapt their protein selections to include fish or chicken and obtain nutrients through careful food selection.

Related: Online support groups offer hope, support to worldwide sisterhood of breast cancer patients

Medical experts also recommend avoiding sweetened drinks and fruit juices. As for artificially sweetened drinks, researchers say there is no strong evidence in humans to suggest that artificially sweetened drinks, such as diet sodas, are a cause of cancer and the evidence that artificially sweetened drinks help prevent weight gain, overweight and obesity is not consistent. Ultimately, researchers maintain that the available evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation regarding artificially sweetened drinks.

On HoustonChronicle.com: New genetic, genomic tests allow personalized treatment options for breast cancer patients

One of the major problems with sugar sweetened drinks is that they provide energy but do not fill you up. This can promote overconsumption of energy and thus weight gain. This effect is compounded when there are low levels of physical activity, Professor Martin Wiseman, World Cancer Research Fund Internationals Medical and Scientific Adviser wrote in the 2018 report.

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Basic research findings

Exercise and physical activity are key to a healthy lifestyle and researchers recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. A healthy diet and a healthy body weight are key to reducing the risk of all types of cancer. In terms of a healthy diet, doctors recommend eliminating fast foods, processed foods and sugary drinks as much as possible and advise concentrating on a diet that includes plenty of vegetables whole grain foods.

Link between breast cancer and a healthy heart

The risk of postmenopausal breast cancer is greatly reduced by being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle and premenopausal obesity not only increase the risk of breast cancer, both are known to contribute significantly to heart disease, according researchers from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Dr. Cindy M. John, a cardiology specialist at he Richmond Medical Center, advises her patients transitioning to a healthier lifestyle to make gradual changes.

You dont have to start by running a marathon every year, John said in an interview Monday (Sept. 21). You can start out by walking 20 minutes five times a week. I also tell my patients that dietary changes dont have start out as extreme changes. For example, instead of having dessert with every meal, start by limiting yourself to dessert once a week.

In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, John says its also crucial to schedule a yearly mammogram and visit a health care provider for regular medical screenings.

Women are often the caregivers in a family, which means we focus on caring for others and often forget to take care of ourselves. But, its just as important to slow down and remember to care for your own health and your own body.

Dr. Cindy M. John is a Board Certified Cardiologist who specializes in preventive medicine and risk factor modification. For appointments, call the OakBend Medical Group Cardiology office at 281-622-4925.

knix@hcnonline.com

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Reduce the risk of breast cancer through a targeted diet and an active lifestyle - Chron

When it comes to Hollywood stars and other celebrity figures, it can be easy to forget that they are people like everyone else. Sure, they have unparalleled fame and wealth (must be nice), but they also have issues with their families, have been in bad relationships, and struggled with health problems. No more so is that evident than in the recent and untimely death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who passed away on Aug. 28 from colon cancer at just 43 years old. And Boseman was not alone in his struggle with cancer among the Hollywood community. In fact, many famous figures we all know have dealt with serious, life-threatening medical conditions over the yearsoften while their careers were thriving. Thankfully, in many cases, the outcomes are not always as tragic as Boseman's sadly was. With that, here are some of the biggest celebrities who battled cancer and won. And for more on a health condition diagnosed in a number of iconic artists, check out Celebrities Who Are on the Autism Spectrum.

Ben Stiller credits the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test with saving his life. While the American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk for the disease start getting screened at age 50, Stiller was 46 when his doctor recommended he get tested. And it's a good thing he did. The actor was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 and then underwent surgery three months after to remove the tumor. He has been cancer-free ever since.

"The bottom line for me: I was lucky enough to have a doctor who gave me what they call a "baseline" PSA test when I was about 46," Still wrote in an essay he published online in 2016. "I have no history of prostate cancer in my family and I am not in the high-risk group I had no symptoms." The comedian added: "If he had waited, as the American Cancer Society recommends, until I was 50, I would not have known I had a growing tumor until two years after I got treated." And for more on another famous figure's battle with a life-threatening illness, check out 4 Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Alex Trebek Wished He'd Known Sooner.

While she was having success on screen as the lead in Veep, the hilariously irreverent HBO series that showcased her comedic abilities perhaps even better than her breakout role as Elaine on Seinfeld, the late 2010s were a hard time for Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Her father died in September 2016 and year later she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer, which led to a brutal six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. The outcome was positive and Louis-Dreyfus is currently cancer-free, but she's still a bit hesitant to accept that as the end of her story. "I'm still working it out, to be honest with you," she told Vanity Fair in August 2019. "I'm glad I got through it, but there's a part of me that's still a little frightened, you know?" And for more on this particular disease, check out 17 Subtle Signs You May Have Breast Cancer.

In 2008, while promoting the film Deception, Scottish actor Ewan McGregor was encouraged by his doctor to have few suspicious moles on his face looked at by a specialist It turns out at least one of them was concerning enough to be removed and turned out to be skin cancer. The Trainspotting and Star Wars star is fine now, but cautions people to have any odd looking or new moles looked at by a dermatologist immediatelyespecially those who have a similarly fair skin tone.

"You have to be careful if you're pale-skinned and spend any time in the sun," McGregor told the BBC in 2008 following the incident. "I went to see a specialist who thought they were better to be removed, and indeed he was correct." And for more on this often subtle, but serious disease, check out 27 Skin Cancer Facts Doctors Wish You Knew About.

