A recent global Geographic Atrophy Insights Survey (GAINS) of 203 adults with GA found the condition causes a profound emotional burden and loss of independence. Key highlights from the survey include:
• Three out of four people attributed their loss of vision to a natural part of aging prior to diagnosis.
• A majority feel the disease has negatively impacted aspects of everyday life such as the ability to drive, read and travel.
• Nearly 70% of people with GA believe the loss of independence and impact on quality of life due to their vision loss is worse than they expected.
More than 90% of patients wish to be empowered with more information to help them take control of their disease. These findings underscore the urgent need for education to prepare patients and their loved ones for this debilitating disease.
On Wednesday, May 18, Dr. Nancy Holekamp, Director of Retina Services at the Pepose Vision Institute, Missouri will be available to discuss the GAINS survey, including common misconceptions and the emotional burden and loss of independence that can be caused by GA.
. Interview courtesy: Apelllis Pharmaceuticals

NEW SURVEY IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE EMOTIONAL BURDEN & IMPACT ON INDEPENDENCE AMONG THOSE WITH A LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS – CALLED GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY OR G-A. G-A IS THE ADVANCED FORM OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION OR A-M-D WHICH CAN CAUSE IRREVERSIBLE VISION LOSS.

RESULTS FROM A GLOBAL SURVEY FOUND THAT 7 IN 10 ADULTS WITH G-A BELIEVE THE IMPACT ON THEIR INDEPENDENE AND QUALITY OF LIFE DUE TO THEIR VISUAL DECLINE IS WORSE THAN THEY EXPECTED.

DISCUSS THE SURVEY RESULTS AND THE NEED FOR EDUCATION SURROUNDING THE DISEASE IS DR. NANCY HOLEKAMP (NAN-CEE HOLE-CAMP), DIRECTOR OF RETINA SERVICES AT THE PEPOSE VISION INSTITUTE, MISSOURI.

Dr. Nancy Holekamp, Director of Retina Services at the Pepose Vision Institute, St. Louis, Missouri
Dr. Nancy M. Holekamp is Director of Retina Services at the Pepose Vision Institute in St. Louis. She was previously Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Holekamp received her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Wellesley College Summa cum Laude. She received her Medical Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Holekamp completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in ophthalmology at the Washington University School of Medicine. Her fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery was with the Retina Consultants in St. Louis.

Dr. Holekamp is actively involved in clinical research, having been principal investigator or sub-investigator in over 35 national clinical trials dealing with age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. Her efforts in research have resulted in 80 peer-reviewed publications, 22 book chapters, and more than 120 speaking invitations both nationally and internationally. She is a member of the major subspecialty societies, including the Retina Society and the Macula Society. She acts as a reviewer for all the major ophthalmology journals and as a consultant to numerous ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies. After 6 years on the American Academy of Ophthalmology Ethics Committee, she has developed an interest in medical ethics.

#geographicatrophy #drnancyholekamp #agerelatedmaculardegeneration #amd #ga #blindness #irreversiblevisionloss #disease #geographicatrophyinsightssurvey #gains #travel #results

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Listen to “HELPING PETS AND THEIR PARENTS TRANSITION AS THE NATION REOPENS” on Spreaker.

HELPING PETS AND THEIR PARENTS TRANSITION
AS THE NATION REOPENS
Celebrity Veterinarian Dr. Lisa Lippman to Discuss New Survey Findings and Provide Tips for Getting Back to “Normal”

PETS PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN HELPING THEIR PARENTS NAVIGATE THE STRESSES OF THE PANDEMIC. BUT EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AND A RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES IS CAUSING ANXIETY FOR SOME PET PARENTS AS THEY LEAVE THEIR PETS HOME ALONE MORE OFTEN. JOINING US AS WE DISCUSS RESULTS FROM A NEW SURVEY AND TO SHARE EXPERT PET CARE ADVICE IS NEW YORK CITY’S PREMIER VETERINARIAN AND DOG MOM DR. LISA LIPPMAN.

