(NewsUSA) - Persistent migraines and cluster headaches disrupt the lives, careers, and families of many people who struggle to find relief from debilitating pain. Migraine is one of the world's most common health conditions, affects roughly 39 million people in the United States, making it the sixth most prevalent illness in the world according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation's Global Burden of Disease study. In addition, recent studies on symptoms of "long-haul" Covid-19 states that migraine is a common long-term effect of the illness.

Common symptoms of migraines include a throbbing pain or pulsing sensation on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Medications can provide some relief, but many come with side effects that can be as bad as the headaches themselves, and invasive procedures carry additional risks for complications

Few effective options are available for migraine and cluster headache sufferers. Some patients try non-traditional therapies such as biofeedback, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, and herbal remedies, but success is limited, according to research.

However, evidence suggests that stimulation of the vagus nerve, a large nerve that helps the body regulate pain, can provide relief from migraines and cluster headaches.

The benefits of vagus nerve stimulation are especially notable for populations seeking safe, simple, drug-free treatments, such as adolescents and veterans.

"Over time, we have learned about the incredible power of the vagus nerve," says Peter Staats, MD, chief medical officer at the National Spine and Pain Centers and chief medical officer of electroCore, the makers of the gammaCore device.

"We achieved a technical breakthrough in 2010 when we developed the ability to administer vagus nerve stimulation non-invasively by delivering a proprietary signal through the skin to either the right or the left branches of the vagus nerve in the neck," he says.

Kerrie Smyres began using gammaCore in June 2016. With it, she went from getting a migraine attack every time she ate to being able to eat anything she wanted without an attack. "I was also able to go from barely working to working full-time and have been able to stop taking all my preventive migraine medications and rarely use abortive medications."

The gammaCore Sapphire™is a handheld, non-invasive device that uses gentle electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve. The device, which has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment and prevention of migraines and cluster headaches, is available with a doctor's prescription.

Using the device is a simple, three-step process that patients can do at home or on the go. First, find the spot on your neck near your pulse to activate the vagus nerve. Next, apply the accompanying gel to the stimulation surfaces, turn it on, and place it on the neck. Finally, adjust the intensity to a comfortable level, holding in place for a 2-minute stimulation.

For more details, please visit gammaCore.com. A Headache Discussion Guide may be helpful to share with your healthcare provider.

gammaCore Sapphire™ (nVNS) is indicated for use in adult patients for the preventive treatment of cluster headache, the acute treatment of pain associated with episodic cluster headache, and the acute and preventive treatment of migraine in adolescent (age 12 and older) and adult patients.

Important Safety Information

• The effectiveness of gammaCore has not been established in the acute treatment of chronic cluster headache
• gammaCore is contraindicated for patients if they:
  • Have an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, hearing aid implant, or any implanted electronic device
  • Have a metallic device, such as a stent, bone plate, or bone screw, implanted at or near the neck
  • Are using another device at the same time (e.g., TENS Unit, muscle stimulator) or any portable electronic device (e.g., mobile phone)
• Safety and efficacy of gammaCore have not been evaluated in the following patients:
  • Patients diagnosed with narrowing of the arteries (carotid atherosclerosis)
  • Patients who have had surgery to cut the vagus nerve in the neck (cervical vagotomy)
  • Pediatric patients (younger than 12 years)
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with clinically significant hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, or tachycardia

Please refer to the gammaCore Instructions for Use for all of the important warnings and precautions before using or prescribing this product available at gammaCore.com.

(NewsUSA) -Memorial Day is approaching, and this year there is something simple that everyone can do to honor past and present military personnel -- wear or display a red poppy.

The simple red poppy flower has symbolized military sacrifice since World War I, but National Poppy Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) got its start in 2017 by an act of Congress.

The choice of the poppy was inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Fields," written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front line in World War I in Europe. Since then, the poppy has become a symbol to raise awareness and recognize the sacrifices of military personnel and their families.

The American Legion, the nation's largest veterans service organization that includes nearly 2 million members worldwide, adopted the poppy as the official memorial flower in 1920, and began a national poppy distribution program associated with Memorial Day in 1924.

"National Poppy Day is a time to honor every member of the Armed Forces who died in the name of liberty, freedom and democracy," says James W. Oxford, national commander of The American Legion.