Like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Christina Applegate, star of Netflix series Dead to Me, underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Since then Applegate has been cancer-free and founded the Right Action for Women, an organization that helps at-risk women pay for MRI screenings and testing, she told Today in 2017. In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, in order to help prevent the cancer from returning, Applegate also made the decision to have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

Veteran broadcaster Robin Roberts is one of the most inspirational figures for people battling cancer. As an award-winning journalist and longtime anchor of ABC's Good Morning America, Roberts established herself as a familiar face and trustworthy news source in homes across the country. But after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2007 and then, just five years later, finding out she had a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Roberts came to represent something even more personal and powerful, handling her excruciating battle with illness with a kind of grace and resilience that continues to inspire millions to take control of their own health.

When asked how she was doing in a 2018 interview with Cure magazine, Roberts said: "Strong like bull! I'm not one of those people who use the word "remission," but I'm grateful that at this point there is nothing detectable. I get my regular checkups, and I just love that I feel like myself again. It took quite a few years." And for more helpful health information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

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Celebrities Who Battled Cancer and Won - Best Life

The role individuals play in their own health care became more prominent in 2020. As a global pandemic forced people from all walks of life to prioritize their personal health each time they left their homes, many individuals sought ways to take a more active role in their health care.

Proactive health care has long been touted by medical professionals, though many people still dont take such recommendations to heart. In fact, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that as much as 75 percent of health care spending in the United States is reactive in nature, meaning that money is going toward treating conditions and diseases rather than preventing them from occurring in the first place.

Taking an active role in your own health care is easier than people may think. And the benefits of such a proactive approach are numerous, including a reduced risk for various diseases.

Schedule annual physicals. Annual physicals are one of the simplest and most effective ways for individuals to take active roles in their personal health. Many health insurance plans cover annual physical exams at no cost to policy holders, and these examinations can uncover issues even when individuals are not feeling any symptoms. Annual physicals also provide great opportunities for individuals to discuss diet and healthy lifestyle choices with their physicians in relaxed settings.

Learn about the preventive services that are right for you. Individuals should speak with their physicians about which services are recommended for individuals in their situations. Screening guidelines are often age-based, but they also take personal history and family history into account. For example, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends all adults between the ages of 50 and 75 be screened for colorectal cancer, but the frequency of those screenings will depend on each individuals personal risk and which screening test they choose.

Embrace physical activity. The DHHS notes that regular physical activity increases a persons chances of living a longer, healthier life. In addition, the CDC says regular physical activity reduces a persons risk for chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, various types of cancer, and even mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Access to fitness facilities may be limited or unavailable during the pandemic, but that should not deter people from exercising regularly. Walking, jogging, hiking, and cycling are great forms of cardiovascular exercise that have been linked to a host of health benefits.

A proactive approach to personal health is simple and effective, potentially helping people reduce their risk for a variety of diseases and conditions.

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Taking A More Active Role In Your Personal Health - Escalon Times

Jan Huff was well aware of all the 28-day weight-loss plans and 30-day diets already out there but she didnt want to wait that long for results.

And the Meyerland resident wasnt sure she could commit to a months time. How about 24 hours? she thought. Thats something I can do.

Huff created her own full-day challenge, and it turned her life around.

The journey was prompted by a 2017 trip to the doctor, in which her lab results revealed she was prediabetic, with high cholesterol not to mention about 40 pounds overweight.

I didnt realize how bad I had gotten, she said. That was my wake-up call. Enough was enough.

The results came as a shock. Huff had always been fairly active, loved cycling and competed five times in the MS 150 bike ride.

I was athletically fit, but I wasnt necessarily eating healthy, not well-rounded or balanced, she said.

Occasionally, she would change her diet, but only to drop a few pounds. I then gained it all back and then some, she said.

In addition, Huff was working full time, taking care of her mother and also her three then-teenage boys.

There was a whole lot on my plate, she recalled. I was pretty much putting everybody before me. And I wasnt my normal, chipper self. I was just going through the motions.

Her doctor offered to prescribe her medication to lower her numbers, but she wanted to research natural options.

Huff realized her approach in the past was flawed. Im not focusing on losing weight, she decided. Instead, it should be about how do I get healthy.

All of her research pointed to four important healthy habits eating right, drinking plenty of water, exercising and getting the right amount of sleep.

Huff wasnt making any of them a priority. Instead, she had a sweet tooth and lived off coffee and tea. Because of the caffeine intake, she was not getting good sleep.

She wanted to exercise more but didnt feel like she had enough time for bike rides.

Huff pledged to make an adjustment: In the next 24 hours, she would do everything differently. Basically, she would have a perfect, healthy day.

Thats the key making up your mind, she said.

The night before, she made vegetable soup and succumbed to her usual craving for sweets. She knew she would have no sugar the next day.

Huff woke up and had a large glass of water, right off the bat. She then ate a healthy breakfast.

The indoor bicycle that was unused was put to work literally. Huff placed a table and computer in front of the bicycle so she could pedal while doing her job.

I wouldnt have an excuse that I didnt have time to exercise, Huff said.

She also went for a 20-minute walk outside and ate healthy meals all day. By 9:30 p.m., she was ready for bed.

I was actually tired, because I wasnt drinking caffeine all day, she recalled. Within 15 minutes, I was asleep.

