Health & Wellness - February 2014 Archives

A study published today in the journal BMJ says annual screening mammograms in women aged 40-59 do not reduce deaths from breast cancer any better than a physical examination or usual care. Sandhya Pruthi, M.D., a consultant in the breast clinic at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center says one limitation of the study is that it was conducted at a time when film screen mammography was the standard. “We’re now using digital mammography which has much better detection and sensitivity in finding cancers early.” she says. Dr. Pruthi acknowledges that routine mammography screening is a controversial issue with no current consensus among groups within the medical community, “The American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommend that we continue screening women in their 40s yearly,” Dr. Pruthi says. “The United States Preventive Services Task Force has published data recommending routine screening beginning at age 50.” Dr. Pruthi recommends that women take an individualized approach where they talk to their doctors and weigh the risks and benefits of screening taking into account their health, family history and their personal preferences. Mayo Clinic mammogram guidelines. Journalists Sound bites with Dr. Pruthi and b-roll of patient having mammogram are available in the downloads. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUKwHWC6sU4

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Feb. 12, 2014 — Not only is heroin addictive and deadly, its use is increasing among Americans. That disturbing trend parallels the spike of opioid based prescription painkiller abuse in recent years, say Mayo Clinic experts. Heroin, a drug that can be smoked, sniffed/snorted or injected intravenously, is highly addictive. For comparison, about 9 percent of people who use marijuana will become addicted. Close to 17 percent of cocaine users will. It’s 15 percent for alcohol. But for heroin, 25 percent or more of users will become addicted. That means roughly one in four users become addicts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elk7YmaUGro Journalists: Video of Dr. Hall-Flavin talking about heroin addiction is available in the downloads. “Heroin is prevalent, it’s out there and it is deadly,” says Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and addiction expert. “But it doesn’t have to be. There is hope out there for people if they can get treatment.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q7SS36dBkg There is a swallowing disorder that’s sending more and more people to see their doctors. Its nickname is EOE. Mayo Clinic experts say ...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60,000 more women than men die each year from coronary artery disease. Increasing awareness of heart issues in women is the first step toward reducing the death rate from this largely preventable killer. Understanding risks, prevention and symptoms are all integral to heightened knowledge and a lower risk of heart disease. Mayo Clinic Health System family physician, Jonny Salim, M.D., says to seize the moment and commit yourself to becoming a heart-healthy woman today. Risks It’s well-documented that high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity are major risk factors for heart disease. But there are risks that affect women more than men: Diabetes Premature menopause (before age 45) Smoking Metabolic syndrome – the combination of abdominal fat and high blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides Depression No matter your age, be sure to speak with your health care provider if you think you may be at risk for heart disease. Heart attack warning signs Another common message is that crushing chest pain is an indicator of a possible heart attack. While this is true, heart attack signs in women can be very different. 

Miss the show? Here is the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 2-15-14 44min mp3 February is American Heart Month and a great opportunity to focus ...

In the coming months, collaboration between Mayo Clinic and The Links, Incorporated, will include educational outreach, critical research, and programs to prepare and encourage minorities to choose medical and health careers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African-American women: Are more likely to die of breast cancer than other women Have cancers that grow faster and are harder to treat, and are less likely to get prompt follow-up care when their mammogram shows something that is not normal Are less likely than white women to survive five years after a breast cancer diagnosis Are at least 50 percent more likely to die of heart disease or stroke prematurely than white women Ginger Wilson, a Chicago lawyer and businesswoman, had been experiencing breathing problems — wheezing and shortness of breath — as well as weight loss, inflammation and digestive issues. "After 18 months, I had been diagnosed with asthma, an intestinal bug, an ulcer, rosacea and more," she says. "I received treatment for the individual symptoms, but never one diagnosis for all the symptoms." One day, while on an outing, Wilson found she couldn't hike more than a few hundred yards. A friend, who was a doctor in training at Mayo Clinic, asked if she'd been checked for carcinoid syndrome, a condition caused by secretions from a slow-growing tumor. Wilson traveled to Mayo Clinic for evaluation, where the diagnosis was confirmed, and she underwent treatment. Seven surgeries later, she is back to being active in her Chicago community and owns the first African-American female legal staffing firm.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I continue to get kidney stones despite drinking plenty of water. They are quite small and I haven’t had to be treated yet. But my doctor said if my symptoms get worse, I will need treatment. What would that involve? ANSWER: Treatment for kidney stones depends on the type of stone and their cause. In many cases, dietary changes and medication are all that’s needed for small stones. Larger stones may require additional treatment. Kidney stones form from minerals and acid salts. About 85 percent of kidney stones are calcium based, typically calcium oxalate. Less common are uric acid stones, struvite stones and cystine stones. Your doctor can use blood and urine tests to find out what kind of stones you have. If you have passed a stone, a laboratory analysis can reveal the makeup of the stone.

