CDC: Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco
WHAT TO KNOW Smokeless tobacco is associated with many health problems Using smokeless tobacco: Fact Using smokeless products can cause serious health problems.Protect your health; don’t start. If you do use them, quit. Addiction to smokeless tobacco Smokeless tobacco and cancer Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Many smokeless tobacco products […]
FDA: Whole Genome Sequencing: Cracking the Genetic Code for Foodborne Illness
A person commits a crime, and the detective uses DNA evidence collected from the crime scene to track the criminal down. An outbreak of foodborne illness makes people sick, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses DNA evidence to track down the bacteria that caused it. Sound far-fetched? It’s not. The FDA has […]
CDC: Preventing Mosquito Bites
KEY POINTS Protect yourself and your family Mosquitoes bite day and night. They spread germs through bites that can make you sick. Prevent illness by protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe […]
FDA: Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health
Dietary supplements may contain ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Talk with a health care professional before taking supplements. When you take prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, do you also take a vitamin, mineral, or other dietary supplement? Have you considered whether there is any danger in mixing medications and dietary supplements? […]
CDC: Tips for Maintaining Healthy Weight
KEY POINTS Why it’s important Managing your weight contributes to good health now and as you age. In contrast, obesity can lead to serious health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Food and nutrition Counting calories all the time is not necessary, but it may help to know how […]
FDA: Your Animal Is Sick. Was It Something They Ate?
Your family’s beloved pet has gotten sick, and you and your veterinarian are working together to find the cause. While there are many potential causes, one possibility you may discuss with your veterinarian is whether the illness could be linked to your pet’s food. Vet-LIRN (Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network), a program from the […]
CDC: How Food Irradiation Works
KEY POINTS Overview Food irradiation is a food safety process that uses radiation to kill germs that cause food poisoning (foodborne illness). Food irradiation is safe, and its safety and efficacy have been endorsed by federal agencies and intergovernmental organizations. How it works Food irradiation works by exposing food to ionizing electromagnetic (gamma or x-ray) radiation. Food […]
FDA: Allergens in Cosmetics
Cosmetic products (such as soaps, lotions, face and eye make up, fragrances, etc.) can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Many people suffer from allergies and anyone at any age can develop allergies. Allergic reactions are the immune system’s overreaction to substances that may otherwise be harmless. An allergen can trigger the immune system to […]
CDC: Ultraviolet Radiation
AT A GLANCE Taking steps to protect yourself from the sun is important. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to serious health issues, including cancer. Protect yourself and others from the sun with shade, a shirt, or sunscreen (SPF 15+) all year long. UV radiation Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is […]
FDA: Updates on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a disease that is highly contagious and often deadly in poultry, caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses; it is also known as bird or avian flu. HPAI viruses can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. […]