Overdose Awareness and Resources

Overdose Awareness and Resources

In 2019 (the most recent data available), there were nearly 71,000 deaths due to overdose in the U.S. The majority involved a prescription medication or illicit opioid. An overdose may be mild, moderate, or serious. Symptoms, treatment, and recovery depend on the specific drug involved. Here are some resources with more information and support:

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Approved

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in people 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA). This means that people 12 through 15 years of age can receive the vaccine and it may also be used for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised people.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine:

vaccines.gov
text your ZIP code to 438829
call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you in the U.S.

New Research for Epilepsy Treatment

Epilepsy affects about 1% of the population – about 3 million people in the U.S. The first approach to treating it is to use medication, but about one third of those people still have seizures. Learn about research that’s being done at the National Institutes of Health to help treat patients when medication isn’t enough.

Lymphedema Self-care

Lymphedema is the name of a type of swelling that happens when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. Lymph – a fluid that contains white blood cells that defend against germs – builds up in your body’s soft tissues. It’s a common problem that may be caused by cancer and cancer treatment. It usually affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Treatment can help control symptoms and includes exercise, compression devices, skin care, and massage. Learn more.

What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. Antidepressants are also used for other health conditions, such as anxiety, pain, and insomnia. The most popular types of antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Other types of antidepressants are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Some people respond better to some antidepressant medications than to others, so you and your doctor may have to try a few before finding what works best for you.