That's Christmas 365: Give the Gift of Good Sight This Christmas. A Pres...

That's Christmas 365: Give the Gift of Good Sight This Christmas. A Pres...: Christmas is a wonderful time for giving presents, but finding something genuinely useful, thoughtful and appreciated isn't always easy....

How the Chicago Painkiller Murders Changed Medicine Packaging Forever

That's Health. The shocking story behind the safety features we now take for granted

When we collect a prescription from our local pharmacy or buy a packet of painkillers from the supermarket, we rarely give much thought to the packaging.

Tablets are frequently sealed individually in blister packs, bottles have tamper-evident seals, and some medicines come in containers designed to prevent children from opening them.

But have you ever wondered why these precautions became so important?

Part of the answer lies in a horrifying series of unsolved murders in Chicago in 1982, when an unknown killer turned ordinary painkillers into deadly weapons.

The Chicago Tylenol Murders

In September 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after taking Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules that had been deliberately contaminated with potassium cyanide.

Tylenol, a popular American painkiller containing acetaminophen (known in Britain as paracetamol), was manufactured by Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary McNeil Consumer Products.

The victims had simply taken what they believed to be safe, everyday medication.

Investigators discovered that someone had apparently interfered with bottles of Tylenol after they had left the manufacturer, replacing the contents of some capsules with cyanide before returning the contaminated products to shop shelves.

The resulting deaths shocked America and triggered an enormous investigation.

Johnson & Johnson responded by recalling approximately 31 million bottles of Tylenol capsules, an action that became a landmark example of corporate crisis management.

The murders also exposed a frightening weakness in medicine packaging: consumers had little reliable way of knowing whether somebody had interfered with the contents before purchase.

A Revolution in Medicine Safety

The Chicago murders helped transform the way medicines were packaged and sold.

Manufacturers introduced increasingly sophisticated tamper-evident packaging, including foil seals, shrink bands, sealed cartons and other protective measures.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration introduced new tamper-resistant packaging requirements for many over-the-counter medicines.

The aim was straightforward: make unauthorised interference more difficult and, crucially, make it easier for customers to recognise when packaging had been opened or damaged.

The tragedy also accelerated the move away from easily opened capsules towards alternative formulations and more secure packaging.

Why Blister Packs Matter

Blister packaging, in which individual tablets or capsules are enclosed in separate compartments, provides several important benefits.

- Tamper evidence: Damage to an individual compartment may reveal that somebody has interfered with a medicine.

- Protection: Sealed compartments can help protect medicines against moisture, dirt and contamination.

- Dose management: Individual compartments make it easier to see how many tablets remain.

- Identification: Printed foil and packaging can carry important product information.

- Reduced handling: Patients need only remove the tablet they intend to take, leaving the others protected.

However, there is an important historical distinction.

Blister packs were already being used before the Chicago murders. The tragedy did not invent blister packaging, but it helped drive a much wider reassessment of medicine security and the adoption of tamper-evident protection.

Not every blister pack is child-resistant, and blister packaging alone cannot guarantee that a medicine has not been tampered with.

What About Britain?

In Britain, blister packaging has become a familiar feature of everyday medicines, particularly tablets and capsules.

However, the widespread use of blister packs in the UK cannot be attributed solely to the Chicago murders.

Medicine stability, manufacturing improvements, dispensing practices and patient safety have all contributed.

Another important development came in 1998, when the UK introduced restrictions on the quantities of paracetamol and certain other painkillers that could be sold in individual transactions.

These measures were intended primarily to reduce deaths and serious harm from overdoses, rather than prevent deliberate product tampering.

Blister packaging can also make it less convenient to remove large numbers of tablets quickly, although it is not a foolproof safeguard against overdose.

The Safety Lessons We Should Never Forget

More than four decades after the Chicago murders, the lessons remain relevant.

Always check medicine packaging before use. If a seal appears broken, a blister compartment is damaged, or tablets look different from what you normally receive, ask a pharmacist for advice before taking them.

Medicines should also be stored securely, out of the sight and reach of children.

And remember that child-resistant packaging is not childproof.

