Health Headlines - February 29

Many U.S. Adults Don't Get Enough Rest or Sleep

Only 29.6 percent of adults in four states (Delaware, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island) reported no days of insufficient rest or sleep in the past 30 days, and 10.1 percent reported insufficient rest or sleep every day during the past month, according to a study that analyzed 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor data collected in those states.

The study also found that 24.8 percent of adults unable to work were more likely to have insufficient rest or sleep. The findings are outlined in this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The article noted that 50 million to 79 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Sleep disorders and sleep loss may be associated with mental distress, depression, anxiety, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain risk behaviors such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, the article added.

More studies and data are needed to assess the prevalence and national impact of insufficient rest or sleep on adults, the article said. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

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FDA Approves Nexium for Young Children

The drug Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) has been approved for short-term treatment of children ages one to 11 years with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday.

The approval includes delayed-release capsule and liquid forms of the drug.

Nexium belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease stomach acid production and help heal erosions in the lining of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis).

The FDA said children prescribed this drug should be monitored by their doctors for side effects, which may include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, gas, constipation, dry mouth and sleepiness.

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New Drug Approved to Treat Rare Inflammatory Disorders

The injected drug Arcalyst has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of two rare cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, the Associated Press reported.

The inherited disorders, which affect about 300 people in the United States, can cause symptoms including joint pain, rashes and fever. One of them can also cause hearing loss and deafness.

Arcalyst, made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Tarrytown, N.Y., works by blocking a protein that can trigger inflammation. Respiratory infections and rashes at the injection site are the most common side effects associated with the drug.

The drug's approval came under the FDA's orphan-drug program, which gives companies seven years of exclusive marketing rights in return for developing treatments for rare diseases, the AP reported.

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Cribs Recalled for Fall Risks

U.S. safety officials announced a recall of 24,000 Indonesian-made cribs on Thursday.

The wooden cribs, imported by Munire Furniture Inc. of Piscataway, N.J., have faulty brackets that don't allow the mattresses to be fully lowered. This could let children inside the cribs crawl over the railing and fall. No falls or injuries have been reported yet, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The recalled cribs include: Majestic Curved Top cribs with model number 9500; Majestic Flat Top cribs with model number 9000; Essex cribs with model number 7100; Brighton/Sussex cribs with model number 9100, and Captiva cribs with model number 5100. Only cribs with manufacture dates between Nov. 1, 2005, and Nov. 1, 2007, are included in the recall.

Also Thursday, the CPSC warned that placing pillows and other soft bedding in babies' cribs is dangerous.

From 2002 to 2004, nursery products were involved in the deaths of 241 U.S. children under age 5, according to the CPSC. Of those incidents, about 40 percent involved cribs, with soft bedding cited as the major contributing factor. In many of those cases, children suffocated while lying face down on pillows or other bedding, the Associated Press reported.

Cribs should be free of adult pillows and blankets, stuffed animals and baby quilts, said CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese. In addition, babies should be placed on their backs in a crib that meets current safety standards.

Babies becoming trapped in ill-fitting crib mattresses can also lead to deaths. The CPSC said there should never be a gap larger than two fingers at any point between the sides of the crib and the mattress, and old, broken and modified cribs shouldn't be used, the AP reported.

From 2002 to 2004, there were 36 baby deaths related to baby baths and bath seats. In all those cases, the deaths occurred when caregivers left the baby unattended, the CPSC said.

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FDA Needs More Inspectors to Monitor Foreign Firms, Official Says

More inspectors and a comprehensive computer database are needed to help the U.S. Food and Drug Administration improve its monitoring of foreign-made drugs and drug ingredients entering the United States, an agency official told U.S. lawmakers Wednesday.

Due to limited resources, the FDA each year inspects only about 10 percent (300) of foreign facilities that ship drugs and drug ingredients to the United States, said Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Associated Press reported.

During her appearance before an appropriations panel responsible for funding the FDA, Woodcock was asked what additional resources the agency needed. While Woodcock often did not provide specifics, she did say that hiring more investigators and upgrading the agency's computer systems would be the top priorities if more money were made available, the AP said.

Under the Bush administration, funding for foreign inspections has decreased nearly 30 percent, even though the number of firms to be inspected has increased, noted panel chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the news service reported.

A Government Accountability Office report released last November said the FDA doesn't know how many foreign firms are actually subject to inspection.

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Panel No Longer Prefers ProQuad Vaccine

A Merck & Co. combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox caused higher rates of fever-related convulsions in children than two separate injections (one for chickenpox and another for the three other diseases), according to a U.S. study released Wednesday.

As a result of the finding about the combination vaccine ProQuad, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices moderated its preference for the vaccine, which received Food and Drug Administration approval in 2005, the Associated Press reported.

The study of children ages 12 months to 23 months found the rate of seizures was twice as high in children who received ProQuad, compared to those who received the two injections. That works out to about one extra case of convulsions for every 2,000 doses of ProQuad given to children, said researchers who presented the findings Wednesday at a meeting of the advisory committee.

Until Wednesday, the panel had said the ProQuad vaccine was preferable to giving children separate shots. But the new findings prompted the panel to amend its position and state that it no longer has a preference for the combo vaccine over the separate shots, the AP reported.

Health Tips for February 29

Health Tip: Depression in Children

Children are by no means immune from the emotions and stressful times that can contribute to depression.

Here's a list of possible warning signs of depression in children, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Loss of appetite, or weight loss.
* Loss of desire, among young children, for playtime.
* Lack of confidence or self-esteem.
* General disinterest in themselves, family members or once-favored activities.
* Not wanting to go to school.
* Significant changes in sleeping or eating habits.
* Frequent or prolonged physical symptoms, including stomachache or headache.
* Frequent bouts of anger and losing temper.

Health Tip: Muscle Injury?

Many minor overuse injuries to muscles and tendons can be treated at home.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests the RICE method, which includes:

* Resting the injured area by avoiding exercise, sports or activities that may aggravate the injury until the pain subsides.
* Icing the area with an ice pack (protecting the skin) several times a day for about 20 minutes per session.
* Compressing the area by wearing an elastic compression bandage.
* Elevating the area, keeping it above the level of your heart.

Health Headlines - February 28

Non-Specific Chest Pain Major Cause of Emergency Department Visits

In 2005, 23 states had 1.6 million hospital emergency department visits for non-specific chest pain that didn't appear to be a heart attack, says the latest News and Numbers analysis from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In about 20 percent (345,000) of those 1.6 million cases, patients were admitted to hospitals for observation or treatment, said the report, which looked at statistics from 23 selected states.

Non-specific chest pain was the fourth leading cause of emergency visits to hospitals in 2005, the report said. The top three were: sprains and strains (2.4 million visits); bruises and other superficial injuries (2 million); and abdominal pain (1.7 million). In each of these categories, less than five percent of patients were admitted to hospitals.

Other highlights of the report:

• The rate of emergency department visits by people in the poorest communities was nearly two times higher than that of people from the wealthiest communities -- about 481 per 1,000 vs. 261 per 1,000.
• Other leading causes of emergency visits were: back problems (1.4 million); leg and arm open wounds (1.3 million); headaches, including migraines (1.2 million); nose and throat infections (1.1 million); and skin and urinary tract infections (1 million). Of these problems, urinary tract infections were most likely to require hospitalization (18 percent).
• The emergency department complaint most likely to result in hospitalization was pneumonia -- two-thirds of 669,500 patients.
• Uninsured emergency department patients were less likely (7 percent) to be admitted to hospital than those with private insurance or Medicaid (about 14 percent each) or Medicare (nearly 40 percent). Uninsured patients accounted for about 18 percent of emergency department visits.

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Sports Officials Attend Steroids Hearing

Commissioners and union leaders of Major League Baseball, the NHL, the NBA and the NFL, along with other sports officials, will be at Wednesday's House subcommittee hearing on steroids, as the subcommittee chairman plans to write legislation governing the use of drugs in sport, the Associated Press reported.

In related news, star pitcher Roger Clemens may find out by the end of the week whether Congress will seek a criminal investigation of whether the seven-time Cy Young Award winner lied under oath about alleged use of steroids and human growth hormone.

In a joint appearance with Clemens, his ex-trainer Brian McNamee said he injected the pitcher with steroids and human growth hormone at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001, the AP reported.

If Congress does call for a probe, and the Justice Department agrees, investigators would try to determine which of the men told the truth.

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Botox Seeps Beyond Target Area: Study

Botox (botulinum toxin) can seep beyond the target area and is harder to control than previously thought, says a Canadian study.

Botox is used to smooth out wrinkles and is also used to relax spastic muscles in cerebral palsy and stroke patients. University of Calgary kinesiology professor Walter Herzog used Botox in a study of how muscle weakness contributes to joint degeneration, CBC News reported.

