Health & Wellness - June 2014 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What age is best for my 9-year-old daughter to be seen by an orthodontist? Some of her friends already have braces, but this seems very early to me, since she’s only lost a few teeth. ANSWER: Although many people associate braces with the teenage years, 9 years old is not too young to have a child’s teeth evaluated by an orthodontist. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have an initial examination with an orthodontist by the time they are 7. That exam is necessary because it provides a baseline assessment of a child’s teeth and jaws and can help catch problems in their early stages. The purpose of orthodontics is to prevent, diagnose and treat dental and facial irregularities. The technical term for these problems is “malocclusion,” which means “bad bite.” By age 7, most children have had several permanent teeth come into both the upper and lower jaws. Once those permanent teeth start coming in, an orthodontist can evaluate a child’s developing bite to see if there are any areas of concern. A variety of conditions can affect children’s teeth and jaws at this age. In an initial evaluation, an orthodontist looks for teeth erupting out of their normal position, as well as missing teeth or extra teeth. Early loss of baby teeth or delayed eruption of permanent teeth may be identified at this time, too.

Mayo Clinic Health System Infectious Disease Specialist: Use Caution With Standing Flood Water  MANKATO, Minn. — The stormy weather pattern in the United States Midwest this week has produced intense rainfalls and many communities are suffering from severe flooding, which can lead to a great deal of standing water. Though most flood water eventually evaporates or is removed, these water accumulations can pose significant health risks. Jessica Sheehy, infectious diseases physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, says, “Standing flood water can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and encephalitis, Flood water and standing pools may contain chemicals and sewage, as well.” Sheehy recommends avoiding standing flood water whenever possible. She offers this advice: Don’t allow children to play in flood waters. Wash your hands if you’ve come in contact with flood water or touch objects that have. Disinfect items that have touched flood water. Never expose an open wound to flood water —  use a waterproof bandage at all times, Don’t eat foods that may have come into contact with flood water, even if they are packaged. To learn more about protecting yourself against the dangers of flood water, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, visit Mayo Clinic to learn more about infectious diseases.

On the next program, Saturday, June 21,  9 a.m. CDT, we'll tackle one of the most confusing topics in health care conversations today — advance directives.  Our expert guests Timothy Moynihan, M.D., and Sheryl Ness, R.N., will address questions like ... what IS an advance directive? Isn't it the same thing as a living will? What should be included in the document and who should you choose to make these decisions for you?  Where should an advance directive be kept and how often should it be updated? We'll find out the answers to these questions and more on the next Mayo Clinic Radio. Myth or Matter of Fact:  An advance directive means do not treat. To hear the program LIVE on Saturday, click here. Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions. Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio. Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment June 21, 2014 (right click MP3)  

Miss the show? Here is the podcast! Mayo Clinic Radio Full Show 6-21-2014 On the next program, Saturday, June 21,  9 a.m. CDT, we'll tackle one ...

Mayo Clinic offers gene panel testing to target cancer treatment This test for patients with solid tumors — such as lung, colon, breast, kidney ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGd5cIM5U0Q&feature=youtu.be&hd=1 ROCHESTER, Minn. — Researchers at Mayo Clinic released a new study reversing current thought on the treatment of cirrhotic patients with type 2 diabetes. The study found that the continuation of metformin after a cirrhosis diagnosis improved survival rates among diabetes patients. Metformin is usually discontinued once cirrhosis is diagnosed because of concerns about an increased risk of adverse effects associated with this treatment in patients with liver impairment. The Mayo Clinic study was recently published in Hepatology. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by forms of liver diseases, such as chronic viral hepatitis, chronic alcohol abuse and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This condition is the consequence of damage done to the liver over many years. As cirrhosis progresses, more and more scar tissue forms, impeding proper liver functions.

  There is a tiny unsung hero in the medical world, the zebrafish. Studying it has led to countless breakthroughs, from understanding how ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: How do I know if what I have is acid reflux or GERD? Are treatments the same for both? I have had what I would describe as heartburn for years and it’s getting worse as I age. ANSWER: Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus — the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. With acid reflux, you may get a taste of food or sour liquid at the back of your mouth, feel chest pain or pressure, or get a burning sensation in your chest. That sensation is called heartburn. When acid reflux leads to frequent symptoms or complications, then it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. GERD usually requires treatment. If you have reflux symptoms more than twice a month, see your doctor to have your condition evaluated. Occasional acid reflux is very common. Almost everyone experiences it from time to time. Acid reflux starts to become a problem when it happens frequently, involves large amounts of acid, or affects the part of your esophagus closest to your throat. GERD is a more severe form of acid reflux. The most common symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn. Other signs and symptoms may include regurgitation of food or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing and chest pain — especially while lying down at night.

Every day more than a thousand people in the United States experience sudden cardiac arrest and it kills several hundred thousand people every year. On the next ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Measles Measles cases in the U.S. are at a 20-year high, according to the CDC. Be sure you and your loved ones are up to date with your vaccines. Cholesterol medications: When diet and exercise aren't enough If you can't control your cholesterol with lifestyle changes, medication can help. Hearing loss If you have hearing loss, you don't have to live in a world of muted, less distinct sounds. Learn the symptoms, treatments and ways to cope. EXPERT ANSWERS Lung nodules: Can they be cancerous? Most lung nodules are noncancerous, but some may represent early-stage lung cancer. Low testosterone treatment: What are the options? Choosing a specific testosterone therapy depends on your preference, the side effects and the cost. PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Dizziness Suspicious breast lumps Risk factors for multiple sclerosis Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 52 years old and have been menopausal for the last two years. I am experiencing some vaginal dryness. Is this normal? Is there anything that can be done for it? I have tried using over-the-counter lubricants and they don’t seem to help much. ANSWER: Vaginal dryness is very common in women who are approaching menopause, as well as those who have gone through menopause. Over-the-counter products can be helpful. But when they are not, prescription medications are often a useful alternative. Before menopause, a thin layer of moisture coats the vaginal walls. When a woman is sexually aroused, more blood flows to the pelvic organs. That produces more lubricating vaginal fluid. But hormonal changes can affect the amount and consistency of the moisture. For middle-aged women, those changes are frequently triggered by aging and menopause.

Every day more than a thousand people in the United States experience sudden cardiac arrest and it kills several hundred thousand people every year. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, June 14, at 9 am CT, Roger White, M.D., will join us to discuss what happens to your heart during cardiac arrest. What should you do to help until an ambulance arrives? Where can you learn CPR? How do you use an automatic external defibrillator? We'll find out the answers to these questions and more on the next program. Join us! Myth or Fact:  Perform CPR before you use an AED when you suspect someone is having a cardiac arrest. To hear the program LIVE on Saturday, click here. Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions. Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio. Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment 2 June 15, 2014 (right click MP3)