Deb Balzer (@DebBalzer)
Deb Balzer is a Senior Communications Specialist at Mayo Clinic. She began her career as a TV news producer in Rochester, NY, before joining CONUS Communications, a pioneering national news satellite organization. She also field produced for ABC, CNN, the Rachael Ray Show and Farmers’ Almanac TV. Joining Mayo Clinic in 2015, Deb writes, produces and collaborates on medical stories with Mayo Clinic’s leading experts, providing trusted health and medical information to help patients.
Whether it's work parties, social gatherings or family get-togethers, December joins people for holidays and social events centered around plenty of food and drinks. But[...]
World AIDS Day, observed on Dec. 1, raises awareness about HIV/AIDS and pays tribute to those affected by the disease. Globally, about 39 million people are living[...]
A salmonella outbreak in North America is being linked to cantaloupe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, is a common[...]
Dupuytren (DOO-puh-tren) contracture is a disorder that can cause the fingers to curl in, primarily the ring and small fingers. It's a genetic condition mostly affecting[...]
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive disorders in the world. It happens when acid comes up from the stomach, which[...]
Cranberries have become a Thanksgiving dinner staple. How about making a heart-smart cranberry apple crisp this year? Jen Welper, a wellness executive chef with the Mayo[...]
Screening for lung cancer can save lives, and there's an urgent need for more screening of people of color. That's one of the takeaways from[...]
Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a widespread skin condition known for causing dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It affects 15% to[...]
Young children and older adults are particularly susceptible to severe flu-related illness. That's why Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician with Mayo Clinic's Children's Center, says it's important that kids[...]
As people age, their joints change. Sometimes, this can lead to arthritis, causing pain in areas like the knees and hips. Dr. Rafael Sierra, a Mayo[...]
Halloween is when kids wear their favorite costumes and go trick-or-treating for candy. Kids might bring home a bucketful of sugary treats, but it doesn't[...]
Most lumps or nodules in the thyroid, which is a gland in your neck, are not harmful and don't need treatment. But sometimes, they can grow bigger[...]