Eczema flare ups can really get under your skin (pun intended). So, learning what can cause a flare up (worsening of symptoms) is a vital step in reducing the number of reoccurrences.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that causes the skin to become red, itchy, and inflamed. The medical term is Atopic Dermatitis. It is estimated that over 30 million Americans suffer from eczema each year.

No one knows what causes eczema to develop for a person. Research has shown that people with eczema tend to have an overactive immune system. Research also shows that some people have a mutation in the gene that produces Filaggrin. Filaggrin is a protein that helps our bodies maintain a healthy protective layer (skin).

Flare Causes:

Below is a list of common items that can cause a flare up. Knowing these potential culprits can help you make different choices in your product purchases and daily activities.

• Temperature- With the summer sun quickly approaching, it is important to note that your skin may not like getting hot and sweaty. Even taking too hot of a bath has been listed as a flare up.
• Hold the Irritants, Please! Anything from the perfumes in hand soap, to the dyes in your laundry detergent can cause your eczema to flare. Paraphenylene-diamine, Formaldehyde, and Cocamidopropyl betaine are ingredients in household cleaners, shampoos, and dyes in certain fabrics that have been linked to eczema flare ups.
• Stress- Stress can affect your body drastically. Increases in stress levels can cause flareups.

Eczema Treatments:

In the event of a flareup, there are many treatment options available from over the counter or prescription topical and oral medications. Consult with your doctor or Dermatologist about your best options.

At ActivMed, we are committed not only to working with patients to find current treatments that will deliver the most impactful results, but also in working to develop new treatment options through clinical studies.

If you or someone you love is struggling with eczema, ActivMed currently has enrolling studies for those seeking new treatment options. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see how you or someone you love may qualify for a study, click HERE

References:

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/causes-and-triggers-of-eczema/

By Felice J. Freyer GLOBE STAFF  MARCH 10, 2019

Nine out of 10 older people get their blood pressure checked when they visit their primary care doctors, and 73 percent are screened for hearing or vision loss. But what about problems with memory or thinking? Only 16 percent are asked about that.

Those are among the findings in a pair of surveys conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association and released last week. The results show that although Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are common afflictions of old age, when it comes to detecting early symptoms, many doctors just don’t want to go there.

“Some people feel like there’s not much we can do for dementia,” said Dr. Erin E. Stevens, a geriatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Doctors hesitate to give a devastating diagnosis when they have no treatment to offer, she said.

In Massachusetts, that may start to change. Massachusetts General Hospital is developing a program to collaborate with primary care doctors in managing the illness. And a first-in-the-nation law passed last year requires all doctors, nurses, and physician assistants to get training in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care.

The law is intended, in part, to address a shocking statistic from an earlier survey of Medicare beneficiaries: Half of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease have not been diagnosed, and half of those with a diagnosis have not been told about it. In addition to the training, the Massachusetts law requires physicians to disclose an Alzheimer’s diagnosis to the patient or family member.

These provisions reflect a growing recognition that even though Alzheimer’s is fatal, people can live with it for a decade or more — and much can be done to improve the quality of those years, especially if you start early.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a condition involving loss of memory and other mental abilities to the point of interfering with daily life. Alzheimer’s probably results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that interact to different degrees in each patient.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 1 in 10 Americans age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s dementia.

The association surveyed 1,000 primary care physicians around the country and a representative sampling of 1,954 consumers age 65 or older. Nearly all primary care physicians — 94 percent — said they consider it important to assess all elderly patients for cognitive impairment, but only 47 percent say it’s their standard protocol.

Patients come in with a host of medical issues, and if they don’t exhibit cognitive problems or raise questions about their memory, the other health problems are likely to take up the whole visit, explained Dr. Blair Wardenburg Fosburgh, a Boston internist.

Additionally there’s no reliable easy-to-use screening tool for dementia, she said. Medicare pays for an hourlong annual wellness visit that is supposed to include a cognitive assessment, but requirements for assessments are vague, Fosburgh said.

And even if a cognitive problem in recognized, she said, “Sometimes you feel powerless to really do much.”

The few medications for Alzheimer’s merely slow the disease’s progression, but the effects are modest and they don’t work for everyone.

In the absence of treatment or cure, what patients and their families most need is help managing the illness day by day. But doctors don’t have those resources at their fingertips, nor the time or expertise to organize them.

