We posted very recently that heartburn medications in the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug class, like Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid, have been linked to possible dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms.  The drugs have also been linked to heart issues, and kidney damage that not only dangerous, but long-term.  John Hopkins University researchers have reported that individuals using PPIs have higher risks of kidney disease reaching 20 to 50 percent higher than nonusers.  Increased dosing showed increased risk in their studies, which is alarming given the over 15 million people in the United States alone using the drugs.   About 70 percent of people with prescriptions for the drugs are getting them as a result of over prescribing, and being available over-the-counter makes them all the more available to be overused and abused. 

PPIs can cause short-term or acute kidney problems, as well as inflammatory kidney disease (acute interstitial nephritis), in addition to the long-term chronic problems involving problems with effective filtering of the blood.  Kidney failure can be the eventual result, which calls for dialysis and a kidney transplant if a donor can be found.  Considering these drugs are often used for garden variety heartburn, medical providers and doctors should be keenly aware that it just is not worth it.  There is an alternative to PPIs in the form of histamine H2 receptor blockers, which may have some linkage to kidney and other problems, but not in as many individuals taking PPIs.  In fact, studies showing the two types of heartburn drugs being used comparably, found that PPI users have a 96 percent increased risk of kidney failure and a 28 percent increased risk of chronic kidney disease than do the users of H2 receptor blockers.     

When making decisions regarding whether the use of medications for the relief of heartburn and acid reflux is worth it, and which ones would be safer, it is important to always consult your physician and discuss the options.  If you or a loved one has been harmed by the use of PPIs or other drugs, do not hesitate to contact the caring professional at Inserra & Kelley Law Offices for information as to whether you might have a claim to compensation.    

Given the frequency with which concussions occur in today’s society, and the valued clients involved in personal injuries of many kinds, this firm will bring any noteworthy news on the subject.  An individual might suffer some sort of blow to the head or other head injury that does not bring on the classic concussion symptoms, which experts refer to as sub-concussion.  In a recent study, using college football players, it was found that pre-practice eye exams and subsequent during the season showed growing problems with the “near point of convergence” of the eyes, which is the closest point at which the two eyes could view something clearly before double vision ensues.  Changes in the eyes with sub-concussions can be subtle, yet lasting, affecting the individual’s ability to focus and function up to par.  What this means for long-term eye function and health is still not known, so extreme caution and treatment for any head injury warranted.     

Inserra & Kelley Law Offices wants its readership safe and as well as possible.  If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident resulting in a head injury or any other injuries, do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss whether you might be entitled to compensation.       

Target bike helmet customers beware!  Pacific Cycle has issued a recall of infant bicycle helmets sold at Target Stores only, due to magnet choking and ingestion problems.  The helmets were sold with “SCHWINN” printed on the front for helmets sold at Target January, 2014 to April, 2016.  The magnetic chin strap buckles are the culprit of the choking hazards and were meant to protect infants from pinching.  If you have one of the subject helmets you can go online to at schwinnbikes.com or target.com, where you will look for recall information.   

If you or someone you love has experienced serious injury or worse from one of the Pacific Cycle infant bicycle helmets, contact your medical provider immediately.  You may also contact Inserra & Kelley Law Offices to see whether you may be entitled to compensation.    

Those handy fitness trackers are supposed to let the user know heart rate readings for safe workouts without pushing one’s heart above its limitations.  Unfortunately, Fitbit has been named in a lawsuit due to its heart rate tracking being found to be inaccurate, endangering those using the tool for medical purposes.  Although, the Fitbit is not classified as a medical device, it is marketed, with the heart rate feature, for a premium price and for claims of tracking the heart rate.  Fitbit devices have been found to be off by twenty beats per minute, on average, so they are not giving reliable or meaningful readings to the consumer.  Research done by Fitbit’s makers, before marketing the devices with heart rate features, only involved two test subjects.  A more recent study done by those outside of Fitbit was done using 22 men and 21 women.  While Fitbit devices give ballpark figures in terms of heart rates, consumers often rely on them as giving accurate heart rate readings for better, safer workouts.   Someone with a heart condition could be led astray by measured heart rates of the Fitbit to danger zones and real medical problems. 

If you or someone you love has experienced problems with the Fitbit device, do not hesitate to contact the caring professionals at Inserra & Kelley Law Offices to see whether you may be entitled to compensation.    

The latest listeria scare involves any product containing sunflower seeds made by a Minnesota company,  SunOpta, providing the product to brands like Sunrich Naturals and Planters.  There has also been a recall made for prepared salads sold in the produce departments of Food 4 Less, Albertsons, Safeway, and Bashas containing Sesame Ginger Dressing.  These Oriental salads are recalled by Papa John’s Salad and Produce of Arizona.

If you or someone you know has any of these products in your home, either dispose of them promptly or return them to the store for a refund.  If you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms like high fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, stiffness, and nausea, and it is suspected it could be following the ingestion of one of the above products, see your medical provider immediately.  You may also feel free to call Inserra & Kelley Law Offices to discuss possible compensation you might be entitled to in the case of listeria infection from contaminated products.