"Wearing this symbolic red flower shows your support of veterans for generations to come."

Everyone can participate in National Poppy Day. Wear a poppy or a poppy-themed item, such as a pin, t-shirt, bracelet or a poppy sticker, and tell people what it means. Share poppies with friends, family and colleagues. Accept a poppy and make a donation if you see members of The American Legion Family distributing poppies.

"Each year, members of the American Legion Family, led by the American Legion Auxiliary, distribute poppies with a request for a donation," says Nicole Clapp, national president of The American Legion Auxiliary.

"All donations received are then used by The American Legion Family to support the future of local veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs."

This year, National Poppy Day takes place on Friday, May 28.

For those on social media, share your military stories or poppy photos, and use the hashtag, #PoppyDay #LegionFamily.

Visit poppydayusa.org for more information about National Poppy Day, to purchase poppy-themed items, or to donate to The American Legion.

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"A masterful storyteller." -Sacramento Bee

"One of the 21st Century's most exciting authors." -Washington Times

"Mike Bond's books are a national treasure." -Art Zuckerman, WVOX

Bestselling author Mike Bond is best known for his thrillers. His "Pono Hawkins" series, along with his novels of international espionage and military action, have garnered him much critical acclaim over the years.

Then he surprised us in 2018 with a volume of poetry, "The Drum that Beats Within Us," which spanned a wide range of subjects, from breathtaking studies of wilderness and the natural world, to the intimate corners of the human heart, and outward into life's biggest existential questions.

Mike Bond has done it again, focusing his formidable talents on yet another genre: the historical novel. "America" (Big City Press) is the first of a planned seven-volume series "capturing the transformations and heartbreaks of the last 70 years, and of our nation's most profound upheavals since the Civil War -- a time that defined the end of the 20th Century and where we are today." It's a wildly ambitious project.

FOUR FRIENDS SWEPT INTO TURBULENCE OF THE 1960s

Set in the '60s around Nyack, NY, four kids from disparate backgrounds grow up together.

Troy, an orphan living at the local Boy's Home, luckily meets Mick, who has a happy home life on a farm with his parents and sister Tara. He is later adopted by Mick's family. Tara, Mick's little sister and the girl Troy grows to love, takes off to become a rock star, mostly singing the blues like a young Janis Joplin.

Troy eventually joins the service, with his goal to explore the world of flight and outer space, encouraged by an exuberant and idealistic young president aiming to get us to the moon. Mick becomes a rebel who questions the war in Vietnam. His girlfriend Daisy ends up moving away with her abusive father and a mother who is brutalized every day. She escapes to join the Peace Corps and eventually to study the human mind.

America brings to mind classic coming-of-age masterpieces such as "Look Homeward, Angel" by Thomas Wolfe. The characters are so vivid and alive, you think you're reading about old friends and recalling fond memories of youth.

These are young people transformed by their times, by the emergence of the pill and sexual liberation, drugs and, of course, rock music. They are both witness and catalyst as America evolves from a post-World War II nation to a place where women's rights, civil rights, riots, soul searching, burning cities and bra-burning shake the country's cultural and political foundations to the core.

We now wonder if this generation had any impact in changing America for the better in the '60s, or if its struggles continue today, evolved but not solved. Think Black Lives Matter, the Women's March on Washington and the environmental movement. We wonder if the youth of today will have to fight the same fights for the same rights all over again. It would behoove them to read this book.

BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

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As we begin to transform to a “more normal life,” many of us are still expected to continue the trend of working from home in 2021 and beyond. However, working remotely doesn’t mean you need to compromise your work performance. Tech Expert Marc Saltzman and the KillerApps.com website recently partnered with brands that can help turn your home office into a more productive workspace. Let’s go through the numbers.

1. HP ZBook Firefly G8

Starting with a PC. The Z by HP PC line provides high performance laptops, desktops, displays, and solutions to power your next creative breakthrough. HP ZBook Firefly gives office power users and creators the performance and reliability to run professional apps, preventing the slowdowns and crashes of their previous business laptop – all in an incredibly thin and light design. HP’s lightest ZBook provides true mobility for those who push typical business PCs past the breaking point. For more information, visit www8.hp.com/us/en/workstations/zbook-firefly.html.

