Health & Wellness - April 2015 Archives

Mayo Clinic President and CEO John Noseworthy, M.D., submitted the following written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies on Wednesday on the fiscal 2016 federal budget: Introduction.  On behalf of the Mayo Clinic, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 appropriations.  For the reasons enumerated below, Mayo requests no less than $32 billion in FY 2016 funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  NIH-funded research is an essential national investment that increases understanding of human disease, spurs the development of novel diagnostics and therapies, and uncovers new strategies to prevent disease and to improve health. Because NIH is the largest source of biomedical research funding not only in the United States but also in the world, the failure of NIH funding to keep pace with medical inflation decreases support for and the conduct of basic research; inevitably, this compromises the realization of those crucial scientific breakthroughs that enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce disease and disability.  “Important secondary benefits of medical research such as job creation, regional and global economic activity, international competitiveness, intellectual property and commercializable products are likely adversely impacted as well.”[1]  While NIH funding is certainly not Mayo’s only Labor-HHS funding priority, it is on behalf of these research efforts that we focus on NIH funding in our testimony today. MEDIA CONTACT: Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, newsbureau@mayo.edu / 507-284-5005

It's well known that women with dense breast tissue are less likely to get accurate results from mammograms. Now there's a new breast-imaging technology ...

MEDIA ADVISORY:     Mayo Clinic CEO John Noseworthy, M.D., released the following statement today on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s bipartisan “21st Century Cures” discussion draft: “Mayo Clinic applauds the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for releasing this bipartisan legislative language aimed at speeding life-saving medical treatments to patients.  The 21st Century Cures discussion draft  released today by Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and other committee members includes several critical measures that should advance innovation in health care research, discovery and delivery. “We are particularly pleased to see the draft’s emphasis on reducing regulatory barriers that unnecessarily slow clinical trials   We also are very encouraged by the committee’s efforts to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health, which Mayo Clinic believes is an essential national investment. In addition, we note the telemedicine placeholder, and are hopeful lawmakers will include measures that promote the use of telemedicine—including language to address the issue of medical licensure—in the final legislation. Mayo Clinic Media Relations contact: Sharon Theimer, newsbureau@mayo.edu / 507-284-5005.

Pregnancy might seem like the perfect time to sit back and relax. You may feel more tired than usual, your back might ache and your ankles might be swollen. But there's more to pregnancy and exercise than skipping it entirely. Unless you're experiencing serious complications, sitting around won't help. In fact, pregnancy can be a great time to get active — even if you haven't exercised in a while. Seanna Thompson, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System OB/GYN physician, answers a few common questions about pregnancy and exercise. What are the benefits of exercise during pregnancy? Regular exercise can help your body adapt to the changes that occur during pregnancy. Exercise reduces constipation, bloating, swelling and backaches. Physical activity improves mood, posture, muscle tone, strength and endurance. It may also help you sleep better. Additionally, exercise can benefit the baby and may even prevent or treat gestational diabetes. Overall, exercise regularly keeps you fit during pregnancy, increases your energy level and can help you cope better with labor. Post-baby workouts will also help you take weight off more quickly after delivery.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Are there any new treatment options for chronic lymphocytic leukemia? I am 61 and was diagnosed 18 months ago. Until recently, I have not had any symptoms so have not received treatment for it. ANSWER: Researchers are currently studying a variety of potential new treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL. Many of them are available now through clinical trials. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial and receive one of the new therapies. CLL is a cancer of the blood and the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made, called bone marrow. In particular, this disease affects a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes that help your body fight infection. CLL usually progresses slowly. As in your situation, many people in the early stages of CLL do not have any symptoms. When symptoms start to develop, they may include enlarged lymph nodes, pain in the upper left abdomen, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss and frequent infections.

It's well known that women with dense breast tissue are less likely to get accurate results from mammograms. Now there's a new breast-imaging technology called ...

Precision medicine ... also called individualized medicine ... got special attention recently when President Obama announced a Precision Medicine Initiative and called for the creation ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Healthy breakfast: Quick, flexible options Short on time in the morning? You don't have to skip breakfast. These fast and healthy foods can help you start your day off right. Cholesterol-lowering supplements: Lower your numbers without prescription medication Diet and exercise are proven ways to reduce cholesterol. Should you take a cholesterol-lowering supplement, too? EXPERT ANSWERS Electronic cigarettes: A safe way to light up? More and more teens are using electronic cigarettes. Makers say they're safe, but experts warn of health risks. Apple cider vinegar for weight loss Proponents tout apple cider vinegar as a weight-loss aid, but there's little proof that it works. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes fecal incontinence? Can it be treated? ANSWER: Fecal incontinence, or leakage of stool from the rectum, can range from occasional leakage while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. An estimated 8 percent of the general population and 15 percent of people age 70 and older are affected. Although fecal incontinence is more common in middle-aged and older adults, it isn’t an inevitable part of aging. It’s often the result of another treatable medical issue or can be a warning sign of a more serious problem. Your rectum and anus are at the end of your large intestine. Normally, the muscles and nerves in and around these two structures sense the presence of waste, allow storage in the rectum, and then move and eliminate stool. Changes in the function of this complex system can interfere with normal stool elimination.

Cancer diagnosis: 11 tips for coping If you've been diagnosed with cancer, knowing what to expect and making plans for how to proceed can help ...

Precision medicine ... also called individualized medicine ... got special attention recently when President Obama announced a Precision Medicine Initiative and called for the creation ...

Iowa State University head men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg says he's feeling surprisingly well five days after open heart surgery. ...