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Today's Top Medical Stories for Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Food and Drug Administration is considering approving a new powerful prescription painkiller and why your physical reaction to danger is all in your head.
British researchers have discovered a chain of connections in the brain that link survival behavior to the spinal cord. Those links are responsible for physical responses such as a higher heart rate, increase in blood pressure, "freezing" or "fight or flight" syndrome when you feel danger. Scientists hope their research will be used to help treat panic disorders, anxiety and phobias.

Babies born at a low birth weight or breastfed for less than three months-- or not at all -- are more likely to have cardiovascular disease as young adults.  Northwestern University researchers studied a group of 24- to 32-year olds. They found underweight newborns or babies who had little or no breastfeeding had a higher level of a certain protein linked to inflammation, which can cause heart disease.  

A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has recommended against approving a new powerful prescription painkiller. "Mox-duo" combines the opioids morphine and oxycodone in one capsule. Its manufacturer says the drug provides quick relief to patients suffering intense pain from accidents and surgeries. But addiction specialists warn Moxduo is dangerous because it's easy to abuse which could lead to overdoses and even death. The FDA now decides whether to approve or reject the panel's recommendation.

(Don Champion for CBS News)

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