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Nearly 11 months have passed since nursing homes closed their doors to visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some states, including Arizona, have resumed family visits under certain circumstances. Now, a new report highlights what some family members discovered once they were allowed back in.

The report is titledThe Devastating Effect of Lockdowns on Residents of Long Term Care Facilities During Covid-19.because thats what it was.

Sam Brooks is an attorney with theConsumer Voice, which represents long-term care consumers. They released the report.

"As soon as nursing homes locked down, we realized there was going to be a crisis," he said.

Thats because many long-term care facilities are understaffed.

"And a lot of homes relied on family members,"Brooks said.

Because family often help fill those caregiving gaps. They might help feed or groom their loved one, or simply provide companionship. In some ways says Brooks, it was like facilities lost another set of staff when families were locked out. After the lockdown, months and months went by before they were allowed back in.

"And we just started to hear horrific stories of significant weight loss. Residents wearing other people's clothes, their nails being long, dentures being not cleaned for months, just these horror stories, and a lot of times residents don't even recognize their loved ones anymore," saidBrooks.

Dana Kennedy is the state director for AARP Arizona.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing in the report that does shock me. It's all things that we were hearing. It's fairly common," saidKennedy.

And with such a high percentage of COVID-19 deaths occurring among long-term care residents nationwide, Kennedy is calling on the Arizona Legislature to make this issue a priority. Unfortunately, that looks unlikely. And Kennedy knows that.

"It wasn't their priority afterHacienda. And the elected officials should be absolutely embarrassed that this is not a priority,"Kennedy said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been updated to correct a quote by Sam Brooks regarding residents' clothing.

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'We Just Started To Hear Horrific Stories': New Report Details 'Devastating Effect' Of Long-Term Care Closures - Fronteras: The Changing America Desk

With the holiday season gone, many of us are taken aback looking at our waist line or stepping on the bathroom scale. And we make the annual vow to go on a diet. The question is which one.

The internet, newspapers and bookstores are filled with advice, articles and new or old diet book releases. What is a consumer to do?

The first impulse is to reach for a diet that promises rapid weight loss of 15 to 20 pounds in a week, such as the 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse, which placed number 3 on the best seller list for diets for 2020.

Never mind that the US News and World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet as No. 1, but with the latter, the weight loss is gradual and depends on adhering to it for a long time. It seems that we are stuck in the fast food/instant gratification rut. Losing weight and keeping it off demands effort and adherence.

For starters, any diet undertaken, be it the grapefruit or cabbage diet of yesteryear, will result in some weight loss, mostly due to the fact that one becomes conscious of the calories ingested. In the case of severely calorie restricted diets there is a huge loss of water and salt, leading to the false belief you will regain your svelte figure in no time.

The reason for this is that for the first time your insulin levels drop! High insulin levels as seen after consuming foods high in carbs, be it bread, pasta, rice, cereals, chips, crackers, ice cream or soft drinks, make your body retain salt and water.

My advice, therefore is, to first set a reasonable and realistic weight-loss goal, such as striving to lose 15 to 20 pounds rather than setting it to 50 pounds or more in the long term. Crash diets such as the 10 day green smoothie way are not sustainable and you set yourself up for failure and disappointment.

A lot of times all you have to do is cut out sugar laden soft drinks and snacking mindlessly throughout the day on chips, crackers or cookies. Eat two or three meals a day. Contrary to common wisdom, breakfast is not a must. Do not have second helpings even if you still feel hungry. It takes 20 minutes for fullness to set in. Remember, anytime you put sugars and carbs in your mouth, your insulin levels rise, preventing you from burning fat, which is the way to lose weight.

Another very important advice is to not eat or snack for at least 12 hours overnight! For example after finishing dinner at 6 or 7 pm, do not eat or drink anything but plain water until 6 or 7 am. No late evening or nighttime refrigerator raids.

A last word of advice, eliminate trips to fast food restaurants. Start cooking and eating most of your meals at home. If you need to lose 50 pounds or more you probably need to look into the Atkins Diet for Life for guidance, since it severely restricts carbohydrate consumption. Losing up to 20 pounds can easily be achieved and maintained with the Mediterranean diet which emphasizes a lot of legumes (beans and lentils), green leafy vegetables, nuts, lean meat and fish. Be sure to discuss any new diet with your doctor, especially if you have diabetes and take medications.

I have not mentioned exercise for one simple reason. By itself it will not yield a big weight loss. Simply hiring a trainer or taking out a gym membership without correcting your eating habits is doomed for failure. However, a regular exercise routine such a walking daily for 30 minutes will help you maintain your new weight.

