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July 22nd, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Tuesday Q and A: Many conditions result in dementia, but Alzheimer’s is most common
By lizatorborg 
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Are they hereditary?
ANSWER: Dementia is a broad term used to describe a group of symptoms that interferes with a person's thinking and the ability to function well in day-to-day activities. Many conditions can result in dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is, by far, the most common. Because so many factors can lead to dementia, one cannot say that dementia, the syndrome, is hereditary. Rather, subtypes of dementia (for example, Alzheimer’s disease) may have inherited components. A rare form of Alzheimer’s disease is truly inherited, but that accounts for only 1 percent of the total disease. Typical Alzheimer’s disease, however, does have a tendency to run in families, and there are genetic tendencies.
Dementia is defined by its symptoms, with memory loss being one of the most frequent. Just because a person has some memory loss, though, doesn’t necessarily mean he or she has dementia. A diagnosis of dementia typically means a person is having problems with at least two brain functions. That may include, for example, memory loss as well as impaired judgment or problems with language. These may in turn lead to difficulty performing routine tasks, such as paying bills or driving to a familiar location without getting lost. Read the rest of this entry »
July 21st, 2014 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks 
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Cancer causes: Popular myths about the causes of cancer
Myths about secret cancer causes may lead you to worry about your own health and the health of your family. Before you panic, take a look at the facts.
Heart attack symptoms: Know what's a medical emergency
Besides chest pain, do you know the signs of a heart attack? Watch for these symptoms.
Carbohydrates: How carbs fit into a healthy diet
Carbohydrates have numerous health benefits. In fact, your body needs them to function. But some carbs may be better for you than others.
EXPERT ANSWERS
Ginkgo biloba: Can it prevent memory loss?
Ginkgo biloba is said to prevent memory loss, but study results suggest otherwise.
Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
Excessive salt craving may indicate an underlying medical condition, such as Addison's disease
Late-day exercise: Can it cause insomnia?
For some people, exercising within a few hours of bedtime may cause problems getting to sleep.
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July 21st, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Widowhood may delay dementia, Mayo Clinic study says
By Jim McVeigh 
PHOENIX — A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that the care and support family members give to elderly widows following the death of their spouse may be a factor in delaying dementia.
The study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark last week was designed to evaluate the effects of widowhood in people with mild cognitive impairment - a precursor of dementia. The thinking had been that widowhood would accelerate the development of dementia in people with MCI but the study showed the opposite.
Mayo Clinic researchers used data on more than 3,500 people from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center database, which compiles information collected at various Alzheimer’s disease Centers in the U.S. The researchers found that of the 1,078 subjects who developed dementia, people who remained married developed dementia at a younger age than those who were widowed (83 years old versus 92 years). Read the rest of this entry »
July 21st, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Four Tricks to Save Yourself from Ticks
By Dana Sparks
News from Mayo Clinic Medical Laboratories
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Summer fun often includes hiking, biking, and just enjoying the great outdoors. But hanging out in parks or walking on trails also invites ticks to hop a ride. Below are four tips from the Mayo Clinic Parasitology Laboratory for arming yourself against these unwanted visitors:
1. Use repellants that contain 20 to 30 percent DEET or 20 percent picaridin: Bobbi Pritt, M.D., clinical microbiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, says that applying repellant to exposed skin and clothing will provide protection for several hours. “You can also wear clothing treated with permethrin to keep bugs away,” adds Dr. Pritt.
2. Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks: Covering your body and sealing off “entry points” from little critters helps prevent bites. Dr. Pritt also suggests wearing light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
3. Avoid areas where ticks are prevalent: When hiking, stay in the middle of the trail and avoid areas with high grass or leaf litter.
4. Check yourself carefully for ticks, removing any right away using small forceps: When you get back from a hike or picnic, make sure you check yourself carefully for ticks. “Ticks can transmit important disease-causing organisms to humans and pets,” says Dr. Pritt, “It’s vital to remove any attached ticks right away using forceps.”
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andy Tofilon, Mayo Medical Laboratories, 507-538-5245, newsbureau@mayo.edu
July 19th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Weekend Wellness: New treatments for dry eyes may help if standard treatments fail
By lizatorborg
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes dry eyes? Is there an effective treatment other than constantly using eye drops to keep them moist?
ANSWER: Dry eyes happen when your eyes do not make enough tears or when those tears are poor quality. Treatment of dry eyes often includes medication, eye drops or ointment. But new treatments for a certain type of dry eyes may provide relief when standard treatments fail.
To keep your vision clear and your eyes comfortable, you need a smooth layer of tears consistently covering the surface of your eyes. The tear film has three basic components: oil, water and mucus. Problems with any of these can cause dry eyes.
Symptoms of dry eyes often include blurry vision, eye redness, sensitivity to light, and a burning, gritty or scratchy feeling in your eyes. Dry eyes may cause excessive tearing in some cases. They can make it difficult to wear contact lenses, too. Medications, age, eyelid problems, environmental factors (such as climate) and excessive eye strain can all result in dry eyes.
For some people with chronic dry eyes, the problem stems from glands in the eyelids, called the meibomian glands. Normally, these glands make oil that slows the evaporation of tears. If the glands become blocked, tears do not contain enough oil. Then the tears evaporate too quickly, and eyes become dry. This type of dry eye condition is known as evaporative dry eye. Inflammation of the eyelid skin — a disorder called ocular rosacea — can often result in blocked meibomian glands. Read the rest of this entry »
July 18th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Trial Uses TheraSphere for The Treatment of Liver Metastases
By Dana Sparks
Trial uses TheraSphere for the treatment of liver metastases
TheraSphere delivers radiation through tiny glass beads — about a third of the width of a human hair — directly into liver tumors.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Learn about this imaging test that can help reveal whether your cancer has spread, check whether a cancer treatment is working and find a cancer recurrence.
Managing chemotherapy side effects
Chemotherapy treatment carries with it a host of potential side effects — fatigue, hair loss and more. Learn about managing chemotherapy side effects.
July 18th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Researcher to Lead National Cancer Research Statistics and Data Center
By Joe Dangor 
ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic announced today that Daniel Sargent, Ph.D., has been awarded a $32.7 million, five-year grant by the National Cancer Institute to lead the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology’s Statistics and Data Center. The Center will be located at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Rochester.
“This award will allow Mayo Clinic to continue and expand our over 35-year history as a national hub for conducting cancer clinical trials,” says Dr. Sargent, a biostatistician. The Alliance Statistics and Data Center is a multi-institutional operation that involves researchers at Mayo Clinic, Duke University, Dana- Farber Cancer Center, Ohio State University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) is a national clinical trials network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The Alliance consists of nearly 10,000 cancer specialists at hospitals, medical centers and community clinics across the United States and Canada. The group develops and conducts clinical trials on promising new cancer therapies, develops treatment and prevention strategies and conducts research to alleviate side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. The Alliance enrolls 3,000 to 5,000 patients annually on its studies.
Read the rest of this entry »
July 18th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
The next Mayo Clinic Radio will make you smile! On Saturday, July 19, at 9 a.m. CT, Thomas Salinas, D.D.S., will join us to discuss different aspects of oral health. We’ll talk about new ways to restore teeth and replacing missing teeth. Also on the list for discussion — the dramatic increase in oral cancers in those afflicted with HPV, how oral health impacts overall health, the affect of certain medications on oral health and the importance of oral health for aging patients. Join us! Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.
To listen to the program on Saturday, click here.
Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.
Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment July 19, 2014 (right click MP3) 
July 17th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic News Network — Headlines 7/17/14
By Dana Sparks
Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis patients with heart problems
- Stem cell research for ALS
- Lung nodules
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. Click here for script.
July 17th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Target Field Pitch for Prevention: Raising Awareness of Cancers that Can be Defeated
By Joe Dangor
WHAT: Mayo Clinic, Fight Colorectal Cancer and Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure will encourage baseball fans to “pitch in” to prevent prostate and colorectal cancer as the Minnesota Twins begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field in Minneapolis on July 21.
Pitch for Prevention is intended to raise awareness about prostate cancer and colorectal cancer prevention through an educational event for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer survivors with Mayo Clinic physicians, educational booths on Target Plaza and a champion’s march of cancer survivors onto Target Field. The Pitch for Prevention educational event will be streamed live at pitchforprevention.com.
The campaign will include a special appearance by country music star Craig Campbell, who lost his father to colorectal cancer at age 11. Losing his father at a young age inspired Campbell to become involved in the fight against colorectal cancer. He was recently named national spokesperson for Fight Colorectal Cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer is the second-leading killer of men in the U.S., and colorectal cancer is the third-leading killer of both men and women in the U.S.
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis.
WHEN: Monday, July 21, 2014. Educational event begins at 4 p.m. Game begins at 7:10 p.m.
WHO: Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Paul Limburg, M.D., founder of Pitch for Prevention, Craig Campbell, country singer and national spokesman for Fight Colorectal Cancer. Eric Powell, colorectal cancer survivor, will throw out the first pitch of the game.
Dr. Limburg and Campbell will be available for interviews on July 21.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chloe Piepho or Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu
July 17th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
Oral Health: Brush up on dental care basics
Acute hepatitis C infection: Is it serious?
July 16th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center Earns “Exceptional” Rating, Wins NCI Grant Renewal
By Joe Dangor
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (MCCC) announced today that it has received an overall "exceptional" score on the competitive renewal of its National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG). The grant award will provide roughly $28.6 million in funding over five years, providing essential support for the MCCC's 10 research programs and 13 shared resources through 2018.
The MCCC's NCI designation as a comprehensive cancer center was also renewed. To earn the comprehensive cancer center designation, an institution must participate in multidisciplinary laboratory, clinical and population-based research and educate the community it serves about research advances. There are 41 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers across the country. The MCCC is the only single comprehensive cancer center with three geographic sites – in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.; Jacksonville, Fla., and Rochester, Minn.
"Exceptional" is the highest rating given by the NCI. Fewer than 10 percent of NCI-designated cancer centers receive "exceptional" scores.
"This rating reflects the level of science being conducted by our researchers and the high quality of our staff," says MCCC director, Robert Diasio, M.D.
July 16th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
More Than a Voice: Opera Star Seeks Help and Healing
By Dana Sparks
This is a story about determination, perfection and treating the whole person. Tenor David Lomeli [Dah-veed Low-meh-lee] is considered one of the best up-and-coming opera voices in the world, and when medical issues threatened to destroy his career, he came to Mayo Clinic for help and healing. [TRT 5:02]
Journalists: The video package, extra b-roll and animation are available in the downloads. To read the full script click here.
This is a special report produced for the Mayo Clinic 150th Anniversary Collection of Stories. To view other stories and learn about Mayo Clinic's sesquicentennial, please click here.
July 16th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Mayo Clinic Surgeon Explains Who Needs Screening, Treatment
Bulges in body’s major blood vessel can cause potentially lethal ruptures, blood clots
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition: If the body’s major blood vessel ruptures, it can prove deadly. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently updated its recommendations on screening. Mayo Clinic vascular surgeon Peter Gloviczki, M.D., explains who should be watched for abdominal aortic aneurysms, how they are diagnosed and how surgery, which now includes a less invasive endovascular option, is improving survival rates:
What abdominal aortic aneurysms are: a bulge in the aorta, which is the body’s largest artery and is located in the abdomen above the belly button. The greatest risk is that the aneurysm will rupture.
“With every heartbeat there is increased pressure on the area of the aorta that has a weak wall and it bulges out, and ultimately when it reaches a certain size, it is going to rupture,” says Dr. Gloviczki, the Joe M. and Ruth Roberts Professor of Surgery at Mayo Clinic and past president of the Society for Vascular Surgery. “And rupture is a lethal complication.” Read the rest of this entry »
July 16th, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Why Do Some People with Alzheimer’s Disease Die Without Cognitive Impairment, While Others Do?
A Third Protein Provides Clue
Since the time of Dr. Alois Alzheimer himself, two proteins (beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau) have become tantamount to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). But a Mayo Clinic study challenges the perception that these are the only important proteins accounting for the clinical features of the devastating disease.
In a large clinico-imaging pathological study, Mayo Clinic researchers demonstrated that a third protein (TDP-43) plays a major role in AD pathology. In fact, people whose brain was TDP positive were 10 times more likely to be cognitively impaired at death compared to those who didn’t have the protein, showing that TDP-43 has the potential to overpower what has been termed resilient brain aging. The study was published in the journal Acta Neuropathologica.