Schizophrenia is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and people often find themselves in a cycle of discontinuing and switching therapies. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of people with schizophrenia do not respond to therapy, and up to 60% experience a partial or inadequate improvement or intolerable side effects during therapy.

The FDA recently approved a new medication for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults, representing the first new class of medicine in more than 30 years. This new treatment option leverages a novel pathway and represents a new mechanistic approach to addressing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Dr. Gus Alva, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatry Association will be available to discuss the significance of this new treatment for adults living with schizophrenia and their care partners, and its potential to transform the treatment landscape.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, THE FDA HAS APPROVED THE FIRST DRUG REPRESENTING A NEW CLASS OF MEDICINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA.

ADULTS LIVING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA HAVE A NEW TREATMENT OPTION TO HELP MANAGE THEIR CONDITION THAT INTRODUCES A FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE INFORMATION IS DR. GUS ALVA,  DISTINGUISHED  LIFETIME FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRY ASSOCIATION.

BIO

Dr. Gus Alva is the medical director of ATP clinical research (a premiere private clinical research company specializing in neuropsychiatric investigations). He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He is a forensic psychiatric consultant for the Orange County Superior Court and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Alva received his medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG). Residency training was completed at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, where he served as chief resident during his final year of residency.

Dr. Alva has served as a principal investigator for the past 10 years conducting investigations in a myriad of neuropsychiatric conditions: Alzheimer’s and other dementias, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and psychotic conditions. As a clinician and investigator, Dr Alva’s focus is on the genetics, neuroimaging, and latest treatments available for each aforementioned condition, as well as aspects of ethnicity and their correlation within clinical situations. He has published numerous articles, and presents at both national and international meetings and conferences.

He is the immediate past-president of the Orange County Psychiatric Society. Dr. Alva is also a member of many professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Orange County Medical Association, the California Psychiatric Association, the American Board of Forensic Medicine, the American College of Forensic Examiners, the California Hispanic American Medical Association and the International Congress of Geriatric Psychopharmacology.

IMORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: INDICATION

COBENFY (xanomeline and trospium chloride) is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults.

It is not known if COBENFY is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Do not take COBENFY if you:

•        have urinary retention problems that cause your bladder to not empty completely or not empty at all

•        have moderate or severe liver problems (impairment)

•        have gastric retention problems that cause your stomach to empty slowly

•        are allergic to COBENFY, xanomeline, or trospium chloride, or any of the ingredients in COBENFY

•        have an eye problem called untreated narrow-angle glaucoma

Before taking COBENFY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

•        have an enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or a blockage in your urinary bladder

•        have liver problems

•        have or have had gallstones or problems with your bile ducts or pancreas

•        have stomach or intestinal problems, including constipation, ulcerative colitis, slow emptying of your stomach, or myasthenia gravis

•        have an eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma

•        have kidney problems

•        are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if COBENFY may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with

COBENFY. o               There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who take COBENFY during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to COBENFY and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with COBENFY, your

healthcare provider will register you by calling 1-866-961-2388 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/atypicalantipsychotic/

•        are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if COBENFY passes into your breast milk or if it can harm your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the- counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking COBENFY with certain other medicines may increase your risk of side effects from COBENFY or the other medicine

The post BREAKING NEW GROUND IN SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENT appeared first on Good News!.

Courtesy: Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc

#pspartners #mirum

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While viruses like the flu, RSV and COVID can impact people anytime, most people associate these viruses with colder and winter months – and while winter may be loosening its grip – these viruses are not.

Who is most vulnerable to respiratory illnesses?

Immunocompromised people. You qualify as “immunocompromised” if you have an illness that weakens your immune system, such as cancer, an autoimmune disease, or have had an organ transplant. You may also qualify if your immune system works well. but are being treated for another condition suppresses your immune response.

We all know someone who is immunocompromised and for these people, COVID can be deadly.