The Chicago Tylenol murders remain one of the most disturbing cases of deliberate product tampering in modern history.

Yet they also prompted changes that helped make medicines safer for millions of people.

The next time you press a tablet through its foil backing, consider the extraordinary history behind something so ordinary.

What looks like a simple piece of packaging is part of a much larger story about public trust, consumer protection and patient safety.

That's Health – Helping you understand the everyday things that protect your health.

Convoluted Bowels: How a Surgeon’s Throwaway Remark Led to 30 Years of Unnecessary Suffering

An update from That's Health

Thirty years ago, I underwent a bowel examination that should have provided an important clue to a medical problem that would continue to trouble me for decades.

Before the examination, I had been given Picolax, a powerful bowel-cleansing preparation intended to empty the intestines before an endoscopic examination.

Unfortunately, it hadn't worked properly.

During the examination, the surgeon made what seemed at the time to be a throwaway remark. He told me that I had convoluted bowels, and that this was why the Picolax had failed to clear my bowel adequately and not, as he had presumed, because I hadn't taken the Picolax correctly, for which he had apologised. 

And that, as far as I was concerned, was that.

Nobody explained that convoluted bowels could represent a recognised anatomical variation associated with medical problems. Nobody discussed what it might mean for my future bowel health or whether I needed to take particular precautions.

Over the following 30 years, I continued to experience bowel difficulties. Yet, despite consultations with GP practices, the surgeon's observation was never raised with me again. I now wonder if his diagnosis was passed on to my medical practice?

The Discovery I Made Myself

Eventually, while carrying out my own research, I came across information about convoluted bowels.

To my considerable surprise, I discovered that the term could refer to a recognised medical condition, often described as a redundant colon or dolichocolon.

Essentially, this means that the colon is longer than usual and may form additional loops.

For some people, this causes no problems whatsoever. For others, however, it can be associated with chronic constipation, abdominal discomfort, bloating and difficulties with normal bowel movements.

Suddenly, the surgeon's remark from three decades earlier took on an entirely different significance.

I began wondering why nobody had explained this to me at the time, and why my GP practices had never mentioned it during the intervening years.

I had spent decades struggling with a problem that might have been better understood much earlier.

My Wife, a Century-Old Medical Book and a Breakthrough

Fortunately, my wife is a qualified nurse.

She has the professional knowledge and experience to understand medical information and, importantly, the determination to investigate problems rather than simply accept that nothing can be done.

In trying to help me, she consulted a medical book that was more than 100 years old.

The information she found helped her approach my bowel difficulties from a different perspective.

Together with her nursing knowledge, it led to a practical approach involving lactulose and dietary changes.

Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that draws water into the bowel, softening stools and making them easier to pass.

Combined with adjustments to my diet, it has finally helped me manage the bowel difficulties that had caused so much trouble over the years.

What an extraordinary situation: after 30 years of medical consultations, the breakthrough came through my wife's nursing experience, my own research and information from a book written more than a century ago.

Why Wasn't I Told?

This is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the entire experience.

The surgeon clearly recognised that my bowel anatomy was unusual. He even connected it with the failure of the Picolax preparation.

Yet I was never given an explanation of what that observation might mean.

I appreciate that medicine has changed considerably over the past three decades. I also recognise that not everyone with a redundant colon experiences constipation and that my symptoms could have had several contributing causes.

Nevertheless, surely an observation that might have implications for a patient's future health deserves more than a passing comment?

Had I understood the significance of convoluted bowels 30 years ago, I could have asked more informed questions, discussed possible treatments and perhaps avoided some of the difficulties I subsequently experienced.

Can Older Medical Books Still Teach Us Something?

I believe there is another important lesson in this experience.

We live in an age of remarkable medical advances, sophisticated diagnostic equipment and increasingly effective treatments.

But that doesn't mean older medical literature has nothing to offer.

Some observations about human anatomy, digestion and bowel function were made long before today's medical technologies existed.

Of course, historical medical advice must always be assessed against current scientific evidence. Some treatments recommended a century ago would be inappropriate or even dangerous today.