To paraphrase a Chinese proverb A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step or in the case of your selected diet with a single bite.

Dr. Eva Abbo is a doctor of internal medicine in La Jolla, Calif., and former Laurel resident.

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To diet or not to diet? That is the question - leader-call.com

SAN CLEMENTE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 20, 2021 / ReShape Lifesciences Inc. (OTCQB:RSLS), a global weight-loss solutions leader, announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Obalon Therapeutics, Inc., which is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, a company focused on developing and commercializing novel technologies for weight loss, under which ReShape and Obalon will combine in an all-stock transaction.

Under the terms of the merger agreement that has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, existing ReShape stockholders will have majority ownership of the combined company immediately following the closing of the merger and Obalon will be renamed ReShape Lifesciences Inc. and will trade under the NASDAQ ticker symbol "RSLS." The current directors and officers of ReShape will comprise the board of directors and executive management of the combined company.

ReShape and Obalon have delivered some of the most innovative FDA-approved weight loss solutions for the treatment of obesity. According to a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, the past 50 years have seen increasing attention to the issue of obesity[1], citing the World Health Organization's current data showing that global prevalence of obesity has tripled since the mid-1970s with more than 1 billion adults being overweight in addition to 650 million adults and 124 million children and adolescents being obese. This has tremendous impact on health and health related costs globally as obesity is responsible for 41% of uterine cancers; more than 10% of gallbladder, kidney, liver, and colon cancers; 40% of cases of cardiovascular disease; and most cases of type 2 diabetes.2 Further relevant in today's world, SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is more likely to cause serious illness or death in people with obesity than in those with a healthier body-mass index.3

Bart Bandy, President and Chief Executive Officer of ReShape commented, "We are excited with this opportunity to add Obalon's FDA approved Balloon System to ReShape's line of minimally invasive weight-loss solutions while also expanding our market reach. Our portfolio also includes the Lap-Band, emerging products that support bariatric surgical procedures across the spectrum and ReShapeCareTM, which is our reimbursed, telehealth-based patient support program that is available for any medically supervised weight loss program. This integration positions us to achieve our goals for growth and continued advancement towards becoming the premier weight loss company for physicians and patients."

Completion of the merger is subject to certain closing conditions, including, among other things, approval by the stockholders of ReShape and Obalon, the Securities and Exchange Commission declaring effective an Obalon registration statement registering the shares to be issued in connection to the merger, and the NASDAQ Stock Market's approval of the continued listing of the combined company in connection with the completion of the merger.

Maxim Group LLC is serving as financial advisor to ReShape in connection with the transaction and Fox Rothschild LLP is acting as its legal counsel.

1.Kumanyika S, Solving Population-wide Obesity, progress and future prospects. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:2198-2200

2. The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. Health effects of overweight and obesity in 195 countries over 25 years. N Engl J Med 2017;377:13-27.

3. Yadav R, Aggarwal S, Singh A. SARS- CoV-2-host dynamics: increased risk of adverse outcomes of COVID-19 in obesity. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2020;14:1355-60.

About ReShape Lifesciences Inc.

ReShape Lifesciences is America's premier weight-loss solutions company, offering an integrated portfolio of proven products and services that manage and treat obesity and metabolic disease. The FDA-approved Lap-Band and associated program provide minimally invasive, long-term treatment of obesity and is an alternative to more invasive surgical stapling procedures such as the gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. The ReShape Vest System is an investigational (outside the U.S.) minimally invasive, laparoscopically implanted medical device that wraps around the stomach, emulating the gastric volume reduction effect of conventional weight-loss surgery. It helps obese and morbidly obese patients with rapid weight loss without permanently changing patient anatomy. The recently launched ReShapeCare Virtual health coaching program is a virtual telehealth weight management program that supports lifestyle changes for all weight-loss patients, to help them keep the weight off over time.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements either contained in or incorporated by reference into this document, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections and statements relating to ReShape's business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in or incorporated by reference into this document regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected expenses, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the structure, timing and completion of the proposed merger; the combined company's listing on the NASDAQ Stock Market after closing of the proposed merger; expectations regarding the capitalization, resources and ownership structure of the combined company; and the executive and board structure of the combined company. ReShape and/or Obalon may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with stockholder approval of and the ability to consummate the proposed merger through the process being conducted by ReShape and Obalon. ReShape disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed merger, Obalon plans to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of ReShape and Obalon that also constitutes a prospectus of Obalon. ReShape and Obalon will make the joint proxy statement/prospectus available to their respective stockholders. Investors are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. The registration statement, definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by ReShape and Obalon with the SEC will be available free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and from ReShape and Obalon. Requests for copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by ReShape with the SEC may be made by sending a written request to ReShape at 1001 Calle Amanecer, San Clemente, California 92673, Attention: Chief Financial Officer or to Obalon at 5421 Avenida Encinas, Suite F, Carlsbad, California 92008, Attention: Legal.

