Health & Wellness - February 2015 Archives

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Antibiotics: Misuse puts you and others at risk Did you know that antibiotics can't treat colds or the flu? Find out why these drugs don't help certain infections. Dietary fats: Know which types to choose Not all dietary fats are created equal. Discover which ones to avoid and which ones to add to your plate for good health. EXPERT ANSWERS Chronic stress: Can it cause depression? Not coping well with chronic stress can wear you down and raise the risk of depression. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant? Find out if Vicks VapoRub can truly relieve a stuffy nose or if it tricks your brain instead. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

Miss the show? Here is the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio 02-28-15 PODCAST 40min mp3 Mucus. It isn’t pretty, but it’s a frontline weapon in the fight against the ...

LA CROSSE, WI. – Most of us know that cooking with oils is healthier than cooking with butter or margarine. However, it isn’t as commonly known that oils can actually lose their nutritional value at certain temperatures. Not only can oils lose some of their ability to lower your risk of heart disease, but Romi Londre, a Mayo Clinic Health System dietitian, says they can also have an unpleasant taste if they get too hot. "Every type of oil has a certain temperature at which it will start to break down and lose some of its healthy properties," says Londre. "That temperature is called the smoke point because it's the temperature at which the oil will smoke and start producing toxic fumes and harmful free radicals." “It's important be aware of the smoke points of oils so you can choose the right oil for the job," Londre adds. “Some oils are better suited for higher temperatures. A good rule of thumb is that the more refined the oil, the higher the smoke point.”

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What does cardiac rehab involve? Do you recommend it for everyone who’s had a heart attack, or only in certain cases? ANSWER: Cardiac rehabilitation is extremely beneficial for people with a variety of heart disorders. It involves a combination of medically supervised exercise, education and risk factor management. The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to reduce symptoms, improve physical and mental function, and prevent further heart problems. People who participate in cardiac rehabilitation are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital, and they enjoy a 25 to 45 percent improvement in survival rates compared with people who do not engage in cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is definitely recommended for individuals with the following diagnoses: heart attack; percutaneous coronary intervention, including coronary angioplasty and stents; chronic stable angina; coronary bypass surgery; heart valve repair or valve replacement surgery; heart transplant; and systolic heart failure (impaired heart contraction).

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) affirmed her commitment to medical innovation and precision medicine today during a tour of the Mayo Clinic Biorepositories' new state-of-the-art space in northwest Rochester. "President Obama made precision medicine a common term ... and I'm delighted to be here to see first-hand the work that has been going here at Mayo Clinic for quite some time," Klobuchar said. "We need to continue to support medical research and fund the NIH—we increasingly are facing international competition." Obama announced the NIH's $270 million Precision Medicine Initiative on January 20 during this year's State of the Union Address, thrusting the relatively obscure medical term into the national spotlight and launching a national dialogue about medical innovation and genomics in clinical care. Klobuchar called the initiative "imperative" to the future of health care in the United States and a key component of the local and state economies. "America has always been a leader (in health innovation)," Klobuchar said. "We want those dollars, those jobs, right here in Rochester, in the Twin Cities."

On this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio: fixing a broken heart. Cardiac regeneration uses the body’s own stem cells to repair damage done by heart disease, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. ...

Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense Discover what you and your doctor can do to help prevent nausea and vomiting when you're undergoing ...

Signs and symptoms of frostbite include: A slightly painful, prickly or itching sensation Red, white, pale or grayish-yellow skin Hard ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My daughter, who is in her early 20s, was diagnosed with narcolepsy nine months ago. Her primary care doctor prescribed stimulants, but they make her very jittery and don’t eliminate all of her symptoms. Is this the only treatment available? Should she see a specialist? ANSWER: The sleep disorder narcolepsy is a lifelong condition often treated with potent medications. Because of that, it is essential that anyone suspected of having narcolepsy be carefully evaluated by a sleep medicine specialist to arrive at a diagnosis. I recommend your daughter seek testing with such a specialist. If her diagnosis of narcolepsy is confirmed, the sleep medicine specialist can work with her to create a treatment plan that best fits her needs. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. About 70 percent of people with narcolepsy also experience a symptom known as cataplexy — sudden muscle weakness that follows a positive emotional reaction, especially laughter.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Pyramid or plate? Explore these healthy diet options Healthy diets come in all shapes and sizes. Pick one and discover how easy it is to follow a good-for-you meal plan. Pilates for beginners: Explore the core Pilates isn't just for fitness fiends. It's an accessible way you can strengthen your core muscles for better posture, balance and flexibility. EXPERT ANSWERS Healthy chocolate: Dream or reality? In moderation, chocolate — especially dark chocolate — may help prevent heart disease. Echinacea: Is it effective for the common cold? Echinacea may slightly reduce how long a cold lasts and how severe its symptoms are, but the effect may be too minor to notice. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

On this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio, fixing a broken heart. Cardiac regeneration uses the body’s own stem cells to repair damage done by heart disease. Mayo ...

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, more than one in three female adults ...