A few weeks ago we posted a blog entitled “Nutritional Supplements: Are the Benefits Worth the Cost?.” This week, we are shifting our focus to another population group while continuing our conversation on herbal remedies and supplements. An eye-opening study was published in the May 2011 online edition of the Pediatrics Digest regarding the administration of herbal … more
This time of year, the Illinois Poison Center’s call volume starts to increase for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons has to do with the use of pesticides in the home. Here are the top 5 most frequently asked questions about insecticides: 1. Can I use outdoor-use pesticides inside the house if I … more
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. Evolving technology, demographics, and regulatory changes are all expanding the type and scope of services that Poison Control Centers have historically provided. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the limitations of the Mr. Yuk logo; we are not “just the … more
Everyday millions of people are bombarded with radio commercials, TV infomercials, internet ads, and aggressive sales pitches touting the health benefits (many of them unproven) of nutritional supplements. Warnings about potential adverse reactions, toxicity, food/drug interactions, and other precautions are often under-emphasized or absent. It is important to note that dietary supplements are not regulated … more
What would you do if you contacted the poison center during an emergency and your call went unanswered for minutes… if not longer? Here are some real life cases, that offer just a tiny sample of the types of calls the Illinois Poison Center handles everyday:
