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.
Credits: Dave Coulier Instagram
Dave Coulier is battling tongue cancer, only months after sharing that he had overcome lymphoma. The “Full House” actor spoke about the diagnosis during an appearance on the “Today” show, describing the news as “a shock to the system.”
The 66-year-old clarified that this illness is “totally unrelated” to his earlier non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “This is a new cancer. I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’” he recalled. Doctors told him it may have developed from an HPV infection that could have been present for decades, which later “activated and turned into a carcinoma.”
Despite the shocking news, Coulier said the cancer is “very treatable” and comes with a “90 percent curability rate.” He added that his care team plans to begin radiation right away and that his prognosis is strong.
Dave Coulier is navigating another health setback soon after beating stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Speaking on Today, the Full House star shared that he has been newly diagnosed with p16 squamous carcinoma, a form of head and neck cancer. He explained that the finding came after a routine visit and PET scan.
“Totally unrelated to the previous cancer that I had,” he said, as per PEOPLE. “So in October of this year, I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up, and something lit up on the scan. It turned out that I have p16 squamous carcinoma at the base of my tongue. So I asked the doctors, ‘Did this happen because of the lymphoma?’ And they said, ‘Totally unrelated.’”
Tongue cancer can show up as a sore that refuses to heal, a red or white patch (known as erythroplakia or leukoplakia), a lump or area of thickened tissue, or a small growth on the tongue. These changes may come with bleeding that has no clear cause, numbness, pain while swallowing or talking, or a sensation of fullness in the throat. Anyone who notices these issues should speak to a doctor for proper evaluation, as explained by Mayo Clinic.
Tongue cancer develops when cells on the tongue begin growing out of control. Several forms of cancer can affect the tongue, but the most common is squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
When the front part of the tongue is involved (the part you can see), it is called oral cancer or oral tongue cancer. When it forms on the back of the tongue, deeper in the throat, it is known as oropharyngeal cancer or base-of-tongue cancer. Mayo Clinic notes that this cancer is relatively rare, making up less than 1 per cent of new cases in the United States. Still, it is one of the more frequent head and neck cancers, occurring twice as often in men and most commonly in people aged 40 and above.
Early signs of tongue cancer may include long-lasting sores or ulcers, red or white patches, and a lump or thicker area on the tongue. Other symptoms can include persistent pain, trouble swallowing or speaking, and numbness or tingling inside the mouth.
Researchers have identified several factors that raise the risk of tongue cancer. These are conditions or habits that can increase your likelihood of developing it. The strongest links are heavy smoking and high alcohol intake. The risk becomes much higher when both are present.
Credits: Canva
Ibuprofen is a commonly available over-the-counter painkiller that you can pick up from nearly any pharmacy or supermarket. Known for its effectiveness, it helps relieve various aches, pains, inflammation, and even symptoms linked to colds, flu, or coronavirus.
However, it’s important to remember that ibuprofen isn’t suitable for everyone. The NHS advises that people in eight key situations should avoid this anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication, and anyone unsure should check with a pharmacist or doctor.
The NHS advises the following people should avoid taking ibuprofen:
People who have had allergic reactions to ibuprofen, aspirin, or similar NSAIDs like naproxen should avoid it entirely, as should expectant mothers. Those with kidney problems, asthma, or a history of stomach ulcers should always seek medical advice before using ibuprofen, including topical forms.
The NHS adds: “How you take your medicine and the dose you use depends on the type of ibuprofen and how much it contains. Always read the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for guidance if you’re unsure about how to take it or encounter any problems. If a doctor prescribes ibuprofen, follow their instructions carefully.”
Typically, adults can take one or two 200mg ibuprofen tablets or capsules up to three times a day, leaving at least six hours between doses. In some cases, a higher dose may be prescribed, but only under a doctor’s supervision.
If you’re taking certain medications, consult a doctor before using ibuprofen. These include:
The NHS has also noted: “If you’re taking ibuprofen for short-term pain, like a toothache or period pain, you may only need it for a day or two. Long-term conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may require longer courses.”
Who Needs to Consult a Doctor Before Taking Paracetamol?
Paracetamol isn’t suitable for everyone either. The NHS advises that certain groups should get medical guidance before taking it:
Official NHS guidance, as reported by the Mirror, states: “Most people aged 16 and over can take paracetamol. It is also safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Paracetamol can take up to an hour to start working and its effects typically last about five hours.”
Credits: AP
A weight-loss doctor has issued an urgent alert as people desperate to shed pounds turn to illegal “Godzilla” fat jabs circulating on social media—some of which have been traced back to counterfeit factories and unregulated online sellers. With the party season approaching, pressure grows to look slimmer for family photos, office events and festive gatherings.
Experts warn that this rush is pushing people toward fake versions of retatrutide, a powerful triple-hormone drug still in clinical trials and not approved anywhere in the world. Recent reports from the UK revealed that more than £250,000 worth of counterfeit weight-loss pens labelled as tirzepatide and retatrutide were seized from a covert Northampton factory.
Authorities caution that social media has become a “wild west” for buyers chasing dramatic pre-Christmas results. Professor Franklin Joseph, founder of Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic, explains that seasonal pressure combined with unrealistic expectations is driving some toward dangerous, unregulated products. “This is the time of year when people panic."
Professor Joseph said. “They want to show up on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve looking slimmer, and viral posts convince them there’s a quick fix. But these so-called ‘Godzilla jabs’ being sold online are fake, untested and potentially dangerous.”
The term "Godzilla jabs" is a nickname for retatrutide, a potent experimental weight-loss drug still undergoing clinical trials. It is not approved for human use, and regulators have warned against purchasing counterfeit black-market versions.
Retatrutide, also referred to as the “Godzilla” or “Triple-G” jab due to early trials showing significant weight loss is still strictly experimental. Despite this, counterfeit versions are circulating through online stores, social media channels, Telegram groups and private accounts, often with no medical supervision, no quality control and no legal oversight.
Professor Joseph notes that the festive season makes the risk even greater. “December is a perfect storm,” he said. “People have one event after another, clothes feel tighter, and family members they haven’t seen all year are coming together. Then an influencer tells them they can lose a stone in a month. It’s an illusion—and scammers know exactly how to exploit it.”
Fake jabs may contain:
Authorities have repeatedly stressed that buying unlicensed medicines online is not only illegal but can also carry severe health risks. “Most people think the worst that could happen is the jab won’t work,” Professor Joseph said. “But the real danger is what’s actually inside that pen.”
Scientists anticipate that the results from ongoing clinical trials will be available next year, after which they plan to seek formal medical approval. Meanwhile, organised crime groups are increasingly turning to selling illicit medicines online, sometimes as an alternative to traditional street drugs like cocaine. Purchasing these medications without a proper prescription or guidance from a qualified doctor greatly raises the risk of side effects and serious health complications.
Weight-loss injections are carefully tailored to each patient’s body size and medical condition. Taking an excessive or unmonitored dose can be extremely dangerous.
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