Fosburgh is optimistic that will change soon for her practice, which is based at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The hospital plans to pilot a program in which a dementia-care team will be embedded in primary care practices at the hospital. When a doctor suspects dementia, he or she will turn to specialists in the office who can confirm the diagnosis and to social workers who can help patients and their families find and arrange the services they need.

Among the other findings in the survey:

■ Nine out of 10 elderly patients say they trust their doctor to recommend testing for thinking or memory problems but, on average, the doctors assess just half of their senior patients.

■ The most common reasons physicians gave for not assessing patients was the absence of symptoms or lack of time.

■ A majority also said patients resist the idea.

People don’t like to hear bad news, said Jim Wessler, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter. But physicians also aren’t trained in diagnosing dementia and often don’t understand the value of doing so.

Wessler told of a physician frustrated that none of the medications he prescribed were reducing a patient’s high blood pressure. Not until he performed a cognitive screening did he realize his patient was forgetting to take the pills, and forgetting that he hadn’t taken them.

Dr. Brent P. Forester, chief of geriatric psychiatry at McLean Hospital, said that it’s important to screen for memory problems because they could be symptoms of illnesses that have nothing to do with dementia but should be treated, such as depression, vitamin deficiency, thyroid problems, or an infection.

Even if tests rule out other causes and the patient appears to have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, Forester said, knowing about it as soon as possible gives people an opportunity to make the most of their remaining faculties — perhaps traveling while they can still enjoy it — and to plan for how to manage what lies ahead.

But Dr. Malaz A. Boustani, professor of aging research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said his research has found no benefit from cognitive assessments the way medicine is generally practiced. “Unfortunately the system is not ready for cognitive assessments at this time,” he said.

Conducting widespread cognitive screening would be like offering mammograms in a system with no ability to perform biopsies or administer chemotherapy, he said.

“I feel their pain. The primary care doctors, they don’t have the resources and they don’t have the time,” Boustani said.

Boustani works with a central Indiana health system that does have the resources. Eskenazi Health, which encompasses inpatient and outpatient settings, started a collaborative dementia-care program more than decade ago. Patients meet with a team to develop a care plan, which is continually adjusted over time.

The system trains and employs “community health workers,” who need only a high school degree. These workers meet with families, help them address any difficulties, constantly measure how well the family functions, and work to reduce stress on the family member responsible for caregiving.

The program, he said, results in better health and a higher quality of life — and saves money.

Felice J. Freyer can be reached at felice.freyer@globe.com.

FULL ARTICLE: https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2019/03/10/most-doctors-don-screen-for-dementia-but-that-may-change-massachusetts/YeQBKU9xDhWxmNaAf1DPUP/story.html

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by patchy hair loss that can affect the scalp and body. According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, approximately 6.8 million people in the United States and 147 million worldwide have or will develop alopecia areata at some point in their lives. Alopecia is much more than just hair loss; it can cause severe emotional distress and have a huge impact on the quality of life of those affected. Let’s take a look at what it’s really like to live with alopecia.

Panic, Distress, Denial

When you first feel a bald spot on the back of your head, panic ensues. Grabbing a mirror and seeing a completely bare patch of white scalp can really mess with your head. You immediately begin looking for more bald spots. When you have alopecia, you will inevitably find them. This leads to emotional distress. You may call family members in for a second opinion and to seek comfort. You want to deny that anything could be wrong. You never want to admit that you could have a condition that is causing you to lose your hair.

Reality sets in: Getting to the root of cause

 Receiving an alopecia diagnosis can be hard to cope with, but there is a bright side to the situation. People with alopecia areata who have only a few patches of hair loss often experience a spontaneous, full recovery, without the need for treatment. [1] Alopecia is also not contagious and is not due to nerves.

Making Lifestyle Changes Along The Way

Sometimes alopecia is more severe. You may consider wearing a wig to help camouflage the bald spots. While this may bring on feelings of anxiety and self-consciousness, it’s important to remember that most people will never notice. Having confidence and a positive attitude can also help.

HOPE

Clinical trials offer an opportunity to try and help find a cure for conditions like alopecia areata. Physicians at ActivMed Practices & Research, Inc. are working diligently to help find potential new alopecia areata treatment options. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with alopecia, you may qualify to participate in a currently enrolling research study. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see if you may qualify for a study enrolling in Portsmouth, NH CLICK HERE . To learn about our Beverly, MA study CLICK HERE

[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956.php

If your child has psoriasis, you may feel helpless and overwhelmed at times. The important thing to remember is this not your fault and you haven’t done anything wrong! No one knows what really causes psoriasis and there is currently no cure, but the good news is that for most kids, psoriasis is limited to only a few patches that typically respond well to treatment.[1] More serious cases might need advanced treatment, but there are ways you can avoid flare-ups. Check out some of the most common psoriasis triggers for children.