The following morning, Huff woke up early, before her alarm sounded.

And I felt really good, she said. I knew that if I felt so good after just 24 hours, I didnt want to go back.

Huff decided to expand her day and make it more of an everyday lifestyle.

Four months later, she went to her primary care doctor to retest her previous lab results. Her numbers lowered, and her cholesterol was now moderate instead of high. She was also no longer prediabetic and was losing weight.

My doctor said you have to get this out to help others, Huff recalled. It was unbelievable.

A friend helped her build a website, and she chose a name for her plan Save Your Own Life.

You can change your life, Huff said. This is not a complicated method. Its so simple. You just have to put in the work.

On the website, Huff shares recipes, offers tips and outlines her 24-hour challenge, as well as lifestyle changes that have helped her.

I want to get my message out to anyone I possibly can, she said. And Im not stopping. Im not going to give up. I want to reach more people so they can live a better and healthier life.

Becky Mitchell turned to the website for information about anti-inflammatory foods.

Mitchell has known Huff for the past 22 years. They raised their children together, and Mitchell taught all three of Huffs sons.

Huff also volunteers at the before- and after-school care on the campus where Mitchell works.

When Huffs health started to improve, Mitchell noticed right away. She looked completely transformed, Mitchell said.

Huff was eager to share her website and her new lifestyle.

Mitchell has osteoarthritis, which led to severe pain in her left knee. As a teacher, she spends a lot of time on her feet. Even navigating the long hallways at school could be torturous for her joints.

There were so many days, I was just dragging myself in, and looking down the hallway thinking, I wont be able to make it, Mitchell recalled.

She decided to check out Save Your Own Life and started making smoothies out of the vegetables Huff recommended. She also brewed turmeric and ginger tea to ease inflammation, reduced her sugar intake and started carrying water with her.

I dont even remember when it happened, but soon, I wasnt looking down the hall thinking I cant do it anymore, Mitchell said.

Huff is her inspiration, Mitchell explained.

How can you not believe in her when you see her? Mitchell said. And its in her heart to help. She wants to share with anybody who wants better health.

Huffs own health has only continued to get better. She no longer craves sugar, and she continues to pedal her way through Zoom meetings and conference calls. After a year, she lost the extra 40 pounds and has kept it off.

Its just being healthy, Huff said. No more diets, no more craziness.

Huffs plan foregoes strict rules, except cutting processed foods and sugars as much as possible. A balance of proteins, vegetables and whole grains makes up the menu. She recommends taking note of how different foods make you feel. When you eat junk food, you feel bad, she said. When you eat healthy, you feel much better.

One requirement is to keep snacks and water always on hand. Huff recommends slicing an apple and throwing it in a Ziploc bag, carrying an orange or hummus and pretzels.

Whenever youre hungry, you have something healthy on you and you dont ruin your nutrition plan, she said.

She also recommends regular exercise, like a 30-minute cardio session or walk outside. Since she enjoys dancing, sometimes, shell turn up the music and get her steps that way.

Youre going to be more successful if you do something that you enjoy, said Huff, who is also creating her own line of activewear leggings and T-shirts, which she hopes will be something cute, comfortable and practical to help women get out there and be more active.

The whole point, Huff explained, is making lasting, healthy lifestyle adjustments.

Just make a small change, and then gradually, take another step, she said.

After all, it was only a matter of taking those first four small steps for Huff to make a major transformation.

I feel like I saved my own life by doing this, she said. Ive been there, and now Im here to show how to do it. I can vouch that this works. You literally have the power to save your own life, too.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.

Original post:
How one perfect, healthy day changed this Meyerland womans life - Houston Chronicle

On her Snapchat account, Jessica Thivenin told her fans that she was eager to return to Dubai to resume a healthy lifestyle!

For several weeks now, Jessica Thivenin, Thibault Garcia and their little boy Maylone have been back in Marseille. And the least we can say is that their holidays in France are not easy. He misses Dubai.

Indeed, since Jessica Thivenin is in Marseille, she does not stop. The young woman took advantage of her stay in the south to see her family but also her friends. The two lovebirds had many things to do.

This week, Jessica Thivenin and her husband also spent a whole day with associations. They gave of their person for causes that were very close to their hearts. But the pretty blonde cant wait for one thing: return to Dubai.

On her Snapchat account, Maylones mom told her fans: I really cant wait to go back to Dubai, to take a healthy lifestyle, its back to school. We go resume sport, a healthy lifestyle.

Jessica Thivenin also added: I made the most of the day but I dont like coming home too late at night. Im not really a fan. Even the nightclubs that interests me less than before. It makes me laugh less .

The young woman also explained to her subscribers: I used to love going to a nightclub. Now Im going it doesnt make me laugh. I prefer 100 times to go to a little dancing restaurant that closes at 2 a.m. little things like that .

Finally, the reality TV candidate also concluded: Whatever happens as soon as we arrive we rest. Because we need vacation rest . One thing is for sure, she is appeared very tired.

The couple also tested for Covid-19 before be able to return home to Dubai !

Tags: jessica thivenin Jessica Thivenin Duba Jessica Thivenin france Jessica Thivenin Marseille Jessica Thivenin stay Jessica Thivenin snapchat Jessica Thivenin vacation

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Jessica Thivenin is eager to return to Dubai to resume a healthy lifestyle! - Explica

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month

On average, we lose 123 Americans to suicide every day, but it doesnt have to be. There are measures that we can take to save lives.

