What may be innocuous foods for you may be highly toxic for your pet to consume. Before you slip them a snack, know what foods can be harmful—or even life-threatening—to your pet. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), here are…
Tag: Department of Consumer Affairs
Diabetics Gain More Protection From Bad Actors Thanks to AB 602
People affected by diabetes received some good news this week when Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Assembly Bill (AB) 602 into law. The law, which takes effect immediately, helps protect the health and safety of patients with diabetes by prohibiting pharmacies from selling or distributing counterfeit or improperly stored test strips and glucose meters.…
Mammograms: Women Join the Conversation
Mammogram screenings starting at age 40 reduce the chances of death due to breast cancer, but screenings can also lead to harmful effects such as anxiety, false-positive results, unnecessary biopsies, and overtreatment. As a result, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recently updated its mammogram screening guidelines. With its new recommendations, which apply…
A Sweetheart of a Scam: Online Dating Fraud
Online dating can be complicated. It entails sifting through loads of profiles, getting a dialogue going, deciding if you want to meet, going on a date, and eventually figuring out if you’re actually compatible. Now to make the process even trickier, you also need to take precautions against online dating fraud. Online criminals use dating…
California Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumers, Contractors State License Board, Uncategorized
Keeping it Cool: Worth Your Time and Energy
Turning down the temperature on your air conditioner isn’t the only solution for keeping your house cool. Here are some easy ways, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the U.S. Department of Energy, to stay comfortable during the warm months, while also reducing your home energy bill. Draw your shades. Simply closing…
Board of Pharmacy, California Department of Consumer Affairs, California State Board of Pharmacy, Consumers, Uncategorized
Fake Online Pharmacies: The Dangers Are Real
Like many “deals” that sound too good to be true, the same goes for most online prescriptions. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), fake online pharmacies not only steal your money, but can cost you your personal and financial information, health, or even your life. Your financial identity may be at risk…
Acupuncture Board, California Department of Consumer Affairs, Medical Board of California, Uncategorized
Neti Pots: Tap Water is a No-No
Spring is almost over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of allergies. Those who suffer year-round look for relief in a number of ways—from daily doses of allergy medicine to regular sessions of acupuncture. Another popular—as well as drug-free and inexpensive—method is nasal rinsing. A common nasal irrigation device is the neti pot—a small,…
A Clear Look at Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can be liberating. You don’t have to deal with the discomfort of eyeglasses resting on your face and ears, your peripheral view is generally better, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they can even improve the progression of nearsightedness in children and teenagers. However, despite their benefits, if…
Having Dense Breasts: What Does It Mean?
When women get their mammogram results, they may be notified that they have “dense breast tissue.” Starting in April 2013, California law requires that patients be informed if they have dense breasts, and if they do, they may want to consult with their doctor about additional screening options. Density is apparent only in mammograms and…
Safe Sandal Season Brings Awareness to Potential Dangers of Pedicures
Proper salon cleaning procedures are essential to avoid serious diseases A pedicure can be a great way to pamper yourself, but did you ever think you could get a life-threatening infection from one? It’s possible if the salon isn’t using proper cleaning and disinfection techniques. Lurking in the depths of a foot spa basin may…