Participants in the Solicitation

ReShape, Obalon, their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from ReShape's and Obalon's stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of ReShape is set forth in ReShape's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2020 and its Form 3s and 4s filed on behalf of its directors and officers. Information regarding Obalon's directors and executive officers is contained in Obalon's annual report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, which were filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020 and April 29, 2020, respectively, and its proxy statement for its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on August 7, 2020. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Certain directors, executive officers and employees of ReShape and Obalon may have direct or indirect interest in the transaction due to securities holdings, vesting of equity awards and rights to severance payments. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation of ReShape and Obalon stockholders will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus.

ReShape Contact:Thomas StankovichChief Financial OfficerReShape Lifesciences Inc.949-276-6042tstankovich@ReShapeLifesci.com

ReShape Investor Contact:James SaliernoVice PresidentThe Ruth Group646-536-7028jsalierno@theruthgroup.com

SOURCE: ReShape Lifesciences Inc.

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ReShape Lifesciences Inc. to Merge With Obalon Therapeutics, Inc. to Expand Weight Loss Product Offering - BioSpace

CBD Hemp And Medical Marijuana: What Do These Terms Actually Mean?

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It's no secret that marijuana not only makes you high, it can also bring on "the munchies." But what about cannabidiol or CBD? The marijuana derivative doesn't make you high and may have numerous health benefits. But does it make you reach for the potato chips and whatever else you can get your hands on to satisfy your suddenly surging appetite?

The answer may surprise you. "CBD suppresses the appetite," says Martin A. Lee, co-founder and director of Project CBD, a California nonprofit that promotes CBD research, and author of Smoke Signals: A Social History of MarijuanaMedical, Recreational, and Scientific. "It has the opposite effect of what's typically thought of with THC."

THC is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound in marijuana that's responsible for the high and the munchies. (CBD doesn't make you high).

Still, we're a long way from being able to say commercially available CBD products can help you control your weight or shed those extra pounds.

CBD is found in medical marijuana and is one of two main active ingredients in marijuana. The other is THC.

CBD can also be extracted from the hemp plant, a cousin of the marijuana plant which has much lower levels of THC. Farmers have been able to grow hemp since the 2008 Farm Bill was passed, but only as long as it has no more than 0.3 percent THC. (Here's more on the difference between CBD vs. THC.)

CBD's various health benefits (some scientifically validated, some not) have led to an explosion of CBD products. Among them: CBD oil, CBD tinctures, CBD capsules, and edible CBD. Oil can be ingested orally or vaped, but vaping has been linked to lung injuries, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more about the risks and benefits of vaping CBD.

One of the few studies done in humans reported that people who used marijuana regularly had a lower body mass index (BMI). The study stopped short of saying that cannabis actually caused a lower BMI or that CBD might have an effect.

Because scientists have not studied CBD extensively in humans, "most of what we have to go on is what CBD does to mice and rats," says Lee. And the research shows that CBD does indeed suppress rodent appetites.

To understand how CBD may affect hunger and your calorie burn, it's useful to know about the endocannabinoid system. This is a signaling network in your body that helps regulate metabolism and appetite.

There are two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2, which act as yin and yang.

"Generally speaking, CB1, if it's active, promotes food intake, promotes appetite, and enhances senses of smell and taste," explains Lee. CBD doesn't actually bind to this receptor but acts as a sort of "dimmer switch" turning down its effect on appetite. People who are obese have more appetite-friendly CB1 receptors.

CB2, on the other hand, acts as a brake on appetite and has been proposed as a drug target. Regular marijuana also seems to act as a brake on CB1, which could help account for the fact that regular users have a lower BMI, despite the munchies. Again, none of this suggests that currently available CBD products can help you slim down.

Research from 2012 found thatin obese mice with more of these receptorsmuting CB1 limited insulin resistance, which is a major factor in diabetes risk. A study published in 2016 in Diabetes Care found that CBD lowered blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. At least one company is investigating whether this is an avenue for drug development.

There are no formal guidelines on using CBD products and losing weight. That means there are also no recommendations on dosages or which kind of product might be best.

In general, CBD seems to be safe, says Bonni Goldstein, MD, medical director and owner of Cannacenters, a medical practice in Los Angeles and author of Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain. But there can be side effects like nausea, fatigue, irritability, and diarrhea. CBD can also interact with the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) and other medications.

