Health & Wellness - February 2015 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve had ankylosing spondylitis for years, and could usually get relief by just taking over-the-counter pain medicine. But lately the flares seem to be more frequent and painful. Is this common for the condition to worsen over time? What treatment should I try next, and is surgery ever effective for someone in my situation? ANSWER: Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis may get worse over time in some cases. But in others, they may improve with time or go away completely. These symptom changes often happen at irregular intervals, so they can be hard to predict. Medication typically is the most effective form of treatment. Most people with ankylosing spondylitis do not need surgery. Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease that causes inflammation and leads to pain and stiffness. Many areas of the body can be affected by this disease. The most common include vertebrae in the lower back; the joints between the base of the spine and pelvis (called the sacroiliac joints); the hip and shoulder joints; and the cartilage between the breastbone and ribs. In some patients, the inflammation can affect other organs, including the eyes, leading to a condition called iritis or uveitis.

Mitzi Roberts, 48, of Mankato, Minn., has been a dancer all of her life. She’s made dancing her livelihood and owns the Dance Express dance studio. On top of her penchant for dancing and operating her business, she decided three years ago to add a Mankato-based dance competition fundraiser to her list of to-dos. However, she wasn’t prepared for the challenge that would appear on the scene during planning stages in the event’s second year. October 2013 Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It took the wind out of my sails for a day or two,” Roberts says of the diagnosis. But she quickly turned a corner and started thinking more optimistically. Roberts continued planning for the 2014 Dancing with the Mankato Stars, which helped keep her mind off the negatives. She also found hope in her Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato oncologist, Kevin Cockerill, M.D. Feb. 13, at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, the two-person team took to the dance floor and competed in Dancing with the Mankato Stars to raise money for the American Red Cross. *They scored three "10's" and won the judge's choice!

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and on this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio Dr. Thomas Salinas will discuss children’s oral health. Also, can erectile dysfunction (ED) predict heart ...

Tips for cancer survivors on dating, new relationships A new relationship is challenging for anyone. A cancer diagnosis adds physical and emotional changes to ...

The 8th annual 26.2 with Donna Finish Breast Cancer Marathon is underway this weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. It's the only marathon in the country where ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kIFRjqaORQ   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics are alarming. More than one-third of adults in the United States are obese. Obesity ...

What every woman needs to know … and do In a study released Feb. 11, 2015, the AARP Public Policy Institute reported that BRCA genetic testing among women without breast cancer increased dramatically in the days after Angelina Jolie’s announcement that she carried the BRCA1 mutation and had an elective double mastectomy. Referred to among health care circles as the “Jolie Effect,” her openness led to increased awareness and action. When celebrities or other public figures talk freely about their medical journeys, it raises awareness of specific health issues and may facilitate patient-doctor conversations leading to more informed decision-making. MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu Amy Degnim, M.D., a breast cancer surgeon at Mayo Clinic, answers some of the important questions surrounding breast cancer genes:

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I know that heart disease is the leading killer among men and women, but is it true that men and women have different risk factors for heart disease? ANSWER: You are correct that heart disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. Many risk factors are the same for both genders. But there are some differences between men and women that can have an impact on an individual’s risk of heart disease. One of most significant heart disease risk factors for both men and women is smoking. Nicotine can narrow your arteries, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining. That makes the vessels more likely to become thick and stiff, a condition known as arteriosclerosis. Eventually arteriosclerosis limits blood flow, increasing the risk of a heart attack. Because of this, heart attacks are more common in smokers than in nonsmokers.

Lubb-dupp. Lubb-dupp. Those words are often used to describe the sound of a heartbeat. That steady, regular sound is made by heart valves, opening and closing as blood circulates through your heart. The term heart “murmur” refers to a different sound. A murmur is an abnormal extra sound that can be heard through a stethoscope. Sometimes, the murmur sounds like a humming; it may be faint or temporary, with onset during pregnancy or fever. As quickly as it comes, the murmur may disappear. However, a murmur could be persistent and loud, easily heard like a churning mill wheel or even like a cooing seagull, indicating a serious heart problem. A murmur can have several causes. Mayo Clinic Health System cardiologist Michel Barsoum, M.D., says it could be a heart valve problem. "The valves in your heart act as doors between the chambers, or rooms, of the heart. When heart valves are very tight or narrow, that is called stenosis."

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Added sugar: Don't get sabotaged by sweeteners Added sugar can contribute unwanted calories and aggravate health concerns. See where it may be lurking in your diet and how to cut back Getting past a weight-loss plateau Are you dieting and the numbers on the scale have stopped dropping? Don't despair. Restart your weight loss with these tips. EXPERT ANSWERS Caffeine and menopause symptoms There does appear to be a link between caffeine use and hot flashes. Isometric exercises: Good for strength training? Isometric exercises are contractions of a particular muscle or group of muscles. Learn their risks and benefits. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

Miss the show? Here's the podcast: Mayo Clinic Radio 02-14-15 podcast Can erectile dysfunction (ED) predict heart disease? Find out on this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio. ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asPGGUCygXE Alzheimer's Disease has been steadily encroaching into singer, songwriter Glen Campbell's life. Instead of retreating to deal with the challenges privately, Glen ...