Welcome to the Mayo Clinic News Network
You are currently viewing a preview of the Mayo Clinic News Network.
To gain full access to the latest news stories and assets, please sign up or log in.
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks 
Mucus. It isn’t pretty, but it’s a frontline weapon in the fight against the common cold and sinusitis. On this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio, ENT specialist Dr. Erin O’Brien explains why.
Also on the program, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Rekha Mankad answers listener questions about heart health. And Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Jeffrey Karnes discusses the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer.
Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Humming can improve sinus health.
Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.
Click here to listen to the program on Saturday, February 7, at 9:05 a.m. and follow #MayoClinicRadio.
To find and listen to archived shows, click here.
Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: cold, Dr. Erin O'Brien, Dr Jeffrey Karnes, Dr Rekha Mankad, Heart Health, Mayo Clinic Radio, Prostate Cancer, PSA test, sinusitis
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
WHAT: On Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, HBO will air a documentary from VICE Media entitled Killing Cancer, which follows pioneering cancer researchers including those at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. The broadcast will conclude with the announcement of a matching gift campaign established by the documentary’s host and producer Shane Smith to fund cancer research at Mayo Clinic.
WHO: Shane Smith, CEO and founder of VICE Media, is no stranger to the impact cancer has on families. To honor his mother, a cancer survivor, Smith is establishing a $500,000 matching gift to fund cancer research at Mayo Clinic.
WHERE: Gifts qualifying for the match can be made online here.
WHEN: Gifts made between February 27 and April 28, 2015, qualify for this matching gift opportunity.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284 5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Cancer Center, HBO, Killing Cancer, measles virus therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, Research, Shane Smith, VICE
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Seasonal Affective Disorder or a Case of the Winter Blues
By balzerdeb 
The winter has been especially harsh for millions of Americans with record snowfalls and extreme temperatures forcing many to stay indoors due to inclement weather. Short days, lack of sunlight and cold temperatures especially in the northern areas of the U.S. are being blamed for bouts of cabin fever and the winter blues. You may also hear people refer to seasonal affective disorder or SAD this winter, however, there are some distinct differences.
Mark A. Frye, M.D., says SAD is a significant cyclical mood disorder that affects patients most winters beginning in late fall or early winter when the skies are gray during the day or the sun sets early.
While many people, especially during a difficult winter, struggle with cabin fever and winter blues, SAD depressive symptoms can be severe and functionally disabling. Dr. Frye says SAD is a mood disorder much like bipolar disorder or major depression but specifically related to the change of seasons.
Journalists: Soundbites with Dr. Frye are in the downloads. Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Cabin Fever, Dr. Mark Frye, light therapy, mood disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Wellbutrin, Winter Blues
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Cancer Treatment and the Heart
By Dana Sparks
Cancer treatment and the heart
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can increase the chance of heart damage. Know the risks.
Alternative cancer treatments: 10 options to consider
Looking for relief from cancer treatment side effects? These 10 types of alternative medicine may help.
Mayo Clinic to be featured in "Killing Cancer" — a special report from VICE on HBO Don't miss the HBO documentary "Killing Cancer" on Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. ET. Follow the revolution happening in the treatment of cancer and discover how viruses will become a main driver for cancer therapy. Thanks to thousands of hours of research, the courage and optimism of our patients, and generous gifts from people like you, we are closer than ever to cures for some of the deadliest, hardest to treat cancers. Learn more.
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Cancer Treatments, HBO, heart, Living With Cancer Blog
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
Dense breast tissue: What it means to have dense breasts
Blood pressure chart: What your reading means
Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Blood Pressure Chart, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Dense Breast Tissue, Diabetes, fever, Thursday Consumer Health Tips
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
What Do You Know About Superbugs?
By balzerdeb
You may have heard the term superbug in the news lately. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (En-tero-bacteria-ce·ae) (CRE) has been linked to several deaths around the United States after those patients had endoscopic procedures using a duodenoscope. CRE is often referred to as a superbug because it's resistant to the carbapenem antibiotic and other commonly used antibiotics.
The duodenoscope is a complex instrument used in an endoscopic procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Bret Petersen, M.D., calls the ERCP a very important procedure that potentially saves many lives and says more than 100,000 ERCP procedures are done annually in the U.S.
Instruments used in common procedures such as colonoscopy and upper endoscopy have not been related to these cases of CRE. Dr. Petersen says patients should not be fearful of having these important procedures.
Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Petersen are available in the downloads. Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Colonoscopy, CRE, Dr Bret Petersen, duodenoscope, superbug, upper endoscopy
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines 2/26/15
By balzerdeb
In today's headlines, a link between allergies in children and dishwashers. Vivien Williams has more.
Click here for script.
February 25th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Dry skin is can be temporary — for example you might only suffer from it during the winter months — but for some it can be a lifelong condition. Although skin is often driest on your hands, arms and lower legs, this varies from person to person. What's more, signs and symptoms of dry skin depend on your age, your health, where you live, time spent outdoors and the cause of the problem.
Megan Johnston Flanders, M.D., family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls, says dry skin is likely to cause one or more of the following:
- A feeling of skin tightness, especially after showering, bathing or swimming
- Skin that feels and looks rough
- Itching (pruritus)
- Slight to severe flaking, scaling or peeling
- Fine lines or cracks
- Gray, ashy skin in people with dark skin
- Redness
- Deep cracks that may bleed
Dr. Johnston Flanders says the following measures can help keep your skin moist and healthy: Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Dermatology, Dr Megan Johnston Flanders, Dry Skin, Mayo Clinic Health System
February 25th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
A. Keith Stewart, M.B., Ch.B., Named Director of Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
By Sam Smith 
ROCHESTER, Minn. — A. Keith Stewart, M.B., Ch.B., has been appointed medical director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine. Dr. Stewart is a consultant in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine.
“I am honored to have this opportunity,” says Dr. Stewart. “We will build on the excellent work of the center to date, with a renewed focus on helping our clinicians access genomics based diagnostics and therapeutics on a routine basis to improve patient care. The integrated complex care delivered at Mayo Clinic provides a unique ability to lead in the development of precision medicine advances with global impact.”
Dr. Stewart’s own research and clinical interest is in translational genomics in multiple myeloma, including both basic and clinical research to identify novel targets for therapy in multiple myeloma. A diversity of public and private institutions currently support this work: the National Cancer Institute, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as numerous partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry for clinical trials. Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Arizona News Release, Center for Individualized Medicine, Dr A Keith Stewart, Dr Keith Stewart, Minnesota news release
February 25th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic’s Measles Virus Therapy for Cancer Profiled in VICE Documentary on HBO
By Joe Dangor 
On Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, HBO will broadcast a documentary entitled Killing Cancer.
VICE founder and host Shane Smith follows pioneering researchers across the U.S. — including specialists from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center — who are changing the face of modern-day medicine through their work with oncolytic virus therapy.
This revolutionary treatment uses HIV, measles and other viruses that have killed millions to combat cancer. You can view the trailer:
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: HBO, Killing Cancer, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, measles virus therapy, Multiple Myeloma, oncolytic virus therapy, Shane Smith, VICE
February 25th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Quicker Recoveries Possible with Robotic Heart Valve Surgery
By Dennis Douda 
Millions of Americans are living with a heart murmur, a telltale sound caused by blood rushing through the heart. Some are harmless, but sometimes they’re a clue to serious problems with the heart’s valves. When surgery is called for, robotic technology is allowing repairs to be made safer than ever before.
After more than 500 robot-assisted mitral valve repair procedures, cardiac surgeon Rakesh Suri, M.D., says Mayo Clinic has proven that - not only does this minimally invasive heart surgery get patients back on their feet faster, it does so at no added cost. Watch the video to see how it works.
Journalists: Broadcast quality video is available in the downloads. Click here to read the script.
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Dr. Rakesh Suri, HL, mitral valve, mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve regurgitation, Pkg, Robotic Surgery
February 24th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Decline in Smoking Rates May Increase Lung Cancer Mortality Due to Inadequate Screening Guidelines
By Joe Dangor
ROCHESTER, Minn. — A decline in smoking rates may mean that many people who could have benefited from early detection of lung cancer are dying because they don’t qualify for low-dose CT scans, according to a group of Mayo Clinic researchers. Their research appears in the Feb. 24 issue of JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association.
“As smokers quit earlier and stay off cigarettes longer, fewer are eligible for CT screening, which has been proven effective in saving lives,” says Ping Yang, M.D., Ph.D., an epidemiologist at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. “Patients who do eventually develop lung cancer are diagnosed at a later stage when treatment can no longer result in a cure.”
Dr. Yang says researchers and policymakers need to re-examine screening criteria to identify a greater proportion of patients who develop lung cancer.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: CT Scan, Dr Yang, JAMA, Lung Cancer, M.D., Minnesota news release, News Release, PhD, Ping Yang, Screening Guidelines, smoking rates, US Preventive Services Task Force
February 24th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Ongoing insomnia? Variety of factors could be at play
By lizatorborg 
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother-in-law has had insomnia ever since her husband died (just over one year ago). She regularly takes over-the-counter sleep aids, but I am concerned she is also depressed. Is it true that the two conditions are related? Should I encourage her to see a therapist?
ANSWER: Insomnia can be a reflection of ongoing distress, and it is often associated with episodes of clinical depression following a period of grieving. But it is possible that your mother-in-law’s insomnia and the loss of her husband are not connected. It would be a good idea for her to make an appointment to see her primary care physician. That physician can assess your mother-in-law’s medical condition and, if needed, provide a referral to a mental health professional.
Insomnia is generally defined as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or both, despite the opportunity for adequate sleep. Occasional insomnia is a nuisance, but it usually does not present significant health concerns. When insomnia persists, however, it can become a clinical problem. Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: chronic insomnia, depression, Dr Jarrett Richardson, Dr Richardson, insomnia, Mayo Clinic Q A
February 23rd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
“Bionic” Eye Implant Offers Hope of Restoring Vision
By Dennis Douda
It’s a medical story, a science and technology advancement and a romance wrapped into one moment: when a man who is blind sees his wife again for the first time in a decade.
Allen Zderad began to have serious vision problems about 20 years ago due to retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease affecting the retina. There is no effective treatment or cure. It ended his professional career and after a decade he was effectively blind, unable to see anything other than very bright light. He adjusted, even continuing woodworking by developing his sense of touch and spatial relationships. But he was unable to see his family, including ten grandchildren or his wife, Carmen.
Enter Raymond Iezzi Jr., M.D., Mayo Clinic researcher and ophthalmologist, who had been seeing Zderad’s grandson, who has early stages of the same condition.
Journalists: B-roll of patient Allen Zderad's first experiences with the Second Sight system and of his surgery to implant the device is available in the downloads. Dr. Iezzi's sound bites on the technology, retinitis pigmentosa and the patient experience are also available. Click here for transcript.
Watch KARE 11 medical news report: Man gets bionic eye, sees wife for first time in decade.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Iezzi, contact Bob Nellis at Mayo Clinic Public Affairs: 507-284-5005 or newsbureau@mayo.edu Read the rest of this entry »
View full entry · Comment on this
Tags: Argus II, Dr Raymond Iezzi, ophthalmology, retinal prosthesis, retinitis pigmentosa, second sight
February 23rd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
CREEPY, DREADFUL, WONDERFUL PARASITES: A Parasitologist’s View of the World – Week of Feb. 23, 2014
By Dana Sparks
Every week Bobbi Pritt, M.D., posts a new case, along with the answer to the previous case. Read Dr. Pritt's blog: Parasite Wonders and submit your answers, comments and questions. Enjoy science!