However, the fact that my wife found useful information in such an old publication demonstrates why medical history should not automatically be dismissed.

Lactulose itself is a modern treatment, introduced long after that book was published. It was the older information, interpreted alongside modern nursing knowledge, that helped inform her approach.

What Should Other People Do?

If you suffer from long-standing constipation or other persistent bowel difficulties, my advice is to ask questions.

Find out whether there might be an underlying explanation for your symptoms.

If you have previously undergone a colonoscopy or another bowel investigation, consider asking whether any unusual anatomical findings were recorded.

And if a doctor mentions something you don't understand, ask them to explain it.

Dietary changes and laxatives can help many people with constipation, although treatment needs to be tailored to the individual. Increasing fibre, for example, can sometimes worsen bloating and discomfort in people with slow bowel transit.

Lactulose is not suitable for every situation and can itself cause wind and bloating. (But some wind might well be a worthwhile sacrifice if the Lactulose works?)

Anyone with persistent constipation should discuss appropriate treatment with a healthcare professional.

Thirty Years Is a Long Time to Wait

I am delighted that my bowel problems are now being managed much more successfully.

But I remain deeply disappointed that an observation made by a surgeon three decades ago was apparently never followed up or properly explained to me.

My experience has reinforced two beliefs.

Firstly, patients deserve clear explanations of medical findings, even when those findings are made incidentally during an examination.

Secondly, we should never underestimate the knowledge, dedication and resourcefulness of qualified nurses.

In my case, my wife helped achieve something that years of medical consultations had failed to accomplish.

And it all began with a throwaway remark from a surgeon 30 years ago, a remark whose significance I only discovered through my own research.

Further Information

NHS – Constipation: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/

NHS – Lactulose: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/lactulose/

Guts UK – Digestive health information: https://gutscharity.org.uk/

This article relates my personal experience and should not be regarded as a substitute for medical advice.

Hemp Oil Toothpaste: Healthy Smile or Just Another Wellness Trend?

Hemp seems to be turning up everywhere these days, in foods, skincare products, supplements and even toothpaste. 

But does brushing your teeth with hemp oil actually offer any advantages, or is it simply another way of making an everyday product sound more exciting?

Hemp oil toothpaste generally contains hemp seed oil, produced from the seeds of Cannabis sativa. 

Despite the association with cannabis, hemp seed oil doesn't produce a “high” and shouldn't be confused with products containing significant quantities of THC.

So what are the claimed benefits?

Hemp seed oil naturally contains fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, along with other plant compounds. Manufacturers of hemp toothpastes sometimes suggest these ingredients can help soothe and moisturise the gums and contribute to a healthier oral environment.

Another frequently mentioned claim concerns inflammation. Hemp seed oil has attracted research interest for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, leading to suggestions that it could be beneficial for irritated or sensitive gums. 

However, evidence specifically demonstrating a meaningful dental benefit from hemp oil toothpaste remains limited.

Some hemp toothpastes also contain ingredients such as peppermint oil, activated charcoal, aloe vera or other botanical extracts. These may influence freshness, taste and how the toothpaste feels, but their presence doesn't necessarily make the toothpaste more effective at preventing tooth decay.

And that's where an important distinction needs to be made.

Don't Forget the Fluoride

For most people, one of the most important ingredients to look for in toothpaste remains fluoride. Fluoride has extensive evidence supporting its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce tooth decay.

Some hemp and “natural” toothpastes are fluoride-free. That doesn't automatically make them bad products, but consumers shouldn't assume that hemp oil provides an equivalent alternative to fluoride for cavity protection. It doesn't.

Similarly, claims that hemp toothpaste can “detox” the mouth, dramatically whiten teeth or cure gum disease deserve considerable caution unless they're backed by good clinical evidence.

There may nevertheless be reasons why somebody enjoys using hemp oil toothpaste. Its formulation may feel pleasant on the gums, and people who enjoy botanical oral-care products may prefer its taste and texture. Most importantly, a toothpaste you actually enjoy using may encourage regular brushing.

