>> Sleep apnea machines: the recall aftermath
>> STD at highest rate in 3 decades
>> Dangerous cold medicine stunt
The Med & Mic™ 09.22.22
MED NEWS blog post from Dr. Maria ON Speaking, LLC
Insightful, supportive coaching to help you meet your speaking goals
Sleep Apnea Machine Backlog
People with sleep apnea await repair and replacement of the machines that keep their airways open while they sleep. Philips Respironics recalled its CPAP machines in June 2021. Foam in the devices was degrading and entering the user’s body, causing irritation, toxicity, and potentially contributing to cancer. The FDA has received more than 69,000 medical device reports and reports of 168 deaths associated with the foam breakdown. More than 5 million devices have been recalled worldwide. The company expects to complete 90% of the production and shipments of new devices to customers in 2022. In the U.S. 6 million people have a diagnosis of sleep apnea. In some cases, positional therapy and surgery could be alternative strategies for dealing with the condition. (Source: MedPage Today, J. Henderson, 9.21.22)
Alarm Over STDs
U.S. health officials are calling for new prevention and treatment efforts because of sharply rising cases of some sexually transmitted diseases. Syphilis was up 26% last year, the highest rate (16 per 100,000 people) since 1991. Also, HIV cases are up 16%. Officials hope that new approaches, such as home test kits, will make it easier for people to learn if they are infected so they can take steps to prevent spread. Efforts to increase the use of condoms will be part of the prevention plan, as well. (Source: AP, M. Stobbe, 9.19.22)
Dangerous Recipe
The FDA is warning about a dangerous social media trend: cooking chicken in NyQuill. The video challenge on Tik Tok, which targets youth, encourages people to cook chicken in a mixture of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine. Boiling medication can make it more concentrated and change its properties. Inhaling the vapors could cause high levels of drugs to enter the body. The American Academy of Pediatrics website says “Social media rewards outrageous behavior.” The organization urges parents to keep lines of communication open with their teens and to keep all over-the-counter and prescription medications locked up. (Source: CNN, S. LaMotte, 9.20.22)
The CME experience for this Blog Post / Article is powered by CMEfy - click here to reflect and unlock credits & more {$1}: https://earnc.me/EGi7YH
Like | Share | Follow | Subscribe!
Get a sneak peek at the forthcoming book – “Scoop, MD: the Doctor’s Guide to Making the Media Your Friend.” In this crisp, concise book, I answer YOUR top questions about interacting with the media. You’ll get my insight and experience in 16 easy-to-digest chapters. Sign up for weekly-ish media and speaking tips, and receive a free excerpt straight to your inbox!
Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis, or the advice of your own physician. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.