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.
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.
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:
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.
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V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, has revealed that he has been dealing with hearing loss in one ear for about two and a half years.
V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, opened up about the condition for the first time during a livestream amid the band's highly anticipated world tour.
"If the hearing in my left ear is at 100, it's only about 30 in my right," V said.
The 30-year-old singer said his hearing became worse while he was serving in the military. However, he initially ignored the problem, believing it was "a matter of mental strength," BBC reported.
He said he is now taking medication and visiting the hospital regularly.
V also admitted to pushing through pain during BTS' current tour, revealing that he is dangerously close to developing a stress fracture in his leg.
“My shin is right at the point just before a stress fracture. Even today on stage, my heart was set on running around, but it hurt too much at points and I couldn’t," he was quoted as saying by Channel News Asia.
Doctors have warned him about inflammation and early bone damage.
“It hasn’t reached a stress fracture yet, but there’s a lot of inflammation in my shin, and I think there’s some microdamage to the bone. I’ll be careful with myself so I can finish this tour properly,” he added.
BTS is currently halfway through its massive Arirang world tour, which will stop in Singapore in December and conclude in the Philippines in March 2027.
Hearing loss can happen when any part of the ear is not working in the usual way. This includes:
Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. According to the WHO, more than 1.5 billion people—nearly 20% of the world's population—live with some degree of hearing loss. Of these, approximately 430 million people have disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation.
Hearing loss can have a significant impact on a person's life, affecting education and job prospects.
Hearing loss can occur at any time during life. Causes can range from genetic factors to conditions such as Down syndrome or Usher syndrome.
Other factors include:
To help prevent hearing loss in adults:
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Union Health Minister JP Nadda was admitted to AIIMS Delhi after experiencing uneasiness and underwent tests, including a coronary angiography. The hospital, in a statement, said he is stable and under observation in the cardiology department.
The 65-year-old minister was admitted on August 13 after experiencing uneasiness. He underwent tests, including coronary angiography.
“JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, was evaluated for uneasiness with tests including a coronary angiography on the evening of 13th August 2026. He is currently stable and admitted for observation in the Dept of Cardiology,” AIIMS said in a statement.
Heart problems do not always cause obvious symptoms. While common symptoms include chest pain or pressure, palpitations, and breathing difficulties, reduced blood flow to the heart can sometimes present with subtle signs or no symptoms.
Possible warning signs include:
Coronary angiography is a test used to check the blood vessels supplying the heart for narrowing or blockages.
A thin catheter is usually inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin. Contrast dye is injected, and X-rays are used to visualize the coronary arteries.
Doctors may recommend coronary angiography for:
Regular checkups can help detect heart disease early and monitor risk factors such as:
Regular monitoring can help detect changes early and support timely action to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.
Regular heart checkups are particularly important for people who:
Depending on individual risk factors, a heart checkup may include:
Additional tests, such as CT coronary angiography or specialized cardiac biomarkers, may be recommended in some cases.
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Sixty-two deaths in Australia have been reported to the medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with suspected associations with GLP-1 medicines, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
The TGA has also received reports of nearly 3,000 serious adverse events involving these medicines, which are used by hundreds of thousands of Australians, The Herald Sun reported.
Reported adverse reactions include nausea, pancreatitis, suicidal thoughts and a rare eye condition that can cause blindness.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, used for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for weight management, had the highest number of reported deaths with suspected associations.
Other medicines with reported suspected associations include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide). These drugs are approved to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both.
The reported deaths included:
The TGA states that adverse-event reports alone cannot determine how common a reaction is or be used to directly compare the safety of different medicines. The regulator also said the benefit-risk profile of these medicines remains positive when they are appropriately used for approved indications and in intended patients.
The TGA recently updated warnings for some GLP-1 medicines concerning non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare but serious eye condition.
Product warnings across the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class have been updated because of the potential association with the disorder.
NAION can cause permanent visual impairment, including blindness. The TGA notes that no treatment has been shown to improve visual acuity outcomes in people who develop the condition.
GLP-1 RA medicines are prescription drugs used primarily to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. Thus, the TGA urged patients not to stop treatment on their own.
“These are prescription medicines, so people taking them should discuss benefits, risks and side effects with their healthcare professional rather than stopping or changing treatment based on headlines alone,” the TGA said.
The Australian reports come amid safety monitoring of GLP-1 medicines in other countries. At the same time, clinical evidence has shown important health benefits from some GLP-1 medicines, including reductions in cardiovascular risk and, in certain populations, overall mortality.
Data submitted to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) showed 82 reported deaths associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists up to January 31, 2025. Of these, 22 were associated with use for weight loss and 60 with use for type 2 diabetes.
In the US, reports in the FDA's FAERS (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System) database have listed 162 deaths associated with Ozempic and Wegovy since 2018.
However, these figures should not be interpreted as confirmed deaths caused by the medicines. Adverse-event reporting systems record suspected associations and cannot by themselves establish a direct causal relationship. Millions of people use GLP-1 medicines, and reported cases can involve other health conditions or factors, including severe complications, dosing errors, and counterfeit or compounded products.
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