For That’s Health, our view is that hemp oil toothpaste is an interesting addition to the increasingly crowded natural oral-care market, and some of its ingredients certainly warrant further research. 

But at present, the evidence doesn't justify treating hemp oil as a wonder ingredient for teeth and gums.

If you're tempted to try one, check the complete ingredients rather than simply looking for the word “hemp” on the packaging. Ideally, choose an appropriate fluoride toothpaste, brush thoroughly twice a day, clean between your teeth and keep up regular dental check-ups.

Hemp oil might make toothpaste more interesting, but good old-fashioned dental hygiene is still doing most of the important work.

As for myself? I use Arm and Hammer toothpaste and a hemp oil toothpaste as I'm trying to get the best of both worlds!

"They Injected what into my face"?

Beauty treatments have included some decidedly unusual ingredients over the years, but one of the latest crazes may take some beating: salmon DNA injected into your skin.

Usually called polynucleotide (PN) or polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) treatments, they have become fashionable as so-called regenerative beauty treatments. 

They're being promoted for improving skin texture and elasticity, reducing fine lines and helping tired-looking skin, particularly around the eyes.

But does the science support the enthusiasm?

And there's another question: do customers realise which part of the salmon is commonly used to obtain that DNA?

Yes, we're talking about salmon sperm.

Calling the treatment "salmon DNA" makes it sound rather clinical. "Salmon sperm facial" sounds considerably less glamorous.

Scientific reviews describe polynucleotides used in aesthetic medicine as being derived from highly purified DNA from salmon or trout gonads.

More specifically, PDRN can be produced from DNA obtained from salmon sperm. It's important to stress that practitioners aren't simply injecting raw salmon sperm into someone's face. The DNA is extracted, purified and processed into fragments used in the treatment.

Nevertheless, we suspect there will be two very different reactions to discovering the origin: "How fascinating!" and "They're injecting WHAT into my face?

Incidentally some companies use salmon DNA in non-injectionalable preparations, for applying to the face.

For vegetarians and vegans, the animal origin is obviously an important consideration too.

But does salmon DNA actually work?

This is where things become more interesting, because there is genuine scientific research behind polynucleotides, but the evidence isn't yet strong enough to justify every extravagant claim made for them.

A systematic review examining nine studies involving 219 patients found promising improvements in wrinkles, skin texture and elasticity. Side effects were generally mild and temporary, and patient satisfaction ranged from moderate to high. However, the researchers stressed that the available studies were of low or moderate quality and called for better research.

More recent evidence remains encouraging but cautious. A 2026 systematic review of seven randomised trials involving 183 participants found benefits across skin rejuvenation, scar treatment and wound healing, with particularly consistent results for wound healing. However, researchers again highlighted small studies, differing treatment methods and the need for larger trials.

A 2026 study involving 42 people receiving polynucleotide injections around the eyes also reported improvements and high satisfaction, particularly three months after two treatments. But this was an observational study without the strength of a large controlled clinical trial.

Miracle treatment or promising newcomer?

At That's Health, we'd put salmon DNA treatments firmly in the promising but not yet proven beyond doubt category.

There's enough research to suggest polynucleotides aren't simply another nonsensical internet beauty fad. There are plausible biological mechanisms and encouraging clinical results.

But "promising" and "clinically proven miracle treatment" are two very different things.

And before paying for injections, we'd want to know exactly what product was being used, who was administering it, their medical qualifications, the possible adverse effects, and whether the clinic had made it absolutely clear that the glamorous-sounding "salmon DNA" may have begun its journey in the reproductive organs of a fish.

Which brings us to our question for That's Health readers:

Would knowing that the treatment is derived from salmon sperm put you off, or, if there were convincing evidence that it worked, wouldn't you care where it came from?

One particularly interesting point is that the 2026 evidence is stronger for tissue and wound healing than it is for cosmetic rejuvenation, so the science is rather more nuanced than some of the beauty-industry publicity suggests.

A Gift of Gratitude: £10,000 Donation Helps Older People Across Hampshire

Sometimes, practical help at the right moment can make an enormous difference. 

For one Hampshire couple, support with benefit application forms brought financial relief during a deeply difficult period. 