"If you're a person who takes other medications, it's not a good idea to haphazardly add CBD thinking it will be completely benign," Dr. Goldstein warns.

Long-term use may also hurt your liver, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This is not a simple question. While many states consider CBD legal, the federal government does not. California was the first to legalize medical marijuana. Now another 35 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have followed suit, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

National laws are another matter. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration considers marijuana and its components Schedule 1 substances, which are "drugs of abuse." There is a push to legalize marijuana at the national level. A bill to take marijuana off the Controlled Substances Act passed the House late in 2020 but has not yet reached the Senate.

The FDA has approved only one CBD-derived drug. That's Epidiolex, to treat rare forms of pediatric epilepsy.

With more than 42 percent of the U.S. population obese, the country is desperate for effective modes of losing weight. Right now, experts recommend diet and exercise above all. But for some people, it's hard to sustain lifestyle changes for long periods of time. Meanwhile, there are few drugs available to lower BMI.

The number of CBD products, including those that claim to lower weight, is exploding. So far, though, the evidence is far behind. "CBD is associated with decreasing appetite but I can't say it correlates to weight loss," says Lee.

The post Everything You Need to Know About CBD for Weight Loss appeared first on The Healthy.

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Everything You Need to Know About CBD for Weight Loss The Healthy - msnNOW

Israeli researchers say they have found a diet that significantly cuts liver fat, by tweaking the traditional Mediterranean regimen to include special greens.

Over 20 years our research team has shown through rigorous, randomized long-term trials, that the Mediterranean diet, rich with wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and nuts, is the healthiest, said epidemiologist Prof. Iris Shai. Now, we have found that specific changes to this diet can cause a big reduction in liver fat.

In an 18-month 294-participant study conducted in southern Israel, two-thirds of participants ate a Mediterranean diet, and exercised regularly. They lost weight in similar amounts, but those who ate the adapted green version, featuring less meat, more plant products, and lots of green tea, saw particular benefits in their liver.

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Even though the Mediterranean Diet and the Green Mediterranean Diet led to equal weight loss overall, fat loss in the liver was doubled among those who had the green diet, Shai told The Times of Israel.

Ingredients for a mediterranean diet (inaquim via iStock by Getty Images)

The liver is so important for general human health, and fatty liver disease has wide implications, but theres a lack of drug treatments and a lack of dietary protocol beyond general weight loss, which makes this finding important.

The modified diet aims for high levels of polyphenols, organic compounds produced by plants, seemingly to protect themselves from stress.

The study conducted by Shai, professor at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba and an adjunct professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Gut. Several Harvard scholars were involved in the study.

One of the items in the diet is an aquatic plant called mankai which an Israeli company, Hinoman, is marketing as a superfood. Shai is an advisor to the company.

An estimated 20 percent to 35% of adults have fatty liver disease, a condition which doctors say increases the risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, as well as decreased gut microbiome diversity and microbial imbalance. But no drug is currently available and the only intervention is weight loss and curtailing of alcohol consumption.

Powdered form of the an aquatic plant mankai (Schachar Fleishman)

The diet is rich in vegetables, includes a daily intake of walnuts (28 grams), and less meat than a regular Mediterranean diet. It is enriched with green items including three to four cups of green tea per day and 100 grams of a mankai green shake.

Shai said: We believe there are components like polyphenols and fibers that modify the microbiome which make this diet help with cleaning fat from the liver.

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The main types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. They differ in the kind of damage they do to the airways and lungs. However, the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the two conditions are almost completely identical.

There are four stages of COPD that range from mild to very severe. A person with mild COPD may not know that they have the condition, while someone with very severe COPD will experience life threatening symptoms.

Keep reading to learn about the types and stages of COPD, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause breathing problems and blockages in airflow. They gradually get worse over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 15.7 million people in the United States have a diagnosis of COPD.

The CDC add that COPD is more common in:

A persons windpipe connects to the lungs, where it divides into many smaller branches. These branches end in small air sacs called alveoli, which have tiny blood vessels known as capillaries running along their walls. Here, oxygen passes from the sacs into the capillaries, and the waste product carbon dioxide passes from the capillaries into the sacs. Breathing involves this exchange of gases.

In someone with healthy lungs, the airways and air sacs are stretchy. This elasticity permits the sacs to inflate when a person breathes in and deflate when they breathe out.

People with COPD have less air going in and out of their airways because of one or more of the following:

The two main types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but many individuals with COPD can have both.

