MRI scans are strong diagnostics with high-definition images of what lies inside a body. Strong magnetic fields require precaution, as brought out by an instance where a young woman suffered very serious injuries due to an oversight in a metallic core within a silicone sex toy that she happened to have before the MRI scan. This makes a stark reminder about the potentially deadly consequences of missing metal objects when such procedures are being performed. In April 2023, a 23-year-old woman went into an MRI with a silicone plug containing a metal core that was not known.

She thought that the item is made entirely out of silicone according to the advertising. However, the strong magnetic field of the MRI machine interacted with the hidden metal, dragging the object through her body and causing excruciating pain. According to reports from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the scene was harrowing, with the woman screaming in agony and requiring immediate hospitalization. Despite pre-scan screenings, which are routine prior to a scan, the patient did not inform the facility that the object existed because he presumed it was purely non-metallic. This caused serious injuries that led to the patient's law suit against the manufacturer for deceitful misrepresentations of material content.

MRI machines employ magnets between 0.5 to 3 Tesla (T). This is thousands of times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. The tremendous force causes ferromagnetic materials, like iron and nickel, to be magnetized quickly and become strongly attracted toward the magnet. Objects as small as hairpins or paper clips will accelerate at 40 miles per hour inside the magnetic field.

The force can lead to catastrophic injuries in items lodged within the body, such as metallic implants or foreign objects. Metallic cores within devices, like pacemakers or intrauterine devices, must be disclosed to radiologists to prevent such complications.

How Metal Objects Interact with MRI Fields?

On these claims, Dr. Adam Taylor, a specialist in human anatomy, weighed his words in a international health website and added that the distance away and mass of this object would increase its velocity towards that of sound, "The acceleration would be phenomenal, but with a metallic core, it can't go anywhere near supersonic speeds. As for the size, the magnetic acceleration to the internal soft tissues would ensure that there could be severe intracranial trauma."

The injuries inflicted in this case likely involved damage to major blood vessels, nerves, or organs, highlighting the devastating impact of even minor oversight during an MRI scan.

This is not an isolated case. There are documented cases of metallic objects causing serious damage during MRI scans with a 65-year-old man with schizophrenia swallowed metal objects, including sockets and a hinge pin. The powerful magnetic field during an MRI scan caused the objects to rupture his stomach, resulting in serious injuries.

A toddler who ingested 11 small magnets perforated his bowel while undergoing a scan, making his case unique. In another deadly but extremely rare incident, there have been people who hide a firearm on themselves during MRI procedures. Magnetic attraction can trigger a discharge in a weapon and has led to some fatal injuries.

These cases emphasize the very strong need for adequate screening and patient education prior to an MRI.

Preventing MRI-Related Incidents

Medical professionals have been trained to avoid risks. This is by properly screening a patient for metallic objects. In general, most pre-scan protocols include:

• Patients are interrogated about implants, recent surgery or exposures at work related to metals.
• Radiologists sometimes use handheld metal detectors to search for hidden items.
• People who work with metal, like welders or machinists, will need additional testing to detect microscopic metal fragments within soft tissues or eyes.

The case emphasizes the importance of product labeling by manufacturers, especially those products that are likely to unintentionally cause harm to health. The patient's assumption that her device was 100% silicone points to a larger problem in consumer markets with misinformation.

It also reminds the patients to report any possible dangers to the medical professionals, no matter how the objects look non-metallic. In sensitive cases, patients can request private discussions with healthcare providers to ensure safety without discomfort.

In the end, it is a joint effort from manufacturers, healthcare professionals, and patients that can prevent such tragedies. Manufacturers must ensure truthful marketing, while healthcare providers should educate patients about the dangers of metal objects in MRI settings. For patients, understanding the risks and actively participating in pre-scan disclosures can be lifesaving.

This young woman's experience is a sobering example of the unforeseen dangers posed by MRI machines when precautions are overlooked. It serves as a wake-up call to address gaps in patient awareness, medical protocols, and product transparency. By learning from this incident, the medical community and the public can work together to ensure MRI scans remain a safe and effective diagnostic tool.

Seven dead, over 100 people hospitalized as they drink water with sewage mixes in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. The Hindu reports that while official toll may suggest a different number, residents said that 14 people have died, and 2,500 are sick. According to a report submitted to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) by the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College on January 1, 2026, a total of 26 Indore water samples were found contaminated. The report suggests that officials took steps to clean and repair the water supply line, and began the work on a delayed, new supply line, yet the samples remain contaminated.

The first day of 2026 also brought in a notice from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), issued to Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain and asked for a detailed report on the matter in two weeks. The report which was submitted to IMC collected 70 samples from various locations in Indore, and 26 of them were found to be contaminated.

What Happened In Madhya Pradesh?

Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav reported that the seven deaths were linked to the outbreak, which occurred due to lapses in civic infrastructure. Investigation revealed that a toilet constructed directly above a main drinking pipeline near a police outpost, without a mandatory safety tank resulted in the sewage mixing with drinking water.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Kumar said, “We have found that in case of the construction of the toilet, no safety tank was constructed beneath it. We are also probing the other lapses.”

What Actions Have Been Taken So Far?

As of now, the water supply Assistant Engineer (AE) has been suspended, and the sub-engineer relieved of duty. The Zonal Officer has also been suspended for failing to ensure proper coordination. “The zonal officer has been suspended because he should have seen overall coordination,” Commissioner Kumar said.

“We have found a few chambers that intersect the distribution line. We are getting them diverted,” Kumar also noted.