MANKATO, Minn. — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 13 percent of U.S. preschoolers are obese. Alyssa Baker, Mayo Clinic Health System wellness facilitator, says, “When it comes to healthy eating and active lifestyles, there are some simple changes parents, caregivers and children can make to become healthier as a family unit.”  Baker offers these tips to keep fit: Options for healthier eating Eat meals together. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, kids who eat regular meals with their family tend to get better grades, experience more motivation toward school and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol. Find alternatives for sugary cereals. Try oatmeal instead. You can top it with applesauce, berries, chopped fruit or cinnamon – skip the sugar altogether. Rid your family of white bread. Opt for whole-grain breads. Whole grains contribute to an overall healthy diet. Toss the soda. Quit drinking soda and other heavily sweetened beverages. Drink more water instead. Be aware of fats. Make sure you’re cognizant of unhealthy (saturated fats) and healthy (unsaturated) fats. Cut the unhealthy fats out of your family’s diet completely, and consume healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in moderation. Omega-3 fatty acids – found in fatty fish, flaxseed and walnuts – are good for heart health. Try serving an Omega-3-rich fish entrée twice per week.  Make mealtime pleasant. Dinner shouldn’t be a time to lecture your kids. Use it as a chance to get to know one another better and bond as a family. Don’t use food as a reward or penalty. Food serves the purpose of nourishment and should not be used as an incentive or punishment. Shop with your kids. Include your children in the grocery-shopping process and provide them with healthy options to choose from.

In recent weeks, especially after the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, heroin use is making headlines. Media outlets are calling it a crisis, an epidemic and tainted heroin ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Walking for fitness? Make it count with a pedometer Counting your steps with a pedometer can motivate you to keep walking. Here's what to look for and how to set walking goals. Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease Ready to start your heart-healthy diet? Here are eight tips to get you started. EXPERT ANSWERS Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant? Vicks VapoRub is often used as a nasal decongestant. Does it work? Normal weight obesity: A hidden health risk? Find out how you can be obese when your weight is normal. HEALTHY RECIPES Baked oatmeal Lean country-style breakfast sausage Frosty almond date shake Muesli breakfast bars HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK Preventive health care: Who needs it? If you've never had a serious illness, getting sick is probably the last thing on your mind. Still, good health takes effort. See your doctor for recommended vaccinations and screenings to make sure you're doing everything you can to stay healthy. By getting regular screenings, you give your doctor a chance to detect problems early, when they're easiest to treat. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

Miss the show? Here's the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 2-8-2014 From returning war veterans to professional athletes or even a patient with what ...

From returning war veterans to professional athletes or even a patient with what seems like a simple bump on the head, traumatic brain injury is often misunderstood.  On Saturday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m. CT, Michael Link, M.D., and Allen Brown, M.D., will give us the definition of traumatic brain injury, explain how the injuries are diagnosed and treated, and address how long it can take to recover. Join us for the next program when we discuss this and much more. In the video below, Dr. Brown provides background information about traumatic brain injury. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsH3W4fc4kI To listen to the program LIVE, click here.