2. eero Pro 6

Moving to Wi-Fi in your home, the eero Pro 6 brings a fast, reliable, secure internet connection to your home office so you won’t need to worry about buffering or dead zones again. It works with your existing internet service to cover up to 6,000 square feet, bringing Wi-Fi to every corner of your home. Its TrueMesh technology intelligently routes network traffic to avoid congestion, buffering, and drop-offs so customers can video conference, stream in 4K and play games with ease. The eero Pro 6 can support more than 75 devices simultaneously to keep your whole-home connected. For more information, visit www.eero.com.

3. HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e

And you’ll need a quality and reliable printer. HP’s OfficeJet Pro 9015e all in one wireless printer is a smart choice. Made from recycled plastic, OfficeJet Pro is perfect for shared home offices doing a range of print tasks while working, learning and creating. With the HP+ smart printing system, this printer keeps itself up to date, secure and is always ready to print from virtually anywhere at any time. And with HP+, get 6 free months of Instant Ink, an extra year of HP warranty, and peace of mind knowing HP will plant trees and protect forests in equal measure for every page printed. For more information, visit www.HP.com/plus.

4. T-Mobile Tuesdays

Let’s not forget our smartphones. Many people know that T-Mobile customers can get free stuff and discounts from popular brands every week via T-Mobile Tuesdays, just for being a part of the T-Mobile family. But now, and every week, millions of Metro by T-Mobile customers can also get thanked with free stuff and exclusive offers from some of today’s most popular brands, like Pandora, Dunkin’, Popeyes, Shell, Redbox, Booking.com and more! For more information, visit www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-tuesdays.

5. Shure MV5C Home Office Microphone

And don’t underestimate the importance of great audio for work at home. The Shure MV5C Home Office Microphone is designed for professionals, students, and teachers who require pristine, studio-quality audio for important video calls and meetings. Unlike laptop microphones that can pick up every sound in the room, the Shure MV5C is a directional microphone that prioritizes the user’s voice, not the environment. Set up is intentionally simplified, so anyone can unbox, plug it into a computer, and that’s it.  For more information, visit www.shure.com/MV5C.

Head over to KillerApps.com for everything covered and more tech roundups. 

(NewsUSA) - As the approach of warmer weather draws more COVID-19-weary people outside, the allure of being in nature and out on the water is inspiring a boom in the fishing boat business. Regular fishermen and novices are eager to get out and enjoy the challenge and contemplation that comes with pond and lake fishing.

But, this type of fishing presents some barriers. To really go where the fish are in a pond or lake setting, a small fishing boat is essential, and the right boat can get you on your way to a wonderful, "one with nature," experience.

Many current boat styles used for lake and pond fishing have certain disadvantages. Motors can get caught in vegetation, and deeper draft boats can't navigate shallow coves.

The Twin Troller, however, is an innovative small water fishing craft distinct from other boats on the market because it's designed specifically to address the criteria for successful pond and lake fishing. Here's how:

- Maneuverability. The Twin Troller carries two electric motors that are recessed within the boat's hull, eliminating the risk of a motor getting damaged on rocks or tangled in branches, weeds or other debris in shallow water. The in-hull propulsion allows quiet operation, shallow draft, and a 360-degree turning radius. In addition, foot pedal controls allow for a completely hands-free navigation experience, with no paddling required.

- Safety. The Twin Troller is lightweight and easy to handle. The flat-bottom design and strong sides offer maximum stability, without the tipping risk associated with jon boats, canoes, or kayaks, and anglers of all ages and flexibility levels can step in and out easily.

- Comfort. Nothing spoils a day of fishing faster than a stiff back or sore bottom from sitting on an uncomfortable boat bench. The Twin Troller features an elevated and padded seat so you focus on fishing.

"Freedom Electric Marine is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for small water fishing enthusiasts through our high-performance Twin Troller boats," says founder Frank Jones.

Angier, N.C.-based Freedom Electric Marine was founded in 2007 by Jones, an avid fisherman who saw a niche in the market for a small electric motorcraft and assembled a team to help create one. The Twin Troller is manufactured in Madison, Indiana and ships to all 50 states.

For more information about optimizing your small water fishing experience, visit freedomelectricmarine.com.