Approximately 3% of the U.S adult population is considered immunocompromised and are more susceptible to severe outcomes and complications of infectious disease.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself against respiratory infections includes:

Vaccines are the recommended approach

However, vaccines are shown to leave immunocompromised people exposed and need extra protection

Talk to your doctor about a COVID protection approach

Cover your cough or sneeze

On Thursday, February 27th, Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will be available to discuss the peaking of the respiratory illness season and how everyone can protect themselves. He’ll also discuss protecting immunocompromised people from COVID-19.

Interview is courtesy: Invivyd

#covid19 #respiratoryvirus #cdc #invivyd #expandtheiroptions #illness #disease #covid

The post Learn More About This Year’s Respiratory Virus Season appeared first on Good News!.

www.FindFluMist.com

So, what steps can you be taking?

Avoid people who are sick

Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing

Wash your hands

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Above all, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting vaccinated every year against the flu, but did you know that there are several types of flu vaccines to choose from? Better yet, there is a needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine available to eligible patients 2-49 years of age.

Dr. Ravi Jhaveri, Division Head, Infectious Disease; Virginia H. Rogers Professor in Infectious Diseases and Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Northwestern University School of Medicine, will be available to discuss ways to prepare for this year’s flu season including the various types of flu vaccines available.

Interview is courtesy: Interview is courtesy: AstraZeneca

#fluseason #flu #flumist #covid #covid-19 #rsv #holidays #lovedones #illness #nose #eyes #mouth #sneezing #coughing #astrazeneca #drravijhaveri #disease #vaccines

The post FLU SEASON IS HERE, ARE YOU READY?  What you need to know and how to manage the peak of flu season  appeared first on Good News!.

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

October is Liver Awareness Month and a great time to talk about hepatitis A vaccination with your doctor or pharmacist. Since 2017, substantial increases in hepatitis A have occurred, with nearly 40,000 cases reported. While people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men are most often at risk, nearly one third of people with hepatitis A have no identified risk factor.
Hepatitis A patient Stan was 66 years old and in the best shape of his life, having just completed a half-marathon, when he contracted hepatitis A and his life was changed. He believes he contracted the virus through food at a restaurant. His symptoms began as mild and sporadic and felt like the flu, but as his symptoms of nausea continued he was rushed to the ER and told that his liver was failing. Stan underwent a liver transplant and fortunately is doing well today, but regrets not knowing that vaccination for hepatitis A is available.
85% adults in the US have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A; creating opportunities for infection, as it can be transmitted person-to-person or through contaminated food or drink.
Foodborne outbreaks of the virus can occur when someone eats fresh and frozen food products that are contaminated with Hepatitis A. It can be transmitted where food is prepared and served by food handlers who may be infected with the virus.
Stories from real people affected by hepatitis A remind us why everyone, not just high-risk groups or travelers, should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider.
On Thursday, September 30th , Stan and Dr. Leah Smith, Pharmacist and Vaccine Educator at GSK discuss the virus, vaccination and share a personal perspective on the impact of the illness.
Interview is courtesy: GSK

#hepatitis #transmission #liver #hospital #sick #awareness #leah #smith #stan #vaccine #pharmacist #gsk #virus #illness #impact #drugs #homelessness #symptoms #nausea #cdc

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#jessica #whelan #mental #health #navigating #holidays #coping #conditions #holiday #season #stressful #stress #joyous #gifts #hectic #emotions #loved #love #confused #depression #symptoms #healthcare #care #illness #worse #sleep #disruption #reaction #environment #psychiatric #nurse #bipolar #treatment #doctors

The post TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE HOLIDAYS WHEN COPING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION appeared first on Good News!.

NEW RESEARCH FROM PROMINENT CANCER MEETING FOR THOSE WITH LUNG CANCER

People with Lung Cancer, Like Others with Serious Underlying Medical Conditions
Might Be at an Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. This year, an estimated 228,820 adults (116,300 men and 112,520 women) in the United States will be diagnosed.

