What is Choking? No matter how old you are, many of us have felt that moment of panic when we feel something momentarily lodge in our throat while talking or laughing with food in our mouth. Mine was a piece of gum that fell down my trachea after a friend of mine told a particularly funny joke. But, choking emergencies …
Product Liability: 23andMe Genetic Testing Stopped by FDA
23andMe is well known for their personalized genetic test kits. These test kits are advertised as being able to pinpoint your vulnerability to various diseases, how you metabolize different foods, and even information about your ancestry and lineage. It works when a customer sends in a sample of their DNA (saliva) and 23andMe will run the series of tests. As …
Product Liability: Chemical in Lotion May Cause Premature Birth
In a recent study published in the medical journal ‘JAMA Pediatrics’, the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital have found a link between premature birth and common chemicals known as phthalates. Phthalates can commonly be found in lotions, perfumes, deodorants, and contaminated food or water. The study has revealed that pregnant women who …
Medical Recall: FDA Bans Heart Stress Test Drug for Death and Cardiac Arrest
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned cardiologists and physicians last Wednesday of the dangers of Lexiscan and Adenoscan. Both are injectable compounds marketed by Astellas Pharma US Inc. that aid in testing for cardiac disorders. They work by stressing the heart, allowing doctors to take photos of problematic areas due to low blood flow or damaged heart muscle. These …
Extended Use of Birth Control Pill May Increase Risk of Glaucoma
Birth control pills are a very common form of contraception and has other various uses in women’s health, but recent findings have found that there may be a link between the pill and eye disease after extended use. Eyes contain estrogen receptors, and we know the pill is a hormonal drug that affects the levels of estrogen in a woman’s …
Food Poisoning: FDA Warns of Drugs that May Make E. Coli Infections Worse
As you may recall, I blogged about Glass Onion Catering based out of Richmond, California who reported that 181,620 pounds of their product had been tainted by E. Coli. The affected foods were a series of ready-to-eat salads and lettuce wrap supplies that included fully-cooked, grilled chicken and ham. The specific strain of E. Coli is called O157:H7, and the …
Princeton Meningitis May Spark Hurried FDA Vaccine Approval
Upon entrance to a university, students are expected to have a series of vaccinations to protect themselves and others from various communicable diseases. Meningitis is included on this list of preventable ailments. However, meningitis B isn’t covered by Princeton’s, or any university for that matter, vaccination protocol. Seven Princeton students have been infected by the affliction since March of this …
Product Liability: Flamin’ Hot Snacks May Lead to Health Risk
We’ve all experienced it, a food so deliciously spicy that you can’t stop eating it. Your eyes are full of tears and your hands are freshly dusted with red residue; you can’t help but continue eating to delay the onset of the spicy pain and joy. Some products proudly advertise their tear-worthy knack for spice, but these products and similarly …
Product Liability: Johnson & Johnson to Pay $4 Billion Settlement Over Hip Implants
Johnson & Johnson plans to pay more than $4 billion because of a defective metal-on-metal hip implant. The implants have been used regularly over the past eight years by thousands of Americans. The hip implant was recalled in 2010 because they were experiencing high rates of failure. Further research found that bigger problems have arisen after their implementation. The problem …
Electronic Cigarettes – Liable Product or Safe Alternative?
In the very beginning of their popularity, people were easily spotted smoking electronic cigarettes inside restaurants and bars where traditional smoking had previously been banned. After a brief double-take, many realize that the smoker isn’t blatantly breaking the law at all, they’re using a nicotine vapor electronic cigarette. E-cigarettes have raised many issues since their invention in 2003 by Chinese …
