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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first-ever recommendation endorsing GLP-1 medications as part of a long term strategy to manage obesity in adults. Earlier, in the guidance to deal with obesity, the main focus was given to diet and lifestyle changes. Thus, this is a big shift from how the UN agency has traditionally approached obesity treatment.

Until now, WHO guidelines only focused on lifestyle changes including physical activity and diet. The new recommendation acknowledges that medication can play a supportive role when combined with counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the guideline describes long-term use as continuous treatment for at least six months. In its note, WHO called obesity a “chronic, relapsing disease” that affects more than one billion people worldwide and contributes substantially to illness, early death, and economic strain on health systems. GLP-1 therapies, the organization wrote, offer “clinically meaningful weight loss and broad metabolic benefits” when used appropriately.

How Do GLP-1 Drugs Work?

GLP-1 drugs mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.

Why WHO’s Guidance Matters

In September, WHO added GLP-1 drugs to its list of essential medicines, but only for treating diabetes, not for obesity alone. The new guideline extends that conversation, offering a more formal stance on their use in obesity management. The recommendations were developed by a committee of experts in obesity, pharmacology, and public health, following requests from several WHO member states. They also align with approvals already granted by regulators like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Obesity: A Global Health Challenge

Obesity is now recognized as one of the most widespread health concerns worldwide, linked to an increased risk of chronic conditions, including cancers, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Beyond physical health, it also impacts mental well-being and quality of life. With more than a billion people affected globally, the economic burden on healthcare systems continues to grow.

Also Read: Only 1 in 10 People With Obesity Have Access To Popular GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs, Says WHO

However, the accessibility still remains a major issue. n the United States, the most widely used medications: Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, carry list prices exceeding $1,000 per month. Recently, the Trump administration announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering costs for people paying out of pocket or covered under Medicare or Medicaid.

Every year on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is observed. It is a UN day that works towards promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of personal with disabilities in all aspects of life.

At the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO), IDPD events are organized to educate the public, raise awareness, advocate for political will and resources, and celebrate WHO's achievement.

Who Are Persons With Disabilities?

As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities or the UNCRPD, persons with disabilities are individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that restrict their ability to participate in society on equal terms.

India’s commitment to accessibility stems from Article 9 of the UNCRPD, which mandates equal access to physical spaces, transportation, and services.

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: India’s RPwD Act, 2016, aligns with this definition and adds the term “benchmark disability,” which refers to individuals with at least 40% of a specified disability.

This Act sets accessibility standards for public spaces and digital platforms.

The Act increased reservation for PwDs from 3% to 4% in jobs and 3% to 5% in higher education.

The RPwD Act expanded the list of disabilities from 7 to 21 categories, including conditions like:

• Autism spectrum disorders.
• Acid attack survivors.
• Multiple sclerosis and chronic neurological conditions.

As per the 2011 Census, India is home to 26.8 million persons with disabilities, which means at least 2.21% of its total population. The highest prevalence is observed between the age group of 10 to 19 years. Among them, 20% have mobility impairments, 19% have visual impairment, 19% have hearing impairment, and 8% suffer from multiple disabilities.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Theme

This year, the theme is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress, while in 2024, the theme was: 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future'.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Origin

This was first established by the United Nations in 1992, to raise awareness and creating inclusive society for all. The aim was to create an inclusive, accessible, and equitable society where no one is left behind.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Significance

The main role of this day in observance is to educate people. As more than 1 billion people in the world, which is around 20% of the world population live with some kind of disability. Thus, in such a scenario it is important for people to be sensitive towards their need. This day also helps address and solve the barriers faced by people living with disabilities, which include:

Limited access to education and employment

Inaccessible public spaces and transportation

Social stigma and discrimination

Insufficient healthcare and rehabilitation services

Lack of assistive technologies and accessible digital platforms

La Toya Jackson’s latest Instagram post has left fans more worried than ever. The 69 year old singer shared a series of photos earlier this week wearing a fitted red top, black pants and gold pointy heels. She added a chunky chain belt and a bracelet, posing in different angles for her followers. But what stood out most was how noticeably thin she looked, especially in the side profile shot.

Her caption was cheerful, wishing everyone a great week and sending love. The comment section quickly filled up, but instead of the usual compliments, many people expressed concern. Some fans urged others to be kind and pointed out that La Toya has always been naturally petite. Others felt something deeper might be going on. One comment read that it seemed like she may be dealing with “some health challenges”.

The post comes just weeks after La Toya shared a short, somewhat cryptic video from what looked like a doctor’s office. She did not explain why she was there but told her followers she hoped all her results would be good.

In another clip she hinted that doctor visits had become frequent, joking that she was “constantly getting check ups”. Despite the glimpses into her medical visits, she has not revealed what health issues she may be facing, leaving fans to worry and speculate.

While her situation remains private, her photos have opened up a larger conversation about what happens when someone becomes extremely thin. Many people assume being skinny is automatically healthy, but that is not always true. There is a point where being underweight can put real strain on the body.

What Really Happens When You Are Too Thin

Being underweight means your body does not have the amount of nutrition and energy stores it needs to function well. One common guideline used by experts is body mass index. For most adults, a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. In children and teenagers, being below the 5th percentile for BMI indicates underweight.

Sometimes extreme thinness is easy to spot, but people who have always been slim may not notice when their weight drops into an unhealthy range. Children who are underweight may simply seem smaller or leaner than others their age, which can make early signs easy to miss.

When the body does not get enough nutrients or calories, it begins to show that stress in different ways. Some of the early signs include constant tiredness, weakness, dizziness or feeling lightheaded.

The heart can also slow down, leading to a low pulse and low blood pressure. Hair may become thinner or start falling out and the immune system becomes weaker, which means a person might catch infections more easily and take longer to recover.

Emotional and hormonal changes are also common. Irritability, low mood or a sense of apathy can appear. In women, periods may become irregular or stop completely. Severe underweight can affect fertility and make it harder to get pregnant.

These symptoms do not happen overnight. They develop gradually as the body runs lower on essential nutrients. This is why sudden or unexplained weight loss should always be taken seriously.