The fight against lung cancer continues with new research and scientific advances, including cancer experts investigating potential ways to treat the disease in earlier stages. Some of these latest findings in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including investigational studies in earlier stages of the disease, were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD of Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital talks on the latest news from ASCO in the fight against lung cancer.

Lung cancer makes up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. In fact, about 80%-85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC. About 40% of patients are diagnosed at a later stage of disease, such as Stage IV, when the cancer has progressed to other organs. Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFRm NSCLC. The prevalence of EGFR mutations in early stage are estimated to be ~33% in a global NSCLC population.

Interview courtesy: AstraZeneca
#roy #harbst #yale #cancer #center #smilow #covid-19 #covid #19 #covid19 #lung #severe #illness #medical #risk #diagnosed #research #scientific #advances #disease #cell #nsclc #american #society #clinical #oncology #asco #virtual #hospital #astrazeneca

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Spending quality time outside with pets is a great way to be refreshed and experience companionship during this unprecedented time. Many are also adopting or fostering shelter pets as a way to connect. While people are doing all they can to preserve the health and safety of their communities through social distancing, working from home and other actions, pet owners also face the unique responsibility of maintaining their pet’s health and safety when choosing outdoor activities over social gatherings.

Spending time in nature on long walks, taking hikes or even playing in the backyard with your pets is important to their physical health. At the same time, this gives fleas and ticks the opportunity to pounce on dogs and cats and spread serious diseases. Lyme disease is the most common illness caused by tick bites, representing 72% of the tick-borne diseases reported in humans, according to recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. It can also be fatal if left untreated in both dogs and humans.
Lyme disease has been found in every state in the U.S. According to the CDC, approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease occur in the U.S. each year. While dogs and cats cannot spread the disease directly to humans, pets can bring infected ticks into your house from the outdoors.
Pet parents should take measures to protect their four-legged friends, such as checking fur for ticks and having pets protected with a parasite preventative year-round. Long-lasting preventative treatments can help keep your pet safe from these creepy crawlers and your home free from infestation.
Dan Markwalder, DVM and leading expert in Lyme disease and prevention, shares advice that will help keep your dog safe outside this summer, with a special emphasis on protecting pets from fleas, ticks and Lyme disease. He’ll also outline the signs and symptoms associated with Lyme disease in pets.

The interview is courtesy: Merck Animal Health

#dog #summer #lyme #disease #awareness #protect #pets #spending #time #outdoors #adopt #health #safety #safe #social #distancing #distance #cdc #center #centers #disease #control #prevention #pet #walks #hikes #playing #play #physical #fleas #ticks #cats #dogs #illness #bites #humans #house #symptoms #signs #merck #animal

The post HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE THIS SUMMER appeared first on Good News!.

Another critical element of having a “work family” is they can be a support system if you or someone you love develops a chronic disease, such as cancer. How can co-workers lend the most effective and meaningful support without being intrusive?

Creating an inclusive and positive environment for an employee coping with a serious medical condition is essential to the overall well-being of a workplace, but coworkers and employers need guidance. On December 4th, Kathy Flora and Rebecca Nellis discuss findings in a recent survey commissioned by Cancer and Careers that explored the experiences of 1,000 US working adults, employed full-time, who work or have worked with someone being treated for a serious condition. They will explain how workplaces can evolve to support and accommodate people juggling work and diagnosis, the importance of fostering a positive and supportive work environment, and the key roles managers and supervisors can play. Some survey highlights include:

• 88% of working adults have concerns about their ability to support a co-worker with a serious and/or chronic medical condition

• Of those who currently work/have worked with someone diagnosed with cancer, 90% have concerns about offering support

• 59% of working adults are not confident that their managers and supervisors know how to support an employee with a serious and/or chronic medical condition

• 89% of workers think management could have done more to be supportive of their co-worker with a serious and/or chronic medical condition
Interview is courtesy: Cancer and Careers

The post WHEN YOUR WORK FAMILY IS YOUR SUPPORT AWAY FROM HOME WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE FACING A SERIOUS ILLNESS? appeared first on Good News!.

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