Herzog and his colleagues discovered that Botox easily moved from the targeted muscle into surrounding ones and weakened all the muscles in the area. The findings were published in the Journal of Biomechanics.

"Many people believe that when Botox is injected into a single muscle, it stays there. This research shows that it is not that easy to control," said Herzog, CBC News reported.

The next step is to find out how long it takes Botox to move from the target site to other areas and to determine the ideal dose for safely targeting a specific muscle while minimizing seepage, Herzog said.

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Drug-Resistant TB Cases at Record High

Cases of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis around the world have reached a new high, according to a World Health Organization survey of more than 90,000 TB patients in 81 countries.

Patients with MDR-TB don't respond to the standard six months of treatment and must take more expensive and toxic drugs for up to two years, BBC News reported. The survey also found that virtually untreatable MDR-TB is present in 45 countries.

The findings surprised the WHO, which called for a major boost in efforts to fight drug-resistant TB.

"TB drug resistance needs a frontal assault," said Dr. Mario Raviglione, director of the WHO Stop TB Department, BBC News reported. "If countries and the international community fail to address it aggressively now, we will lose this battle."

Along with specifically targeting drug-resistant TB, "programs worldwide must immediately improve their performance in diagnosing all TB cases rapidly and treating them until cured, which is the best way to prevent the development of drug resistance," Raviglione said.

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FDA Warns About Allergic Reactions Caused by Denture Cleansers

Allergic reactions to denture cleansers have killed one person and sickened 72 others, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday. In some of those cases, consumers misused the products.

InformatIon posted on the agency's Web site said a bleach called persulfate -- an ingredient in the cleansers -- caused the allergic reactions. The FDA said doctors and patients need to know the symptoms of an allergic reaction and to use the cleansers as directed, Bloomberg News reported.

The FDA said the person who died and some of those who became sick misused the denture cleansers.

"Some patients have gargled or swallowed it, resulting in abdominal pain, vomiting, seizure, hypotension and difficulty breathing," the agency noted. But it added that some people who suffered allergic reactions did use the cleansers as directed, Bloomberg News reported.

All makers of denture cleansers should add a warning about the risk of allergic reactions and include better patient instructions on package labeling, the FDA said.

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Canada Confirms Another Case of Mad Cow Disease

Another case of mad cow disease has been confirmed in a six-year-old diary cow from Alberta, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). No part of the cow's carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems, the agency said.

Officials didn't reveal exactly where the cow came from in Alberta but said its age and location are consistent with previous cases, the Canadian Press reported.

This is the 12th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed in Canada since the first one was discovered in a cow from Alberta in May 2003.

The CFIA said this latest case won't affect the country's surveillance and eradication program for BSE, the CP reported.

Health Tips for February 28

Health Tip: What's Behind My Migraine?

Migraines are severe headaches that can also cause nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraines are more common in women than men. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists these common triggers of migraines in women:

* Not getting enough to eat.
* Not getting enough sleep.
* Exposure to bright lights or loud noise.
* Fluctuating hormone levels, such as during your period.
* Changes in the weather.
* Emotional factors, such as stress or anxiety.
* Chocolate, alcohol, nicotine or foods with additives such as MSG.

Health Tip: Canker Sores

Canker sores are painful ulcers inside the mouth that most often occur on the base of the gums, inside the cheeks or lips, on the soft palate, or on the tongue. They typically do not require treatment and go away on their own.

Certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing canker sores. Here's a list, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Family history of canker sores.
* Weakened immune system.
* Dental work.
* Biting the inside of the cheek or the tongue.
* Stress, anxiety or changes in hormone levels.
* Malnutrition, particularly deficiencies in iron, folic acid or vitamin B-12.
* Allergic reaction to food.
* Viral infection.

Health Headlines - February 27

Drug-Resistant TB Cases at Record High

Cases of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis around the world have reached a new high, according to a World Health Organization survey of more than 90,000 TB patients in 81 countries.

Patients with MDR-TB don't respond to the standard six months of treatment and must take more expensive and toxic drugs for up to two years, BBC News reported. The survey also found that virtually untreatable MDR-TB is present in 45 countries.

The findings surprised the WHO, which called for a major boost in efforts to fight drug-resistant TB.

"TB drug resistance needs a frontal assault," said Dr. Mario Raviglione, director of the WHO Stop TB Department, BBC News reported. "If countries and the international community fail to address it aggressively now, we will lose this battle."

Along with specifically targeting drug-resistant TB, "programs worldwide must immediately improve their performance in diagnosing all TB cases rapidly and treating them until cured, which is the best way to prevent the development of drug resistance," Raviglione said.

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FDA Warns About Allergic Reactions Caused by Denture Cleansers

Allergic reactions to denture cleansers have killed one person and sickened 72 others, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday. In some of those cases, consumers misused the products.

InformatIon posted on the agency's Web site said a bleach called persulfate -- an ingredient in the cleansers -- caused the allergic reactions. The FDA said doctors and patients need to know the symptoms of an allergic reaction and to use the cleansers as directed, Bloomberg News reported.

The FDA said the person who died and some of those who became sick misused the denture cleansers.

"Some patients have gargled or swallowed it, resulting in abdominal pain, vomiting, seizure, hypotension and difficulty breathing," the agency noted. But it added that some people who suffered allergic reactions did use the cleansers as directed, Bloomberg News reported.

All makers of denture cleansers should add a warning about the risk of allergic reactions and include better patient instructions on package labeling, the FDA said.

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Canada Confirms Another Case of Mad Cow Disease

Another case of mad cow disease has been confirmed in a six-year-old diary cow from Alberta, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). No part of the cow's carcass entered the human food or animal feed systems, the agency said.

Officials didn't reveal exactly where the cow came from in Alberta but said its age and location are consistent with previous cases, the Canadian Press reported.

This is the 12th case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) confirmed in Canada since the first one was discovered in a cow from Alberta in May 2003.

The CFIA said this latest case won't affect the country's surveillance and eradication program for BSE, the CP reported.

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Heart Disease Kills Millions of Europeans a Year

More than two million people in Europe die of heart disease each year and more needs to be done to improve prevention and reduce death rates, according to a study presented Tuesday to deputies in the European Parliament Heart Group.

The statistical study by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Network found huge variations across Europe in death rates for coronary artery disease and stroke, Agence France-Presse reported. The death rates in eastern and northern Europe are five to seven times higher than in western Europe.

The study also found that heart disease cost the European Union $285 million in 2006. This included direct health care expenses, lost productivity, and informal patient care provided by family and friends. The researchers estimated that heart disease resulted in a per capita cost of $581.

"Premature death and suffering from CVD (cardiovascular disease) is largely avoidable," and successful strategies used by western European countries to reduce heart disease death rates should be extended through Europe, said Susanne Longstrup of the European Heart Network, AFP reported.

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Pfizer Halts Lipitor Ads Featuring Dr. Jarvik

The ad campaign for the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor that features artificial heart pioneer Dr. Robert Jarvik has been halted by drug maker Pfizer. A U.S. Congressional committee examining consumer drug advertising has been looking into whether the ads misrepresented Jarvik and his credentials.

Jarvik has a medical degree, but isn't a cardiologist and isn't licensed to practice medicine, The New York Times reported. In addition, former colleagues of Jarvik complained that the ads erroneously identified Jarvik as the "inventor of the artificial heart." Pfizer subsequently changed the ads to identify him as inventor of the Jarvik heart, the newspaper said.

One of the ads depicted Jarvik as a skilled rower skimming across a mountain lake. But the ad featured a body double for Jarvik, who doesn't row, the Times reported.

"The way in which we presented Dr. Jarvik in these ads has, unfortunately, led to misimpressions and distractions from our primary goal of encouraging patient and physician dialogue on the leading cause of death in the world -- cardiovascular disease," Ian Read, Pfizer's president of worldwide operations, said in a prepared statement.

Read said Pfizer would be committed to "greater clarity" in its advertising in the future, the Times reported.

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NOAA Launches Seafood Web Site for Consumers

A new U.S. government Web site called FishWatch provides consumers with information about sustainable, safe and healthy seafood.

"Consumers are rightfully confused given all the misleading and conflicting information available to them, but FishWatch will help them become better educated and prepared seafood consumers," Conrad C. Lautenbacher, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said in a prepared statement.

The site (FishWatch.noaa.gov) provides information on about 50 of the most commonly harvested and farmed seafood species available in the United States. There's also information about seafood and human health, including facts about mercury and tips on selecting, buying, storing and preparing seafood to ensure quality and safety.

Information on FishWatch comes from a variety of NOAA sources, including stock assessments, fisheries surveys, environmental analyses and cooperative research. The site was launched at the International Seafood Show in Boston.

Health Tips for February 27

Health Tip: Watch For Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when body tissue essentially freezes after exposure to extreme cold.

Children are at greater risk because their body heat escapes more easily, and because they may be less prone to coming inside when it's downright freezing, the Nemours Foundation says.

