Clinical Research Archives - Page 2 of 5

When we think of hearts, we think of Valentine’s Day and the exchange of cards and unique trinkets shared with our family and friends. February is also American Heart Month which creates awareness about heart disease, the number one cause of death in the U.S. Every cell and organ in your body relies on a healthy cardiovascular system. So, while you’re spreading the love this month, make sure some of it’s for yourself. When you love your heart, you love your liver and overall health too.

The Heart and the Liver

The circulatory system and the heart work together to form the cardiovascular system. The heart pushes the blood through the lungs to add oxygen to it. Along with other nutrients, the oxygen-rich blood is pumped through veins and arteries to all the body’s cells and organs, which is necessary for them to function.

The Liver has hundreds of vital functions and is the only organ with two separate blood supplies. One brings blood from the heart; the other brings blood from the intestines to filter it. The liver receives up to 25% of blood from the cardiovascular system.

How They Impact Each Other

Heart disease is a term for various conditions affecting heart structure and function. For example, coronary artery disease, the most common condition, causes narrowing or complete blockage of the veins and arteries in your heart from cholesterol or plaque. This makes it difficult for blood to reach the rest of the body and the heart itself. Decreased blood flow can cause liver cells’ death, which makes it harder to function. Eventually, the liver becomes permanently scarred, ultimately leading to cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is where an abnormal amount of fat accumulates in the liver. It is one of the most common liver diseases in America. NAFLD leads to chronic inflammation of the liver that progressively damages and scars the liver, leading to cirrhosis. A compromised liver affects the heart in many ways, including:

Narrowing, enlarging, and other damage of the blood vessels from not effectively filtering the toxins from the blood.
Increased blood pressure as the liver struggles to keep up with the flow from the heart. High blood pressure can damage and weaken the heart.

The risk factors shared for both conditions include obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

Making Healthier Choices, Starting NOW

While liver and heart diseases have overlapping risk factors, most cases are preventable and respond to healthier lifestyle changes. Focusing on your health has never been more critical. During American Heart Month, we encourage every person to take the first steps towards a healthier life, including

Becoming more physically active
Eating a healthy, sensible diet low in sodium, sugar, and trans fats.
Adopting a good sleep hygiene routine ensures your body is getting enough rest.
Looking into smoking cessation programs to stop smoking.
Learning what you can do to reduce and manage stress better.

Visit the National Institutes of Health website for more information on weekly self-care ideas and other resources to help you get involved.

If you have NASH, participating in a research study is a great way to celebrate American Heart Month by prioritizing your health. To learn more about enrolling liver studies here at Arizona Liver Health, call us at (480) 470-4000 or visit our website today!

Sources:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/american-heart-month/about

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002870300825077

https://eurjmedres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2047-783X-14-12-541

You can start this year on the right foot by taking proactive steps for your health and well-being. If you’ve been diagnosed with liver disease, keeping your liver healthy is essential. It’s a new year, and it’s time to set some new liver health goals.

Fighting Liver Disease Starts with Prevention

The best way to fight liver disease is to avoid it, if possible. However, the same tips that can help reduce your risk of liver disease can also help individuals already living with it reduce complications and promote disease progression (in a good way). These include:

Weight loss plays a vital role in helping reduce fat accumulation in the liver. If you’re overweight, you could be in danger of developing a fatty liver that can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is one of the fastest-growing forms of liver disease.
Eat a sensible, well-balanced diet. Avoid high-calorie meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, and sugars. Hydration is also essential, so drink plenty of water.

Exercising consistently helps burn triglycerides for fuel and reduces fat accumulation in the liver.
Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoke and other toxins can injure liver cells.
Alcoholic beverages can create many health problems and can damage liver cells and scar your liver Talking to your doctor about what amount of alcohol is right for you can help you drink responsibly.
Taking medications incorrectly can harm your liver. Make sure to follow directions on all medications. Never take more than prescribed or mix them with alcohol.

Dedicated to Liver Health

If you are at risk or have been diagnosed with liver disease, Arizona Liver Health has resources to help. To learn more about our FREE liver scans or our enrolling liver health research studies, call us today at (480) 470-4000 or visit our website.

Sources:

https://www.hepmag.com/blog/10-proactive-steps-help-liver

https://liverfoundation.org/13-ways-to-a-healthy-liver/

At this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels like we are navigating the different levels of a video game. Except this isn’t a video game, this is real life amid the COVID-19 pandemic. When vaccines drove the infection rates down, up popped the Delta variant. Now, the COVID-19 variant Omicron is spreading at lightning speed.

Why and How Viruses Mutate

Viruses are constantly making copies of themselves to reproduce. Over time, random changes (mutations) occur in the copies. Most times, these mutations are so small that there’s no change in how the virus behaves. If enough mutations arise, a new variation or strain of the virus can emerge.

