by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
President Donald Trump lately set off a nationwide debate after claiming that Tylenol causes autism in youngsters if taken throughout being pregnant.
Standing subsequent to Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump stated pregnant girls ought to keep away from the widespread over-the-counter medicine, suggesting it’d hurt their unborn kids.
This assertion didn’t simply seize headlines, it triggered a wave of responses on-line, together with a wierd new development that’s going to backfire and trigger a ton of points.
Pregnant girls at the moment are happening social media, overtly taking Tylenol in defiance, hoping to show Trump fallacious. Whereas it could make for viral content material, the scenario has medical consultants and well being organizations deeply involved.
In truth, one lady overdosed and is now within the hospital with liver failure, and so they declare she’s most likely not going to make it (and sadly, they aren’t positive what harm is being finished to the child).
On this article, we’re going to dive deeper into the talks about whether or not Tylenol causes autism and the craziness that is occurring within the US since Trump made the announcement.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and shouldn’t be used to deal with or diagnose any situation. It’s endorsed that you simply communicate along with your physician earlier than beginning any train program, making modifications to your vitamin plan, or including any new dietary supplements into your present routine.
Social Media Rise up After Saying Tylenol Causes Autism
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, movies started popping up throughout TikTok, Instagram, and different platforms of pregnant girls swallowing Tylenol on digicam. Some framed it as an announcement of belief in docs and science. Others positioned it as a technique to push again in opposition to what they view as harmful misinformation coming from a political determine.
However right here’s the issue… taking medicine whereas pregnant ought to by no means be about making some extent on-line. Docs warn that these movies can encourage dangerous conduct. The “defiance” motion isn’t rooted in medical want, however in making an announcement. That mindset might put each moms and their infants in danger.
The truth that girls are getting triggered by Trump’s remarks and mega-dosing on Tylenol is sort of disturbing when you concentrate on it. Not too way back, we had youngsters consuming Tide Pods, and now pregnant girls are downing Tylenol?
Had Trump not stated something, and also you instructed a girl to down a bottle of Tylenol, she’d name the police on you. Now, they’re willingly overdosing on it to make some extent? Make it make sense.
What Does the Science Say About Tylenol and Autism?
The reality is extra difficult than a soundbite. Proper now, there is no such thing as a scientific consensus that Tylenol causes autism.
And let’s be actual, how would they go about doing this? Give a bunch of pregnant girls Tylenol and see if Tylenol causes autism of their infants? Who’s signing up for that?!
That stated, some research have advised potential associations between long-term or high-dose use of acetaminophen throughout being pregnant and developmental points. However these research are observational and restricted. They’ll’t show causation.
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to the headlines by reviewing analysis and starting the method of updating acetaminophen labels. Nevertheless, the FDA is obvious of their positioning that Tylenol nonetheless stays an choice for pregnant girls when used as directed.
The World Well being Group (WHO) additionally weighed in, rejecting claims of a constant hyperlink. They’ve identified flaws within the research that advised threat and proceed to encourage pregnant girls to comply with the steerage of their healthcare suppliers.
Even Docs Are Pushing Again
Medical consultants throughout the nation had been fast to push again on Trump’s declare. Obstetricians and maternal-fetal specialists referred to as the remarks “extremely regarding” and probably dangerous.
Right here’s why: untreated fever and extreme ache throughout being pregnant will be harmful. If girls are scared away from utilizing acetaminophen when medically needed, each mom and child might face extra critical well being issues than the medicine itself would possibly trigger.
Docs stress that the choice to make use of Tylenol whereas pregnant ought to all the time be based mostly on medical recommendation, not politics or social media challenges.
Tylenol Causes Autism? A Harmful Narrative
The phrase “Tylenol causes autism” has now develop into a viral speaking level. However repeating it with out context is precisely what worries well being professionals. Oversimplified messages can simply overshadow the nuances of medical analysis.
Sure, researchers are nonetheless finding out acetaminophen and its potential results. However leaping to conclusions (or worse, turning it right into a political speaking level) spreads confusion and fuels distrust.
And when that distrust results in performative stunts like overdosing on Tylenol for social media clout, the narrative turns into much more harmful.
The Actual Threat of Overdosing
Right here’s one other main concern: Tylenol overdose is a really actual and critical hazard. Acetaminophen toxicity could cause extreme liver harm and even loss of life. In truth, acetaminophen overdose is likely one of the main causes of acute liver failure in america.
So, whereas some pregnant girls assume they’re making a political assertion or proving some extent, they could really be placing their very own well being (and their child’s well being) in jeopardy.
This isn’t about “profitable” an argument with Trump and “proving him fallacious.” It’s about making protected, knowledgeable selections throughout being pregnant for you and your child.
The place We Go from Right here?
The dust-up over whether or not Tylenol causes autism reveals simply how simply well being debates can spiral uncontrolled within the age of social media. A single declare from a political determine can snowball right into a viral motion that influences conduct in methods consultants warn in opposition to.
For pregnant girls, the takeaway is easy: speak to your physician earlier than making any selections about medicine. Don’t let politics, social media traits, or viral movies dictate your well being selections.
Don’t Be Dumb… Cease This Development
Trump’s feedback about Tylenol and autism lit a hearth that’s nonetheless burning throughout the web. However science hasn’t confirmed that Tylenol causes autism. What’s clear is that overdosing or utilizing medicine for the sake of on-line views is unsafe and probably dangerous.
Being pregnant is already crammed with challenges and selections. Including politics and viral defiance traits into the combination solely makes it more durable.
On the finish of the day, the neatest transfer is to tune out the noise and comply with the steerage of medical professionals who know what’s finest for each mother and child.
