What We're Reading: EpiPen Auto-Injectors; Drink More Water; Protect Your Mental Health

EpiPen and EpiPen Jr Auto-Injectors Safety Alerts Issued

A safety alert went out last evening from the FDA about EpiPen 0.3-mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15-mg Auto-Injectors following a letter that manufacturer Mylan sent to healthcare providers. In the letter, Mylan warned about possible device malfunction on the part of the safety release, spontaneous device activation, and device removal from the carrier tube. All parties concerned should continue to periodically review the EpiPen instructions and inspect their devices before use. Pharmacists should also inspect the pens prior to dispensing them. As always, the FDA encourages everyone to report adverse events to its MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

We Should Be Drinking More Water, Researchers Say

Working remotely and being on lockdown may mean a change to our regular workday eating habits, namely in the form of more sugar, according to Forbes. Researchers believe we should increase our water intake as a result, to help lessen the effects from excess buildup of uric acid, which accumulates in our blood from the breakdown of purines. The uric acid itself results from excess sugar intake. Higher sugar levels in our blood can also signal such metabolic disorders as diabetes and heart disease/inflammation.

Protect Your Mental Health While on Coronavirus Lockdown

The National Alliance on Mental Health has suggested that we must actively work to combat any mental distress brought on by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the organization’s website. With top worries that include anxiety, loneliness, and stress centered on getting sick, losing money, and risking exposure to the virus, experts offer several coping strategies. These include being more conscious of where we get our news from, taking time for self-care, helping others, and having activities lined up to distract ourselves.