Our golden years are supposed to be a time of grandkids, fewer responsibilities and self-fulfillment. But this period is also one of significant life transitions; retirement, changes in finances, loss of independence and declining health all of which can lead to depression.

Identifying those at risk of suicide is often complicated. Mental health professionals and caregivers face many obstacles in reaching older adults. Our seniors are less likely to seek treatment for mental health challenges, and they tend not to display the more common warning signs. The barrier most frequently voiced is that they do not need help. Other common hurdles include practical deterrents such as cost, transportation, and not knowing where to turn for help. Older patients are also less likely to trust mental health providers and less likely to open up about personal problems.

Awareness of the risk factors is the first step. Lack of socialization, lingering illnesses and spouse loss are substantial factors to the risk of developing depression, increasing the risk of suicide in older Americans.

Timing is everything. Seniors can be very good at hiding the common warning signs of suicidal thinking, and they often are deliberate, determined and careful planners. If you believe an older family member or friend may harbor suicidal thoughts, taking action to help may save their life. Talk to them and listen without judgment.

Warning signs may include: preexisting mental disorders, substance abuse, drugs, alcohol, impulsive and aggressive tendencies, major physical illness, job or financial loss, loss of relationship, absence of social support and sense of isolation or access to lethal means.

If you recognize several of these symptoms in your loved one, seek a family therapist or another professional experienced with handling issues of the elderly. Studies show that therapy combined with antidepressant medication is very successful in more than 80% of geriatric patients.

Being engaged can help make a difference. Avert tragedy through prevention. We know that seniors with a healthy lifestyle most often have a healthy mindset. Get involve and show genuine interest. Offer help with daily needs and find opportunities for activity.

Developing a healthy environment include:

While these tips will tremendously help most people lead a fulfilling life, it is essential to note that if professional help becomes necessary, there are resources available.

Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient counseling program that addresses the emotional and behavioral health of adults over the age of 65. Through a combination of therapies, education, and wellness programs, Senior Life Solutions assists older adults who are experiencing depression and anxiety and have recently experienced a traumatic event and a host of many other symptoms.

To learn more about suicide prevention programs at St. Lukes Hospital, please call, 828-894-9890, or email Paula Hipp at Paula.Brooks1@Slhnc.org, and visit our website at saintlukeshospital.com.

Submitted by Dean Graves

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Awareness, Action and Avert - The Tryon Daily Bulletin - Tryon Daily Bulletin

Sophia Antipolis, France - 28 Aug 2020: Men with untreated high blood pressure have poorer penile blood flow than those with normal blood pressure, according to research presented today at ESC Congress 2020.1 The differences disappeared with blood pressure medication. The results provide reassurance to men concerned about the effects of blood pressure-lowering medications.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects more than one billion people worldwide and is the leading cause of premature death.2 A healthy lifestyle is advised, including salt restriction, alcohol moderation, exercise, weight control, and smoking cessation. Most patients also require drug treatment, which is linked to reduced risks of death, stroke, and heart disease - but around half of patients do not take their pills. Sexual dysfunction is one reason why patients stop medication.

Men with hypertension are almost twice as likely to have impaired penile blood flow and erectile dysfunction compared to men with normal blood pressure, increasing their risk of heart disease and death. High blood pressure damages artery walls, causing them to harden and narrow, and reducing blood flow to the penis. Erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of damaged blood vessels.

However, previous studies have shown that erectile dysfunction is more common in treated, than untreated, men with high blood pressure. And certain antihypertensive drugs - notably diuretics and beta blockers - have been linked with deterioration in sexual function. This study examined the association between blood pressure level and penile blood flow, and whether blood pressure-lowering medication had an effect on the relationship.

The study included 356 men with erectile dysfunction and no history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease who attended a clinic between 2006 and 2019. The cohort was divided into three categories according to blood pressure: normal, high-normal, and hypertension. A total of 164 (46%) patients were being treated with antihypertensive medications.

All patients underwent a penile colour Doppler ultrasound which is the standard method for evaluating penile blood vessels and erectile dysfunction. The method involves injecting a drug into the base of the penis to open the blood vessels then measuring blood flow. Penile blood flow is considered impaired when the velocity is lower than 25 cm/s.

Among men not receiving antihypertensive medication, penile blood flow velocity progressively decreased with rising blood pressure - i.e. blood flow was fastest in those with normal blood pressure, slower in those with high-normal blood pressure, and slowest in those with hypertension (see Figure). In contrast, among men taking antihypertension therapy, there was no difference in penile blood flow velocity between the three blood pressure categories.

"The progressive decrease in penile blood flow velocity across the three blood pressure categories in men not taking antihypertensive medication indicates significant structural changes in the penile blood vessels from longstanding hypertension," said study author Professor Charalambos Vlachopoulos of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. "The blood flow differences across the three blood pressure categories disappeared with treatment, suggesting a medication effect."

An additional analysis compared treated and untreated men within each blood pressure group. In the hypertension category, treated and untreated patients had similar penile blood flow velocities. However, in the high-normal category, treated men had worse penile blood flow than untreated men. Similarly, in the normal blood pressure category, treated men had worse penile blood flow than untreated men.

