Health & Wellness - January 2012 Archives

A research team led by investigators at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL has found that a small device worn on a patient’s brow can be useful in monitoring stroke patients in the hospital.  Researchers say the device might offer a reliable way to monitor hospitalized patients for recurrent strokes in real time.  The device measures blood oxygen, similar to a pulse oximeter, which is clipped onto a finger. Their study, published in the Feb. 1 issue of Neurosurgical Focus, suggests this tool, known as frontal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), could offer hospital physicians a safe and cost-effective way to monitor patients who are being treated for a stroke, in real time.

The downloads above are intended for web use only. Uterine fibroids affect one out of every four women. They are a major cause of problems for reproductive age women and a major reason women need to have hysterectomies.  Treatment options are limited and ultimately, surgeries are still the dominate treatment for this disease.  But more options may be just around the corner.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The public is invited to enjoy four Rosemary and Meredith Willson Harmony for Mayo Program concerts in February. Performances will be on ...

The need for joint surgery is declining among rheumatoid arthritis patients, possibly because they can now more effectively manage the disease with medication, Mayo Clinic research has ...

Disorder Causing Leg Weakness May Be Hereditary Despite Family History January 20, 2012 Dear Mayo Clinic: My nephew has been diagnosed with spastic ...

More accurate and more sensitive.  When it comes to cancer screenings, those are two attributes you really want.  Well, results of two studies suggest that ...

Cryoablation Recently Approved as Atrial Fibrillation Treatment January 13, 2012 Dear Mayo Clinic: I was just diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and am on ...

Pain from Sciatica Can Range from Mild to Intense January 13, 2012 Dear Mayo Clinic: I've had sciatica on-and-off for weeks, but for the past few days it ...

Whether you're a black-diamond skier or a novice on the bunny slope your day can be spoiled by an injury that happens on the last run of the day.  End-of-the-day tweaks and spills are more common than you’d think, says physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Ed Laskowski, M.D., of Mayo Clinic. Muscle fatigue at the end of the day can lead to sloppy technique and injuries such as a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, which can require surgery and intensive rehabilitation. Dr. Laskowski, a former elite skier who turned his career to medicine, says that recreational skiers can take steps to optimize their protection from injury.

* The downloads above are intended for web use only* A cancer diagnosis can turn your life upside down. An unknown future, unexpected setbacks ...

Dr. Peter Murray, a hand and microvascular surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida, explains the fairly common condition called carpal tunnel syndrome discusses the symptoms, causes, and non-surgical as well as surgical treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome.Dr. Peter Murray, a hand and microvascular surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida, explains the fairly common condition called carpel tunnel syndrome. What is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome? It is a condition where the main nerve that goes into the hand gets compressed in an area known as the carpel tunnel. What are the symptoms? Carpal Tunnel is often indicated by a feeling of numbness and tingling in the fingertips Patients sometimes experience their fingers going to sleep at night, causing them to awaken, and clumsiness of the hand. Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome The first line of treatment for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is simply wearing a splint, if the condition is diagnosed early. In situations where the symptoms are more advanced, then the patient may need carpal tunnel decompression surgery, which is a common surgery performed everyday through the United States and the world. Mayo Clinic in Florida has a hand clinic that offers a multidisciplinary approach to taking care of carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this Medical Edge Radio episode, Mayo Clinic Dr. Sandhya Pruthi tells us about a recent study that looked at flaxseed as a possible way ...