The foundation offers these suggestions aimed at warding off frostbite among kids:

* Get your child inside immediately if you notice fingers, cheeks, ears, lips, nose or toes that are turning white. If these areas take on a waxy appearance, seek emergency treatment at once.
* Take off all wet clothes.
* Get your child into a warm bath until there's feeling again in the affected areas. Be sure to use warm water, not hot.
* Don't let your child control the water temperature, as she can be burned because she can't feel if water is too hot.

Health Tip: Prevent Runner's Knee

Symptoms of runner's knee typically include pain in and around the kneecap, particularly when running, squatting, kneeling or walking up or down stairs.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions to help prevent runner's knee:

* Take time to get your body in good condition before performing activities that stress the knees.
* Try to lose weight. Being overweight puts additional stress on the knees.
* Always warm up and stretch your legs before you exercise. Remember to stretch after your workout, as well.
* Increase activity gradually. Trying to do too much before your body is conditioned for it can cause injury.
* Wear supportive running shoes that absorb shock well. Try to run on somewhat softer surfaces.
* Practice good form when running, leaning slightly forward and keeping your knees bent.

Health Headlines - February 26

NOAA Launches Seafood Web Site for Consumers

A new U.S. government Web site called FishWatch provides consumers with information about sustainable, safe and healthy seafood.

"Consumers are rightfully confused given all the misleading and conflicting information available to them, but FishWatch will help them become better educated and prepared seafood consumers," Conrad C. Lautenbacher, administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said in a prepared statement.

The site (FishWatch.noaa.gov) provides information on about 50 of the most commonly harvested and farmed seafood species available in the United States. There's also information about seafood and human health, including facts about mercury and tips on selecting, buying, storing and preparing seafood to ensure quality and safety.

Information on FishWatch comes from a variety of NOAA sources, including stock assessments, fisheries surveys, environmental analyses and cooperative research. The site was launched at the International Seafood Show in Boston.

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Patient Involvement in Care May Not Improve Outcome: Study

Patients with chronic health problems who play a major role in their medical treatment may have poorer outcomes than patients who defer to their doctors, suggests a U.S. study that tracked 189 hypertension patients for 12 months.

The University of Iowa study found that patients who were more highly involved in their care had higher blood pressure and cholesterol than passive patients, CBC News reported. The involved patients had an average blood pressure of 141 over 70 and low-density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol) levels of 122, compared with an average blood pressure of 137 over 72 and an LDL level of 92 for passive patients.

This may be because the more involved patients may have been less satisfied with the medicines prescribed by their doctors and therefore less likely to adhere to the drug regimen, said the authors of the study, published this week in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

The researchers said the findings suggest that understanding patient preferences for treatment can help doctors tailor therapies to patients and increase the chance of success, CBC News reported.

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Friends Influence Children's Social Aggression

Friends have a strong influence on children's non-physical social aggression -- such as teasing, rumor-spreading and exclusion -- against peers, says a Canadian study that looked at 406 pairs of 7-year-old twins.

The researchers concluded that 77 percent of cases of social aggression among children are driven by friends or even adults, the Canadian Press reported. The findings appear in the journal Child Development.

"Children who hang out with socially aggressive friends seem to pick up this behavior even when they don't have a genetic predisposition to be socially aggressive," said lead author Mara Brendgen, a psychology professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal.

She said socially aggressive habits are easily picked up by children, so parents need to watch for signs of such behavior and to monitor their children's network of friends, the CP reported.

Social attacks tend to peak in early adolescence and can continue into adulthood, Brendgen said.

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Lifestyle Diseases Bigger Threat Than Terrorism: Experts

Terrorism is less of a global threat than obesity, diabetes and smoking-relating diseases, and governments need to devote more money and attention to these kinds of preventable lifestyle diseases, according to experts attending an international conference in Sydney, Australia.

"Ever since September 11, we've been lurching from one crisis to the next, which has really frightened the public," Lawrence Gostin, a prominent American professor of health law, told Agence France-Presse.

"While we've been focusing so much attention on that, we've had this silent epidemic of obesity that's killing millions of people around the world, and we've devoting very little attention to it and a negligible amount of money," said Gostin, a professor at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins universities and an advisor to the U.S. government.

Accrding to World Health Organization figures, about 388 million people will die from chronic disease worldwide over the next decade. The figures were quoted by the Oxford Health Alliance, which organized the conference, AFP reported.

When the conference ends Wednesday, delegates are expected to issue a resolution calling on governments, big business, and others to take action to prevent millions of premature deaths from chronic disease.

Among the recommended goals: less sugar, fat and salt in foods; affordable fresh food; increased efforts to reduce smoking; and planning changes that promote walking and cycling and reduce motor vehicle emissions.

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LSD Research May Help Lead to New Schizophrenia Treatments

The drug LSD affects many of the same brain pathways as schizophrenia and causes similar symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, say researchers who conducted experiments on mice, Agence France-Presse reported.

The findings may help lead to improved treatments for schizophrenia. Currently, there is no known cure for the disorder, which affects about one in 200 people.

The researchers, led by Stuart Sealfon of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, found that the drug had to act simultaneously on specific serotonin and glutamate receptors in order to produce schizophrenia-like symptoms in the mice, AFP reported.

When mice under the influence of LSD were given another drug that targeted only the glutamate receptor, the hallucinogenic effect of LSD was neutralized. This is an important discovery, in light of a the development of a new schizophrenia treatment that -- unlike any previous therapy -- acts only on the glutamate receptors, Sealfon said.

The study was published Sunday in the journal Nature.

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FEMA Agrees to Test Trailers for Formaldehyde Levels

People living in trailers supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after hurricanes savaged the Gulf Coast in 2005 can file a request to get their units tested for formaldehyde contamination, the Associated Press reports.

This decision comes after results of testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that fumes from 519 trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana and Mississippi averaged about five times higher than levels found in most modern homes. In some trailers, the levels were nearly 40 times higher, prompting concerns that the residents could come down with breathing problems, the AP reported.

FEMA provided about 120,000 travel trailers to victims of the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2006, some occupants began reporting headaches and nosebleeds. The complaints were linked to formaldehyde, a colorless gas with a pungent smell used in the production of plywood and resins, according to the AP

FEMA announced late last week that it would allow free testing for anyone living in government-issued trailers associated with the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as people living in trailers associated with tornadoes, floods and other disasters during the past two years.

About 200 trailers and mobile homes would be tested each week, FEMA officials told the AP.

Health Tips for February 26

Health Tip: Counting Baby's Kicks

Since movement in the uterus is a sign of fetal health, pregnant women should monitor the baby's kicking and activity.

The American Pregnancy Association offers these suggestions:

* You can start counting kicks at about 28 weeks, and monitor throughout the rest of your pregnancy.
* Count how long and how often your baby kicks.
* If you notice a decrease in baby's activity, it's important to let your doctor know at once.
* On average, babies will move about 10 times in a two-hour period. Movements may include kicking, rolling, turning and twisting.

Health Tip: Get Enough Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that's found primarily in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, potatoes and other fruits and veggies.

Significant enough vitamin C deficiency can lead to a condition called scurvy.

Here are warning signs that you're not getting enough vitamin C, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Excessively dry hair with ends that split easily.
* Scaly, rough, dry skin.
* Bleeding or inflamed gums.
* Wounds that heal slowly, frequent infections, and bruising easily.
* Frequent nosebleeds.
* Pain and swelling in the joints.
* Anemia.
* Weakened tooth enamel.

Health Headlines - February 25

FEMA Agrees to Test Trailers for Formaldehyde Levels

People living in trailers supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after hurricanes savaged the Gulf Coast in 2005 can file a request to get their units tested for formaldehyde contamination, the Associated Press reports.

This decision comes after results of testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that fumes from 519 trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana and Mississippi averaged about five times higher than levels found in most modern homes. In some trailers, the levels were nearly 40 times higher, prompting concerns that the residents could come down with breathing problems, the A.P. reported.

FEMA provided about 120,000 travel trailers to victims of the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2006, some occupants began reporting headaches and nosebleeds. The complaints were linked to formaldehyde, a colorless gas with a pungent smell used in the production of plywood and resins, according to the A.P.

FEMA announced late last week that it would allow free testing for anyone living in government-issued trailers associated with the 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as people living in trailers associated with tornadoes, floods and other disasters during the past two years.

"We do not want people exposed to this for very much longer," Mike McGeehin, director of a CDC division that focuses on environmental hazards, told the wire service. About 200 trailers and mobile homes would be tested each week, FEMA officials told the A.P..

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Hepatitis A May Have Infected 'A List' Celebrities at Manhattan Nightclub

In yet another instance of disease not discriminating, hundreds of guests who attended a 30th birthday party at a popular new York City nightclub for actor Ashton Kutcher early in February may have been exposed to hepatitis A and might have to be vaccinated.

The Associated Press reports that a bartender at the Greenwich Village hotspot Socialista has been diagnosed with the highly infectious disease, which is spread through simple physical contact, such as shaking hands, a kiss on the cheek or merely touching an object like a glass or a bowl held by someone with the disease.

More than 700 people -- many of them celebrities such as Kutcher's wife Demi Moore, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Bruce Willis -- were reported to have attended the party, the wire service reported, although there was no confirmation that anyone had received a vaccination.

Hepatitis A is rarely fatal, the A.P. reports, but it can last a long time. It comes from fecal matter, and people exposed to it should get a vaccine injection within two weeks of exposure.

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Insurer Ordered to Pay Breast Cancer Patient $9 Million After Canceling Coverage

A California breast cancer patient whose insurance company stopped paying for her chemotherapy treatments before they were completed has been awarded $9 million.

The ruling judge termed the actions of the insurer, Health Net of California, "reprehensible," just as the Los Angeles city attorney announced another lawsuit against Health Net on charges it illegally canceled claims from about 1,600 patients, according to the Associated Press.

The cancer patient, Patsy Bates, 52, had her chemotherapy payment benefits cut off by Health Net in 2004 after she had undergone only two treatments, the wire service reported. She was left owing her doctors almost $130,000. The insurance company had an incentive program for its reviewers, rewarding them for rejecting or eliminating benefit payments, the AP reported.

A Health Net spokesperson told the wire service it had such a program in 2003 and 2004, but that it had been suspended, pending a review of the company's procedures. "Obviously we regret the way that this has turned out, but we are intent on fixing the processes to maintain the public trust," spokesman David Olson told the AP.

"It's hard to imagine a policy more reprehensible than tying bonuses to encourage the recision of health insurance that helps keep the public well and alive," arbitration judge Sam Cianchetti wrote in his decision.

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Quitting Smoking More Difficult for Blacks, Hispanics: Study

Quitting smoking is a difficult task for almost anyone. For Hispanics and blacks, it may be even harder to give up cigarettes.

Columbia University researchers have found that minority smokers had less success with various smoking cessation treatments than whites, and while the exact reason for this isn't known, the scientists were able to identify some common factors that may explain the difference.

According to a university news release, 559 smokers were used for the study -- 360 were white, 126 black and 73 Hispanic. The participants were given eight weeks of treatment using three widely accepted stop-smoking methods: buproprion (Zyban), the nicotine patch, and individual counseling.

During the last four weeks, about 60 percent of the white participants were able to stop smoking, compared to 41 percent of the Hispanic group and 38 percent of the blacks, the researchers found.

The scientists weren't able to determine an exact cause for the differences, according to study author, Lirio Covey, associate professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center. But there were some common factors among study participants, she added.

"In order for successful smoking cessation to occur, treatment must be tailored to specific population groups based on better knowledge of these groups," Covey said in the news release.

"In African-Americans, quitting occurred less frequently among participants with lower body mass index and a household member who smoked," the university news release said. "For Hispanics, age was a significant predictor in that those who were older were more successful at quitting." The findings are published in the winter edition of the journal Ethnicity & Disease.

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Companies Agree to Halt Unapproved Health Claims About Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it has obtained a permanent injunction against Brownwood Acres Foods and Cherry Capital Services (doing business as Flavonoid Sciences) and two of their top executives, prohibiting them from making and distributing any products with label claims about curing, treating, mitigating or preventing disease.

The companies, which make various products including juice concentrates, soft fruit gel capsules, fruit bars, dried fruits, liquid glucosamine and salmon oil capsules, have a history of promoting unapproved health claims about their products, the FDA said in a prepared statement.

Under terms of a signed consent decree, the companies agreed to remove drug and unauthorized health claims from their labels, brochures and Web sites.

"The FDA will not tolerate unsubstantiated health claims that may mislead consumers. The FDA will pursue necessary legal action to make sure companies and their executives manufacture and distribute safe, truthfully labeled products to consumers," Margaret O'K. Glavin, the agency's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, said.

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More Countries Reporting Tamiflu-Resistant Flu Viruses

The number of countries with reported cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 influenza viruses has increased to 20, the World Health Organization said Thursday in an update posted on its Web site. Many countries have stockpiled Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as a front-line defense in the event of a flu pandemic.

The list of countries reporting Tamiflu-resistant influenza now includes Japan, which uses more of the drug than any other nation, the Canadian Press reported.

Since January, resistant flu viruses have been detected in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, the United States and 15 European countries. Rates of resistance vary from country to country. The overall resistance rate in Europe is about 19 percent but is much higher in some countries, such as in France (40 percent). The rate of resistance in Canada and the United States is about 8t percent.

Experts noted that H1N1 viruses that carry the genetic mutation that protects them against Tamiflu are still susceptible to the drugs zanamivir (Relenza), amantadine, and rimantadine, the CP reported.

Health Tips for February 25

Health Tip: Caring for a Minor Burn

While serious burns require a doctor's care, even minor burns should be treated properly.

Here are suggestions for how to help a minor burn heal, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* Immediately after the injury, soak the area in cool water.
* Don't apply butter, oil, ice or ice water to burns. These products can further damage the skin.
* Treat the burn with a soothing aloe vera gel, or an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
* Cover the burn with a dry gauze bandage.
* If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Health Tip: Classifying Burns

Burns are classified in three ways: as first-, second- or third-degree burns.

These designations are based on severity, and usually dictate what kind of treatment the burn requires.

Here is information about each type of burn, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

* First-degree burns are least serious, characterized by red, painful, swollen areas on the skin that turn white when pressure is applied. They typically heal within three to six days.
* Second-degree burns are thicker, more painful burns that may blister. They usually swell significantly, and the skin may appear splotchy. They typically heal within two to three weeks.
* Third-degree burns are the most severe, affecting all layers of the skin, and may look white or charred. They may not be painful, as the nerves may be damaged from a third-degree burn. This type of burn typically requires a very long time to heal.

Health Headlines - February 24

Insurer Ordered to Pay Breast Cancer Patient $9 Million After Canceling Coverage

A California breast cancer patient whose insurance company stopped paying for her chemotherapy treatments before they were completed has been awarded $9 million.

The ruling judge termed the actions of the insurer, Health Net of California, "reprehensible," just as the Los Angeles city attorney announced another lawsuit against Health Net on charges it illegally canceled claims from about 1,600 patients, according to the Associated Press.

The cancer patient, Patsy Bates, 52, had her chemotherapy payment benefits cut off by Health Net in 2004 after she had undergone only two treatments, the wire service reported. She was left owing her doctors almost $130,000. The insurance company had an incentive program for its reviewers, rewarding them for rejecting or eliminating benefit payments, the AP reported.

A Health Net spokesperson told the wire service it had such a program in 2003 and 2004, but that it had been suspended, pending a review of the company's procedures. "Obviously we regret the way that this has turned out, but we are intent on fixing the processes to maintain the public trust," spokesman David Olson told the AP.

"It's hard to imagine a policy more reprehensible than tying bonuses to encourage the recision of health insurance that helps keep the public well and alive," arbitration judge Sam Cianchetti wrote in his decision.

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Quitting Smoking More Difficult for Blacks, Hispanics: Study

Quitting smoking is a difficult task for almost anyone. For Hispanics and blacks, it may be even harder to give up cigarettes.

Columbia University researchers have found that minority smokers had less success with various smoking cessation treatments than whites, and while the exact reason for this isn't known, the scientists were able to identify some common factors that may explain the difference.

According to a university news release, 559 smokers were used for the study -- 360 were white, 126 black and 73 Hispanic. The participants were given eight weeks of treatment using three widely accepted stop-smoking methods: buproprion (Zyban), the nicotine patch, and individual counseling.

During the last four weeks, about 60 percent of the white participants were able to stop smoking, compared to 41 percent of the Hispanic group and 38 percent of the blacks, the researchers found.

The scientists weren't able to determine an exact cause for the differences, according to study author, Lirio Covey, associate professor of clinical psychology at Columbia University Medical Center. But there were some common factors among study participants, she added.

"In order for successful smoking cessation to occur, treatment must be tailored to specific population groups based on better knowledge of these groups," Covey said in the news release.

"In African-Americans, quitting occurred less frequently among participants with lower body mass index and a household member who smoked," the university news release said. "For Hispanics, age was a significant predictor in that those who were older were more successful at quitting." The findings are published in the winter edition of the journal Ethnicity & Disease.

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Companies Agree to Halt Unapproved Health Claims About Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it has obtained a permanent injunction against Brownwood Acres Foods and Cherry Capital Services (doing business as Flavonoid Sciences) and two of their top executives, prohibiting them from making and distributing any products with label claims about curing, treating, mitigating or preventing disease.