Omicron

As we are barely gaining ground on COVID-19 two years later, it’s understandable our knowledge of Omicron is minimal. We don’t yet know:

How easily it spreads
The severity of illness it causes
How well available vaccines and medications work against it

Based on the changed genetic makeup and initial observations reported in those infected, the CDC lists the following information about Omicron:

The Omicron variant likely will spread more quickly than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.
Some treatments are likely to remain effective, while others may be less effective.

Vaccinate, Get Your Booster, and Join the Fight to End COVID-19

Scientists and health officials expect that current vaccines will continue to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, it’s still possible for breakthrough infections to occur in fully vaccinated people. Vaccines have remained effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death with other variants like Delta. The emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.

Arizona Clinical Trials offers COVID-19 resources through our clinical trials. Explore your options today! Visit our website to complete the application to see if you qualify.

It’s hard to believe that we were glued to our television sets two years ago, watching the growing impact of the virus we know as COVID-19. With a second virus variation on the rise, the fight to end COVID-19 endures. Arizona Clinical Trials intends to see it through like the numerous other entities that have joined forces. Until then, we are still your COVID-19 resource center.

COVID-19 by the Numbers

More than 277 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 5 million associated deaths globally.
The United States has had more than 51 million confirmed cases and over 812,000 associated deaths.
More than 70 percent of U.S. adults are fully vaccinated with vaccines available to ages 5 and up and boosters for ages 16 and older.

What’s New

On December 16^th, the CDC made the recommendation that individuals still needing vaccination should avoid the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. This was in response to a small blood clot risk which has hospitalized 54 people and taken the lives of 9.
Researchers found the Omicron variant grows 70 times faster than the delta one in the bronchial tubes.
Officials are still uncertain how many boosters are necessary to effectively fight the virus.
Data shows deaths from COVID-19 in 2021 surpassed deaths in 2020.
Vaccine mandates prevail in some areas and meet stiff opposition in others in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. For example, a federal judge blocked a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, while the U.S Navy says that sailors forgoing the vaccine would face discharge starting in 2022.

Your Resource Center for COVID-19

Though the progress remains steady, we still need your help in the fight to end COVID-19. Arizona Clinical Trials is still offering:

FREE screenings for COVID-19 for those who are experiencing symptoms.
Potential enrollment into COVID-19 prevention and treatment trials for healthy individuals or those with symptoms of the virus. (Participants must meet all eligibility criteria)

To learn more, call us at (480) 360-4000 or visit our website today!

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/covid-19-updates#12/2/21-3:09-p.m.-PST-Biden-announces-new-COVID-19-strategy

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus-right-now-2021-03-02/

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition that encompasses excess fat accumulation, inflammation, and liver scarring, is on the rise. Multiple factors go into developing NAFLD, and it has been linked to several other conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the conditions that share a link with fatty liver disease. If you have PCOS, you need to read this.

PCOS Signs and Symptoms

PCOS is a hormone disorder affecting 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Although the cause of PCOS is not known, health experts believe that PCOS may be due to different factors working together. These factors include insulin resistance, increased levels of hormones called androgens, and an irregular menstrual cycle. Common symptoms involve:

Menstrual disorders can include absent periods, periods that infrequently occur or too frequently, heavy periods, or unpredictable periods
Infertility
Obesity
Excess hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, or upper thighs
Severe acne or acne that occurs after adolescence and does not respond to usual treatments
Multiple tiny fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries

Shared Risk Factors and Androgens

PCOS causes symptoms that are also factors we know to increase the chances of NAFLD. NAFLD can progress into the NASH stage, a more severe form of fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the stage of liver disease where chronic liver inflammation begins to damage and scar it-eventually affecting its functions.

Insulin resistance and obesity are both triggers for excess fat accumulation in the liver. In addition, prolonged exposure to high androgen levels may add to the problem. Androgens are typically referred to as male hormones and play a role in women’s health at lower levels. Growing research evidence shows, and without treatment, prolonged exposure to high androgen levels can lead to serious health consequences, such as:

Heart disease
Higher risk of liver inflammation and scarring
Increased risk for liver cancer and liver failure without transplant

With so many potential factors working together, it’s no wonder that having PCOS doubles your chances of liver disease.

While fatty liver disease is serious, it’s possible to reverse and prevent it with diet and lifestyle changes. Eating a sensible, well-balanced diet and exercising regularly will help keep your liver healthy. Along with regular monitoring, healthier lifestyle changes help not only prevent liver disease but those already diagnosed with it.

There are no FDA-approved treatments for NASH; however, potential new options are under investigation in clinical research studies. To learn more about enrolling NASH studies here at Arizona Liver Health, call us at (480) 470-4000, or visit our website today!

Sources:

https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/menstrual-abnormalities/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos

https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos

In the medical world, we are always trying to find new ways to treat all kinds of conditions. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, is a condition that we are constantly learning more about, especially in the work of clinical research. NAFLD has emerged as the most prominent cause of chronic liver disease. So what’s new in NAFLD research? Let’s find out!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

NAFLD researchers are urging the public to take care of themselves by declaring NAFLD as a public health priority. They are realizing that the general public does not possess proper knowledge of NAFLD and they desire to change that. At the Digital NAFLD Summit 2021, researchers developed a final set of 37 consensus statements and 26 recommendations. The statements addressed a broad range of topics relevant to policymakers, practitioners, civil society groups, researchers, and affected populations. They hope that these recommendations can bring major change to NAFLD basic knowledge and prevention.

Who Has a Higher Risk of Getting NAFLD?

Anyone can develop NAFLD. Unfortunately, we don’t know everything about this condition. However, clinical research has provided a lot of information about who can get it or what causes fatty liver. We do know that it is more common for people that have the following factors:

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Obesity
Middle-aged or older
Hispanic
High levels of fats in the blood
High blood pressure
Take certain drugs
Have certain metabolic disorders
Experienced rapid weight loss
Have certain infections, such as hepatitis C
Were exposed to toxins

NAFLD Treatment and Prevention

There is no medication or vaccine approved by the FDA to treat NAFLD. Fortunately, there are ways in which you can reduce or prevent fatty liver. Common suggestions from physicians include:

Losing weight
Get regular exercise
Eating a healthy diet that reduces salt and sugar intake
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, the flu, and pneumococcal disease

NAFLD clinical research is so crucial today. We need clinical trials to develop treatments for NAFLD and you can help us. Participate in clinical trials to help the advancement in medicine for NAFLD. You can sign up for our current or upcoming studies by calling us at (480) 360-4000 or visiting our website.

Sources:

https://www.healio.com/news/hepatology/20210924/six-recent-reports-from-the-digital-nafld-summit-2021

https://www.healio.com/news/hepatology/20210917/researchers-deem-nafld-a-public-health-priority

https://easl.eu/press-release/treatment-advances-for-non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease-nafld-announced-at-ilc-2021/

https://atriumhealth.org/about-us/newsroom/news/2021/04/groundbreaking-clinical-trials-for-patients-with-nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease

https://medlineplus.gov/fattyliverdisease.html

ALH_Facebook_Blog-COVID19VaccineBooster_03NOV2021_AR-1.jpg

We are a little over a month away from the first anniversary of when the first COVID-19 vaccine dose was given. Over 15 million fully vaccinated Americans later, a lot has taken place in these last 11 months. Here’s the recap from vaccines to boosters in the fight to end COVID-19.

Vaccines, Efficacy, and Age Groups

In the U.S., there are three vaccines currently in circulation. Several others are still under evaluation in clinical trials. Let’s look at the latest efficacy reports and which age groups are approved to take them:

Pfizer- BioNTech : 2 doses, 21 days apart.
- Approval Status: FDA approved in August 2021 for ages 16 and up. Emergency use authorization (EUA) for ages 5-15
- Effectiveness: Full effectiveness 2 weeks after 2^nd 91% effective at preventing COVID-19, and 89% effective in preventing severe disease.
- Approved ages: Children and adults 5 and older
Moderna: 2 doses, 28 days apart.
- Approval Status: Under EUA since December 2020.
- Effectiveness: Full effectiveness 2 weeks after 2^nd 94% effective at preventing COVID-19, and 90% effective in preventing severe disease.
- Approved ages: Adults 18 and older.
Johnson & Johnson: Single dose.
- Approval Status: Under EUA since February 2021.
- Effectiveness: Full effectiveness 2 weeks after single dose. 66% effective at preventing COVID-19, and 85% effective in preventing severe disease.
- Approved ages: Adults 18 and older.

Boosters

Being vaccinated is still possibly the most important way we can get past the COVID-19 pandemic. As more time passes, we continue to learn more about whether or not booster doses would be beneficial. It’s important to mention, boosters are not a new idea and do not mean anything is wrong with the vaccine. If vaccine immunity wanes after some time, a booster helps prolong protection. Several routine immunizations require booster doses, these include chickenpox, tetanus, diphtheria, and mumps.

The CDC recommends a booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine 6 months after the last dose for people 65 and up. In addition, it covers residents of long-term care settings, people 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions, and those whose work may put them at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. People with certain immunocompromising conditions can get a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines two months after completing their 2^nd dose. CDC interim guidelines recommend moderately and severely immunocompromised people who received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine get a second dose of either an mRNA or J&J vaccine at least two months after their initial shot.