In emphysema, the alveoli, which are the walls of the air sacs, and the small airways suffer damage. As a result of this damage, the sacs lose their shape and ability to recoil during the expiratory phase of the breathing cycle, resulting in trapped air in the lung. This trapped air continues to distend the alveoli, causing a repeating cycle of airway obstruction.

These changes eventually result in the lungs becoming hyperinflated, which reduces the exchange of gases. This makes it difficult for people to breathe and oxygenate their blood effectively while impairing the ability to breathe out carbon dioxide from the blood.

In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways stays inflamed. This leads to swelling and the formation of large amounts of mucus. These effects make it hard to breathe.

Learn more about the differences between emphysema and chronic bronchitis here.

Below we describe the stages of COPD.

There are multiple classification systems used in diagnosing COPD conditions. The following stages come from the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, which derive from a specific breathing test called spirometry grading.

However, this type of testing only captures one component of COPD severity. For example, two patients with the same result may have different tolerances to exercise, symptoms, and prognoses.

Therefore, other COPD aspects, such as the severity of symptoms, risk of exacerbations, and presence of comorbidities, are important to the patients experience of the disease and prognosis.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the leading cause of emphysema and chronic bronchitis involves long-term exposure to substances that irritate the airways and lungs. The NHLBI note that the primary sources of irritants include tobacco smoke from:

The following irritants can also play a role in the development of COPD:

In addition, a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may play a role in developing emphysema. It involves reduced production of a protein that protects the lungs.

Symptoms of emphysema or chronic bronchitis include:

Aside from the above, some people may have frequent colds and flu.

If COPD is severe, symptoms may include:

While emphysema and chronic bronchitis have no cure, lifestyle changes and medical treatments can help a person feel better and delay the worsening of conditions.

Medications can include bronchodilator inhalers, which relax the muscles surrounding the airways, making it easier to breathe. Below, the NHLBI note the type of inhalers appropriate for different stages:

Because respiratory infections can cause serious problems for individuals with COPD, doctors may recommend getting vaccines to reduce their risk. These include the flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Oxygen therapy can help people with severe COPD, accord to the NHLBI. A person on this treatment receives the oxygen through a mask or nasal prongs. The NHLBI list the following benefits from this treatment:

A lung transplant is a last resort for people with one of the main types of COPD. If a person has emphysema, they have other surgical options, including:

Quitting smoking is the most important thing someone with COPD can do. If individuals find this challenging, they may wish to join a support group.

They may also consider asking their family and friends for additional support. It is also helpful for them to avoid secondhand smoke and other irritants in their environment.

People with COPD may have difficulties in eating enough because of their symptoms. If so, they can talk with their doctor about recommendations to help them get enough nutrition. For example, a healthcare professional may advise eating smaller, more frequent meals.

Another lifestyle-related measure involves attending pulmonary rehabilitation, a personalized program that teaches management strategies. The plan may include instruction in breathing techniques and ways to conserve energy.

The two primary types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The four stages of COPD range from mild to very severe. Some symptoms may include an ongoing cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

A primary cause of both COPD types is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, so doctors strongly urge people with the conditions to stop smoking.

In addition to this, lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, or treatments, such as medications and oxygen therapy, can also help.

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Types and stages of COPD: Symptoms, causes, and more - Medical News Today

In December, I wrote an article suggesting investors write covered calls on GameStop (NYSE:GME): buy GME stock and profit from the fat premiums on call options. Its a conservative tech investors way of making money on a stock thats too hot to buy, but too strong to ignore.

Source: Northfoto / Shutterstock.com

Investors following that strategy would have seen a 25% gain in three weeks not bad for an options strategy with capped upside. But with shares now up 1,000% since last year, people are starting to ask themselves: How did we get here in the first place? The answer is a complicated mix of finance, momentum and a virtual game of chicken. So, heres how we got to where we are, and where GME stock might head next.

In a year where both Microsofts (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox and Sonys (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation finally released digital-only versions of their consoles, you might think that GameStop stock investors would have panicked. For years, the company had resisted calls to modernize. Instead, the brick-and-mortar relic stayed alive thanks to its cash cow: the lucrative used-game market. And now that many next-generation game consoles will no longer need physical games, GME stock looked set to fall.

GameStop shares, however, did precisely the opposite of what you might expect. Proving that no amount of wisdom can predict the madness of crowds (or internet users), shares rose 150% by the time I suggested taking gains off the table. Since then, the stock has proceeded to triple.

