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December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Overtesting for Diabetes Patients Reaps Negative Rewards
Patients with Type 2 diabetes often tested much more frequently than clinically indicated, resulting in increased cost, time and potential overtreatment
ROCHESTER, Minn. — In a study released online today in The BMJ, researchers from Mayo Clinic report a national trend toward overtesting glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels in adult patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Overtesting causes redundancy and waste says the study team, adding unnecessary costs and time burden for patients and providers. In addition, excessive testing can result in overtreatment with hypoglycemic drugs, adding additional cost and potential health complications.
Type 2 diabetes monitoring and treatment protocols are not well defined by professional societies and regulatory bodies. While lower thresholds of testing frequencies often are discussed, the upper boundaries are rarely mentioned. Yet, most agree that for adult patients who are not using insulin, have stable glycemic control within the recommended targets and have no history of severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, checking once or twice a year should suffice. Yet, in practice, there is a much higher prevalence of excess testing.
MEDIA CONTACT:  Elizabeth Zimmermann Young, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu
Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. McCoy are available in the downloads.
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Tags: BMJ, British Medical Journal, HbA1C, Minnesota news release, News Release, Optum Labs, OptumLabs, research, Type 2 diabetes, Dr Rozalina McCoy
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Melanoma Researcher says Odds Continually Improving for Patients
By ddouda 
The nation is buzzing this week over what sounds like miraculous news for former President Jimmy Carter. The 91-year-old Carter announced he is cancer-free, just months after revealing he was battling malignant melanoma, which had spread. In August, he had a cancerous mass removed from his liver. Four lesions were then found on his brain and were treated with radiation. Additionally, Mr. Carter was given a relatively new immunotherapy drug, called pembrolizumab.
"Fundamentally, in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, it's a three-pronged attack," says Mayo Clinic Cancer Center oncologist and hematologist, Svetomir Markovic, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Markovic says combinations of immunologic treatments that use the body's own disease-fighting abilities, targeted therapies that focus on the genetic makeup of specific tumors and conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy have given patients much more reason to be hopeful. "One is hard-pressed to find another example, in all of medicine, where there has been such a tremendous revolution in the success of therapy, as [there] has been in melanoma."
Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Markovic are available in the downloads. Â
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Tags: #Newsapp, Cancer Center, Dr Svetomir Markovic, Melanoma, research
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Minute: New Research and Insight Into Bipolar I Disorder
By JeffOlsenMN 
Watch today's Mayo Clinic Minute
- Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a series of proteins that could help identify a mood disorder called bipolar I. As doctors explain in a news release on the study, if the sample can be validated, it could lead to a new tool in bipolar treatment. Jeff Olsen has more in this Mayo Clinic Minute.
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. [TRT 1:08] Download the script.
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Tags: #Newsapp, bipolar disorder, bipolar I, Dr. Mark Frye, Jeff Olsen, Mayo Clinic Minute
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Follow #FluChat 12 pm CT Today and Tweet Your Influenza Questions
By danasparks 
Join experts from the Minnesota Department of Health and Mayo Clinic for a Twitter chat about flu and flu vaccine moderated by the Star Tribune today at 12:00 pm CT. The chat is in observance of National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). We will touch on general flu and flu vaccine information as well as some information for people at high risk of complications if they get sick with flu. Mayo Clinic experts Robert Jacobson, M.D. and Stephen Campbell, M.D. will be on the chat.
Follow #FluChat and @allieshah at the @StarTribune. Click to Learn more
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Tags: Twitter Chat, Flu
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
5 Ws of Handwashing to Help Kids Avoid Germs and Illness
By micahdorfner 
National Handwashing Awareness Week
Basic rules to prevent illness during the cold and flu season are as simple as knowing how to wash your hands properly, when to wash your hands, what products to use and why you should pay special attention to skin cleanliness.
"Teaching kids healthy hygiene habits is essential, because young children are more likely to bring respiratory illnesses home from school or daycare, which can infect your entire family," says Peggy Decker, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Health System pediatrician.
Dr. Decker encourages people to keep the 5 Ws in mind when teaching your children about proper hand hygiene. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: #Newsapp, Children's Health, Dr Peggy Decker, hand hygiene, Hand-washing, Mayo Clinic Health System, Pediatrics
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Researchers Identify Potential Biomarkers for Bipolar I Disorder
By bobnellis 
ROCHESTER, Minn. – Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a series of proteins that could be diagnostic markers to identify bipolar I disorder. If this discovery sample can be validated through replication these markers may help as a diagnostic tool for psychiatrists treating mood disorders. The findings appear in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
“The potential of having a biological test to help accurately diagnose bipolar disorder would make a huge difference to medical practice,” says Mark Frye, M.D., head of psychiatry and psychology at Mayo Clinic and first author of the study. “It would then help clinicians to choose the most appropriate treatment for hard-to-diagnose individuals.”
Up to now psychiatrists have relied on observed symptoms and patient assessments based on interviews. That information is then compared to established diagnostic criteria. In contrast to other medical conditions – such as heart attack or cancer – there is no biological marker in mood disorders in general, bipolar disorder in particular, to help confirm clinical diagnosis. It is critical to differentiate bipolar disorder from other mood disorders as the treatments differ and a medication suited to one condition may be dangerous to patients with another.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Nellis, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, email: newsbureau@mayo.edu
Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Frye are available in the downloads.
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Tags: biomarkers, bipolar disorder, Dr. Mark Frye, Minnesota news release, mood disorders, News Release, psychiatry, research, Translational Psychiatry
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic PathWays December 8: What’s the Diagnosis?
This week's Mayo Clinic PathWays case study is LIVE
View the case and make your diagnosis.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic PathWays in this news release.
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Tags: Mayo Clinic PathWays, Mayo Medical Laboratories, pathology
December 8th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Restrictive diet usually not necessary to control symptoms of GERD
By lizatorborg 
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m 62 years old and am having difficulty keeping healthy weight on due to GERD and reflux. I am really confused about what foods and beverages I should avoid, and what foods will not make my reflux act up. What do you recommend mature adults who have this condition avoid, and what healthy food are best for my situation?
ANSWER: In the past, doctors recommended quite a few dietary restrictions for people who had gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. But more recent recommendations advise against such restrictive diets. In fact, eliminating the wide range of foods that could be associated with reflux is no longer the norm. Instead, we now suggest only avoiding foods that you know make your symptoms worse. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight is important because being overweight has been shown to increase reflux.
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus — the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Occasional acid reflux is very common. Almost everyone experiences it from time to time. Acid reflux starts to become a problem when it happens frequently or if it involves large amounts of acid. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: #Newsapp, acid reflux, Dr Marcelo Vela, Dr Vela, GERD, heartburn, Mayo Clinic Q A
December 7th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Minute: Allowing Time to Grieve a Miscarriage
By DebBalzer 
Watch today's Mayo Clinic Minute
- Miscarriages — they can be heart-wrenching losses and, unfortunately, very common. Most miscarriages occur because the fetus isn't developing normally. Mayo Clinic obstetrician Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah says it's important to allow yourself time to grieve, and to keep in mind, that most women go on to have successful pregnancies. Vivien Williams has more in today's Mayo Clinic Minute.
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. [TRT 1:07] Click here for the script.
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Tags: #Newsapp, Dr Yvonne Butler Tobah, Mayo Clinic Minute, miscarriage, pregnancy, pregnancy after miscarriage, Vivien Williams
December 7th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
In Case You Missed the Show: #MayoClinicRadio Podcast 12/05/15
By jenohara 
Listen: Mayo Clinic Radio podcast 12-05-15
According to the CDC, between 50 and 70 million people in the U.S. have sleep disorders ... including sleep apnea. On Mayo Clinic Radio, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Eric Olson explains how sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated. Also on the program, back pain is one of the most common reasons why people see their doctors. Pain management specialist Dr. Jason Eldrige discusses managing this common medical problem. And anesthesiologist Dr. William Mauck describes how functional electrical stimulation ... or FES ... is used to treat chronic leg and back pain when other treatments fail.
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Tags: Mayo Clinic Radio
December 7th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Housecall: What to Expect With Aging
By jenohara
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIESÂ 
Aging: What to expect
Aging isn't glamorous, but you're not necessarily at the mercy of Mother Nature. See how healthy lifestyle choices can influence the way you age.
Chagas disease
Although Valentine's Day is months away, "kissing bugs" have been found in parts of the U.S. The insects can transmit Chagas disease, so know the symptoms and how to stay safe.
EXPERT ANSWERS
Electric toothbrush: Better than a manual toothbrush?
Using an electric toothbrush might help you remove more plaque from your teeth and improve your gum health.
How can I decrease the fatigue of rheumatoid arthritis?
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, try these practical ideas to fight fatigue and boost your energy.
Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: aging, chagas disease, chronic hives, electric toothbrush, Eye Exam, eye twitching, Healthy recipes, HOUSECALL, rheumatoid arthritis, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, stress management blog
December 6th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
World Record Skydiver Credits ‘Sam’ for the Ability to Live Life at 100 mph
By danasparks
This patient story originally appeared Feb. 20, 2015 in Sharing Mayo Clinic.Â
He’s a former Green Beret who served in Somalia. He’s a record-holding skydiver with several thousand jumps under his belt since he began leaping out of airplanes at age 18. And he’s a liver transplant recipient, who affectionately refers to his transplanted organ as “Sam.”
Kim Dobson, 63, of Oveido, Florida, is the definition of someone who lives life to the fullest. He not only participates in national and international skydiving competitions, but also scuba dives, plays golf, and enjoys shooting sports. With both a sports and military background, he was active, fit and the picture of health. But that all changed in 1994, after knee surgery and after undergoing a series of tests for back pain. Told he had elevated liver enzymes, Kim was eventually diagnosed with type 3 hepatitis C. Surprised but confident he could beat his disease and resume his active lifestyle, he went through three cycles/47 weeks of interferon treatments at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Read the rest of of Kim's story.
December 5th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Alternatives to suprapubic catheter may be available
By lizatorborg
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 80 years old and had prostate cancer treatment several years ago. I later had several urine blockages requiring catheters, and doctors finally decided on a suprapubic catheter, which has functioned as expected for three years. Would it be possible for me to have the catheter removed and return to a normal manner of urinating? I am otherwise in good health and am wondering what complications may arise with such a procedure.
ANSWER: When a suprapubic catheter is needed long-term, returning to normal urination usually isn’t feasible. In some cases, however, it may be possible. Working with your urologist, you can see if it might be an option in your situation. If not, and if you would still like to get rid of the catheter tube, other alternatives are available.
A urinary catheter is a small plastic tube that drains urine from the bladder. A suprapubic catheter is a type of urinary catheter placed into the bladder through a small hole in the abdomen. The tube carries the urine outside of the body and is connected to a drainage bag that collects the urine. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: #Newsapp, Dr Paul Young, Dr Young, Mayo Clinic Q A, suprapubic catheter, urinary catheter, urinary diversion
December 4th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Minute: What’s Your Limit on Holiday Salt?
By DebBalzer
Watch today's Mayo Clinic Minute
- New York City became the first in the nation to require chain restaurants to post an image of a salt shaker next t
o menu items that contain a high level of sodium. It's part of a national initiative to prevent heart disease by reducing salt in packaged foods and restaurants. But why is too much salt bad for our health and how do we cut back when it's in so much food? As Vivien Williams reports, monitoring salt intake can be tricky, especially going into the holidays.
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. [TRT :58] Click here for the script.
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Tags: #Newsapp, Dr. Stephen Kopecky, Heart Disease, holiday meals, Mayo Clinic Minute, Salt, sodium, Vivien Williams
December 4th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Living With Cancer: Inspiration for the Holidays
By jenohara
Inspiration for the holidays
As a cancer survivor, try to reduce stress this holiday season. Focus on what's really important — your health and the special gifts you share with others.
High-dose vitamin C: Can it kill cancer cells?
See what researchers have discovered about vitamin C as an alternative treatment for cancer.
Video: How a stem cell transplant works
Some types of cancer may require a stem cell transplant as treatment. Watch this quick video to see how healthy cells get to your bone marrow.
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Tags: Cancer Survivor, high-dose vitamin C, Living With Cancer Blog, Stem Cell Transplant