Health & Wellness - July 2015 Archives

Can a perfect world remain perfect? "Our neural system isn’t adapted for a perfect world. We need the world’s imperfections. They inspire us ...

Mayo Clinic part of new clinical trial to treat advanced melanoma Treating melanoma in some people can be a challenge. Now a new clinical trial ...

Primary care doctors are often on the front lines of providing medical care. But they are increasingly in short supply as more aging Americans need ...

Enjoying summer weather and the outdoors can bring on certain health issues. Poison ivy rashes and dehydration are two common culprits. Internal medicine specialist and pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Florida Dr. ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. – For women with dense breast tissue, supplementing standard mammography with a new imaging technique called molecular breast imaging (MBI) can lower the cost of diagnosis of breast cancers, according to a Mayo Clinic study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine found that adding MBI to mammography of women with dense breast tissue increased the costs of diagnosis 3.2 times, compared to costs of mammography alone, and nearly quadrupled the rate of cancer detection. Because the supplemental test found more cancer, screening with a combination of mammography and MBI saved $8,254 per cancer detected. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iWCjHy37Ck&feature=youtu.be While mammography is still the standard tool for widespread breast cancer screening, it is now known to perform less effectively in women with dense breast tissue. Both tumors and normal dense breast tissue can appear white on a mammogram, making tumors hard to detect. Nearly half of all women over age 40 have mammograms classified as “dense,” according to Carrie Hruska, Ph.D., a medical physicist in the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology and the study’s lead author. Supplemental screening techniques like MBI address a significant need for better cancer detection methods for this patient population. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Hruska are in the downloads. MEDIA CONTACT: Bob Nellis and Shea Jennings, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1mML-GK4_0&feature=youtu.be More areas in the United States are seeing human cases of Lyme disease. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the most effective way to whiten teeth? Is it worth it to pay the extra expense for treatment from a dentist, or do the over-the-counter options work just as well? Are they safe for your teeth? ANSWER: There are quite a few choices available if you want to whiten your teeth. The approved products — both those you can buy at drugstores and those available from your dentist — are safe. Just make sure you follow the directions carefully. Many teeth whiteners are quite effective, particularly if you use them for an extended period of time. If cost is a concern, try the over-the-counter options first. If those don’t give you the results you want, then talk to your dentist about other choices he or she offers. One of the simplest options is whitening toothpaste. It whitens teeth by removing surface stains, such as those caused by drinking coffee or smoking. Some whitening toothpastes contain the chemical blue covarine. It stays on the surface of the teeth and makes them appear less yellow.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23,000 people die each year in the U.S. as the result of antibiotic-resistant infections. Antibiotics are ...

Sticking to a regular exercise schedule isn't easy. After all, there are plenty of potential hindrances — time, boredom, injuries, self-confidence. But these issues don't need to stand in your way. Darcy Reber, nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls, shares practical strategies for overcoming common barriers to fitness. “I don't have enough time to exercise.” Setting aside time to exercise can be a challenge. Use a little creativity to get the most out of your time. Squeeze in exercise throughout the day. If you don't have time for a full workout, don't sweat it. Shorter spurts of exercise, such as 10 minutes of walking spaced throughout the day, offer benefits too. Additionally, you can try office exercises. Get up earlier. If your days are packed and the evening hours are just as hectic, get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week to exercise. Once you've adjusted to early-morning workouts, add another day or two to the routine.

Primary care doctors are often on the front lines of providing medical care. But they are increasingly in short supply as more aging Americans need health ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Stay safe this summer: Know the ABCs of ticks For such tiny creatures, ticks can make a big impact. Here's how to protect yourself on the trails and in backyards this season. Weight loss: Choosing a diet that's right for you Dropping those extra pounds is your goal, but which diet will help you reach it? Get the skinny on how to rate weight-loss plans. EXPERT ANSWERS Statins: Do they cause ALS? Statins can cause muscle injury in some people. But can they also trigger ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)? See what researchers found. Celiac disease diet: How do I get enough grains? If you have celiac disease, there are plenty of gluten-free grains — including good-for-you whole grains — out there. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a healthy 78-year-old man and have never had shingles or the shingles vaccine. I did have chickenpox when I ...