CDC: Prevent Drowning

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Drowning is a major public health issue that can be prevented. You can prevent drowning. Learn basic swimming and water safety skills Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water. Build fences that fully enclose pools Construct and […]

FDA: Ask your Doctor Before Taking Opioids

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Every patient should ask questions when getting a new prescription. This is especially important when your doctor, dentist or other health care professional prescribes you an opioid pain medicine, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine. Opioid medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can be used to treat certain kinds of acute and chronic […]

CDC: When to Seek Help for Memory Loss

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We’ve all been there before. We can’t find our keys or remember what we went into the next room to get. But when memory loss starts to interfere with your daily life and is happening more often, it could be a sign of something more. Know when to seek help Memory loss that is getting […]

FDA: Get the Facts! Raw Pet Food Diets can be Dangerous to You and Your Pet

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In a two-year study spanning from October 2010 through July 2012, the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) screened over 1,000 samples of pet food for bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. (The illnesses are called “foodborne” because the bacteria are carried, or “borne,” in or on contaminated food.) The study showed that, compared to other […]

CDC: What is Heat Stress?

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Heat stress can affect many outdoor and indoor workers. To prevent heat-related illnesses (HRI) and injuries, employers should develop and use a comprehensive heat-related illness prevention program at the workplace. In occupational settings, heat stress is the combination of the heat your body produces (metabolic heat), environmental factors (for example, temperature and humidity), and clothing and personal […]

FDA: What’s in a Name? What Every Consumer Should Know About Foods and Flavors

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Many foods or beverages are flavored—but how can you tell where those flavors come from? For example, if you’re digging into a bowl of cereal that has the word “maple” on the package, and even images of maple leaves, you may think you’re eating a product that contains maple syrup. But not so fast—the taste […]

CDC: Data Show Improvements in Youth Mental Health but Need for Safer and More Supportive Schools

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New CDC data released highlight improvements in mental health among some United States teens, including decreases in the percentage of students feeling persistently sad or hopeless. However, the report also highlights concerning increases in the percentage of teens reporting experiences of school-based violence and absenteeism due to safety concerns. This report provides a detailed analysis of the […]

FDA: Apetamin — An Illegally Imported Weight Gain, Figure Augmentation Product

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviewed several incidents of serious adverse events associated with the use of Apetamin, which is being marketed illegally for weight gain and figure augmentation. Apetamin is not an FDA-approved product. It is manufactured overseas and illegally imported into the U.S. Although the FDA restricted importation of Apetamin, the product […]

CDC: Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Caffeine

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Why it’s an issue Drinks that have both alcohol and caffeine can cause harm. Caffeine is a substance that makes people feel alert. However, when used with alcohol, caffeine does not reduce the effects of alcohol on your body. Health risks Drinking alcohol that is mixed with caffeine can make you drink more, which could […]

FDA: Should You Give Kids Medicine for Coughs and Colds?

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Although most colds in children don’t cause serious complications, they can cause stress and worry in parents and caregivers. It’s understandable that you might want to give your child medicine to treat a cold. But most children will get better on their own, and cough or cold medicine will not change the natural course of […]