Long-term investors with a sense of humor might remember the Financial Times suggesting that the then-dying RadioShack could start selling fruit baskets or turning stores into Zumba studios to survive.(A small town in Weaverville, CA seems to have done just that.) Thats because, in the world of brick-and-mortar retail, those that dont adapt end up like Blockbuster and Circuit City sitting in bankruptcy court and explaining lawyer fees to angry investors.

For years, GameStop seemed destined for the same scrapheap. Though management successfully lobbied Microsoftin 2013 to keep disc drives in the Xbox One, they failed to use that lifeline to migrate toward online and mobile games.

But dont discount the short-term.

The release of the blockbuster PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X threw Wall Streets tea leaves into disarray. With both consoles selling out within minutes, analysts scrambled to revise GameStops estimates for the near term. Wall Street now expects sales to rise 4.5% this quarter, representing a reversal after years of decline. And bullish retail investors went wild, sending the stock from the $4 range to $14.

But retail investors werent done quite yet. By December, a strange phenomenon started to appear: Open interest in GME calls had reached unprecedented levels as online investors egged each other on. In other words, investors were not only betting GME stock would go up but also that gains would come sooner rather than later. And whenever this happens, investors can inadvertently start a feedback loop. Thats because buying call options en-masse also force market makers to buy the underlying security in this case, GME shares. Its a process known as delta hedging, where market makers like the New York Stock Exchange look to keep a neutral position.

Meanwhile, rising share prices force short sellers out of their positions, causing them to become buyers in whats known as a short squeeze. That forces up shares even further, causing even more online users to (self-reportedly) buy in, and so on. Eventually, the companys shares end up as a caricature of its intended price.

And how long can the mania go? A) If someones had the misfortune of going short, the feedback loop will usually continue just long enough to force them out of their position at a loss. B) If theyre long, the loop will last just long enough to when theyve convinced themselves that the stock is a long-term winner. And C) if they dont own the stock and decide to buy in, thats usually the precise moment that the bottom falls out.

Its not the first time a brick-and-mortar store caused such an investor frenzy. Almost a decade ago, GNC found itself in the eye of the protein-supplement storm. What was once the purview of bodybuilders suddenly saw its 15-minutes of fame. Pantries across the U.S. stocked up on the protein miracle cure for everything from weight loss to muscle building, and GNCs stock rose from $15 in 2012 to almost $60 by the end of 2013.

Back then, however, options trading was far more limited. Robinhood was only just getting started, and most retail investors didnt have the tools needed to send market makers and short sellers into an upward-spiraling feedback loop. Even as bearish short interest in GNC stock mounted, short squeezes rarely amounted to more than 20% price jumps.

GameStop, on the other hand, makes GNC look like childs play. Today, GameStop has a 109% short interest ratio, meaning there are more shares sold short than exist.

And GMEs open interest of nearly 850,000 options is seven times greater than Best Buys (NYSE:BBY) 115,000, even though GME is less than a tenth of the latter companys size. While Citron Researchs $20 price target for GameStop could be right, theres nothing that can stop retail investors pushing GME to $60 and beyond in the short term. There simply arent enough shares to sell short.

Its impossible to know how far GME can rise from here. The company now trades for 373 times its Shiller price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, a measure of long-term value. Today, shares are looking less like Best Buys steady-state 36x multiple and more like Amazons (NASDAQ:AMZN) high-growth 355x.

So, when your companys share value isnt attached to real life, whats to stop it from rising to 600 times or more? The 17th-century Dutch-tulip-bulb mania offers a sobering reminder of humanitys ability to ignore reality. At their peak, the most expensive bulbs could cost more than a house.

Those insisting to profit from GME should consider selling options and hedging with a position in the underlying security much like what professional market makers do. With implied volatility close to 180%, GME options are selling for fat margins; at-the-money 2022 calls cost almost $16.

But dont go naked short or long GameStop and expect easy wins. As we collectively stumble through 2021, it would be wise to remember this: GME stock could continue a run to $60 and beyond if the short squeeze (and internet cheerleaders) continue their gleeful mischief.

But unless GameStop management uses the momentum to revamp its business, it would all be for nothing. Because, as hundreds of defunct brick-and-mortar companies can attest, if you wont stop yourself from pursuing an outdated business model, then a bankruptcy court will eventually do it for you.

On the date of publication, Tom Yeung did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article.

Tom Yeung, CFA, is a registered investment advisor on a mission to bring simplicity to the world of investing.

Read this article:
How the Internet Sent GameStop Stock Up 1,000% And Where It's Going Next - InvestorPlace

Chasing their owner's feet, attempting to eat tape, and scratching mirrors cats have a long list of quirky behaviors that leave us puzzled! One cat habit I really can't seem to figure out, though, is why they love to knock things over. Why do they seem to find enjoyment in pushing items to the edge of the table and watching them fall as their owner (aka me) looks on in frustration? What gives!? As two experts explain below, this behavior is common in felines and has some pretty interesting motives behind it.