Professor Vlachopoulos said: "These results imply that hypertensive patients already have significant structural damage in the penile arteries and adding antihypertensive drugs does not further reduce penile blood flow. But in men with normal or high-normal blood pressure, the penile arteries have minimal structural damage and medications could have a negative impact on penile blood flow."

He urged men with concerns about sexual dysfunction to discuss it with their doctor. "For men with as yet untreated hypertension, older medications (beta blockers and diuretics) are not ideal and should be used only if absolutely indicated," he said.

Professor Vlachopoulos noted that changing hypertensive medications in men with erectile dysfunction must be handled with caution. He said: "First, if a co-existing disease dictates using a specific drug category (for example, beta blockers for coronary artery disease and heart failure, diuretics for heart failure), then switching is not advocated. Alternatives might be considered if patients are at risk of stopping lifesaving therapy because of the detrimental impact of erectile dysfunction on their life."

"Second, switching to another drug class does not guarantee either the restoration or improvement of erectile function. This has to be carefully explained to patients in advance to avoid unreasonable expectations," he said.

Professor Vlachopoulos concluded: "Our study shows that high blood pressure can be treated without causing erectile dysfunction. Patients and doctors need to have open discussions to find the best treatment option."

Figure: Penile blood flow velocity across blood pressure categories in treated and untreated men

BP = blood pressure; PSV = peak systolic velocity.

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How to treat high blood pressure without ruining your sex life - Science Codex

For students returning to Boston University, all classes and social events this Fall will be mostly, if not entirely, virtual. The promise of in-person classes has all but vanished, save for a couple of hybrid-based course modules.

The consensus for this semester is that it will suck. Based on our trial run earlier this year, its a more than reasonable hypothesis. But professors have been working hard to adapt their curriculum and classrooms to the new environment on Zoom.

So, how can we as students make the most of an otherwise isolating and strenuous experience?

There are some aspects of online classes that actually make learning easier for students. Many professors will provide recordings of their lectures for students to access at will. This means students can learn concepts at their own pace, and missing a piece of a professors explanation is easily amendable.

Students may also find that they have more time in the day compared to living on campus and attending classes in person. Online learning reduces commuting time, which means theres more time to do homework, try out a new recipe or work out.

When everything is on your computer, you dont have to travel far or plan around public transportation schedules or the time it takes to walk from East to West campus. Barring faulty wifi or other technological hiccups, classes and back-to-back meetings should be much more convenient in an online format.

Online learning can also help reduce carbon footprint and personal waste. Not only will assignment submissions be mostly online rather than printed, but notes and textbooks can also be electronic and more easily accessible, consolidated and organized.

Despite these advantages, there remain several inevitable challenges of online learning. One of the hardest obstacles to overcome, especially for incoming freshmen, will be the social component of academics: effectively participating in online classes and finding classmates to engage with.

Though online learning arguably makes an already taxing transition more stressful, class participation can actually be made less so.

In any online lecture, students can join the discussion or ask questions by messaging in the chat or speaking out without the physical weight of all eyes on them. Participating can become easier for students who are normally quiet in the classroom, and in fact, they are enabled by this new format to elevate their learning and engage with their classmates on a level they otherwise wouldnt have.

Without being able to meet classmates face-to-face, the chance of collaboration may seem out of reach. However, students are not limited to studying independently as study groups are still possible through Zoom and class group chats, and sometimes professors will even create class Slack channels. All of these options provide a forum for classmates to discuss material and take their learning into their own hands.

But aside from the academic challenges that come with these shifts, online classes can also pose significant challenges to students mental health. For this reason, its crucial to set time aside for self care. It can be incredibly stressful and tiring to continually social distance and quarantine, stare day in and day out at a screen and all the while continue to maintain strong academic performance.

This year more than ever, its vital that students leave time for breaks in their schedule, picking up new hobbies, connecting with their loved ones and safely venturing outdoors. Providing structure to each day prevents online learning from slipping into monotony and ensures a healthy lifestyle moving forward.

In that same vein, choosing a designated study space thats not in bed can help students be present and get in the headspace for learning. And on sunny days, soaking up a little vitamin D outside while studying beats a cramped seat in a lecture hall any day.

While there are many real challenges, and some students may be put at a greater disadvantage than others due to the restraints of online learning and living situations, there remain several ways to make the most of the upcoming semester.

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Making the best out of online learning The Daily Free Press - Daily Free Press

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has published a set of treatment guidelines for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes on Saturday, August 29.

In a press release, the ESC notes that one in every five patients die after experiencing the most common type of heart attack within the year of their first incident. They noted chest pain as the most common symptom, along with pain that moves to either or both arms, and the neck or jaw. People who experience these symptoms should immediately call an ambulance. ESC also adds that complications like arrhythmias are another reason for the immediate need for medical support.

The full document containing the ESC guidelines is available in the European Heart Journal, dated August 29, and also on the ESC website.

The buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) - fats, cholesterol, and other substances - becoming surrounded by a blood clot, constricts the arteries that carry blood to the heart. In these situations, the ESC recommends administering stents, which are small tubes that keep a passageway open, and blood thinners to restore the patient's blood flow. In the first instance, the newly-published guidelines recommend imaging to see if the heart attack was caused by other factors, like a tear in an artery leading to the heart.

