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MorningMed is the best way to keep up with the world of health and medicine through curated round-ups, useful insights and other practical resources.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, as a possible carcinogen, suggesting it may have a link to cancer. However, the WHO's Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives concluded that aspartame can be safely consumed in high amounts and did not recommend changes to the acceptable daily intake. The FDA also stated that it does not agree with categorizing aspartame as a possible carcinogen and considers it safe under approved conditions.

The death of Lisa Marie Presley, which was determined to be caused by a small bowel obstruction resulting from adhesions after bariatric surgery, has drawn attention to the rare risks and long-term complications associated with the procedure. However, experts emphasize that the risks of bariatric surgery are minimal, with a low risk of death in the short term and a small percentage of patients experiencing long-term complications. Improved surgical techniques have also made the procedure safer over time, and the benefits of bariatric surgery in improving overall health outweigh the risks for many patients.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing major funding cuts, with an estimated loss of $1.3 billion due to federal debt negotiations. These cuts will directly impact state and local health departments, leading to a reduction in resources and personnel for critical public health programs. The loss of funding will have a significant impact on efforts to combat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and maintain vaccination programs, which are already facing challenges. Public health officials warn that the cuts come at a time when the need for public health support is high, jeopardizing the ability to respond effectively to infectious diseases and protect the community's health.

The White House has announced a plan to tackle the use of fentanyl laced with the animal tranquilizer xylazine, commonly referred to as "tranq dope." The goal is to reduce overdose deaths caused by this drug combination by 15% by 2025. The plan involves testing overdose patients in emergency departments and confiscated street drugs for xylazine, as well as exploring ways to prevent xylazine from entering the drug supply. Federal officials also aim to develop treatments specific to xylazine and conduct research on its effects on the human body. The plan is part of President Biden's National Drug Control Strategy to reduce overall drug overdose deaths.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the FDA to investigate PRIME Energy, an energy drink created by YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI, due to its high caffeine content and alleged targeting of children through social media marketing. Nutrition experts warn that even small doses of caffeine can have negative effects on children, and the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages their consumption of caffeinated energy drinks, which offer no health benefits and may contain excessive sugar and calories.

ER doctors weigh in on what extreme heat does to the body

Extreme heat can have severe impacts on the body, leading to organ failure and even death. Patients are arriving at emergency rooms with high body temperatures, sunburn, and in comas as a result of the intense heat.

• Cooling the body rapidly is crucial to prevent catastrophic organ failure, and prompt treatment is necessary for a successful recovery.
• It is important for individuals to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
• Specific medications — such as psychiatric drugs or diuretics for high blood pressure and beta blockers that slow the heart rate — can hide traditional warning signs that your body is in danger from overheating.

Dr. Aneesh Narang, an emergency medicine physician at Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix: “They’re coming in essentially unresponsive, and they’re cooked… you’re kind of cooking from the inside, unfortunately. If they’re in that state for a long time, your organs fail and there’s no chance for recovery. We’re still early- to mid-July, and July and August are probably our two toughest months in this area… I anticipate things will get worse, unfortunately.”

Navigating the Future of Nursing: The Power of AI-Enabled Workflows

The field of nursing is undergoing a remarkable transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare workflows. AIenabled technologies are revolutionizing nursing practices, improving patient care, and alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals. In this blog post, we will explore in detail the benefits of adapting to AI-enabled workflows for quality improvement in nursing, drawing insights from various reliable sources.

You can find more stories like these on MorningMed- a newsletter curated for HCPs to keep up with the world of healthcare and medicine through roundups, practical insights, and other useful resources.

FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S.

The FDA has approved Opill, an oral contraceptive pill, for over-thecounter sales, making it the first hormonal contraceptive pill available without a prescription in the U.S. Opill, also known as the "mini-pill," contains progestin hormone and is expected to be available in early 2024. The move is aimed at increasing access to birth control, reducing barriers, and lowering the risk of unintended pregnancies.

Key takeaways

• Opill, the first nonprescription oral contraceptive approved by the FDA, is expected to be available in stores in early 2024. It will be sold over-the-counter in drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and online.
  
  
• Pricing details for Opill have not been released yet, but the manufacturer, Perrigo, plans to ensure accessibility and affordability, including a consumer assistance program. Retailers will decide where the product is displayed in stores, and while a prescription won't be required, some pharmacists may choose to keep it behind the counter for guidance purposes.
  
  
• Since 2016, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives without a doctor's prescription. Arizona recently joined this group, allowing people 18 years and older to obtain birth control from pharmacists without a prescription. The policies vary by state, with some specifying age requirements and permitted forms of contraception. The increasing access to pharmacist-prescribed birth control is seen as a response to a shortage of primary care providers and the need to expand access to contraception in light of restrictions on abortion. Planned Parenthood also offers digital birth control prescriptions via an app in multiple states.
  

Is There a Doctor in the House?

A 39-year-old woman comes to the office because of gradually increasing shortness of breath while doing her usual household activities. She also reports fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in her chest with exertion, trouble sleeping, and the very recent onset of a rapid heartbeat and fluttering in her chest. She says, "I was always sick as a child." She does not smoke cigarettes, and she is not currently taking any medications other than occasional aspirin. Her father died of a myocardial infarction at age 55 years. She is married and has two teenaged children. She did have some shortness of breath at the end of her second pregnancy. Physical examination today shows a thin woman with an irregular pulse of 130/min. Thyroid gland is normal to palpation. There is a prominent diastolic rumble heard best over the apical area of her heart. Lungs are clear; there is no hepatomegaly or pretibial edema.

Which of the following is the most helpful diagnostic study at this time?

A study conducted by researchers at Carnegie Mellon and Texas A&M universities has found high levels of a chemical irritant called acrolein near the site of an Ohio train derailment weeks after the incident. The concentrations of acrolein detected were up to six times higher than normal levels recorded before the disaster, raising concerns about potential health risks for residents. The researchers are unsure why acrolein was present, but it could be a byproduct, or a mixture of other chemicals released during the derailment.

ER visits for children sickened from marijuana surged during the pandemic, with the biggest increase observed among children under the age of 11, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analysis revealed a 214% average increase in cannabis-related ER visits for children under 11 from 2019 to 2022. The rise in marijuana poisoning in children is likely due to accidental ingestion of edibles that are appealing to children and may be mistaken for regular snacks.

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has found that Black men face a higher risk of death from melanoma compared to other racial groups. The five-year survival rate for melanoma was the lowest for Black men at 51.7%, while white men had the highest survival rate at 75.1%. Factors contributing to the increased mortality risk for Black men may include a lack of private insurance, delayed diagnosis, and potential biological and genetic factors. Efforts are needed to address these racial disparities and improve survival rates among melanoma patients.

A new study conducted by Northwestern University reveals that women of color are driven to use harmful skin lightening products due to colorism; a system of inequality where lighter skin is considered more beautiful and socially acceptable. The study found that many respondents who used such products were unaware of the health risks associated with them. Colorism is a global issue that affects various ethnicities and has persisted due to Eurocentric beauty standards, leading people to take risks in pursuit of lighter skin. Efforts to confront and address colorism are necessary to eradicate its consequences.

Thank you for reading! More next week,

My best wishes for a productive and idea-filled week ahead. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of the patients we all serve. Please send any news, comments, suggestions and ideas to hello@morningmed.email.

Quiz answer: The correct answer is B) "ECG"

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