Cats knocking things over is nothing out of the ordinary, and as it turns out, there are a few good reasons cats may act out this (sometimes infuriating) behavior. One of the reasons, according to Maureen Murithi, DVM, registered veterinarian and veterinary spokesperson of online pet resource SpiritDog Training, is that cats are natural hunters and their desire to knock things over may be rooted in prey drive. "They normally use their paws to test unfamiliar objects in their environment," Dr. Murithi said. "Cats' paws are highly sensitive, and therefore they use them to test if unfamiliar objects are safe."

Another motivation cats may have to knock things over is they are trying to get their owner's attention. Ever set down a glass of water on the table and walk away, only to have your cat push it to the edge and knock it over? Yup, it may be because they are trying to catch your eye. "Cats love attention and are keen to notice your reaction depending on their behavior," Dr. Murithi told POPSUGAR. "Your reaction following an accident around the home, such as knocking over a flower vase, can condition them to associate it with attention." So it is important to act nonchalant when these situations come up.

Last, but not least, cats may be knocking things over around the house because they are curious and, quite simply, bored. "Cats are very curious," said Jeff Werber, DVM, chief veterinary officer for Airvet. "Their natural inclination is to touch things, which becomes a problem if what they are touching is not well-anchored." Dr. Werber cautioned that if your cat is knocking things over continuously, they may be bored.

Because indoor cats are kept inside and not able to go out and fulfill their innate curiosity with outdoor stimuli, Dr. Murithi advised to schedule a play time with moving objects to help remedy any boredom or desire to be entertained associated with knocking things over. "To avoid such accidents, scheduled playtime is advised, aimed at finding a release from pent-up energy," Dr. Murithi said. "Moving objects offer a nice distraction, especially for indoor cats as they lack the freedom to explore the outdoors and exercise or play."

More here:
Turns Out, Your Cat Has a Pretty Good Reason For Knocking Things Over! - POPSUGAR

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD or CAD) is caused by a buildup of fatty material called plaque in the blood vessels that provide crucial oxygen to the heart. Plaque builds up in size leading to a significant, usually more than 70 percent, blockage of the coronary artery. Occasionally the material can rupture, similar to a pimple, and the material under the thin cap will suddenly enter the blood and result in an acute heart attack.

Cardiovascular disease can lead to both unstable and stable angina, chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack.

In the October column, my colleague Dr. Richard Jacoby discussed how the treatment of CAD sometimes requires a heart catheterization to insert a stent to keep the artery open. While treatment might necessitate surgical intervention, such as with angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass graft surgery or off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, research shows that lifestyle changes can prevent plaque buildup and lower a patients risk of developing heart problems.

Key lifestyle changes prescribed as part of medical therapy include adopting a heart healthy diet, reducing stress, losing weight, exercising, and quitting smoking.

These lifestyle factors are the basis of T. Colin Campbells well-known book, The China study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health.

The China Study examines the link between consuming animal products and developing heart disease as well as cancers, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. The China Study determined that a whole food and vegan diet reduces heart disease, and in some cases, reverses it. The results were found in people who eliminated animal products (beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk) from their diet in addition to processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

Other lifestyle changes to consider include:

Smoking is directly related to an increased risk of heart attack and its complications. If you smoke, ask your doctor about counseling, nicotine replacement medications and programs to help you quit.

High-fat choices can contribute to increased fat in your blood, so it is important to follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

High blood pressure can damage the lining of your coronary arteries and lead to coronary artery disease. Be sure to check your blood pressure regularly.

Exercise lowers cholesterol, manages weight, controls diabetes, and relieves stress. Check with your doctor first before beginning an exercise program.

Discuss your ideal weight with your doctor. Set a goal of a reaching a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30.

Are you always stressed out? Do you anger easily? High stress levels and being hot-tempered increase blood pressure and have a negative effect on the cardiac system. Find ways to relax and learn to manage your time.

High blood sugars are linked to the progression of coronary artery disease. Control blood sugars with daily monitoring, a healthy diet, cardio exercise, and medications.

It is important to make lifestyle changes under the direction and supervision of your cardiologist because the physician will monitor progress and the progression of the disease.

Coastal Cardiovascular Care physicians are available to discuss your heart health care concerns through telemedicine and in-office appointments. Dr. Salman Mehboob is a general and interventional board-certified cardiologist with Coastal Cardiovascular Care, 700 Garden View Court, Suite 204, Encinitas, CA 92024. For more information call 760-452-6334 or go to http://www.coastalcardio.com.