Infections

Psoriasis is a disorder that affects the immune system causing it to attack healthy skin cells resulting in plaque. Having an infection sends the immune system into overdrive and can cause flare-ups. Bacterial infections such as strep throat are the most common, but viral and fungal infections can also be a big problem. Microtears in the skin of the plaques could also be the perfect opening for skin infections. [2]

Obesity & Diet

Maintaining a healthy weight is important across the board, but some psoriasis research suggests that obesity can really affect the skin. Plaques from psoriasis are prone to developing in folds of skin, so an obese child may suffer with more flare-ups as a result.

Along with an immune disorder, psoriasis is also an inflammatory condition, meaning inflammatory foods can be a trigger as well. Top foods to avoid giving your child would be processed foods and refined sugars, fatty cuts of red meat, and dairy. [3]

Stress

High stress levels can have an effect on a person’s immune system and thus can make psoriasis symptoms worse. One doesn’t normally think of children as having a lot of stress, but there are lots of things that can cause a child to be stressed out. In preschool, just separation from parents can cause anxiety and as they get older academic and social pressures create stress.[4] Many kids these days are just overly busy. Every child is different, so talk to yours to determine what makes them stress the most.

Now that you know some of the most common triggers for children suffering from psoriasis, it is also important to know all of your child’s treatment options. It could be that a clinical trial is the best fit for them. ActivMed Practices & Research, Inc. has a psoriasis study for children aged 6-17 enrolling now. All study related care is provided at no cost, and compensation for travel is available for patients that qualify and participate. Click here to learn more: https://activemedredev.wpengine.com/join-a-trial/beverly-ma/#!/study/529

[4] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stress.html

[3] https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-avoid-foods#1

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html

[1] https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/psoriasis.html

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Parkinson’s Disease is shakes and tremors, but it can be so much more than that! Research has shown that the majority of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease will experience some degree of cognitive impairment and will continue to decline over time. In fact, about half of the people living with Parkinson’s Disease have dementia.[1] As a caregiver it is important for you to pay attention to these cognitive changes and respond accordingly. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure you give your loved one the best possible care!

Educate yourself – Knowledge is power

First and foremost, talk to your loved one’s physician. Any time you can, attend their appointments. This is where you can ask all your questions, raise all your concerns, and hear if the doctor has concern. Next, do your own research. Below are some good resources to get you going.

•  CareGiver.org
•  Ageucate.com

Also, know all of your options! It could be that the best option for your loved one is not even on the market yet. Definitely make sure to consider research options! Not only could it benefit your loved one, but they could be playing a part in a major breakthrough for their condition.

Keep them active!

A healthy diet and exercise are important for any condition, but for Parkinson’s Dementia another key element is keeping their brain active as well! Some research suggests that practicing mentally challenging tasks can help to slow cognitive decline.[2] Play brain teasing games with them, learn a new language together, do a puzzle or anything that will get them thinking!

Take care of yourself – You matter too!

Taking care of a loved one can be overwhelming and it can be easy to lose yourself in someone else, but don’t! Always make sure to have time for yourself. Take a nice long bubble bath or get a massage or even get lost in a book somewhere. You deserve it! And, make sure you have help along the way. You are only one person and you can’t do it alone.

If you are interested in learning more about your research options, ActivMed Practices & Research, Inc. has a Parkinson’s Disease Dementia study enrolling now. All study related care is provided at no cost, no insurance required, and compensation is available for those that qualify and participate. Click here to see if a clinical trial could be right for you and your loved one today: https://activemedredev.wpengine.com/join-a-trial/methuen-ma/#!/study/549

[1] http://www.ageucate.com/blog/parkinsons-disease-dementia/

[2] https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/living-with-pd/topic.php?cognitive-impairment&navid=cognitive-impairment

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the United States. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than 8 million Americans have psoriasis. The chronic skin condition causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin and the excess cells form scaly red patches that can be itchy and painful. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding this uncomfortable skin condition. Let’s clear up a few.

One of the biggest myths about psoriasis is that it’s contagious. Since psoriasis can resemble a rash, many people think they may get the skin disease from someone else. You can’t “catch” psoriasis from someone, even if you make direct contact with their skin.

