FDA: Tianeptine Products Linked to Serious Harm, Overdoses, Death
People seeking to treat their ailments sometimes mistake a product as being safe because it’s easily available, whether online or even at gas stations. But availability is no indication of effectiveness or safety. This is especially true of tianeptine products, which have been associated with serious health risks and even death. Tianeptine, a drug, is […]
CDC: The Benefits of Physical Activity
KEY POINTS Immediate benefits By age Some benefits of physical activity for brain health happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you […]
FDA: Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe?
Little teapots with long spouts have become a fixture in many homes to flush out clogged nasal passages and help people breathe easier. Along with other nasal irrigation devices, these devices — commonly called neti pots — use a saline, or saltwater, solution to treat congested sinuses, colds and allergies. They’re also used to moisten nasal […]
CDC: Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis
KEY POINTS Signs and symptoms Active TB Disease Symptoms of active TB disease depend on where in the body the TB germs are growing. TB germs usually grow in the lungs (pulmonary TB). Active TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as: Other symptoms of active TB disease are: Symptoms of active TB disease in […]
FDA: Gardenia (Genipin) Blue Color Additive Approved While Encouraging Faster Phase-Out of FD&C Red No. 3
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it had granted Gardenia Blue Interest Group’s (GBIG) color additive petition to use the color gardenia (genipin) blue in various foods, at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice. It is the fourth color derived from natural sources approved by the FDA for use in foods in the […]
CDC: Choking Hazards
AT A GLANCE As your baby learns to chew and swallow foods, they may choke. Choking hazards can exist even after your child is feeding themselves and eating most foods. Choking prevention The way food is prepared may increase the risk of choking. For example, some foods served uncooked, whole, or in certain shapes or sizes can […]
CDC: Pink Eye – Causes and How It Spreads
KEY POINTS Causes Most common causes of pink eye are viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Less common causes include irritants such as: Viruses Bacteria Allergens Irritants How it spreads Pink eye caused by viruses and bacteria can easily spread from person to person in different ways. You can get pink eye from: Prevent getting or spreading […]
FDA: Smallpox Preparedness and Response
Fast Facts FDA’s role The FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN), and emerging infectious disease threats. The FDA’s roles in smallpox preparedness and response include: Medical countermeasures Vaccines Vaccination against smallpox before contact with the Variola virus can protect you from getting sick. Vaccination within 7 […]
CDC: Vitamin D For Infants
AT A GLANCE Vitamin D helps your child grow strong bones. All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Breast milk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs. What vitamin D does Vitamin D helps your child build strong bones and prevent rickets. Rickets is a condition of softening of […]
FDA: Ebola
The FDA is working to help expedite the development and availability of medical products – such as treatments, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and personal protective equipment – with the potential to help bring Ebola outbreaks under control as quickly as possible. Fast facts FDA’s role The FDA plays a critical role in protecting the U.S. from […]