FDA: Safe Use of Flea and Tick Products in Pets
Flea bites may be more than an itchy annoyance to some dogs and cats. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis — an allergic reaction to proteins in flea saliva. And a pet’s constant scratching can cause permanent hair loss or other skin problems. In severe infestations, fleas feasting on your pet’s blood can lead to […]
CDC: Swimming and Your Health
KEY POINTS About Health benefits Swimming can improve mood and people report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. People are able to exercise longer in water without increased joint or muscle pain, which has been shown to be especially helpful for people with arthritis and osteoarthritis. Water-based exercise can help people with arthritis […]
FDA: Treating Cushing’s Disease in Dogs
FDA approved medications can help manage this disease that most commonly occurs in middle-aged and older dogs. Your nine-year old dog has been drinking a lot more lately and eating everything in sight. Plus, he’s losing hair and has a pot-bellied appearance. A visit to the vet and some diagnostic tests confirm that he has […]
CDC: Childhood Arthritis
KEY POINTS Overview Arthritis that develops in children is called childhood arthritis (or juvenile arthritis). Childhood arthritis begins when the immune system becomes overactive, leading to joint and body swelling. Childhood arthritis can cause pain, loss of motion, and permanent damage in the joints. Living with childhood arthritis About 220,000 U.S. children under 18 have […]
FDA: Braces Have Changed, From Metal to Tooth-Colored to Clear
Your dentist tells you that you need braces, bringing back not-so-fond memories of kids being called “metal mouth.” Take heart. Braces have evolved and new alternatives in both look and materials are available. The FDA is responsible for reviewing these devices for safety and effectiveness and, as appropriate, granting marketing authorization for the devices before […]
CDC: Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic
WHAT TO KNOW Opioid-related deaths are rising Drug overdose deaths 2021-2022 Three waves of opioid overdose deaths From 1999-2021, nearly 645,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids. This rise in opioid overdose deaths can be outlined in three distinct waves. First wave The first wave began with increased […]
FDA: What You Need to Know About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD
The FDA is working to answer questions about the science, safety, and quality of products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds, particularly CBD. Potential harm, side effects and unknowns You may have noticed that cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be available almost everywhere, and marketed as a variety of products including drugs, food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and […]
CDC: Raw Flour and Dough
AT A GLANCE Risks of raw dough Flour doesn’t look like a raw food, but most flour is raw. That means it hasn’t been treated to kill germs that cause food poisoning, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella. These harmful germs can contaminate grain while it’s still in the field or flour while it’s being made. Steps […]
FDA: Help the FDA Prevent the Sale of Tobacco Products to Young People
It’s important to keep all tobacco products out of the hands of young people. Find out how you can help. While overall smoking rates have declined over the years, youth tobacco use remains a concern. According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, in 2023 about 2.8 million youth reported current use of any tobacco product, including […]
CDC: Heated Tobacco Products
AT A GLANCE What’s the bottom line? Heated tobacco products heat processed tobacco leaf, allowing users to inhale nicotine into their lungs. Some brands of heated tobacco products permitted for sale in the United States include IQOS and Eclipse. More research is needed to understand the short- and long- term health effects of heated tobacco products. The use […]