RELATED: Atherosclerosis Treatment: Natural Sugar 'Trehalose' Discovered To Treat Hardened Or Clogged Arteries

In diagnosis, the guidelines note that there is no significant change in the electrocardiogram (ECG) reading, stating that this might be normal. The guidelines note, however, that it is important to measure troponin levels in the blood. Troponin refers to a protein complex commonly found in the heart muscles and helps regulate contraction.

Testing troponin levels in the blood can help detect heart injuries since these proteins increase if blood is blockedfrom or has decreased in the heart. Should this process be followed and yield normal results, the test should be repeated an hour after the diagnosis. Otherwise, hospital admission is strongly recommended.

Also, if the leading cause is related to fat buildup, or atherosclerosis, the patients must be prescribed with blood thinners and therapies to reduce lipids in the blood vessels. Professor Jean-Philippine Collete, guidelines task force chairperson and cardiology professor in Paris' Sorbonne University, stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

"Equally important is a healthy lifestyle including smoking cessation, exercise, and a diet emphasizing vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting saturated fat and alcohol," Professor Collet noted.

RELATED: Not in the Mood for Exercise? Scientists Say Simple Stretches Could Improve Blood Flow and Prevent Heart Disease

For long-term management of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, lifestyle management strategies are strongly recommended. In the press release, changes in behavior and lifestyle, as well as adherence to medication plans, can be best achieved by patients with help from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. From cardiologists, general practitioners, and pharmacists to nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, and psychologists, different fields of expertise are required for a continuous and holistic recovery program.

The guidelines also note that in the event of sexual activity, there is a low risk of triggering a succeeding heart attack for most patients. These risks are further decreased with regular exercise. The ESC task force also recommends that healthcare providers should inquire about their patients' sexual activity and offer relevant advice and counsel.

Influenza vaccination was also included in the guidelines, requiring an annual vaccination, especially for patients who are 65 years of age or more.

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European Society of Cardiology Publishes Updated Guidelines for Treating Heart Attacks - Science Times

More than 80 teams applied for the inauguralChicago Prize, and on Thursday it was announced that after a yearlong competition, a group from Auburn Gresham had nabbed the $10 million grant, with plans to use the fundsto develop a healthy lifestyle hub and renewable energy and urban farming campus.

The Chicago Prize, sponsored by the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, sought to invest in collaborative initiatives developed by leaders within communities on the citys South and West sides, rewarding ideas generated by people whove worked over the years, or even decades, to improve their neighborhoods.

Greater Auburn GreshamDevelopment Corporation (GAGDC), Urban Growers Collective and Green Era Partners headed by CarlosNelson, Erika Allen and Jason Feldman, respectively partnered on the winning submission, dubbed Always Growing, Auburn Gresham, which was selected from six finalists.

Always Growing, Auburn Gresham is the kind of bold, innovative work, rooted in deepcommunity partnerships that is needed to make our city more equitable and vibrant, saidPenny Pritzker, co-founder of the foundation, with her husband Bryan Traubert.

News of the win left Allen overwhelmed.

Its still surreal, like being in a dream, its totally surreal. Just so many tears, said Allen. To know what this is going to mean, to have a community empowered to own and operate the facilities that are essential for quality of life. To have health care and wrap-around services and employment opportunities. To have a facility that can grow food and create energy and provide education and inspiration to young people and folks returning from incarceration all happening within a community that really represents the challenges that weve been up against for the last 130 years. To see that tide shift and in such a significant way, to be part of a cohort of other finalists that are doing the same thing and to be part of the amazing community in Chicago is too many tears.

A pair of ambitious projects are coming to Auburn Gresham, thanks to a $10 million grant from the Chicago Prize. (Pritzker Traubert Foundation / YouTube)

The Always Growing, Auburn Gresham proposal encompasses a pair of ambitious projects at two separate sites.

GAGDC is taking the lead on developing the healthy lifestyle hub, which involves the restoration of a long-vacant building on West 79th Street near Halsted Street, acquired by GAGDC in 2019. Once open, the hub will provide a host of health services medical care, dental, behavioral health, nutrition and wellness in an area thats been described as a health care desert.

The four-story building will also house a digital community center, a Black-owned sit-down restaurant, a minority-owned pharmacy, and social services including workforce development, tutoring and housing assistance.

In addition to funding from the Chicago Prize, the healthy lifestyle hubreceived $4 million from the city in Juneas part of the Invest South/West program.

The renewable energy and urban farm campus will rise on a vacant parcel at 650 W. 83rd St. The brownfield was used for decades as an impound lot by the Chicago Police Department, and before that was one of International Harvesters manufacturing sites. Green Era acquired the land from the city in 2015.

Both projects are repurposing vacant buildings and vacant land, so theres no displacement of existing businesses or residents, Nelson noted.

Urban Growers Collective will manage the urban farm and plans to address local food insecurity by growing 14,000 to 26,000 pounds of food per year, serving customers at a planned outdoor market and supplying produce to Fresh Moves Mobile Markets, which provide fresh food to 5,000 low-income residents on the South and West sides. Community engagement and an extensive educational curriculum are also a significant part of Allens vision for the farm.

On the renewable energy side, the Always Growing team presented plans for Green Era to manage an anaerobic digester, which converts food waste into clean energy and also creates nutrient-rich compost that supports urban farming, thereby creating a circular economy.

The digester, Allen explained, is a very expensive composter that basically works like a humans digestive system, except its made from metal.