The companies, which make various products including juice concentrates, soft fruit gel capsules, fruit bars, dried fruits, liquid glucosamine and salmon oil capsules, have a history of promoting unapproved health claims about their products, the FDA said in a prepared statement.

Under terms of a signed consent decree, the companies agreed to remove drug and unauthorized health claims from their labels, brochures and Web sites.

"The FDA will not tolerate unsubstantiated health claims that may mislead consumers. The FDA will pursue necessary legal action to make sure companies and their executives manufacture and distribute safe, truthfully labeled products to consumers," Margaret O'K. Glavin, the agency's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, said.

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More Countries Reporting Tamiflu-Resistant Flu Viruses

The number of countries with reported cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 influenza viruses has increased to 20, the World Health Organization said Thursday in an update posted on its Web site. Many countries have stockpiled Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as a front-line defense in the event of a flu pandemic.

The list of countries reporting Tamiflu-resistant influenza now includes Japan, which uses more of the drug than any other nation, the Canadian Press reported.

Since January, resistant flu viruses have been detected in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, the United States and 15 European countries. Rates of resistance vary from country to country. The overall resistance rate in Europe is about 19 percent but is much higher in some countries, such as in France (40 percent). The rate of resistance in Canada and the United States is about 8t percent.

Experts noted that H1N1 viruses that carry the genetic mutation that protects them against Tamiflu are still susceptible to the drugs zanamivir (Relenza), amantadine, and rimantadine, the CP reported.

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Magnetic Dart Boards Recalled

Family Dollar of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling about 250,000 Fun 'n Safe magnetic dart boards because small magnets on the ends of the darts can detach and pose a hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday.

The small magnets can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal blockages or perforations, which can be fatal. There have been no reports of injuries.

The magnetic dart boards were sold at Family Dollar stores nationwide from January 2001 through January 2008 for about $5. The toys should be immediately taken away from children and returned to a Family Dollar store for a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, contact Family Dollar at 800-547-0359.

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Large Amount of Recalled Beef Went to School Lunch Programs

Of the 143 million pounds of California beef recalled last week, more than a third (about 50 million pounds) went to school lunch programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Thursday.

Of that 50 million pounds, about 20 million pounds have been eaten, 15 million pounds are on hold in storage facilities, and 15 million pounds are still being tracked down, Eric Steiner, deputy administrator of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service's special nutrition programs, told the Associated Press.

USDA officials also said they couldn't provide the names of all the places that may have received the recalled beef produced by Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. There have been no reports of illnesses.

"Sitting here today, I cannot tell you how many locations the product as gone to," said Dr. Kenneth Peterson, of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. "Our focus is identifying the locations and making sure the product is under control."

The beef recall, the largest in U.S. history, was issued after the release of videos showing workers using inhumane methods to force sick and crippled cows to slaughter.

Health Tips for February 24

Health Tip: What's an A1c Test?

A hemoglobin A1c test is recommended for many diabetics several times per year. The test helps doctors see how well blood sugar has been controlled over the prior two or three months.

The University of Michigan Health System offers this additional information about the test:

* The amount of hemoglobin A1c in your blood indicates how high your blood sugar has been over the past three months. This can help determine if medication, diet and other remedies prescribed by your doctor are working.
* The test should be done every three months, unless you have your sugar well- controlled. In that case, your doctor may suggest getting the test every six months.
* Test results can help predict the likelihood of diabetic complications, including heart disease, or damage to the eyes, kidneys or nervous system.

Health Tip: Painful Urination

Pain while urinating often indicates an infection -- usually in the urinary tract. However, it can also be caused by other conditions, and should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Here are possible causes of painful urination, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* A urinary tract infection (UTI).
* Gonorrhea or chlamydia, both of which can cause inflammation of the urethra.
* An inflamed prostate.
* Chronic inflammation of the wall of the bladder.
* Inflammation of the vagina.
* Inflammation of the vulva.

Health Headlines - February 23

Companies Agree to Halt Unapproved Health Claims About Products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it has obtained a permanent injunction against Brownwood Acres Foods and Cherry Capital Services (doing business as Flavonoid Sciences) and two of their top executives, prohibiting them from making and distributing any products with label claims about curing, treating, mitigating or preventing disease.

The companies, which make various products including juice concentrates, soft fruit gel capsules, fruit bars, dried fruits, liquid glucosamine and salmon oil capsules, have a history of promoting unapproved health claims about their products, the FDA said in a prepared statement.

Under terms of a signed consent decree, the companies agreed to remove drug and unauthorized health claims from their labels, brochures and Web sites.

"The FDA will not tolerate unsubstantiated health claims that may mislead consumers. The FDA will pursue necessary legal action to make sure companies and their executives manufacture and distribute safe, truthfully labeled products to consumers," Margaret O'K. Glavin, the agency's associate commissioner for regulatory affairs, said.

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More Countries Reporting Tamiflu-Resistant Flu Viruses

The number of countries with reported cases of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 influenza viruses has increased to 20, the World Health Organization said Thursday in an update posted on its Web site. Many countries have stockpiled Tamiflu (oseltamivir) as a front-line defense in the event of a flu pandemic.

The list of countries reporting Tamiflu-resistant influenza now includes Japan, which uses more of the drug than any other nation, the Canadian Press reported.

Since January, resistant flu viruses have been detected in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, the United States and 15 European countries. Rates of resistance vary from country to country. The overall resistance rate in Europe is about 19 percent but is much higher in some countries, such as in France (40 percent). The rate of resistance in Canada and the United States is about 8t percent.

Experts noted that H1N1 viruses that carry the genetic mutation that protects them against Tamiflu are still susceptible to the drugs zanamivir (Relenza), amantadine, and rimantadine, the CP reported.

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Magnetic Dart Boards Recalled

Family Dollar of Charlotte, N.C., is recalling about 250,000 Fun 'n Safe magnetic dart boards because small magnets on the ends of the darts can detach and pose a hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Friday.

The small magnets can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal blockages or perforations, which can be fatal. There have been no reports of injuries.

The magnetic dart boards were sold at Family Dollar stores nationwide from January 2001 through January 2008 for about $5. The toys should be immediately taken away from children and returned to a Family Dollar store for a refund, the CPSC said.

For more information, contact Family Dollar at 800-547-0359.

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Large Amount of Recalled Beef Went to School Lunch Programs

Of the 143 million pounds of California beef recalled last week, more than a third (about 50 million pounds) went to school lunch programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials said Thursday.

Of that 50 million pounds, about 20 million pounds have been eaten, 15 million pounds are on hold in storage facilities, and 15 million pounds are still being tracked down, Eric Steiner, deputy administrator of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service's special nutrition programs, told the Associated Press.

USDA officials also said they couldn't provide the names of all the places that may have received the recalled beef produced by Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. There have been no reports of illnesses.

"Sitting here today, I cannot tell you how many locations the product as gone to," said Dr. Kenneth Peterson, of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. "Our focus is identifying the locations and making sure the product is under control."

The beef recall, the largest in U.S. history, was issued after the release of videos showing workers using inhumane methods to force sick and crippled cows to slaughter.

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Computers Provide Accurate Alzheimer's Diagnosis: Study

British researchers say computers can diagnose Alzheimer's disease more quickly and accurately than current methods.

The University College London team found that a computer was as much as 96 percent successful in accurately identifying Alzheimer's-inflicted brain damage, BBC News reported.

The current approach, which uses brain scans, blood tests and patient interviews, is about 85 percent accurate in diagnosing Alzheimer's.

In this study, researchers taught a computer to recognize the differences between MRI brain scans from patients known to have Alzheimer's and patients with no signs of the disease, BBC News reported.

The University College London team said computers may help ensure Alzheimer's patients are diagnosed at an earlier stage of the disease, which increases the chances of effective treatment.

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Report Recommends Measures to Combat Alcohol Misuse in Britain

Higher alcohol taxes, an end to happy hours, and much lower blood alcohol limits for drivers are needed to help fight an epidemic of alcohol misuse in Britain, says a British Medical Association report released Thursday.

"As doctors, we see first hand how alcohol misuse destroys lives. It causes family breakdowns, is a major factor in domestic violence, ruins job prospects, is often related to crime and disorderly behavior and it kills," said Dr. Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, the Associated Press reported.

Alcohol misuse is linked to billions of dollars of health and law enforcement costs each year in Britain, where the alcohol-related death rate increased from 6.9 per 100,000 in 1991 to 12.9 per 100,000 in 2005.

One study found that alcohol was associated with 70 percent of all peak-time hospital emergency department admissions, the AP reported.

Health Tips for February 23

Health Tip: Don't Get Burned by Hot Water

Almost 2 million people in the United States are treated for burns every year, and about 112,000 of these burns are involve scalding water.

According to the Safe Kids Coalition, about 37,000 of burn victims are 14 or younger, and about 18,000 are age 5 or younger.

About half of hot water burns occur because parents put children in water that is too hot.

