Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1At3zmrTEq/

It’s been 2 years since the FDA approved the drug semaglutide, branded as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus,  for weight management, and about 6 weeks since it approved tirzepatide, branded as Zepbound and Mounjaro.  As more of us take these drugs, and we all know many who do, a raft of medical complications have begun to surface.  You should be aware of them and the need to self-monitor with greater awareness of your body’s signals.

First and most important:  If you’re anticipating a general anesthetic for any procedure, consult your anesthesiologist at least a month in advance.  You’ll likely need to pause these weight drugs in advance as they delay stomach emptying and trigger vomiting which can be devastating if not lethal during anesthesia induction.

What about other complications? Nausea and vomiting can occur without anesthesia again due to slow stomach emptying.  Constipation and diarrhea also occur.  Then there are also more serious gastrointestinal complications.  A Canadian study showed increased risks of pancreatitis and gall bladder disease.

Then there may be psychological complications.  Patients taking these drugs report depression and suicidal ideas and actions.

A potential long-term risk may be thyroid cancer, and patient on these drugs should be monitored closely for this.

Then, the greatest risk.  Once you stop these drugs, often the weight piles back on.  The only sure way to lifelong weight control, is the combination of eating moderation and exercise.

Use of the GLP-1 agonist drugs, semaglutide and tirzepatide, leads to remarkable weight losses.  As with all medical and surgical therapy, they are double-edged swords.  Being forewarned is being prepared.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812192

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2810542

#dietdrugs #obesity #semaglutide #tirzepatide #anesthesia #gastrointestinal #thyroid #depression #suicide

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Auu-GrE5_/

Congenital syphilis, that is babies born with this dread disease, has surged 7-½ fold over the past decade.  The CDC announces this frightening statistic as it reminds all of us, pregnant women and the medical teams that care for them, that fetal and newborn syphilis is completely preventable.  

This disease occurs in pregnant women and the babies they carry due to multiple missed medical opportunities in 88% of cases.  Thirty-seven percent of women were never tested at the outset of pregnancy and 40% of the already infected received inadequate treatment.  For those developing syphilis while pregnant, two-thirds received inadequate therapy.

In-utero syphilis triggers miscarriages and stillbirths.  Babies born with it suffer skin lesions, dental deformities, failure to thrive, meningitis, seizures, intellectual disabilities, blindness, and deafness.

If you’re pregnant or thinking about it, don’t do this to your baby.  Make certain you’re tested before getting pregnant or as soon as you know that you are.  If you think you’ve been exposed later in pregnancy, get tested.  The treatment is the oldest and most common antibiotic: penicillin.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7246e1.htm?s_cid=mm7246e1_w

https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/congenital-syphilis

#syphilis #congenital #pregnancy #penicillin

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C1At3zmrTEq/

Parents who have already or will be vaccinating their infants and children this winter are in the majority for the flu and RSV, and an increasing percentage will also vaccinate against CoVid. The latest Texas A&M national online survey of more than 5,000 parents come the findings that 71% will vax against RSV, 63% will vax against influenza, and at least 40% will vax against CoVid.

This heartening data comes as the CDC reports frightening low vaccination rates for these 3 diseases.  Only 16% of older adults, the largest target group for the RSV vaccine, have received it.  A similar or lower figure applies to pregnant women whom the CDC say should receive the vaccine during their 3rd trimester so they can pass antibodies to their babies via the placenta.

For influenza, only 36% of adults and children have already been vaccinated this season.  For CoVid, the vaccination percentages are an abysmal 17% for adults and 8% for children.

It is a fundamental principle of public health that everyone be vaccinated against these highly contagious and dangerous respiratory diseases in order to provide wrap around coverage for all.  In our free society, you do have a choice, but the patriotic thing to do is to get yourself and your kids vaccinated.  That’s the greatest gift you can give this holiday season to everyone around you and particularly to those most in need: our youngest, oldest, and immunologically weakest. 

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X23013038?via=ihub

https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00503.asp

#vaccination #respiratory #influenza #RSV #CoVid #herdimmunity #publichealth

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yLKLOr0eT/

The FDA and Lara’s Bakery 3, LLC are recalling Pan de Racho, Panque, and Pan Surtido as these pastries contain undeclared sesame seed, coconut, soy, wheat, milk, and egg.

These pastries were sold in Iowa and Wisconsin.

If you have any of these pastries at home, you can obtain a refund by calling  Lara’s Bakery at 1-641-752-0152 or by visiting the bakery’s Marshalltown IA location.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/laras-bakery-3-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-sesame-seed-coconut-soy-wheat-milk-and-eggs-pan

#larasbakery #pastries #sesame #coconut #soy, wheat #milk #egg #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yKhIMLHX3/

The FDA and New India Bazar have recalled Maggi 2 Minute Noodles since this product contains undeclared peanut allergen.  Affected at lots with codes 31159939CA and 4354M56

These noodles have been sold by New India Bazar stores in California.  If you bought these noodles, return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.  For more information, call 1-408-942-1770.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/allergy-alert-undeclared-peanut-maggi-2-minute-noodles

#maggi #noodles #peanuts #allergy #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yJ0k8resR/

The FDA and the Global Veg Corp. are recalling all lots and codes of its 5 lb packages of “AVIATOR brand Sundried Tomato Halves”, Lot#060923/1 due to undeclared sulfites.

If you, your family members, or visitors to you household have sulfite allergies, return this product to the place of purchase for a refund.  For more information, call Global Veg at 1-201-367-0517.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/consumer-alert-global-veg-corp-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-sundried-tomato-halves

#aviator #sundriedtomatohalves #sulfites #allergies #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yJNIqrkEN/

The CPSC and Softfunch Inc. now recall Foiresoft Zebra Roller Blinds as their looped operating cords create a strangulation hazard for children.

About 9500 blinds were sold on amazon.com.

Take these blinds down and contact Softfunch Inc. at 1-800-518-4391 or via email at [email protected] to receive a full refund.  You must provide an emailed photo showing the destroyed product with cut cords.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Foiresoft-Zebra-Roller-Blinds-Recalled-Due-to-Strangulation-and-Entanglement-Hazards-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Softfunch-Recall-Alert

#foiresoft #zebrarollerblinds #cords #strangulation #recall

Plugs

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yIefGLjOL/

The CPSC and Oreck now recall, or Oreck Discover Upright Vacuums. These appliances have electric cord plug prongs that tend to detach and remain in the electrical outlet when the vacuum is unplugged creating electrical shock hazards for users and bystanders.

About 6200 of these upright vacuums were sold nationwide at independent Oreck dealers and online at acmetools.com, amazon.com, homedepot.com, and oreck.com.

Immediately stop using these recalled vacuums and contact your local Oreck dealer or Oreck at 1-888-383-7000 to receive instructions on obtaining a free repair.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Oreck-Discover-Upright-Vacuums-Recalled-by-TTI-Floor-Care-Due-to-Electrical-Shock-Hazard

#oreck #vacuum #plugs #shock #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yHylCLA5-/

The CPSC and Security Equipment Corp. now recall SABRE Aim & Fire Pepper Gel Spray with Training Canisters since these canisters lack the red nozzle on the valve stem required in order to supply pepper spray to pistol dispensers when needed.  

About 4,000 of these canisters were sold a sporting goods stores nationwide and online at amazon,.com.

Stop using these canisters and contact the Security Equipment Corporation at 1-800-325-9568 or email them at customer support@sabredred.com.  You will receive instructions regarding receipt of a free replacement product in the firm will supply a free shipping label for product return.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Security-Equipment-Recalls-SABRE-Aim-Fire-Pepper-Gel-Spray-Canisters-Due-to-Failure-to-Operate-in-an-Emergency

#sabre #pepperspray #canisters #valve #malfunction #recall

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C0yG2tcLp51/

The CPSC and Nap Queen are recalling Nap Queen 12-inch Maxima Hybrid Mattresses as they fail to meet the federal flammability standards for mattresses creating fire and burn hazards.

About 1540 of these mattresses were sold at Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Overstock.com.

Immediately discontinue sleeping on these mattresses.  Contact Nap Queen at 1-866-387-6239 to receive a free fitted flame-resistant cover that brings it in compliance with federal flammability standards.

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Nap-Queen-Maxima-Hybrid-Mattresses-Recalled-by-Adven-Group-Due-to-Fire-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Flammability-Standard

#napqueen #mattress #flammability #fire #burns #recall