Microorganisms are eating the food waste, methane gas rises, its captured, goes through filters and then it gets pressurized and pushed into the Peoples Gas pipeline, the same way that if you have a solar panel it goes into the grid, Allen said.

Theres money to be made from the digester, she said, both by selling the compost and also by charging to process food waste collected by haulers. A portion of those profits would be reinvested in the community through an arrangement that gives GAGDC a stake in the digester.

In the past, when these kinds of technological innovations begin to take root the beneficiaries typically arent Black folks, Allen said. And Im just excited to have young people see this in their community and to be inspired to become engineers or to come up with some genius new way of doing something.

The Alway Growing, Auburn Gresham team getting the good news of their Chicago Prize win on a Zoom call. (Pritzker Traubert Foundation / YouTube)

The Always Growing team estimated it would create 300 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs, ranging from farmers to physicians.

Those jobs wont appear overnight, and the transformational change promised by the healthy lifestyle hub and urban farming campus is years down the road, Allen said, but its coming.

The way she sees it, the real impact of the Chicago Prize is that it gave people a seat at the table whove never even been in the room before.

I looked at it as an opportunity to elevate the genius and talent of the folks who typically do not get recognized or have access to power and capital. Its never, Look at all of these brilliant folks who are doing this front line work, who are serving the community and have so many ideas and visions, she said.

Were super excited to be working with the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and their team and all of the advisers. Its like, thats almost the biggest award, is just being able to really get that deep insight and understanding of systems that honestly, we typically dont have access to. And I think thats been part of their strategy, to really break down those walls.

Its a start, said Bryan Traubert.

We all know that Chicagos racial and ethnic inequities didnt happen by chance. There was decision after decision after decision both by government and by business that have left us with the situation that we have. And so just as these things have happened by active decisions, we can address these things also with active decisions, he said. And Chicago Prize is a small part of that.

Also on Thursday, the foundation announced an additional commitment of $2.5 million in developmentfunds to the other finalist teams from Austin, Englewood, Little Village, NorthLawndale and South Chicago.

Contact Patty Wetli:@pattywetli| (773) 509-5623 |[emailprotected]

Note: This story was first published on Aug. 6, 2020. It has been updated.

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$10M Chicago Prize Awarded to Auburn Gresham Team to Build Health Hub, Urban Farm - WTTW News

Are you stress eating? With the current takeover of COVID-19, were all feeling the stress! Before you succumb to emotional eating, join Health Coach, Kris Allen of New Path 2 Wellness, she is offering a free 60-minute Zoom class on keeping healthy in these uncertain times. The course is happening Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This outreach program requires registration.

In addition to addressing nutrition, Allen will cover topics from ways to ensure a great nights sleep, how to safely navigate grocery shopping, food prep, to addressing the stress in your life as well as keeping those social connections healthy even though we all are practicing physical-distancing.

The current state of things has certainly changed the ways most of us live day-to-day, however, this doesnt mean we cant continue (or begin) living a healthy lifestyle, says Allen. Cooking has always been a crucial aspect of healthy living, and it can also be a stress-reducer. Whether you just didnt have the time to cook, or lacked the confidence to get into the kitchen, this change in routine could be the perfect opportunity to polish your skills and start creating healthier eating habits!

To reserve your spot, go to: https://newpath.iinhealthcoaching.co/COHW0001 or call/leave a message at (805) 235-2263.

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About the author: News Staff

News staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote and edited this story from local contributors and press releases. Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Connect with him on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or follow his blog. He can be reached at scott@pasoroblesdailynews.com.

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Free public course offered in avoiding stress eating and unhealthy habits during COVID-19 - Paso Robles Daily News

The pandemic is posing challenges for the more than 460 veterans treatment courts across the country. The courts seek to rehabilitate veterans charged with nonviolent crimes, rather than put them behind bars.

Stephanie Colombini reports on how veterans treatment courts are functioning during the pandemic.

Forest Hensley just completed a five-phase program through Tampa's Veterans Treatment Court. The former Marine was ordered to participate in substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and community service after he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2018.

But Hensley, 33, wasn't able to celebrate the completion of the program the way other veterans have.

Rather than family and friends packing into a courtroom to cheer him as a judge led a graduation ceremony, Hensley's big moment happened quietly on Zoom.

"I was looking forward to going and standing in front of a judge this time because I knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing," said Hensley. "The human contact portion of [the pandemic] has been really rough."

Hensley is among hundreds of veterans whose cases in Veterans Treatment Courts were affected by the pandemic. Those courts have become common across the country, serving a growing number of former service members. The courts are designed to steer veterans into rehabilitation and treatment - rather than prison - if they run into trouble with the law.

Because the courts typically center on in-person interaction, many temporarily shut down when the pandemic began. Some have moved to virtual court sessions and treatments.

For Hensley, the change meant a longer wait before he could demonstrate to the judge he was ready to graduate the program. He said the online treatment wasn't always easy, but he pushed forward with his recovery.

"It started to become very automatic for me to live a sober, healthy lifestyle," said Hensley. "I'm also a very technological kind of guy, I like computers, phones, tablets and stuff like that, so integrating Zoom meetings into my life has been a lot easier."

The Tampa court resumed virtually in June, and a month later, Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Michael Scionti graduated Hensley from the program during a virtual docket where he also reviewed dozens of other veterans' cases. He promised Hensley that when it was safe to host an in-person ceremony again, he would get the fanfare he deserved, along with a minted coin traditionally given to all graduating vets to commemorate their achievement.