Help Us End COVID-19

The fight to end COVID-19 is still ongoing. Here at Arizona Liver Health, we are looking for individuals to join COVID-19 studies looking into potential new options. We offer FREE COVID-19 testing and provide other study opportunities for healthy individuals and those diagnosed with COVID-19. Call us today to learn more at (480) 360-4000, or visit our website.

Sources:

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison

ALH_Facebook_Blog-LiverAwarenessMonth_06OCT2021_AR-1.jpg

The liver is one of the most vital organs in our bodies. It is impossible to survive without the life-sustaining functions it provides. Understandably, how well we take care of our liver impacts its ability to function properly. National Liver Awareness Month is an annual designation occurring in October to create awareness around liver health. By giving it the attention it deserves, we can stay healthy for as long as possible.

Why the Liver is Important

The liver is the second largest organ in your body and is located right under your rib cage on your right side. Your liver processes what you consume and breaks it down into nutrients your body uses. It also:

Cleans your blood of toxins
Gives you energy
Produces bile for digestion

Causes of Liver Disease

There are over 100 different diseases that can damage the liver. Nevertheless, most damage the liver in similar ways and follow the same progression. The common causes of liver disease include:

Viruses
Genetics
Autoimmune disease
Excessive abuse of alcohol
Unhealthy diet and obesity
Medication side effects, illegal drugs, or toxic chemicals

National Liver Awareness Month

Liver disease affects from 50 million to 100 million individuals globally. Numerous diseases pose an increasing concern, such as liver cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and hepatitis. Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America. Despite the growing prevalence, there is hope. With early detection and treatment, the progression can be stopped or reversed. Those at risk of developing liver disease can also potentially prevent its onset.

Start taking care of your liver today. You can celebrate National Liver Awareness Month by taking some simple steps towards liver health, such as:

Work towards achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Eat healthier by avoiding high-calorie meals, refined carbohydrates like white bread/enriched flour, and eat a good amount of fiber.
Exercise regularly up to 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes a day.
Use alcohol responsibly.
Avoid using drugs.
Follow prescribed directions on all your medications.
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.

Are you concerned about your risk of liver disease? Arizona Liver Health can help! We offer FREE liver scans using fibroscan technology for adults at risk of developing liver disease. A fibroscan is a quick, painless way to determine liver health. Individuals whose results indicate the presence of liver disease will also have an option to learn more about our enrolling liver research studies. Schedule your appointment today! Call us at (480) 470-4000, or visit our website for more details and online request form.

Sources:

https://nationaltoday.com/national-liver-awareness-month/

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-liver-awareness-month-october/

https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/

COVID-19 has affected the lives of millions of people around the world since late 2019. You can also be asymptomatic, meaning you have no symptoms but still are carrying the virus. With this in mind, a lot of people have been asking themselves if they have already had the virus because some of the symptoms are similar to the common cold. We’ve come up with a list of signs and symptoms that could indicate whether you may have already had COVID-19 without realizing it.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Unfortunately, there’s no way to be 100% certain whether the bad cold you developed last season was COVID-19, but here are some possible signs that you may have already had coronavirus.

Cough – Do you have a cough that won’t go away? The CDC reported over 40% of people experienced a dry cough for weeks after having COVID.
Fatigue – Fatigue is one of the biggest lingering effects after COVID-19.
New loss of taste or smell – Loss of taste or smell is a hallmark symptom of COVID. While it’s possible to experience this with other respiratory illnesses, If you experienced this at any point, you may have had COVID-19.
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing – Lasting inflammation in the lungs can be cause for shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
Other symptoms that are all associated with COVID-19 include body aches, stuffy nose or runny nose, fever or chills, headache, and sore throat.

Testing for COVID-19

In addition to knowing the symptoms of COVID-19, you should know the various tests available for the virus. There are two forms of testing for COVID-19: a viral test or an antibody test. The viral test shows if you currently are carrying the virus. The antibody test shows any past exposure to COVID-19. An antibody test is not recommended to assess immunity after a COVID-19 vaccination. Click here to learn more about testing for COVID-19 and to find out where you can get tested at a testing site near you.

Please note that just because you may have had these symptoms, does not mean you had COVID-19. The only sure way of knowing is by undergoing testing specifically for the COVID-19 virus. If you believe you might have COVID-19, FREE testing is available at Arizona Clinical Trials. If you know that you have COVID-19, consider looking into clinical trials that may be an option.

Clinical trials are important for the future of overcoming COVID-19. Participating in a COVID-19 clinical allows you to be a part of history. Helping evaluate future treatments for COVID-19 is vital to improving the lives of those living with this virus. Are you interested in COVID-19 clinical trials or getting a free COVID-19 test? Learn more by clicking here.

Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/sure-signs-you-ve-already-had-covid#signs

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