Another common misunderstanding about psoriasis is that it only affects the skin. The painful effects associated with psoriasis aren’t just cosmetic. People with psoriasis are more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety due to their skin condition, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life. [1]

Many people also think that changing your diet will have an impact on your psoriasis. Your diet does not affect your psoriasis. You may feel better when you are eating healthy, but that’s simply due to healthier eating and has nothing to do with your psoriasis.

There is currently no cure for psoriasis. Many psoriasis sufferers experience periods where their flare-ups are at a minimum, and other periods where their psoriasis is exceptionally bad. While there is no cure, psoriasis symptoms can be treated. Treatments may include prescription medications, light therapies, or injected medications to name a few. However, these treatments don’t work for everyone.

Physicians at ActivMed Practices & Research, INC are currently enrolling for studies evaluating potential new psoriasis treatment options. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see how you or someone you love may qualify for a study, click HERE.

[1] https://www.psoriasis.org/life-with-psoriasis/depression

Prurigo nodularis, or PN, is a skin disease that causes hard bumps, or nodules to form on the skin. These nodules are extremely itchy and can itch constantly. Many people scratch themselves to the point of pain or even bleeding due to the intense itch. Unfortunately, itching the bumps can cause more of them to appear, escalating the vicious cycle.

What causes prurigo nodularis?

While the exact cause of PN is unknown, certain risk factors may make you more prone to developing PN. Some of these include:

• A history of skin conditions that cause itching, such as eczema
• Reduced liver and kidney function
• Type 2 diabetes
• HIV/immunodeficiency
• Some psychological conditions

What exactly do the nodules look like?

The nodules can vary in size. You may have some that are very small and some that are rather large. They typically have a dry, rough top and typically appear on areas like the arms, shoulders, and legs. You may notice a few nodules, or a few hundred.

Is prurigo nodularis genetic?

Prurigo nodularis is not believed to be an inherited disease. If one of your parents has PN, this does not mean that you will develop it. However, since the development of PN is sometimes associated with having other health problems or skin diseases, you may notice a family history associated with those skin conditions.

How is prurigo nodularis treated?

While some treatments to reduce itchiness are available, they don’t work for everyone. Many people with PN may have to try several different treatments without receiving much relief due to the intense itch that comes with PN. Fortunately, if you have prurigo nodularis, you may be eligible for currently enrolling research studies to help find potential new PN treatment options.

Physicians at ActivMed Practices & Research, INC are seeking adults with PN for local enrolling research studies. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. CLICK HERE to learn more and see if you or a loved one may qualify for studies enrolling in Beverly, MA or CLICK HERE to learn more about PN studies enrolling in Portsmouth, NH.

We all love to get away for a few days. An escape from the normal routine can be exciting and gives us something to look forward to. However, for those that suffer from celiac disease, the thought of traveling can sometimes bring more stress than excitement. Check out these helpful tips to make traveling with celiac disease a little more carefree.

1. Plan ahead! Check with your hotel to see if you will have a microwave and refrigerator available to you. This would allow you to go to a store and pick up some items to have in your room.
2. Pack smart. Pack non-perishable food items like nuts, dried fruit, etc. that could really come in handy. If possible, you could even pack a small cooler with some frozen or quick cooking items that could help as well.
3. Think local. If you’re traveling internationally, you may not be able to pack a cooler, but you will be able to print out an allergen translation card in the local language. This can be extremely helpful. You can find the cards
4. Get friendly with your phone. There are many apps available now on smartphones that can help you to find gluten-free restaurants. Check them out ahead of time so you have a plan and are comfortable with using the app.

While traveling with celiac disease can certainly be stressful, incorporating some of these useful tips may help to make things just a little bit easier. Physicians at ActivMed Practices and Research Inc. are working diligently to help find potential new celiac disease treatment options. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with celiac disease, you may qualify to participate in a currently enrolling research study. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see if you may qualify for a study, CLICK HERE.

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema as it’s more commonly known, is a frustrating condition that affects more than 35 million Americans. Symptoms tend to present as patches of skin becoming red and itchy, with areas of oozing or swelling. It most commonly appears on the face, backs of the knees, insides of the elbows, hands and wrists.  Eczema is long-lasting and tends to ‘flare-up’ periodically. While most common in children, Eczema can affect anyone at any age.  By knowing some common eczema triggers, it can help you to manage flares and prevent new outbreaks.

