Health & Wellness - January 2015 Archives

Shoveling snow can provide good exercise when done correctly but can prove harmful if people try to take on more than they can handle or use faulty techniques. Here are some tips from physicians at Mayo Clinic Health System for injury-free snow shoveling: • If you're inactive and have a history of heart trouble, talk to your doctor ... stop if you feel tightness in your chest. Heart attacks increase significantly in the winter months, particularly while people are shoveling snow. • Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is just as possible when you exert yourself in cold winter months as it is in the summer. • Dress warmly. Dress in several layers so you can remove a layer as needed. • Do not shovel while eating or smoking. Avoid caffeine or nicotine before you begin shoveling. This may place extra stress on the heart.

Miss the show? Here's the podcast! Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 1-10-2015 Does “lower my stress levels” show up on your list of New Year’s ...

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  Common treatments for many cancer patients.  In this Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute, Dr. Alexander Parker tells us how cancer treatment ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Last year I had an allergic reaction (swollen lips and face, itching around the neck and jawline) after getting the flu shot. Since then I found out I am allergic to thimerosal. Is it safe for me to get the vaccine this year? ANSWER: It is likely you can find a vaccine that you can take safely. There are influenza vaccines available that do not contain thimerosal. Before you get the vaccine again, make an appointment to see a doctor who specializes in allergies. That specialist can do tests to check your allergies and help you find an influenza vaccine that is safe for you. Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that often causes fever, chills, coughing and headaches. In people who have other diseases or medical conditions, and in healthy people older than 50, the flu can lead to serious illness that may require hospitalization. Each year thousands of people die as a result of complications from the flu.

Source: CDC FluView MicrobeWatch: Jan. 5 Influenza Update According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza activity increased in the United ...

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. First your skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Smoking cessation: Creating a quit-smoking plan Have you resolved to quit smoking for good? Having a plan can help you cope with nicotine withdrawal and strong urges to light up. Memory loss: When to seek help Losing your memory may be a sign of normal aging, a treatable condition or the onset of dementia. Know when to see your doctor. EXPERT ANSWERS Hangover prevention: Do lighter colored drinks help? Drinking lighter colored drinks is not a good method of hangover prevention — but it may help a little. Loss of taste and smell: Natural with aging? Aging can play a role in the loss of taste and smell, but not always. Learn about other factors. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am scheduled to have surgery in the next month and am worried about the nausea and vomiting that I previously experienced after anesthesia. Is there anything that can be done to avoid post-surgery nausea? ANSWER: It is normal to be concerned about postoperative nausea and vomiting. To address the concern, the anesthesia can be tailored to each person’s potential risk of these symptoms. Talk to your doctor about your concerns before surgery. Your health care team can take steps that may lessen the symptoms you previously experienced post-surgery. Nausea and vomiting after surgery affect more than 30 percent of people. Postoperative nausea and vomiting also can lead to complications. These may include inhalation of stomach contents (aspiration), dehydration, imbalance of vital minerals (electrolytes) in blood and body fluids, and injury to the surgical site, such as torn stitches (sutures).

Cervical cancer January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. Get the facts about cervical cancer, including the virus that plays a role in causing most ...

Finding out you need surgery can create anxiety and a long list of questions.  On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, January 3 at 9 a.m. CT, we'll rebroadcast a program that discusses at least five questions to ask your surgeon. Chair of Mayo's surgical quality subcommittee Robert Cima, M.D., will be here to walk us through those questions and more. There are things you can do in advance of any surgery that will make the whole process run more smoothly and maybe even speed your recovery.  We hope you'll join us! Myth or Fact:  The duration of an operation doesn't matter. Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions. To listen to the program on Saturday, click here. Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio. Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment January 3, 2015 (right click MP3)

By Jordan Rullo, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist. The most popular New Year’s resolutions are about physical and mental health -  lose weight, eat healthier, quit smoking, drink less alcohol. Yet, we often forget about sexual health. People who are happy with their sexual health tend to be happier people.  Why not make a resolution about sexual health? What’s interesting about these resolutions is they are typically about subtracting something from your life. Take away sugars, eat less, stop smoking and drinking.  But, when we are restricted from doing something, often we want it more or we rebel against making changes. What about adding something? Specifically, what about adding something to strengthen your sexual health and ultimately your happiness? Journalists: Soundbites with Dr. Rullo are available in the downloads.