The National Ag Safety Database says parents can protect their children by turning the home water heater down to 120 degrees. And always test bath water before putting a child in it. If the water feels hot to you, it could easily burn a child.

You can also safeguard your child by putting him in the bath with his back to the faucet, so he can't turn the water on. Also try knob covers for the bathroom tub.

Health Tip: Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetics are prone to many complications, particularly if their blood sugar levels aren't well controlled.

Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, makes it difficult for the nerves to send signals to other parts of the body. The symptoms described below should be evaluated by a physician without delay.

The American Academy of Family Physicians lists these warning signs of nerve damage in diabetics:

* Numbness, particularly in the fingers or toes.
* Sharp pains or a tingling sensation.
* Sores found on the feet.
* Weakness in the muscles.
* A burning sensation anywhere in the body.
* Male erectile dysfunction.

Health Headlines - February 22

CDC Investigating First U.S. Cases of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Meningitis

The first known U.S. cases of meningitis bacteria resistant to the front-line antibiotic ciprofloxacin are being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A report in this week's issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes one case in Fargo, North Dakota, and two others cases in Moorhead, Minnesota, that occurred between January 2007 and January 2008.

The ciprofloxacin-resistant meningitis bacteria appears to be restricted to thes North Dakota/Minnesota border area, the CDC said, cautioning that ciprofloxacin should not be used as a preventive measure for people in close contact with infected patients in this area. There are a number of alternative medications -- Ceftriaxone, rifampin, and azithromycin.

Ciprofloxacin-resistant meningitis has been reported in other countries, but these are the first such cases to be reported in North America.

Laboratory tests detected the drug resistance. There have been no apparent cases of infection due to failure of preventive antibiotic treatment, Minnesota Health Department spokesman Doug Schulz told the Associated Press.

Meningococcal disease infects about 2,600 people and kills 10 percent to 15 percent of them yearly in the United States. About 10 percent of those who recover suffer long-term nervous system problems, including seizures and hearing loss.

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More Americans Buying Prescription Drugs Through Mail

Between 2000 and 2005, the percentage of Americans who bought their prescription drugs from mail order pharmacies increased from just under 9 percent to just over 13 percent, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

During that same period, the percentage of Americans who bought their prescription medicines from drug stores decreased from 65 percent to 61 percent. Prescription drug purchases from pharmacies in clinics, HMOs, and hospitals decreased from 15 percent to 13 percent, and from 32 percent to 28 percent from pharmacies inside supermarkets and super stores.

Among those who bought drugs from mail order pharmacies in 2005:

• About 37 percent were age 65 and older.
• Almost 88 percent were white.
• Almost 87 percent had private health insurance.
• About 75 percent had at least one chronic illness.

Data in the summary was taken from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which gathers information on Americans' health service use and costs.

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Heaters Recalled for Fire Hazard

About 152,000 portable electric heaters from Aloha Housewares Inc., of Arlington, Texas are being recalled because they can overheat, melt plastic parts, and pose a fire hazard to consumers, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company has received 29 reports of heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage and one report of a person who suffered minor burns to the hands and feet.

The recall involves Aloha Breeze oscillating tower heaters, model number 02044, with date codes 06/06, 06/07, 06/08 or 06/09. They were sold nationwide from August 2006 through November 2007 for between $35 and $45.

Consumers should stop using these heaters and contact Aloha Houswares at 800-295-4448 to receive a replacement product, the CPSC said.

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FDA Panel Recommends Approval of Rotarix Vaccine

Rotarix, a vaccine designed to help protect infants from rotavirus-caused gastrointestinal illness, is safe and should be approved for sale, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel of outside medical experts.

The FDA -- which is not required to follow the advice of its expert panels but usually does -- is expected to decide whether to approve Rotarix by April 3, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Rotavirus infections, which mostly strike children before age 5, don't cause many deaths in the United States, but do lead to about 50,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations a year.

Rotarix, made by GlaxoSmithKline, is designed to protect infants against rotavirus during the first two years of life, when infection with the virus is likely to cause the most severe symptoms, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A similar vaccine called RotaTeq, made by Merck & Co., has been on the U.S. market since 2006.

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States Making Progress in Emergency Preparedness: CDC

American states and cities have made a strong effort and good progress in preparing for emergency health crises such as a bioterrorism attack or a flu pandemic, but major challenges remain, a new government report has found.

The report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the first federal assessment of what has been achieved with more than $5 billion spent on public health emergency preparedness since 2001, the AP reported.

Among the CDC's findings:

• In 2007, there were 47 labs able to detect chemical agents, compared to zero in 2001. And the number of state and local health departments able to detect biological agents increased from 83 in 2002 to 110 in 2007.
• There's been a large increase in information-sharing between labs and public health professionals, and the number of illness-investigating epidemiologists assigned to emergency response increased from 115 in 2001 to 232 in 2006.
• All states are now doing year-round influenza surveillance, which could prove crucial if the H5N1 bird flu virus mutates into a form that's easily transmitted between humans.

But the CDC also noted a number of areas that need improvement, the AP reported. For example, a number of states don't have enough epidemiologists or are having trouble attracting qualified lab scientists, and at least 16 states appear to have inadequate disease surveillance data exchange.

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Targeted IVF Method Reduces Multiple Births

A targeted in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique that uses older embryos may significantly lower the likelihood of risky multiple births without reducing the overall odds of achieving pregnancy, says a U.K. study in the journal BJOG.

Researchers at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital in London found that the use of a single, slightly more mature blastocyst (five-day-old fertilized egg) significantly reduced the rate of multiple births and increased pregnancy rates, compared to the use of multiple two-to-three-day-old fertilized eggs, BBC News reported.

Being able to select from blastocysts enables doctors to choose those with the best chance of implanting in the womb.

Currently, doctors doing IVF often place more than one embryo in the womb in order to boost the likelihood of achieving pregnancy, but this approach frequently results in twin or triplet births, which can threaten the health of the mother and children, BBC News reported.

Health Tips for February 22

Health Tip: Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. It can make movement difficult and painful.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists these potential options for treating arthritis:

* Modifying your exercise routine to a lower-impact regimen that may include walking and swimming.
* Making sure your body weight is in a healthy range.
* Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications, which can help reduce inflammation, pain and swelling.
* Receiving corticosteroid injections in the joint from your doctor, which may also improve joint function.
* Getting physical and occupational therapy, which can help strengthen muscles, bones and joints.
* Undergoing surgery, if other forms of treatment don't help.

Health Tip: Getting Enough Sleep During Pregnancy

Many women have difficulty sleeping during pregnancy, when getting enough rest is particularly important.

The National Sleep Foundation offers these suggestions for sleeping more comfortably during pregnancy:

* Later in the pregnancy, don't sleep on your back for long periods. Try sleeping on your left side for better blood flow.
* Drink most of your fluids during the day, not in the evening and just before bed.
* Avoid eating any foods that give you heartburn.
* Try supporting your stomach with pregnancy body pillows (regular pillows also may suffice) while you sleep.
* Take an afternoon nap.
* Before bed, relax by way of meditation, breathing techniques, or a warm bath or shower.

Health Headlines - February 21

Supreme Court: FDA-Approved Medical Devices Not Subject to State Lawsuits

State courts are not the proper place to sue medical device companies if their product has federal approval, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled.

According to the New York Times, the top court overwhelmingly rejected an appeal by a man who claimed that a defective catheter used on him during a 1996 angioplasty violated New York state law.

The device, made by Minneapolis-based Medtronic, had received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, making it exempt from liability under individual state laws, the Times reported. The Wednesday U.S. Supreme Court ruling confirmed federal appeals courts' decisions that denied the plaintiff's standing to sue in the NY state court system.

Charles Riegel was severely injured in 1996 while undergoing an angioplasty when the catheter burst. Riegel and his wife maintained that the device's design violated New York State law. Riegel died a number of years after the injury, but his wife continued the lawsuit, the Times said.

Medtronic was protected under the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the majority decision, according to the Times. The federal law keeps states from imposing on medical devices "any requirement which is different from, or in addition to, any requirement applicable under this chapter," Scalia wrote.

The reason for this, Scalia added, was because the FDA sometimes has to weigh some possible bad outcomes against a device or drug's overall benefits, the newspaper said. "It may thus approve devices that present great risks if they nonetheless offer great benefits in light of available alternatives," he wrote. He cited one case where the F.D.A. approved a ventricular device for children "even though the survival rate of children using the device was less than 50 percent."

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Bird Flu Outbreak Puts Vietnam on High Alert

A new H5N1 bird flu outbreak that has killed thousands of birds in three northern provinces in Vietnam has put the country on high alert. Seven of Vietnam's 64 provinces and municipalities that have reported H5N1 virus outbreaks within the past 21 days are now on the watchlist, Agence France-Presse reported.