BIO: Lisa Lippman, DVM, Premier Veterinarian
Lisa Lippman, DVM, is one of the most followed and socially influential veterinarians in the United States and is nationally respected as a go-to source for expertise in pet health and safety by media outlets such as Dr. Oz, Inside Edition, and Live with Kelly and Ryan. When not making house calls to treat some of the most influential pets in the world, Dr. Lippman serves as a medical director for Animal Lighthouse Rescue, whose mission is to help the homeless dogs of Puerto Rico, co-hosts a hugely popular podcast called “We Don’t Deserve Dogs” with comedian Richie Redding, while still finding time to devote to her own dog, the incomparable Rhodesian Ridgeback named Chloe. The only thing larger than Dr. Lippman’s big brown eyes is the size of her heart, which is why she tirelessly advocates for animals and the humans who love them

Dr. Lisa Lippman knows firsthand how much extra time pet parents have spent with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a dog parent, New York City veterinarian and Instagram influencer with over 159k followers, she’s hearing from pet parents daily about their concerns as the country shifts to reopening. As U.S. restrictions ease and people start transitioning to their “normal” lives and activities, pet parents also have to adjust to spending less time at home with their beloved pets they’ve grown so close to.
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A new survey is shedding light on some of the biggest pet parent anxieties around this once-in-a-lifetime transition. Now more than ever, dog and cat owners are looking for advice on leaving their pet home alone more often and how to relieve stress through pet care solutions that help pet owners and their furry friends adjust to their new day-to-day routines.
On Tues., June 29, Dr. Lippman will be available to share her perspective about this “new normal” as a veterinarian and a pet parent. As part of the interview opportunity, she’ll also provide solutions to help ease the transition for pets, such as:

 How pet parents can prepare to spend longer periods of time away from pets
 How to recognize signs of a stressed pet when returning to work or going on vacation
 How to simplify pet care and streamline pet parents’ routines

Dr. Lippman announces a special social media contest encouraging pet parents to share their favorite video or photo of their pet. The contest aims to help pet parents focus less on the stress of leaving their pet home alone and more on the reasons they love coming home to their four-legged pals each day. Winners will receive 12 weeks’ worth of pet care services to help ease the transition, which may include dog walking, doggie daycare and more.

Interview is courtesy: Merck Animal Health

https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/newsroom/merck-animal-health-survey-reveals-pet-owners-need-advice-navigating-their-pets-transition-to-normalcy

#help #pet #parent #transition #nation #reopen #veterinarian #dr #lisa #lippman #new #survey #finding #tip #get #back #normal

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“The Patient Odyssey survey results mirror what I and many of my colleagues are already seeing in our practices – that patients can struggle for many years to identify the cause of their symptoms and to arrive at an appropriate disease management plan”

“This initiative has provided important insights regarding management of RLS/WED, including the fact that patients continue to struggle with identifying treatments that adequately control their symptoms in the long term,” said Georgianna Bell, executive director of the Willis-Ekbom Disease Foundation. “Most RLS/WED patients have the disease for life, so understanding how to navigate disease management considerations in partnership with loved ones and physicians is important. The results of this survey will allow us to develop new resources to facilitate improved outcomes for patients, as well as serve as an important educational tool that helps the greater public understand the serious burden of this disease.”

Participants of the survey included 1,709 RLS/WED patients who are members of the WED Foundation and consisted of 1,194 women and 515 men. The results of the survey showed:

• Almost three in four (73%) of patients reported that they experience symptoms daily
• When asked about their current medication, only 6% of patients believed that their RLS/WED symptoms are completely controlled by their current medication(s)
• Sixty-eight percent of patients said they “strongly agreed” that there is a need for greater physician knowledge and understanding of RLS/WED
• Forty-two percent of patients “agreed” that their healthcare provider does not understand their disease
• Ninety-three percent of patients “agreed” that they wished more effective medications were available to treat RLS/WED

“The Patient Odyssey survey results mirror what I and many of my colleagues are already seeing in our practices – that patients can struggle for many years to identify the cause of their symptoms and to arrive at an appropriate disease management plan,” said Dr. Philip Becker, President, Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas and longtime member of the Medical Advisory Board of the WED Foundation. “This initiative reinforces the need to continue to educate the RLS/WED community and the physicians who treat them. Those with RLS/WED deserve knowledgeable physicians who understand the disease. A proper diagnosis and sustained treatment of RLS/WED can offer benefit to those who suffer through restless days and restless nights.”