More:
Creating a medical therapy plan for heart disease - Encinitas Advocate

Those suffering from long COVID have reported smelling fish and super-strong urine as more worrying symptoms of the killer virus emerge.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Professor Nirmal Kumar said the very strange symptom parosmia seems to be particularly affecting the young and healthcare workers.

He was among the first medics to identify anosmia, loss of smell, as a coronavirus indicator in March. He urged the countrys government department, Public Health England, to add it to the symptom list months before it became official guidance.

After treating and studying patients with long-term anosmia, something he said has affected thousands across the UK, Prof Kumar noticed some were recovering only to then experience parosmia.

He told the PA news agency: This morning I saw two patients with parosmia. One said they could smell fish in place of any other scent, and the other can smell burning when there is no smoke around.

Both are healthcare workers, and we think there is increased incidence in young people and also in healthcare workers because of exposure to the virus in hospitals.

For some people, it is really upsetting them. We are calling it neurotropic virus, he added.

What this means is the virus is affecting the nerves in the roof of the nose its like a shock to your nervous system, and the nerves arent functioning.

RELATED: WHOs dire warning of future pandemics

Sarah Govier, 44, from Whitstable, Kent in south east England, caught the virus in May and like many others lost her sense of smell.

The mum-of-two said now nearly all food smells rotten and shes lost weight because she can barely bring herself to eat some of her favourite meals.

She likens the taste of meat to floral soap or perfume, toothpaste tastes more like petrol than mint, and coffee has an odour of car fumes.

Garlic and onions reminds her of a mix of wet dog and stagnant water, while chocolate cake tastes so bad she has to spit it out.

Ms Govier, an occupational therapist, has now set up a Facebook support group where members share experiences, theories and smell training tips.

She said: Coffee tasted horrible and cleaning my teeth with toothpaste felt like brushing them with petrol it was vile!

At first, everything smelt basically the same, so coffee smelt the same as if someone was smoking or like car fumes.

RELATED: Follow our latest coronavirus updates

Her altered sense of smell means she is also hypersensitive to the pong of sweat and urine which seem to stink more than ever.

I can also smell sweat really strongly in situations where you wouldnt normally notice, like just when I get a bit hot from walking the kids to school, she said.

A small bit of perspiration in my clothes smells like rotten cabbage, and when you can smell yourself all the time you get really paranoid.

Im constantly smelling myself and asking people if I stink- I havent wanted to exercise because of the horrible smell of sweating!

RELATED: Terrifying rise of new strain

Daniel Saveski, a 24-year-old banker living in London, said he lost his sense of taste and smell for two weeks after contracting coronavirus in March, and has been suffering with parosmia since.

Mr Saveski, from West Yorkshire in northern England, said strong-smelling things like bins now have a burning, sulphur-like odour, or smell like toast.

He added: Its lessened my enjoyment of food, and its a bit depressing not being able to smell certain foods.

Lynn Corbett, an administrator for an estate agent, said she was shocked to wake up on her 52nd birthday in March with absolutely no smell or taste.

Ms Corbett, from Selsey in Sussex in south east England, said: From March right through to around the end of May I couldnt taste a thing I honestly think I could have bitten into a raw onion such was my loss of taste.

She said her sense of smell began to return in June, but nothing smelled like it should.

Most things smelled disgusting, this sickly sweet smell which is hard to describe as Ive never come across it before, she said.

She added that despite being a coffee addict before March, the drink now smells unbearable, as do beer and petrol.

Ms Corbett said: Im not sure if things will ever return to the way they were.

Im OK with it, I just think myself lucky that if I did have coronavirus, which it looks like I did, then I havent been seriously ill, hospitalised or died from it like so many others.

In October, a student lost her sense of smell and taste when she caught coronavirus and still hadnt got it back months later.

Marta Batista, 21, contracted coronavirus in March and hasnt been able to enjoy a meal or sniff anything other than rotten plastic since.

She told how food tastes like bland rubber in her mouth, and she can take no joy in eating.

Charity AbScent, which supports people with smell disorders, is now gathering information from thousands of anosmia and parosmia patients in partnership with Ent UK, the professional body representing ear, nose and throat surgeons, and the British Rhinological Society.

AbScent recommends smell training, which involves sniffing rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus oils every day for around 20 seconds for those trying to regain their sense of smell.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and is reproduced with permission

Excerpt from:
Long-term COVID patients face months of torment as food tastes and smells rotten or burnt - NEWS.com.au

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