Health & Wellness - August 2015 Archives

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Addyi (flibanserin) – making it the first and only drug designed to help increase women's sexual desire. Mayo Clinic Women's ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky7fuJo54UE In the United States, two-thirds of the population is said to be either overweight or obese. Now there’s a new option for those ...

For many kids, summer is a time to stay up late, sleep in and hang out with friends. Waking up for that first day of ...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — August 18, 2015—Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), Warburg Pincus and Sutter Hill Ventures announced today that they have formed a company to empower consumers to discover insights into their own genomes through a vibrant ecosystem of high-quality content partners. The company, called Helix, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and received financing commitments in excess of $100 million. Jay Flatley, CEO of Illumina, will serve as Chairman of the Board. Helix will enable individuals to acquire an unprecedented amount of genetic information by providing affordable sequencing and database services for consumer samples brought through third party partners, driving the creation of an ecosystem of consumer applications. After being sequenced, individuals will be able to manage their data and explore an open marketplace of on-demand applications, provided by Helix’s partners, to gain additional insights into the genomic data that has already been acquired. By converting genetic information to digital data stored in the cloud, Helix enables its partners to develop and deliver premium genomic products to consumers without the burden of developing their own assay, laboratory, or database infrastructure.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes mesothelioma, and how is it different than lung cancer? Are there any treatments or ways to slow its progression? ANSWER: Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, with about 3,000 new cases reported each year in the United States. It is much less common than lung cancer. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma does not start within the lung tissue. It arises from the mesothelium that forms the outside lining of the lung, also called the pleura; however, mesothelioma may spread into the lungs. Rarely, it can also arise from the lining of the abdominal cavity or other internal organs. The exact cause is unclear, but there appears to be a strong association between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma. The most common treatment for mesothelioma is chemotherapy, but a combination of different therapies can be used. Research investigating possible new treatment options is underway.

For many children, the start of a new school year can be very stressful, especially if they've been victims of bullying in the past. Mayo Clinic ...

The end of summer is fast approaching ... and millions of youngsters across the country are getting ready to return to the classroom. On this back-to-school edition ...

Quality health care is something we all want. But what does it mean ... and how can we find it? This week on Mayo Clinic Radio, ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Headaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptoms To foil frequent headaches, first figure out what type you have. Reaching for pills to ease the pain isn't always the best approach. Eating and exercise: 5 tips to maximize your workouts Whether you're walking around the block or training for a race, what you eat and drink can affect your workout. Keep these tips in mind. EXPERT ANSWERS Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers? Bacteria typically don't change the taste, smell or look of food, so you can't tell whether it's dangerous to eat. Fast weight loss: What's wrong with it? Dropping pounds gradually makes it more likely that you'll keep the weight off over the long term. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My mother was diagnosed with osteoporosis when she was in her 80s. My sister and I are now in our 60s, and my sister is concerned that we’re at high risk for the disease. I thought osteoporosis was just part of aging, especially for women. Can it run in families? Are there other things that can put a person at risk for it? ANSWER: Although osteoporosis is more common as people age, it’s not a natural part of aging. There are a number of factors, including family history, that can raise your risk for osteoporosis. Your body regularly makes new bone and breaks down old bone. When you’re young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, and your bone mass increases. Most people reach their peak bone mass in their mid-20s to mid-30s. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone your body has to sustain bone health throughout the rest of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z1keOchjn8   The Trans Am Muscle Car Challenge promises to be a high-octane event Friday in Lexington, Ohio. But, one of the drivers is already ...

The high cost of cancer drugs Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses for cancer drugs can be in the thousands, causing added stress. Some ...