"We will go on nationwide red alert on the risk of bird flu over the next few days," Bui Ba Bong, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was quoted as telling the Thanh Nien daily newspaper.

"Preventing and fighting H5N1 outbreaks in poultry is extremely urgent and important in preventing and curbing H5N1 outbreaks among humans," he said, AFP reported.

Vietnam's government also reported the country's third human victim of bird flu this year. The 27-year-old man from northern Ninh Binh province died Feb. 14. That brings Vietnam's human death toll to 50 since the virus first appeared in the country a few years ago. Worldwide, it's believed the H5N1 virus has killed 228 people.

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Luxembourg Poised to Legalize Euthanasia

Luxembourg appears poised to become the third European country to legalize euthanasia, which is currently legal in the Netherlands and Belgium.

In a close vote, Luxembourg's parliament passed a bill to allow doctors to help patients end their lives. The bill still has to be approved in a second reading to take effect, Agence France-Presse reported.

The bill places strict regulation on the use euthanasia. For example, a doctor will have to consult with a colleague to confirm that a patient is suffering from a "grave and incurable condition."

Under the bill, a national commission dominated by doctors and officials would conduct a case-by-case review to ensure adherence to all legal conditions and procedures, AFP reported.

The country's medical community was mostly against the bill, which sparked passionate debate in Luxembourg, where Catholic values remain strong.

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Study Identifies Emerging Infectious Disease Hot Spots

Latin America, tropical Africa and South Asia are the most likely locations for the emergence of infectious diseases in the future and require closer monitoring, says a study by American and British researchers.

They made the conclusion after analyzing a database of 335 emerging infectious disease events that occurred between 1940 and 2004, CBC News reported. The study appears in the Feb. 21 issue of the journal Nature.

The researchers wrote that "that human population density was a common significant independent predictor of emerging infectious disease events," and noted that this finding "supports previous hypotheses that disease emergence is largely a product of anthropogenic and demographic changes and is a hidden cost of human economic development."

They recommended that richer developed countries provide resources to ensure proper infectious disease monitoring in poorer, less-developed nations, CBC News reported.

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One Cigarette Can Cause Tobacco Addiction

In some people, smoking a single cigarette can trigger tobacco addiction, says a New Zealand study that included 96,000 youngsters, ages 14-15. The participants provided information about whether they smoked and whether they felt the need to continue smoking.

As expected, regular smokers said they felt the urge to continue smoking. But the researchers were surprised to find that 46 percent of those who smoked less than one cigarette a month said they had the urge to continue smoking, Agence France-Presse reported.

And among those who said they had trouble suppressing the urge to smoke, 10 percent had the urge within two days of smoking their first cigarette and 25 percent within one month of their first cigarette.

The study authors concluded that "these data suggest that smoking one cigarette in total can prompt a loss of autonomy," AFP reported.

The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

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Anger Slows Injury Recovery

People who can't control their anger take longer to recovery from injury, says a University of Ohio study in the journal Brain, Behavior, Immunity.

Researchers inflicted minor burns on the arms of 98 volunteers and then monitored the healing process for eight days, Agence France-Presse reported. Before the burns were inflicted, the participants underwent psychological tests to determine where they ranked on an anger scale.

The study found that people who had trouble controlling expressions of anger were four times more likely to need more than four days for their burn wounds to heal than those who were able to control their anger.

Participants unable to control their anger also had higher secretions of the stress hormone cortisol, which may partly explain their longer healing time, the researchers said.

They suggested that anger control therapy could help certain patients heal more quickly after injury or surgery, AFP reported.

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Feeding May Affect Preterm Infants' Brain Development

The type of nutrition preterm infants receive during the first few weeks of life may have a major impact on brain development, says a U.K. study in the journal Pediatric Research.

Preterm infants who were fed enriched formula milk in the first few weeks after birth consistently did better on childhood IQ tests than other preterm babies, and the difference continued into the teenage years, BBC News reported.

The research team from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the UCL Institute of Child Health in London also found that the infants who were fed the enriched formula had better development of a part of the brain called the caudate nucleus, which is associated with memory and learning.

Previous studies have noted an association between nutrition and behavior, but this is one of the first studies to suggest that feeding early in life may affect brain structure, the researchers said according to BBC.

Health Tips for February 21

Health Tip: Prevent Antibiotic Overuse

Antibiotics are meant to treat bacterial infections, but they aren't effective against viruses such as those that cause the common cold.

To prevent overuse of antibiotics, it's important to only take them for bacterial infections.

Here are suggestions on how to use antibiotics properly, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

* Only take antibiotics as recommended by your doctor. Never take any antibiotic that was prescribed for someone else, or that was prescribed for you to treat a different illness.
* If your doctor says you have a virus, you shouldn't ask for an antibiotic.
* Take your antibiotic exactly as prescribed, and always finish your prescription. Never save some of your antibiotic to treat a future infection.

Health Tip: Is GERD Causing Sleep Problems?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause symptoms during the night that can prevent a good night's sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation offers these suggestions to keep GERD symptoms calm at night:

* Be careful of the foods you eat from late afternoon until bedtime. Try to avoid spicy foods, onions and chocolate.
* Eat a larger meal at lunch, and have a small, light dinner.
* Don't eat anything after two or three hours before you plan to go to bed.
* Don't drink alcohol or smoke before bed.
* Sleep on a pillow or two, with your head and shoulders elevated.
* Try sleeping on your left side.

Health Headlines - February 20

Health Care Costs Threaten Retirement Lifestyle: U.S. Study

Skyrocketing health care costs are a major reason why many American baby boomers and Generation Xers won't be able to maintain their standard of living when they retire, according to a study released Tuesday by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

Currently, the U.S. government estimates costs for Medicare premiums, co-payments and other cost-sharing to be about $3,800 a year for a single person and $7,600 for a couple. Another $500 per person is needed to pay for dental care, eye glasses, hearing aids and other items that aren't covered by Medicare, the Associated Press reported.

Based on those costs, most baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (born between 1965 and 1974) would have to have about $102,000 per person ($206,000 per couple) set aside just for health care expenses when they retire.

Currently, the median total retirement savings balance for American households approaching retirement is about $60,000, said the center's report. When all costs, including health expenses, are factored in, about 61 percent of baby boomers and Gen Xers are "at risk" of being unable to maintain their standard of living when they retire, the AP reported.

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Drug Prevents Contrast Agent-Related Kidney Damage

Taking the drug N-acetylcysteine can prevent kidney damage that can be caused by contrast dyes used in medical imaging tests such as CT scans and angiograms, say University of Michigan Health System researchers who reviewed 41 studies that ranked drugs on their ability to protect the kidneys, CBC News reported.

About one in four high-risk patients (those with diabetes or heart failure) and as many as one in 10 people with normal kidney function can suffer kidney damage when they receive an iodine-containing contrast agent while undergoing CT scans, according to background information in the article.

The review authors found that N-acetylcysteine was the only drug able to prevent kidney damage caused by contrast agents, CBC News reported.

The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

"Our goal is to improve the safety and quality of these common tests by studying drugs that reduce the risk of kidney failure," senior author Ruth Carlos, associate professor of radiology, said in a prepared statement.

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Cinderella Cars, Spider-Man Water Bottles Recalled

A burn hazard has prompted the recall of about 64,000 Cinderella 12-volt electric, ride-on toy cars made in China by Dumar International USA, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Wires under the hood and in the battery compartment under the seat can short-circuit and pose a burn hazard to a child riding in the car. So far, the company has received 40 reports of overheating incidents, including several where smoke leaked from under the seat where the battery is located, and one report of flames shooting out from under the toy car's hood. There have been no reports of injuries.

The toy cars were sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide from August 2005 to February 2006. For more information, contact the company at 866-424-0500.

Also on Tuesday, about 6,600 Spider-Man water bottles made in China by Fast Forward LLS were recalled because screws under the lid can come loose and fall into the cup, posing a choking hazard, the AP reported.

There have been three reports of screws coming loose on the bottles, but no reports of injuries. The water bottles were sold at Sears stores nationwide between July and August 2007. For more information, phone 877-244-4433.

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Nexavar Lung Cancer Trial Halted

A trial on the use of the Nexavar cancer drug in patients with non-small cell lung cancer has been halted because the drug didn't help patients live longer than with standard chemotherapy, Bayer AG of Germany and California-based Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Tuesday.

Nexavar, marketed as a treatment for kidney and liver cancer, was in the last of three stages of trials required for approval as a lung cancer treatment. But an independent committee that monitors clinical trials advised Bayer and Onyx that the drug wouldn't meet the main goal of this latest trial, called ESCAPE, Bloomberg news reported.

Nexavar is designed to block proteins on tumor cells in order to prevent them from proliferating and to cut off the blood supply to tumors, without harming healthy tissue.