The survey was conducted by the WED Foundation and made possible through a corporate sponsorship from XenoPort, Inc. It was distributed to members of the WED Foundation and their spouses/partners via mail and was available online throughout the month of October.

About Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease

RLS/WED affects people of all ages, genders and races. People who have the disease have to move their legs or arms to relieve uncomfortable, sometimes painful sensations. These sensations tend to get worse when the person is at rest, like when sitting or lying down, watching television or taking a long car ride. Because symptoms usually intensify in the evening, they often interfere with the ability to sleep..

While the causes of RLS/WED are not completely understood, several genes have been identified with an increased risk of RLS/WED. Other factors thought to contribute to the disease include iron metabolism and, possibly, abnormalities in the neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate.

While there is not yet a cure for RLS/WED, treatment is available.

About the WED Foundation

The WED Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of men, women and children who live with Willis-Ekbom disease. Founded in 1992 as the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, the organization’s goals are to increase awareness, improve treatments, and through research, find a cure. The WED Foundation serves healthcare providers, researchers, over 4,000 members, and millions of individuals in the United States and Canada. The WED Foundation has awarded $1.4 million to fund medical research on RLS/WED causes and treatments. For more information, please visit http://www.Willis-Ekbom.org.

About XenoPort

XenoPort, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a portfolio of internally discovered product candidates for the potential treatment of neurological disorders.

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It’s not surprising that women are often the caretaker or healthcare advocate for their loved ones or families. But in this day and age, it is startling that women often do not give the same priority to their own health. One in five women have kept health information from their doctor because they were too embarrassed or too nervous to speak about it, according to a recent survey conducted by Allergan and endorsed by the Women’s Health Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing education, funding, and research to the field of women’s pelvic health.1 Further, the survey which consisted of more than 1,000 women ages 45+, showed that almost two-thirds of women have never had a discussion with their doctor about their bladder health‹a common, yet typically “embarrassing” topic.

An estimated 39 million Americans have overactive bladder (OAB), and 40 percent of all women in the United States live with OAB symptoms. These women may worry about the location of bathrooms readily available to them throughout the day because they are concerned about the risk of an accident, but many of them don’t talk to their doctors about their bladder health as a recent survey unveils.

Founder & Director of the Women’s Health Foundation, Missy Lavender and Urologist, Dr. Elizabeth Mueller, who has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the The Dr. Oz Show, on the topic of bladder health.

BOTOX

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MAJOR ORGAN SHORTAGE CRISIS CONTINUES

A New Survey Shows A Disconnect Between The Number Of People Willing To Donate Organs & Those Currently Registered As Donors

Advances in medical sciences, especially surgical techniques and tissue typing have made possible a significant increase in the rates of successful transplantation of organs, according to the World Medical Association. At the same time, the demand for organ and tissue donations vastly exceeds the number available for transplantation.

Some startling statistics include:

• Currently more than 115,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants in the U.S
• More than 6,500 people a year – about 18 a day – die before an organ becomes available 

“The 2013 Save a Life Survey,” found that while 60 percent of respondents were familiar with their state’s organ donor registry and 57 percent would be willing to have their organs donated after death, only 43 percent were actually registered as organ donors. Forty-eight percent agreed that they don’t know how to register.

Professional snowboarder and  bronze medalist Chris Klug knows firsthand about the need for organ donations. He’s the first-ever organ transplant recipient to earn a bronze medal. Chris was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis and his four-year wait for a donor came to an end when his rapidly-failing liver prompted doctors to move him up on the transplant list.

Chris and David Fleming, CEO of Donate Life America, a non-profit alliance of national organizations committed to organ donations, can discuss the need for organ donations, the latest survey, myths surrounding the issue and the most recent efforts helping to increase education and awareness around organ donation and transplantation.

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