Health & Wellness - February 2014 Archives

The eyes have it! March is Save Your Vision month and we hope you can join us Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. CT, when the topic is eyesight. Ophthalmologists Sophie Bakri, M.D.; and Michael Mahr, M.D. will be with us to discuss macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, in addition to workplace eye safety. Myth or Matter of Fact: Only patients with a family history can develop glaucoma. For a link to information on eating disorders discussed at the top of the show with Leslie Sim, Ph.D.,L.P., click Mayo Clinic or the AED webpage. To listen to the program LIVE, click here. Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment March 1, 2014 (right click MP3)

Miss the show? Here is the podcast! Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 3-1-2014 March is Save Your Vision month and we hope you can join ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGv-OnU96o Mayo Clinic Expert Says Such an Ingredient Would Not Be Missed in Household Products Citing environmental concerns, Minnesota state legislators next month are expected to debate banning the use of the common antibacterial ingredient triclosan. By an executive order effective in 2013, Minnesota's governor had already barred state agencies from purchasing any hand washing, dish or laundry soaps containing triclosan. The concern is that natural chemical interactions in the environment will create dioxins that pose a threat to aquatic life. Dioxins also have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Mayo Clinic infectious disease expert Pritish Tosh, M.D. says for the benefit of public health, fewer antibacterial products on the market could actually be a good thing. Dr. Tosh says the misuse of antibiotics and the overuse of antibacterial agents are at least partially to blame for the growth of so-called "super-bugs." Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Tosh are available in the downloads. Sound bite #1  Resistant Bacteria Thrive (Dr. Pritish Tosh, Mayo Clinic) [pronounced: prih-TEESH Tahsh] "This is contributing worldwide to problems

LA CROSSE, Wis. Registration is now open for the second annual Big Blue Dragon Boat Race hosted by the Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare. The race will take place on July 5, 2014, on the Mississippi River along La Crosse’s Riverside Park. The Dragon Boat Race is relatively new to the La Crosse community and is an exciting way to support and celebrate breast cancer survivors while promoting health and teamwork. The money from the event goes to the Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare's Center for Breast Care, and the early-bird team registration fee is $700 if paid by April 15 and $800 afterwards. Not only does this event sponsor sport and exercise, but also spectacle, as the act of the race itself brings a diverse set of spectators from all over the area. Last year the race brought in over 2,500 people to watch the race unfold. According to Teri Wildt, associate director of External Affairs at Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare, spectators and participants consisted of fitness enthusiasts, Rotarians, Franciscan Sisters, colleagues and breast cancer survivors. This year's race coordinators expect 60 teams to race head-to-head on the Mississippi River, with five separate divisions: corporate, mixed, men’s, breast cancer survivors and cancer survivors.

Findings May Help Make Immunizations More Effective  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4eyi8h1UA ROCHESTER, Minn. — Feb. 27, 2014 — Somali Americans develop twice the antibody response to rubella from the current vaccine compared to Caucasians in a new Mayo Clinic study on individualized aspects of immune response. A non-Somali, African-American cohort ranked next in immune response, still significantly higher than Caucasians, and Hispanic Americans in the study were least responsive to the vaccine. The findings appear in the journal Vaccine.  “This is fascinating,” says Gregory Poland, M.D., Mayo Clinic vaccinologist and senior author of the study. “We don’t know why these groups reacted so differently to the vaccine — that’s a subject for further studies — but this new information will help us as we design the vaccines of the future. It will ultimately change how we practice medicine.”

  DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I keep hearing about all of the health benefits of probiotics. Are there any negative side effects? Do I need to talk to my doctor before I take them? ANSWER: Some research has shown that taking probiotics may have health benefits. They appear to be especially useful in promoting digestive health. In healthy adults, side effects from probiotics are rare. Before you start taking probiotics, however, it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor. Probiotics contain strains of living bacteria that are similar to the healthy bacteria normally found in your digestive system. The purpose of taking probiotics is to increase the levels of those healthy bacteria. You can get probiotics from your diet. For example, yogurt, some types of soft cheese such as Gouda, miso soup, sourdough bread and acidophilus milk all contain probiotics. Probiotics also are available in pill form as an over-the-counter dietary supplement.