Some veterans are struggling

Hensley is one of the court's many success stories. The Tampa court has reported single-digit recidivism rates since 2017.

But during the same virtual court session, Judge Scionti heard from other vets who were struggling.

They said the coronavirus was taking a toll on their mental health, causing financial problems, and making it hard to make required appointments. Others admitted using drugs and alcohol again.

Scionti, who is also a lieutenant colonel and commands a unit within the Army Reserves' Judge Advocate General Corps, ordered more supervision for those who slipped up. But he said he knows he has to be flexible during this challenging time.

"You won't find me putting somebody in jail because they have relapsed because of their addition," Scionti said. "I need them to be honest, I need them to trust the court."

The veterans in Scionti's court are helped by a whole team of people, who in addition to providing health care also help vets secure jobs, housing, and VA benefits.

In a rare example of a silver lining to the coronavirus, one of those community partners hired some veterans in the program, including Hensley, to help manage one of the county's COVID-19 isolation centers.

Other veterans volunteer as mentors to help support vets through their recovery and hold them accountable if they lose their way.

Marine Corps veteran Camellia Simmons, 38, has been a mentor for the past year. She previously went through the program herself.

"I've been homeless, without a job, battling substance abuse and depression," she said. "It can be a struggle, especially when you feel like you're in it by yourself, and that's why I think it's important to have a mentor program because it's kind of like a battle buddy."

Simmons has supported several battle buddies since becoming a mentor, but said she had to work a little harder to make sure the veteran she's helping now is doing okay because of the pandemic.

Simmons no longer can see her regularly and pick up on body language if there are issues she isn't letting on. Instead, Simmons tries to get her on the phone to at least get a sense of her tone.

"We're all so quick to text, but just hearing their voice really helps," said Simmons.

Retired Army Col. DJ Reyes, the mentor coordinator, said going virtual has challenged the relationship component of the court, but said at least it keeps people connected.

"It's our new normal, it's very dynamic, but I think we're starting to feel comfortable the more and more we do it," he said.

Staying connected

Reyes said most vets have adapted to virtual court, but others lack technology. Leaders have had to think of creative ways to stay in touch.

He said they've told vets who don't have their own Internet access to go to a public library and use their allotted time on a free computer to dial into Zoom meetings and telehealth appointments.

In an even more extreme case, mentors had to track down one veteran, who due to financial problems no longer had a cell phone, through a friend they had contact information for.

Reyes said the court recently started using community donations to buy smartphones with basic plans for vets in need of a way to communicate virtually.

That highlights one of the challenges Reyes said veterans treatment courts across the country face: funding.

Most rely on a combination of state and local dollars, fundraising, and volunteers to stay afloat. And that was before the pandemic put future budgets in question.

Reyes said he's fairly confident the Tampa court, which is one of the largest in the country, will be okay, but he said he's concerned about smaller courts that constantly have to battle for funding.

Reyes is also on the board of the National Veterans Court Alliance and helped lobby Congress for federal aid.

"This is a case where we want big brother to get involved because this is a national problem," he said.

Congress recently passed the Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act, which will establish a program within the Department of Justice to provide grants, training, and technical assistance to new and existing courts. The Department of Veterans Affairs will help coordinate.

"To be able to provide technology so that these cases can be followed more closely than they would be otherwise, I think is a big component," said U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) who sponsored the bill.

Congress allocated about $30 million for veteran's courts nationally, which Col. Reyes said likely won't come out to much once divided up. But he said every dollar counts as courts work to make it through the pandemic.

This story was produced by the American Homefront Project, a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans. Funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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The Pandemic Is Affecting Veterans Courts, Making It Harder For Vulnerable Vets To Get Treatment - WUNC

Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Emily Freeman, Exercise Physiologist at OhioHealth and Strive to Thrive personal trainer.

In January of 2020 you made health and fitness resolutions. During this time, you were committed to eating right and making time to exercise. And then, just when everything was going well, Murphy arrived with his new best friend Coronavirus to put a stopper in your progress.

Fitness centers were closed, quarantine went into place, groceries and toilet paper disappeared and the stress of the "new normal" was forced upon you.

Maybe you were one of those that thrived in quarantine. COVID-19 didn't stop you from reaching your goals.

But if this was not the case, you are not alone. Many of us contracted COVID-19 in another way! Symptoms include, but not limited to: sugar cravings, stress eating, lack of motivation to move, high volumes of screen time, and a 19-pound weight gain.

Below are some remedies:

-- Start TODAY, not tomorrow.Dont wait for Monday, the next month, or 2021. Start today by making a plan.

-- Renew your motivation.Start by revisiting your goals. Think back to the reasons why you started this wellness journey?

-- Stay positive.Re-frame your thoughts and give yourself a pep-talk. This will help you avoid slipping into bad habits and make a successful transition into the healthy lifestyle youre looking to accomplish.

Need additional guidance and motivation? If you are looking for a home gym consider trying us out.

The OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center has taken extraordinary measures to keep the fitness center safe. As a clinically integrated medical fitness center, we are following OhioHealth safety standards in addition to the responsible guidelines for reopening fitness centers set forth by the State of Ohio. For more information call the OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center at (419) 526-8900.

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Strive to Thrive blog: Getting back on track - Richland Source