Adolescents, Young Adults Lack Knowledge of Acetaminophen's Toxicity

So sad since acetaminophen is hugely more toxic to kids and adults than anabolic steroids.

A study of more than 250 teenagers and young adults by researchers at the University of Rochester, in New York, has found that more than 60% do not know what acetaminophen is, even though a third are users of acetaminophen-containing over-the-counter (OTC) pain-relieving products. Nearly 25% misuse the medications, researchers announced here at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2010 Annual Meeting.

"Acetaminophen toxicity is a big deal, but we know a lot more [about its effects] in adults than we do in adolescents. The adolescent age group is what is new about this work," said study presenter Laura Shone, DrPH, MSW, associate professor of pediatrics and clinical nursing, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, in an interview with Medscape Pediatrics.

The problem is huge, Dr. Shone said. Published studies have documented that overdoses of acetaminophen are the cause of more acute liver failure in the United States than viral hepatitis. Furthermore, one half to two thirds of these overdoses are unintentional and result from taking excessive doses of OTC medication.

At the heart of this problem is a lack of awareness about medications being consumed (health literacy). Agencies such as the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have weighed in on the issue. Estimates are that up to half of American adults have problems with health literacy, which, according to a 2004 NAS report, is "the ability to find, understand, and use health information to communicate and make health decisions and function successfully as a patient."

And speaking of health illiterates, here is another:



According to her, this is the definition of health literacy:

"The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions".

Clearly, this fat cow has not made "appropriate health decisions."

And she has the audacity to post the following video at the OSG Website:



How dare she tell the rest of us how to be "healthy and fit."

That is like her boss and his overweight wife telling us how to be healthy and fit.

This oinkette is telling us that:

Two-thirds of all adults and nearly one in three children are overweight or obese. As a result, our nation has high rates of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The good news is that we can be healthy and fit at any size or any weight. As America's family doctor, I want to change the national conversation from a negative one about obesity and illness, to a positive conversation about being healthy and being fit.

Well, idiot, if we can be "healthy and fit at any size or any weight," then why are overweight and obesity problems?

This is the kind of stupid, f**kin' idiot that passes for an expert these days.

Hope for change vs. doing what it takes to change and being an example of it.

The lack of knowledge about acetaminophen affecting adolescents and young adults is a mere fraction of the real problem.

Our alleged leaders are far more lacking in both knowledge and the ability to think.