While authorities take action, families grief-stricken families remain in the fear of drinking water from the locality. One of the victim's family member Jitendra Prajapat, who lost his 50-year-old sister, Seema Prajapat, recounts the horrors.

“My sister suddenly started suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea and we did not even get a chance to manage the situation. She died on the way to the hospital,” told Jitendra Prajapat to The Indian Express. “One moment she was at home, the next she was gone.”

Another victim is Manjulata, an elderly woman, whose husband said, “For the past several days, the water had been coming out dirty. We even filed complaints, but nothing was done about it. No one listened."

Authorities have stepped up efforts to contain the crisis and avert further casualties. District Magistrate Shivam Verma said the response has been extensive, with around 149 people currently hospitalised and survey teams conducting door-to-door checks. By 31 December, 2025, nearly 2,700 houses had already been covered.

The survey has been extended to other surrounding areas in Indore to check the water quality and to know whether the contamination has spread beyond Bhagirathpura, which was the initial epicentre. for precaution, ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives are also distributing oral rehydration solution (ORS) to residents.

Leading pharmaceutical companies are preparing to increase the prices of hundreds of prescription medicines in the United States, even as the Trump administration continues to push for lower drug costs.

Hundreds of Medicines Affected

Prices for at least 350 branded drugs are expected to rise, including vaccines for Covid-19 and shingles, as well as the cancer medication Ibrance. Some of these increases will take effect from January 1, according to figures shared with Reuters by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors.

Price Hikes Climb Compared to Last Year

The data indicates that planned price increases for 2026 have climbed compared to the same period last year, when drugmakers had disclosed hikes for more than 250 medicines. This year, the typical price rise is about 4 percent, roughly in line with increases seen in 2025.

US Patients Pay the Highest Costs

Patients in the U.S. continue to pay significantly more for prescription medicines than those in other developed countries, often close to three times as much, Reuters reported. Reducing these costs is something Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to address.

White House Announces New Agreements

Earlier this month, the White House said it had reached fresh agreements with nine major pharmaceutical companies to bring down prescription drug prices for Americans. The companies named were Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis, and Sanofi.

Companies Still Raising Prices

The administration said these agreements were designed to support Medicaid, which serves low-income Americans, as well as people who pay for medicines in cash. However, data from 3 Axis Advisors shows that several of the same companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, and GSK, are also planning to raise prices on certain medicines from January 1.

Expert Criticism

“These deals are being presented as game-changing, but in reality they barely touch the deeper issues that keep prescription drug prices so high in the U.S.,” said Dr. Benjamin Rome, a health policy researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, in comments to Reuters.

Pfizer Leads in Number of Hikes

Pfizer is set to introduce the highest number of list price increases, covering around 80 medicines. These include the cancer drug Ibrance, migraine treatment Nurtec, and Covid-19 therapy Paxlovid, along with hospital-used drugs such as morphine and hydromorphone. Most of Pfizer’s planned increases are under 10 percent. An exception is its Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty, which will see a price jump of about 15 percent. The company said the average list price rise for its innovative medicines and vaccines in 2026 would remain below overall inflation, describing the increases as modest.

GSK Price Hikes

GSK, based in Europe, said it plans to raise prices on roughly 20 drugs and vaccines, with increases ranging from 2 percent to 8.9 percent. The company said it remains committed to fair pricing and added that the hikes are necessary to continue funding scientific research and innovation.

The Independent has reached out to the White House and the pharmaceutical companies named by Reuters for comment on the reported price increases.

A widely used medication prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease may trigger uncomfortable side effects in some people, including nosebleeds. In England, around 5.3 million people are currently taking statins, a group of drugs designed to help bring cholesterol levels down.

What Is Atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin, sold under brand names such as Lipitor, is a commonly prescribed statin medication. Doctors use it to lower cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems, as per Mayo Clinic.

Atorvastatin: What Atorvastatin Is Prescribed For?

Atorvastatin is commonly prescribed to people with raised cholesterol, as well as those who have a family history of heart disease or long-term conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. NHS guidance explains that the medicine is usually taken as a tablet, with chewable options available for people who struggle to swallow pills.

High cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in blood vessels, increasing the risk of serious complications such as heart attacks and strokes. It is also a major factor in cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more than a quarter of all deaths in England.

Atorvastatin Possible Side Effects

While atorvastatin is effective at lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, it is not suitable for everyone. Like many medicines, it can cause side effects in some people, particularly when taken over long periods. Others may take it for years without noticing any problems at all.

People Advised To Avoid Atorvastatin

The NHS advises that atorvastatin is generally not recommended during pregnancy, as it may pose risks to a developing baby. If someone becomes pregnant while taking the drug, they are advised to stop using it and speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Alternative treatments may be offered during pregnancy. Women may also be advised to stop taking atorvastatin while breastfeeding. It is not yet clear how much of the drug passes into breast milk or whether it could cause side effects in infants.

When To Speak To A Doctor

NHS guidance stresses the importance of seeking medical advice if you are taking atorvastatin and are trying to conceive, are already pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should also speak to a doctor before taking atorvastatin if you:

• Have lung disease
• Have previously had a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain
• Have experienced muscle-related side effects from statins in the past
• Have ever had an allergic reaction to atorvastatin or another medicine
• Have a history of myasthenia gravis or ocular myasthenia
• Have an underactive thyroid
• Have ever been diagnosed with a muscle disorder, including fibromyalgia
• Regularly drink large amounts of alcohol
• Have liver or kidney problems

Disclaimer:

This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.