It began with prescription pain medications, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, then it was heroin followed by fentanyl. Now we’re at the beginning of the next wave of the opioid addiction evolution: 7-OH and other synthetic products. The Missouri Poison Center has been receiving an increasing number of calls about…
What’s the tobacco industry to do, since cigarette and smokeless tobacco use are declining? Surge alternative delivery systems for nicotine, that’s what! Appeal to a demographic that is easily manipulated by social media, that’s what! Following the successful footsteps of electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches have emerged as the next significant…
Parasitic infections affect millions of people globally. They have a significant negative impact on a person’s health. It is possible to have parasites, but it must be noted that it is rare in the United States to have the large, worm-like parasites portrayed on social media. “Cures” sold online may…
Your thyroid is a small gland nestled just under your skin in the front of your neck. It controls hormones that affect the way your body uses energy. An imbalance of these hormones may be helped by taking certain medicines. Missing a dose of thyroid medicine or doubling a dose…
Many mental health medications walk the line between helping those who need them and harming those who don’t. Benzodiazepines pose a risk of addiction, withdrawal, and misuse, but when taken appropriately, they reduce anxiety, can aid sleep, and help with symptoms of seizures. It’s important to know the facts about…
Nail salons are popular destinations for personal grooming. However, many nail enthusiasts are pursuing home application of complex nail treatments that previously were available only to trained, professional nail technicians. This DIY trend translates into increased risk of acute and chronic effects from exposure to the chemicals involved. The most…
Rodents are moving inside for the winter, which means trying to prevent or manage infestations. Although it may seem like purchasing rodenticides will be the fastest way to solve the problem, there are banned rodenticides circulating on the internet that may put you, your family, or your neighborhood at risk…
It’s one of those things at the back of your mind: Kids will pick up, chew, and swallow anything they can get their hands on. But it’s not until it actually happens that you find yourself asking, “Why… that?” We’re going in depth on why kids swallow some of the…
INTRODUCTION Let the buyer beware; let the doctor beware. Anything now sold as heroin is almost certainly augmented by fentanyl or replaced by fentanyl. But that’s just the beginning of the story, one that evolves every month. Not only the users of illicit drugs, but also the health care practitioners…