Now, that kindness has inspired a generous gift to help others.

An anonymous husband has donated £10,000 to Age Concern Hampshire after his wife received help from the charity’s free Form Filling Service last year, while her health was deteriorating.

Working with a volunteer, the couple discovered they were entitled to benefits they had not realised they could claim. The additional money made a real difference as they faced the challenges of her declining health.

Sadly, his wife has since died. In recognition of the support they received, her husband wanted to give something back, helping the charity continue its work with older people and families throughout Hampshire.

The donation is eligible for Gift Aid, meaning Age Concern Hampshire expects to claim an additional £2,500 at no extra cost to the donor. That would bring the total value of his gift to £12,500.

Brogan Rehill, the charity’s Head of Strategy, Partnerships and Community Impact, described the donation as incredibly significant for a local organisation. She said the story behind it was particularly moving, demonstrating the lasting impact that staff and volunteers can have on people’s lives.

It is a reminder that support does not always need to be complicated to be life-changing. Having someone explain an unfamiliar process, identify possible entitlements and help complete paperwork can ease a considerable burden.

For older people coping with illness, disability or bereavement, official forms can feel daunting. Families and carers may also struggle to find their way through the system while managing other responsibilities.

Age Concern Hampshire’s Information & Advice service, including its free Form Filling Service, helps people understand available support. Assistance includes forms for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Pension Credit and Blue Badge applications.

The independent local charity also offers practical, social and wellbeing services, including Later Life & Dementia Day Care, Help at Home, Foot Care, social groups and digital support.

Its aim is to help older people live well, maintain independence and remain connected to their communities.

Donations, fundraising, grants and volunteers all help sustain this work. This husband’s thoughtful gift will enable support to reach more people when they need it.

To learn more about services, volunteering or making a donation, visit Age Concern Hampshire’s website and explore how you could help. https://www.ageconcernhampshire.org.uk

Vape tax: are former smokers being punished for switching?

For people who have replaced cigarettes with vaping, the arrival of a new tax may feel like a financial penalty for making a healthier choice.

A survey by retailer E-Cigarette Direct suggests considerable anxiety ahead of Vaping Products Duty, which begins on Thursday, 1 October 2026.

Of 2,068 vapers surveyed, 52% expected a major financial impact, while another 37% anticipated a moderate impact.

The duty is £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, including nicotine-free varieties. With VAT, that represents a potential £2.64 increase if fully passed on to customers: approximately £964 annually for somebody using 10ml daily. 

Eligible existing unstamped stock can, however, continue to be sold until 31 March 2027, meaning price increases may arrive unevenly.

The government’s stated aim is to discourage vaping among young people and non-smokers while preserving a financial incentive for smokers to switch.

However, 28% of respondents who previously smoked said they would never have switched if this tax had already existed.

More concerningly, 23% said higher prices would make them more likely to smoke or purchase illegal nicotine products. Within overlapping responses, 17% indicated greater likelihood of buying illegal products and 13% of smoking.

These figures describe intentions, rather than behaviour already observed, but they raise questions about possible unintended consequences.

More than 600 respondents submitted comments, many expressing anger or feeling punished for abandoning cigarettes. 

E-Cigarette Direct chairman James Dunworth urged the government to monitor returning smokers, reduced switching and growth in illegal sales.

There are limitations. Participants came from the retailer’s email subscribers, almost all had previously smoked, and the results were not weighted to represent UK vapers. Respondents also saw estimated annual tax costs before answering the financial impact question. This is a snapshot of one customer community, rather than a national forecast.

Nevertheless, the health distinction matters. The NHS advises that vaping is less harmful than smoking, although it is not harmless and its long-term effects remain uncertain. Children and non-smokers should not start.

For former smokers worried about affordability, returning to cigarettes is a damaging response. Speak to a pharmacist or local stop smoking service about managing cravings and suitable alternatives. Buy vaping products from reputable suppliers covered by UK safety regulations.

Protecting young people is essential. So is helping adults remain smoke-free. Policymakers must judge this tax by its health consequences, alongside the revenue it generates.

https://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk