SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As the WM Phoenix Open prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of golf fans to TPC Scottsdale, tournament organizers and Mayo Clinic will offer media a behind-the-scenes look at the on-site medical operations that support one of the world's largest sporting events.

Ahead of the 2026 tournament, Mayo Clinic — marking 25 years as the WM Phoenix Open's medical sponsor — will host media in the tournament's medical tent, providing insight into how medical teams prepare for and respond to the predictable health needs of large, outdoor events in the Arizona desert.

The media access will include insight into:

• Medical staffing and preparation for large, outdoor desert events.
• Coordination with local EMS and tournament leadership.
• Common conditions treated in the medical tents.
• The role of trained volunteers staffing the Family Center to support parents and families with young children.

The access will include a look at medical staffing and preparation, how the tents reduce strain on local emergency departments and urgent care centers, how they provide convenient care on-site, coordination with other organizations, and the systems in place to support fan health and safety throughout tournament week.

Mayo Clinic's on-site medical team includes physicians, nurses, physical and respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals focused on addressing predictable health needs, such as dehydration, heat-related illness, sunburn, minor injuries and falls. Mayo Clinic also provides sunscreen for fans. Separately, the tournament's new Family Center is staffed by trained, nonclinical volunteers from Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children's Hospital who will provide logistical and hospitality support for families, including wayfinding, basic amenities and a comfortable space to recharge.

"Mayo Clinic's role at the WM Phoenix Open is focused on preparation, teamwork and coordination," says Kristina Butler, M.D., chair of Community Engagement at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "Mayo Clinic specializes in serious and complex care, and that expertise is exactly what's needed at large events. Most issues are minor, but our job is knowing when something isn't. That experience helps keep people safe and prevents small problems from becoming big ones."

The media access aligns with the tournament's broader focus on fan-first enhancements, including the introduction of a new Family Center for the 2026 event, designed to support parents attending with children.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contacts:

• Carey Stanton, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu
• Ryan Woodcock, WM Phoenix Open, 480-766-1221, woody@wmphoenixopen.com

The post Behind the scenes of fan health: Mayo Clinic marks 25 years as WM Phoenix Open medical sponsor appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My husband has been diagnosed with cancer. I know his treatment will be hard on him, and I want to help in any way with his diet. What do you recommend for us?

ANSWER: Cancer treatments can take a toll on a person's body. Your husband's treatment may cause nausea, changes in appetite, taste and smell, diarrhea, or constipation, making it harder to meet his nutritional needs. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to cope with these side effects.

Supporting nutrition during cancer treatment

Weight changes. Weight changes are common. Weight loss without trying can reduce muscle mass, stamina and quality of life. Weight gain can lead to the development of other diseases, like diabetes or heart disease. Try to maintain your weight during treatment, even if it's outside a normal range.  

Appetite changes. Cancer and cancer treatment may make you lose your appetite or eat more than usual.

• If you lose your appetite: 
  • Eat smaller snacks that are high in calories, including yogurt, nuts, peanut butter and avocado.  
  • Eat more when your appetite is better.  
  • Food may sound unappealing even when you're hungry, making it difficult to eat. Try to find something that's appetizing.  
  • Keep snacks on hand.
• If you eat more when stressed:
  • Choose snacks such as fruits, vegetables and popcorn.    
  • Find ways to manage stress without food, such as going for a walk or calling a friend. 

Nausea. Feeling sick or throwing up due to your treatments makes it hard to eat. Small changes to what and how you eat may help you feel better. 

• Eat foods that are easy on your stomach, such as crackers, toast, broth or broth-based soups, ice pops, hard candies, plain pasta and rice. 
• Eat five or six small meals a day. Smaller meals are often easier to keep down. 
• Don't skip meals or snacks. Even when you're not hungry, try to eat; an empty stomach can make nausea worse.  
• Sip small amounts of fluid during meals and throughout the day.    
• Try pretzels or crackers with your medicines if your care team says it's OK.  

Taste and smell changes. Cancer treatment can alter the taste or smell of food. Some people say food tastes bland. Others say it tastes metallic or too sweet or salty. You may need to try different foods to find what works for you.  

To help with taste changes: 

• Brighten the flavor. Add a little lemon, lime or vinegar unless your mouth is sore.
• Try strong flavors. Use spices such as cinnamon, ginger, basil or rosemary.  
• Make foods sweeter. Add sugar or another sweetener if food tastes bitter or sour.
• Use marinades before cooking.  
• Choose other proteins. If meat doesn't taste good, try beans, nuts or fish. 
• Use plastic or bamboo utensils. These may help if food tastes metallic. 
• Try new foods. You won't have expectations about the taste.  

To help with strong smells: 

• Cook food in the microwave or use a crockpot or instant cooker in the garage.
• Eat foods cold or at room temperature.
• Cover food while it cooks.
• Use a window or fan to help remove unpleasant odors.  
• Drink from a covered cup.
• Ask a friend to cook for you.  

Sore throat, mouth or trouble swallowing. When your throat is sore or it's hard to swallow, eating may be painful or tiring. These tips can help:

• Soften the texture. Opt for smooth foods, such as cooked cereal, mashed potatoes or scrambled eggs.
• Cool things down. Choose smoothies, ice pops or a bowl of ice cream. 
• Take smaller bites and cut food into tiny pieces.
• Avoid what bothers you. Spicy, sour, crunchy or vinegar-based foods, citrus fruits, tomato sauce or carbonated beverages can cause discomfort. 
• Suck on ice chips or ice pops.

Diarrhea and constipation. Bowel changes are unpleasant but common side effects of cancer treatment. 

To help with diarrhea:

• Eat small, frequent meals and snacks.
• Choose soft, low-fiber foods.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Limit lactose found in milk and yogurt.
• Avoid sugar substitutes such as sorbitol, xylitol or mannitol, which are often found in sugar-free candy or gum. 
• Drink plenty of fluids, including electrolyte-containing fluids, to stay hydrated.  

For constipation, aim to:

• Drink enough fluid to stay hydrated and keep stools soft. Try to drink eight to 10 cups of water each day. Warm coffee, tea or broth-based soup in the morning can help your bowels move. Use the bathroom when you feel the urge.
• Move your body. Even short walks help your digestive system work better.
• Keep regular mealtimes.
• Eat a high-fiber diet.
  
  

Your husband's care team is an excellent resource for what you can expect during treatment and for the symptoms that may affect his diet and weight.

Grace Fjeldberg, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Nutrition/Oncology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: Diet tips during cancer treatment appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is expanding surgical options for patients undergoing treatment or risk reducing procedures for breast cancer through the adoption of robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy at its Minnesota and Florida campuses. Following recent Food and Drug Administration approval of the use of this platform and device for these procedures, Mayo Clinic surgeons are now offering a minimally invasive approach designed to improve cosmetic outcomes, preserve skin and nipple viability, and broaden opportunities for potential sensory restoration.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy preserves the nipple–areolar complex and healthy breast skin, creating a more natural appearing reconstructed breast after reconstruction. The improved cosmetic result can offer meaningful psychological benefits for patients compared with traditional mastectomy. Many patients, however, continue to experience visible scarring, diminished or absent sensation in the breast and nipple, and risk of loss of nipple or skin due to low blood flow.

The robotic approach provides a way to address some of these challenges by enabling a small, lateral incision, gentle tissue retraction with gas insufflation, and enhanced visualization of the surgical field. Mayo Clinic surgeons also are integrating sensory restoring procedures in some cases, including neurotization (reinnervation) of the nipple–areolar complex, to help patients regain protective sensation of their reconstructed breasts.

"When we remove the breast tissue and keep the envelope of the breast skin and nipple, it provides the most natural-appearing breast from a cosmetic standpoint," says Mara Piltin, D.O., a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. "The next step is to improve the process so that patients regain feeling in their breasts and are not constantly seeing scars that remind them of their cancer journey. It will positively impact their sexual health, self-image and recovery."

Mayo Clinic continues to lead in NSM innovation, consistently refining surgical techniques and expanding clinical trials to enhance patient outcomes. Jeffrey E. Johnson, M.D., a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, explains, "At Mayo Clinic, our goal is to ensure that more patients can benefit from innovations that support not only their physical recovery but also their emotional well-being so every patient can move forward with confidence and hope."

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center 
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is defining the cancer center of the future, focused on delivering the world's most exceptional patient-centered cancer care for everyone. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a culture of innovation and collaboration is driving research breakthroughs in cancer detection, prevention and treatment to change lives.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic offers newly FDA-approved robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy surgery appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: Dr. Worrell discusses advancing epilepsy care

 Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are available in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Name super/CG: Gregory Worrell, M.D., Ph.D./ Neurology /Mayo Clinic.

Why is epilepsy such a challenging condition to treat? 
Epilepsy affects people across the entire lifespan, from infancy through older adulthood. About one-third of patients continue to have seizures despite medication. Many also experience disabling comorbidities such as sleep disturbances, memory problems and mood disorders. Treating epilepsy effectively requires addressing all of these challenges, not just seizures alone. 

How does a team-based approach improve epilepsy care? 
Addressing epilepsy requires collaboration across many specialties, including basic neuroscience, engineering, neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology and psychiatry. By combining expertise and leveraging advances in biology, imaging, engineering, computing and artificial intelligence, we can better meet the complex and unmet needs of patients.  

What is the Bioelectronics Neuromodulation Innovation to Cure (BIONIC) Initiative, and why is it important for epilepsy care? 
The BIONIC initiative is focused on changing the course of epilepsy therapy and diagnostics. We're in a period of rapid technological acceleration — advances in artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, computing and connected devices. These tools allow us to deliver and adjust therapies in real time and to receive feedback from people with epilepsy as they go about their daily lives. This creates new opportunities to better understand epilepsy, create new therapies and improve patient care. 

How do these technologies help people living with epilepsy day to day? 
Today, we can track seizures as well as common epilepsy-related comorbidities such as sleep problems, memory issues and mood disorders. Importantly, we can also intervene using neuromodulation using electrical brain stimulation, to help suppress seizures and improve these comorbidities. This technology allows care to extend beyond the clinic and into a patient's home. 

What kinds of devices are being developed through BIONIC? 
We're developing a next-generation neuromodulation platform with devices that are fully implantable and integrated with wearables and computing. These devices include electrodes placed in the brain and have sensing capabilities that allow continuous recording of brain activity. The data can be securely transmitted through a handheld device to the cloud. The system enables analysis that can guide therapy and drive better understanding of seizures and related conditions. 

What can clinicians and researchers learn from this brain data? 
By continuously recording brain activity, we can track seizures, sleep patterns, memory and mood. This data allows us to adjust electrical therapies in a more personalized way. Ultimately, our goal is to forecast seizures before they happen and deliver adaptive therapies that prevent seizures before they occur and address the broader impact of epilepsy on daily life. 

How do these new devices compare to earlier generations? 
Earlier devices were groundbreaking for their time, but they had fewer capabilities. The devices we're preparing for clinical trials are significantly smaller, more powerful, rechargeable and offer expanded stimulation, sensing and streaming capabilities. This represents a major step forward in both technology and patient experience. 

What is the long-term vision of the BIONIC Initiative? 
Our vision is to build more effective therapies, prevent seizures before they occur and directly target comorbidities. With current newly developed technologies, these goals are now achievable, and BIONIC is focused on translating them into real-world patient benefits. 

Why is collaboration beyond Mayo Clinic essential? 
These challenges can't be solved by one person or one institution alone. Collaboration with other academic centers, industry partners and most importantly, patients is essential. A technology that doesn't have a clear path to commercialization, even if it's innovative, will likely only help a relatively small number of people. 

How do patients factor into the development of these therapies? 
Partnering with patients is critical. We need to understand what matters most to them and what they need to improve their quality of life. Their input helps guide technology development so that it truly addresses real-world needs. 

What is the ultimate goal of BIONIC? 
The goal of BIONIC is to bring all of these elements together into a unified effort to create the future of epilepsy therapy — one that is more personalized, proactive and focused on the whole patient. It is important to realize that the neuromodulation technologies developed for epilepsy will have a wide impact on many other diseases of the brain and mind. 
 
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About Mayo Clinic  
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

Media contact: 

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu  
   
   

The post Advancing epilepsy care: Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. Gregory Worrell  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — As the new year begins, people around the world resolve to improve their health. For some adults living with obesity, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to treat the disease.

Watch: Dr. Omar Ghanem discusses treatment options for obesity

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are available in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Name super/CG: Omar Ghanem, M.D./ Endocrine and Metabolic Surgery /Mayo Clinic.

Omar Ghanem, M.D., Mayo Clinic medical director for the Middle East and a metabolic surgeon and chair of metabolic and abdominal wall reconstructive surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, says people should care for their health throughout the year. Yet, the start of a new year is a meaningful time for some people to reassess their health and learn about all available treatment options for obesity.

"Obesity is a complex disease, not a personal failure," Dr. Ghanem says. "Many people try diets, exercise programs and medications, but still struggle because obesity has many causes — psychological, metabolic, behavioral and genetic. Because it is a complex disease, it requires a comprehensive treatment. Metabolic surgery helps treat obesity in ways other treatments cannot."

Addressing obesity stigma

Despite its rising prevalence, obesity is often misunderstood. Many people living with obesity encounter stigma — including the false assumptions that weight is simply a matter of willpower or personal responsibility. Research shows that obesity is a chronic disease influenced by multiple factors outside an individual's control, and stigma can prevent people from seeking appropriate treatment. 

Research published in The Lancet's eClinicalMedicine reports that weight stigma leads to avoidance of healthcare, delays in seeking medical care and reduced trust in providers — all of which can interfere with receiving appropriate, evidence-based treatment.

Metabolic surgery offers lifesaving benefits for patients with obesity

According to studies, metabolic surgery is an effective and durable therapy for severe obesity. Metabolic surgery typically results in 25%–30% total body weight loss that often is sustained for many years. Metabolic surgery supports weight loss, and it also can improve conditions associated with obesity, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

"For many patients, surgery is the turning point that allows them to get their health back," Dr. Ghanem says. "Some patients no longer need diabetes or blood pressure medications immediately after surgery. It can be life-changing."

Beyond weight loss: Surgery can open doors to other lifesaving care

At Mayo Clinic, Dr. Ghanem and colleagues regularly treat patients with complex medical needs who require weight loss before they can safely undergo another operation, such as a heart or kidney transplant, joint replacement, or hernia repair.

"These are highly coordinated cases involving cardiologists, endocrinologists, anesthesiologists and transplant specialists," he says. "Multidisciplinary care allows patients to access treatments they were previously told were impossible."

Mayo Clinic also specializes in corrective bariatric surgeries for complications from procedures performed elsewhere, including hernias, ulcers, fistulas, malnutrition or weight regain.

A new era in obesity treatment

Dr. Ghanem says obesity treatment continues to evolve. A promising approach is the integration of anti-obesity medications with surgery.

"Combining medical and surgical therapies has tremendous potential — similar to how medications and surgery work together in cancer treatment," he says.

Mayo Clinic research has demonstrated that bariatric surgery provides long-term metabolic benefits, may reduce cancer risk and can even be performed at the same time as a liver transplant in select patients — improving long-term survival.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Caroline Auger, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post New year, new focus on health: Mayo Clinic expert highlights effective treatment options for obesity appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a promising gene-editing therapy that directly corrects a genetic mutation responsible for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the most common inherited kidney disorder.

A single treatment of the gene therapy slowed kidney cyst growth, improved heart and liver health, and extended survival in preclinical models of ADPKD. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

"This is the first time we've been able to show that base editing can effectively and safely correct a disease-causing mutation in the kidney in a complex biological system," says Xiaogang Li, Ph.D., nephrology researcher and senior author of the study. "Instead of managing symptoms, this strategy goes after the underlying cause of the disease."

ADPKD affects an estimated 12 million people worldwide. The disease is caused primarily by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes and leads to the progressive growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, often resulting in kidney failure. Many patients also develop complications outside the kidneys, including heart enlargement and liver disease.

Current treatments can slow disease progression but do not address its genetic root. The new approach, developed by Mayo Clinic investigators, uses a form of CRISPR-based gene editing known as base editing to precisely correct a single-letter DNA mutation in the PKD1 gene.

In the study, researchers engineered two versions of a base editor: one designed to work broadly across multiple organs and another tailored specifically to kidney cells. Delivered using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, a single dose of the therapy corrected the PKD1 mutation in a significant proportion of cells in kidney tissue and, depending on the editor used, in the heart and liver as well.

Preclinical models treated early in life had significantly reduced kidney cyst growth, better kidney function, less heart enlargement, improved liver health and longer survival. Importantly, the researchers found no evidence of harmful off-target genetic changes or significant immune reactions.

"Our results suggest this could one day be a treatment that meaningfully changes the course of disease," Dr. Li says. "That is fundamentally different from lifelong therapies that only slow progression."

The kidney has historically been difficult to target with gene-editing therapies. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that base editing can work efficiently in kidney tissue, opening the door to similar approaches for other inherited kidney diseases.

The research team also demonstrated that kidney-specific gene editing can limit genetic changes to the intended organ, a strategy that may enhance safety as therapies move closer to human testing.

"Being able to precisely control where editing happens is critical," Dr. Li says. "It allows us to maximize benefit while minimizing risk."

The work advances Mayo Clinic's Genesis initiative, which aims to prevent organ failure and restore function through regenerative medicine, precision genomics and advanced therapies. 

Ongoing studies are focused on refining base-editing tools to address a broader range of PKD mutations, evaluating whether treatment can be effective after cysts have already formed, and developing alternative delivery methods — including nonviral options such as nanoparticles — to support future clinical use.

"If these approaches translate successfully to humans, they could reduce or even eliminate the need for chronic medication, delay kidney failure and significantly improve quality of life for patients with ADPKD," Dr. Li says.

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study.    

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic uses gene editing to reverse inherited kidney disease in preclinical study appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

This episode of the "Tomorrow's Cure" podcast discusses developments in rheumatoid arthritis research and the emerging technologies shaping what's possible in care. Featuring Dr. John Davis, III, Mayo Clinic rheumatologist and Dr. Kevin Deane, University of Colorado rheumatologist, the episode highlights how early‑stage research and emerging technologies are reshaping what's possible in rheumatoid arthritis care. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that affects far more than joints. Crucially, researchers now know that autoantibodies, such as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‑CCP) and rheumatoid factor, often develop years before diagnosis, signaling early immune system disruption. 

Traditional blood tests predict future rheumatoid arthritis only about 30% of the time — too uncertain for preventive treatment. To close this gap, researchers turn to AI and multisource data such as genetic information, lifestyle and environmental exposures, microbiome patterns, imaging and clinical records, and wearable health metrics. AI can piece together complex risk profiles that traditional methods can't, helping identify individuals most likely to develop the disease and when. 

New evidence suggests rheumatoid arthritis may start at mucosal surfaces such as the lungs, gut or gums before affecting joints. Environmental factors such as smoke, pollution and airborne particles may play a role in triggering early immune activation. 

At the same time, the gut microbiome is emerging as a powerful predictor of both rheumatoid arthritis risk and treatment response. Certain bacteria influence inflammation and can even metabolize medications such as methotrexate, affecting how well patients respond. 

Over the next decade, experts anticipate transformative shifts in rheumatology, including more precise biomarkers and antibody panels; AI-guided prediction tools that can lead to personalized, data-driven treatment plans; expanded virtual care options to increase access; and a deeper understanding of environmental and immune triggers.  

"I think this is where we need to go … trying to put together a lot of data that we can digitize about an individual, such as health, risk factors, behaviors, even wearable data, and analyze it using AI to identify people who could be at risk long before symptoms appear," Dr. Davis says. The long‑term goal is clear: identify rheumatoid arthritis before joint damage occurs and ultimately prevent the disease altogether. 

Listen to the latest episode of "Tomorrow's Cure" wherever you get your podcasts. You can explore the full library of episodes and guests on the show's page. 

The post Rewriting the future of rheumatoid arthritis: How early detection is transforming prevention  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new international study — believed to be the largest of its kind — examined what people know about perimenopause and what symptoms they experience. The results reveal a clear gap between what perimenopause symptoms people expect and what they experience.

Mayo Clinic researchers published a collaborative research study with Flo, a women's health application, to assess the perimenopause symptoms of 17,494 people from 158 countries. The study results are published in Menopause, the official journal of The Menopause Society.

Perimenopause marks the time leading up to the final menstrual period and includes the year after it ends. This transition can begin as early as the 30s and last for several years. Although it affects health and daily life, researchers have studied it far less than menopause.

"This study shines a light on how little we still understand about perimenopause and how much it affects people's daily lives," says first author Mary Hedges, M.D., a community internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "At Mayo Clinic, we're working to expand that understanding so we can improve awareness and guide care that truly meets the needs of each patient."

Among more than 12,000 participants over age 35, the most common reported symptoms were fatigue (83%), exhaustion (83%), irritability (80%), low mood (77%), sleep problems (76%), digestive issues (76%) and anxiety (75%).

When asked what they associate with perimenopause, participants most often named hot flashes (71%), sleep problems (68%) and weight gain (65%). However, for those who said they were in perimenopause, 95% reported exhaustion and 93% reported fatigue — far higher than the rate of hot flashes. Exhaustion is a general decrease in performance, impaired memory, decreased concentration, and forgetfulness, whereas fatigue is physical exhaustion.

These findings show that fatigue, mood changes and sleep-related issues are central to many people's perimenopause experiences, the study authors say. Hormone changes may affect the body's natural rhythms and restorative sleep, while mood changes can be influenced by hormones, inflammation and diet.

The research highlights that perimenopause symptoms can significantly affect daily life, relationships and work. Responsibilities such as caregiving and coexisting health conditions may add to the strain, increasing fatigue and emotional stress.

Mayo Clinic researchers say the study underscores the importance of rethinking how clinicians approach midlife health. They emphasize that understanding what people are truly experiencing — not just what is traditionally expected — is essential to improving care and communication during this life stage.

Mayo Clinic continues to study how biological, lifestyle and social factors influence perimenopause symptoms and how greater awareness can help improve patient care. This work supports Mayo Clinic's vision to transform the practice of medicine through research that addresses real-world needs and leads to more informed, compassionate care.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Global study identifies gap between expectations, experience in perimenopause appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Our neighbors were selling their home and had it tested for radon. The test was positive. Why should we be concerned about radon, and should we have our home tested too?

ANSWER: The positive test for radon in your neighbors' home has given you a heads-up that your home should be tested as well.

Radon is an odorless, invisible radioactive gas. It's naturally released from rocks, soil and water — and it can get trapped inside your home, office or school. There's no known safe level of radon. Unfortunately, there are no symptoms associated with radon exposure, unlike with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Why radon is so dangerous

Breathing high levels of radon over time can lead to lung cancer since this gas is a Class A carcinogen. It's the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second-leading cause of lung cancer overall. Nationwide, 21,000 people die from radon-caused lung cancer each year.

Smoking and secondhand smoke, combined with exposure to high radon levels, increase your risk of lung cancer. If you or your family are experiencing breathing issues, consult with a pulmonologist.

Radon can be found in any home — old or new — and typically enters through cracks in the foundation caused by natural settling and windows. Radon levels often are higher in lower levels and basements. Across the U.S., 1 in 15 homes have elevated radon levels, and levels are higher in the Midwest. For example, radon levels range from 4.7 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) in Indiana to 9.6 pCi/L in North Dakota. The nationwide average is 1.3 pCi/L.

Testing for radon

There's a simple solution to this close-to-home health hazard: testing. That's what the Environmental Protection Agency urges all homeowners to do, especially those in high-radon areas. Testing is the only way to determine the radon level in your home.

You can find radon testing kits at hardware or other home maintenance stores and online. They cost around $20 or less and are easy to use. It typically takes two to seven days for results. Although there's no safe level of radon, look for test results of 4.0 pCi/L or less. 

If your home tests higher than 4.0 pCi/L, then you'll need to have a professional fix the radon issue, which includes installing venting equipment. The equipment looks like a big tube that reaches below the foundation of your home and vents radon up and out of the house. 

The cost of a radon mitigation system varies according to the size and design of your home, as well as the system being installed. Costs average $1,000-$2,000. Check with your local city and county housing agencies to see if they have funds available for low-interest loans or grants for radon mitigation, and learn if you're eligible for these funds.

Once the mitigation system has been installed, your home should be tested again to make sure the fix is effective. Even if your home passes the first test, you should retest every two years.

Also, radon testing isn't required when selling a home. However, if you're a buyer, you should insist on it. If levels are high, you may be able to negotiate the costs of the mitigation with the seller.

Radon testing and mitigation are investments in your home — and in your health.

Elizabeth Morton, Physician Assistant, Pulmonology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, Minnesota

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: Why should I be concerned about radon? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new study led by Mayo Clinic found that postmenopausal women receiving menopausal hormone therapy lost 35% more weight while taking tirzepatide, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the treatment of overweight and obesity. The findings, published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women's Health, could expand treatment possibilities for millions of women struggling with obesity and obesity-related diseases after menopause.

Menopause can accelerate age-related weight gain and increase the likelihood of developing overweight and obesity, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions. The decline in estrogen levels characteristic of menopause is also linked to changes independent of weight that can potentially raise cardiovascular risk. "This study provides important insights for developing more effective and personalized strategies for managing cardiometabolic risk in postmenopausal women," says Regina Castaneda, M.D., postdoctoral research fellow at Mayo Clinic and first author of the study.

Hormone therapy is the most effective first-line treatment for menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, which affect up to 75% of postmenopausal women. While evidence on how this therapy may interact with weight-loss medications is limited, some research has shown that postmenopausal women using hormone therapy experience greater weight loss when treated with the GLP-1-based obesity medication semaglutide.

No previous studies have examined whether hormone therapy might influence outcomes with tirzepatide. Dr. Castaneda and a team of researchers set out to investigate this relationship by reviewing data from 120 participants with overweight or obesity who received tirzepatide for weight management for 12 or more months. Patients receiving tirzepatide along with hormone therapy were compared to participants with similar characteristics who were not using hormone therapy.

"In this observational study, women who used menopausal hormone therapy lost about 35% more weight than women taking tirzepatide alone. Because this was not a randomized trial, we cannot say hormone therapy caused additional weight loss," says Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade, M.D., Ph.D., endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study.

"It is possible that women using hormone therapy were already engaged in healthier behaviors, or that menopause symptom relief improved sleep and quality of life, making it easier to stay engaged with dietary and physical activity changes."

Dr. Castaneda says, while more studies that control for these factors are needed, the findings are clinically meaningful. "The magnitude of this difference warrants future studies that could help clarify how GLP-1-based obesity medications and menopausal hormone therapy may interact. Interestingly, preclinical data suggest a potential synergy, with estrogen appearing to enhance the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1," says Dr. Castaneda.

"Next, we plan to test these observations in a randomized clinical trial and determine if benefits extend beyond weight loss — specifically, whether hormone therapy also enhances the effects of these medications on cardiometabolic measures," adds Dr. Hurtado Andrade. "If confirmed, this work could speed the development and adoption of new, evidence-based strategies to reduce this risk for millions of postmenopausal women navigating this life stage."

This research was funded by the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health Research. Review the study for a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding.

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