1. Stress: Stress is one of the most common eczema triggers. While it’s nearly impossible to remove all of the stress from our lives, trying to keep our stress levels at a minimum can help with flares.
2. Temperature Extremes: Too hot or too cold is not ideal for those with eczema. Excessive sweating is an eczema trigger for many people, while extreme cold can cause the skin to become too dry. Aim for a comfortable environment with humidity levels of 45-55 percent.
3. Cosmetics: Cosmetics tend to have fragrances or preservatives in them that can be irritating to eczema sufferers. Look for “fragrance-free” products and do a patch test before using them to check for irritation.
4. Get to know your fabrics: Cotton is the best option when it comes to eczema sufferers. Wool, synthetics, and other rough materials could irritate skin and trigger a flare.
5. Laundry Detergents: Harsh ingredients in many detergents can irritate skin. Opting for a fragrance-free, neutral pH detergent is a good choice.
6. Diet: Food allergies can sometimes trigger eczema symptoms, so if you start to notice symptoms after eating a particular food, it might be time to see your doctor.While there’s currently no cure for eczema, the condition can be better managed by knowing your personal triggers and avoiding them to prevent flare-ups.

   If you or someone you love is struggling with eczema, ActivMed currently has enrolling studies for those seeking new treatment options. Qualified candidates who participate will receive study-related care at no cost and receive compensation for travel. To learn more and see how you or someone you love may qualify for a study, click HERE.

The Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety (ACRES) announced this week that teams have initiated validation of standards and testing of procedures for voluntary accreditation of clinical research sites. The first evaluation effort, under the direction of Dr. Larry Kennedy, ACRES VP for Quality Management Systems and Chief Quality Officer, is underway in association with ActivMed Practices and Research, Inc.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

September 2018 marks the 7^th annual World Alzheimer’s Month. The international campaign aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a term that describes an overall group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.[1]

Currently, there are close to 50 million people worldwide living with dementia. By the year 2050, that number is set to triple.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. Come join the ActivMed team as we take the part in both the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Andover, MA on September 16, 2018 at the Andover Landing at Brickstone Square, and the Seacoast Area Walk to End Alzheimer’s on September 23, 2018 at the Little Harbour School in Portsmouth, NH. Stop by our table and learn about getting involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s!

Participating in fundraising events is only part of the journey to finding a cure. Volunteers are needed more than ever to help find new treatments and ultimately a cure. ActivMed is currently looking for volunteers to participate in a device research study for Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss at our Methuen, MA and Portsmouth, NH locations. Study-related office visits, tests, and assessments are provided at no cost to those who qualify and participate. Reimbursement for travel expenses is also available for qualified participants.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of memory loss or has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, contact ActivMed Practices and Research today to learn more about study opportunities that may help.

[1] https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia

Hopes are rising again for a drug to alter the course of Alzheimer’s disease after repeated failures. An experimental therapy slowed mental decline by 30 percent in patients who got the highest dose in a mid-stage study, and it removed much of the sticky plaque gumming up their brains, the drug’s makers said Wednesday.

Read Full Article on BostonGlobe.com

Read “For Scientists Racing to Cure Alzheimer’s, the Math Is Getting Ugly” on NYTimes.com

Without clinical trials, we would not have new medications. Volunteers are needed to help further investigate new Alzheimer’s Disease therapies. Learn more about getting involved at one of our site locations on our enrolling studies page today.

The Alliance for Clinical Research Excellence and Safety is a global collective of like-minded organizations and individuals working together, committed to the mission of “finding the most effective, innovative, ethical means of building, implementing and maintaining an integrated, comprehensive global system for clinical research, in a timely and cost-efficient manner- and then do it!”

Recognizing the need for uniform standards in the clinical research industry, our CEO, Terry Stubbs, serves as a co-chair for the Site Accreditation & Standards Initiative (SASI). Volunteering her time and expertise, Terry is working with a team to help draft standards for the upcoming site accreditation system.

These quality standards are now being made available by request to qualified individuals and organizations for review and comment as part of an ongoing consultation, development, and validation process (https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/Projects/9018-01652).

The closing date for the public consultation is Wednesday 31 October 2018.

We are proud at ActivMed to be part of this global initiative, and are excited about the positive impact this will have on the clinical research industry.

For more information, you can read this recent article from the New England Journal of Medicine.

What a great presentation Dr. Portney did last week at the Andover Senior Center to a group of people who are either suffering from Parkinson’s Disease or have a loved one suffering. He answered many questions and discussed the research going on at ActivMed in Methuen. His presentation gave some hope of finding a cure with the help of great research.