Join @MayoClinic and @American_Heart for a #HeartChat moderated by @USAToday’s @LizSzabo 1-2 p.m. ET Wednesday, Feb. 26th Topics: Statins and blood pressure drugs Symptoms in stroke, heart attack and heart disease  Best ways to prevent heart disease Signs of heart attack or stroke Latest cardiovascular research Other heart/stroke organizations and renowned cardiovascular doctors and researchers will join. If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat, be sure to watch this how-to video before jumping in. We recommend you use a website such as Tweetdeck.com or Twubs.com to more easily follow the flow of the conversation. 

There are many types of vasculitis. Some forms last only a short time (acute), while others are long lasting (chronic). Vasculitis, which is also known as angiitis and arteritis, can be so severe that the tissues and organs supplied by the affected vessels don't get enough blood. This shortage of blood can result in organ and tissue damage, even death. Vasculitis can affect anyone, though some types of vasculitis are more common among certain groups. Some forms of vasculitis improve on their own, but others require treatment — often including taking medications for an extended period of time. Learn more: Symptoms Causes Tests and Diagnosis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cncY2VpwjWc When it comes to heart disease, men and women are not created equal, says the founder of Mayo Clinic's Women's Heart Clinic Sharonne Hayes, M.D. "Women have more risk factors and they have different risk factors," says Dr. Hayes. "Some of those are autoimmune diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. They also have to go through all the vascular and physical changes of pregnancy." In spite of long held beliefs that men have more to worry about, more women die of heart attacks each year in the United States than men. That's why Dr. Hayes encourages women to take charge and be proactive every day to lower their heart disease risk. Journalists: Sound bites are available in the downloads. This is part 2 of Dr. Hayes' insights on women's heart health. Also see "Women and Heart Attacks" posted February 17, 2014. Sound bite #4 - Exercise Appointments (Dr. Sharonne Hayes, Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular Expert) "Schedule in exercise just like you would

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Mammogram guidelines: What's changed? Get the latest Mayo Clinic mammogram guidelines for breast cancer screening. Heart disease prevention: Strategies keep your heart healthy You can avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today. Here are six tips to get you started. EXPERT ANSWERS Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist? Staying physically and mentally fit may be most effective in preventing Alzheimer's. Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes? Some people who have migraines appear to be more sensitive to changes in the weather. HEALTHY RECIPES Roasted salmon Lemon or lime glaze for chicken, fish or vegetables Tangy green beans Sweet carrots HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK Need a snack? Go nuts! Nuts can be good for your heart. They may lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or 'bad,' cholesterol levels. Eating nuts may reduce the risk of developing blood clots that can lead to a heart attack. Try a small handful of nuts every day. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans are also very heart healthy. Even peanuts, which are technically not a nut, but a legume, can be good for you. Of course, choosing nuts coated in chocolate, sugar or salt may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

  Join us Saturday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m. CT, when we talk about men’s health.  We’ll discuss heart health with Stephen Kopecky, M.D., and prostate health with Matthew Tollefson, M.D., and we’ll talk with Thomas Osborn, M.D. about gout, a form of arthritis that affects an estimated 6 million Americans each year. Another important area regarding men’s health is testosterone. Endocrinologist Todd Nippoldt M.D., will be here to address testosterone deficiencies and testosterone therapy and respond to some of the media hype. We hope you’ll join us. Myth or Matter of Fact: Higher testosterone levels cause baldness. To listen to the program LIVE, click here. Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment February 22, 2014 (right click MP3)

It's not too late to register for The 26.2 with Donna Finish Breast Cancer Marathon if you're in the Jacksonville, Fla. area this weekend! It's the only marathon in the country where all race proceeds and donated funds go to breast cancer research and care for those with the disease.  Running any marathon certainly takes time and dedication ... and no matter how much you train, you do need to pay attention to your health. That’s why the 'medical tent' is a key element of every marathon. In this report Vivien Willimas covers health issues unique for endurance runners.  [TRT 1:36] (Previously aired on MCNN Feb. 2013) Get more stories and information at: Sharing Mayo Clinic - The Donna Series 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer Journalists: Video pkg. is available in the downloads. Click here for script. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiXoS3UQhtE