Misuse of household products and home remedies – and the occasional cure – have fuelled thousands of medical reports in the last ten years.
The on-line journal BMJ Case Reports, founded in 2004, says it is domestic mishaps – and occasional solutions – that have fuelled many of the 15,000 reports it has received since its foundation.
The editors write: "Now that BMJ Case Reports has reached a grand total of 15,000 submissions, certain cautionary themes continue to crop up among the wide variety of instructive and educational narratives – from the hazards of misusing common household products to the consequences of unwittingly swallowing everyday items."
The series has included cautionary tales about household goods, complementary therapies, toys, and everyday items such as toothpicks and hairpins. Many of the most common incidents are caused by food and drink, the editors report.
One 45-year-old woman developed high blood pressure after drinking up to six cups a day of liquorice tea to avoid caffeine. A similar story was published in which a man, aged 28, developed acute hepatitis after drinking four to five energy drinks every day for three weeks, to cope with an exhausting work schedule. In relation to food, anaphylaxis has been a frequent risk – as discovered by a 29- year-old man, who developed a severe allergic reaction after eating a home-cooked meal containing mustard seeds.
However, some positive stories are included, such as the woman with myeloma, aged 57, who appeared to stabilise her condition successfully with a daily dose of the spice turmeric. The authors explain that, to help control symptoms and enhance quality of life, some myeloma patients use complementary therapies in addition to their conventional therapy.
This particular patient started a daily dietary supplement of curcumin when approaching the third relapse of her disease. Without any other treatment, she "plateaued and has remained stable for the last five years with good quality of life" the authors report.
Curcumin, the active constituent of turmeric, has gained popularity as a complementary therapy and is undergoing widespread research.
Leave a Reply