Bayer and Onyx researchers and other scientists are looking into the use of Nexavar alone or with other treatments in a number of other cancers, including metastatic melanoma, breast cancer and as an adjuvant therapy for kidney cancer and liver cancer, Bloomberg reported.

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Sperm Defects Pass to Offspring

Genetic defects in sperm caused by exposure to environmental toxins can be passed down through generations, says a University of Idaho study.

Researchers exposed embryonic male rats to a hormone-disrupting fungicide called vinclozolin and found that the chemical altered genes in the sperm, including some associated with human prostate cancer, BBC News reported.

The rats exposed to the fungicide showed evidence of prostate damage, infertility and kidney problems. The genetic defects in sperm continued through four generations of the rats' descendents.

The researchers acknowledged that the embryonic rats were exposed to extremely high levels of the fungicide, but said that their work shows toxin-related defects in sperm can be passed down through many generations, BBC News reported.

The study was presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Heavy smoking and drinking may cause sperm damage and this study shows that men should be aware that they could pass that damage along to their heirs, experts told BBC News.

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Recalled Beef Poses Minimal Health Risk: Experts

The meat involved in the massive U.S. beef recall announced Sunday carries minimal health risks, food safety experts told the Associated Press.

California-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. was ordered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to recall 143 million pounds of beef, the largest such recall in U.S. history. The recall was prompted by undercover video that showed workers using forklifts and chains to push or drag immobile cows across the slaughterhouse floor.

But the violations in the video have more to do with inhumane animal handling and slaughter than with potential beef contamination, according to the USDA and the American Meat Institute.

The USDA did note it had evidence that Westland didn't routinely contact its veterinarian when cows that had passed a health inspection later became unable to walk, the AP reported.

So far, there have been no reports of illnesses linked to the recalled beef, dating to Feb. 1, 2006.

USDA officials had estimated that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat has already been eaten.

Health Tips for February 20

Health Tip: Zinc in Your Diet

Zinc is a mineral that the body needs to help the immune system, in wound healing, and in the breakdown of carbohydrates. Second only to iron in its concentration in the body, zinc is found in protein-rich foods such as meat, peanuts and peanut butter, and legumes.

If you're not getting enough zinc, here's a list of possible warning signs, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* Slow growth rate.
* No appetite.
* Slow-healing wounds, lesions on the skin, and persistent infections.
* Hair loss.
* Abnormalities in your ability to taste and smell.
* Difficulty seeing in the dark.
* Insufficient hormone production in men.

Health Tip: Timeouts for Toddlers

While it's important to correct a young child who has done wrong, it's just as important to do it safely and correctly.

The Nemours Foundation offers these suggestions:

* When you catch the child doing something wrong or potentially dangerous, calmly but firmly tell the child "no."
* Either remove the object, or remove the child from the area.
* If your child is behaving badly or throwing a temper tantrum, put him or her in "timeout."
* Make "timeout" a stair, a corner or a chair, and don't keep the child there for longer than a couple of minutes. Longer timeouts aren't effective, especially for toddlers.
* Don't punish your child physically. Never slap, hit or spank the child at any age. They can't make the association between behavior and physical punishment.
* Set a good example for your child, who will learn good behaviors by watching you.

Health Headlines - February 19

U.S. Orders Largest Beef Recall in History

In what is being billed as the largest beef recall in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef produced by a California slaughterhouse that is the subject of an animal-abuse investigation.

The recall from the Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., which provided meat to school lunch programs, affects beef products dating back to Feb. 1, 2006, according to an Associated Press report. There have been no reports of illnesses linked to the recalled meat, and USDA officials termed the health threat small.

Officials estimate that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat has already been eaten, according to Dr. Dick Raymond, USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety.

Most of the beef was sent to distribution centers in bulk packages, and the USDA was planning to work with the distributors to determine how much meat remains, the AP reported.

U.S. officials recently suspended operations at Westland/Hallmark after an undercover Humane Society video showed crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts. Felony and misdemeanor charges were filed last week against some employees of the company, and an official investigation continues.

Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.

About 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground beef from Hallmark Meat Packing Co., which is associated with Westland. Two fast-food chains, Jack-In-the-Box and In-N-Out, said they would not use beef from Westland/Hallmark, the AP reported. Other chains, such as McDonald's and Burger King, said they do not buy beef from Westland.

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More Pain Patches Recalled

A defect that could cause an overdose in patients or caregivers has led to the second recall in a week of patches containing the prescription painkiller fentanyl, the Associated Press reported.

The new recall, announced Monday, covers patches sold in the United States by Actavis South Atlantic LLC. That name appears on the outer carton, while the pouches that contain the patches have the company's former name, Abrika Pharmaceuticals Inc., printed on them.

The recall includes 25-microgram-per-hour, 50-microgram-per-hour, 75-microgram-per-hour and 100-microgram-per-hour patches with expiration dates of May through August 2009, the AP reported.

A potential defect in the patches may cause them to leak, resulting in patients or caregivers coming into direct contact with the powerful opioid drug inside the patch. An overdose of the drug could lead to difficulty breathing and a potentially fatal overdose.

At this point the company hasn't received any reports of injuries linked to the patch defect.

Consumers are advised to refrain from handling damaged patches, which should be flushed down the toilet. Skin that comes into contact with the gel inside the patches should be thoroughly rinsed with water, but not washed with soap, the AP reported.

Last Tuesday, a recall of fentanyl patches was announced by PriCara, a division of Johnson & Johnson.

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Heavy Cell Phone Use Increases Mouth Cancer Risk: Study

An Israeli study reports that people who use cell phones for many hours a day are 50 percent more likely to develop mouth cancer than those who never use cell phones, and that cell phone users in rural areas may be at increased risk for cancer because cell phones need to emit higher levels of radiation in order to make contact with fewer available antennas.

The Tel Aviv University study looked at 500 people with benign and malignant tumors of the salivary gland and 1,300 healthy people. People who used cell phones for many hours a day were 50 percent more likely to develop a tumor of the parotid gland than infrequent users, the Telegraph reported.

The parotid gland -- the largest salivary gland -- is located near the jaw and ear, where cell phones are typically held during use. The findings appear in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Many previous studies have found no link between cell phone use and increased cancer risk. But the author of this new study noted that Israelis were quick to adopt cell phones and are exceptionally heavy users, the Telegraph reported.

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Disappointing Results for Anti-HIV/AIDS Gel

An anti-HIV/AIDS vaginal gel called Carraguard was ineffective in reducing rates of new HIV infection in a study of about 6,000 South African women, the Associated Press reported.

Researchers said one reason for the disappointing results may have been low use of the gel. Only 10 percent of the women said they used the gel as directed every time they had sex.

The women in the study randomly received either the Carraguard gel or a placebo gel. All the women received condoms and safe-sex counseling. At the end of the study, the rate of new HIV infection among women using the Carraguard gel was 3.3 per 100, compared with 3.7 per 100 among women using the placebo gel, the AP reported.

The study was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The researchers did find that reported condom use doubled from 33 percent to 64 percent and there was a decline in the spread of other types of sexually-transmitted infections.

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FDA Proposes Changes to Drug Use Rules

Critics and proponents have plenty to say about proposed changes to FDA regulations covering unapproved use of medicines and medical devices, The New York Times reported.

Currently, FDA approvals of medicines and medical devices limit how companies can market the products. For example, a drug approved to treat only breast cancer cant be sold as a lung cancer treatment, even if some research suggests the drug may benefit lung cancer patients.

Under the proposed changes, companies would be allowed to give doctors copies of medical journal articles about product uses that haven't been approved or vetted by the FDA. In addition, companies would not have to promise to adequately test the unapproved use discussed in such articles, the Times reported.

Proponents say the proposed changes will benefit patients because doctors will be able to quickly learn about unapproved uses that could save lives. Critics say the move will compromise patient safety.

Public comments are being accepted about the proposed changes and the FDA will take the matter up for final consideration in 60 days.

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Ocean Species' Changes Seen in Global Warming, Scientist Warns

In the last century, coal miners brought canaries with them into the mine, because the birds were sentries for any change in the air supply. If the canary keeled over, the humans knew they had to get to the surface.

The new age "canaries" are sea snails called pteropods, the food supply for a great many sea species. These small creatures are undergoing physiological changes that may spell future catastrophe, according to a molecular ecologist who gave a report over the weekend to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Boston.

Gretchen Hofmann, associate professor of biology at the University of California at Santa Barbara, collected pteropods in Antarctica and noticed changes in their physical makeup. This may be caused by an increasingly acidic ocean because of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, she said in a university news release.

"They (the pteropods) are harbingers of change," she said. "It's possible by 2050 they may not be able to make a shell anymore. If we lose these organisms, the impact on the food chain will be catastrophic."

The acidity makes the animals less able to withstand warmer waters, and they are smaller now, she added. "These observations suggest that warming and acidifying seas will be a complex environment for future marine organisms," Hofmann said.