Health & Wellness - November 2014 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have severe arthritis in my shoulder. I recently found out my rotator cuff is also torn. I can’t lift my arm much anymore without a lot of pain. My doctor recommends reverse shoulder arthroplasty. What does this surgery involve? How successful is it for someone in my situation? ANSWER: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is surgery used to replace a damaged shoulder joint. The procedure differs from standard shoulder replacement surgery because it switches the shoulder’s normal ball-and-socket structure around to allow for more stability in the joint after surgery. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is particularly useful for people like you who have a damaged rotator cuff along with shoulder arthritis. In such cases, this surgery often can effectively reduce pain and increase shoulder mobility.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Thanksgiving recipes: Delicious and healthy options Serve up a healthier Thanksgiving this year. These recipes have all the taste of the foods you love, but with less fat and fewer calories. Quit smoking: Strategies to help you quit Start with these tips that have helped others. EXPERT ANSWERS Celiac disease diet: How do I get enough grains? Including enough grains in your diet can be challenging if you have celiac disease. Flu shots for kids: Does my child need a flu shot? Find out the latest recommendations for childhood flu vaccines. Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.

PHOENIX: Mayo Clinic de Arizona, en colaboración con el Hospital Pediátrico de Phoenix, empezó a tratar a pacientes pediátricos con cáncer complejo, administrándoles radioterapia ambulatoria en la sede de Mayo en Phoenix. El Hospital Pediátrico de Phoenix remite a Mayo Clinic a los pacientes pediátricos con tumores cerebrales, leucemia, tumor de Wilms, neuroblastomas, sarcomas y algunos tumores sólidos para recibir radioterapia, dice Carol Davis, Gerente de Operaciones Comerciales Ambulatorias del Centro Pediátrico de Phoenix para Cáncer y Trastornos Sanguíneos. Los niños hospitalizados en el Hospital Pediátrico de Phoenix son transportados en ambulancia a Mayo, mientras que otros llegan con sus padres para recibir tratamiento ambulatorio. Mayo y el Hospital Pediátrico de Phoenix colaboran desde hace varios años en programas clínicos, dentro de los que se incluyen trasplantes pediátricos de médula ósea y trasplantes pediátricos de hígado. Oncología Radiológica es otro ejemplo de la colaboración existente y maximiza la experiencia de estas dos instituciones del Valle.

Many of us might not really know where our pancreas is located or what it does, but one thing we DO know is that a diagnosis ...

As the number one cancer killer, lung cancer claims more lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. To help detect it sooner, when it’s ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My daughter, 16, has had headaches off and on for the past year. Ibuprofen seems to help, and she says the headaches are not severe. But I am concerned that they are so frequent. What could be the cause of recurring headaches in teens?  ANSWER: Headaches in teens are common. In most cases, they are not symptoms of a larger medical problem. But when headaches continue, it is a good idea to have them evaluated. There also are steps to take at home that may help reduce headaches. There are many kinds of headaches. Two of the most common are tension headaches and migraine headaches. Tension headaches are often described as feeling like a tight band around the head. A migraine headache usually causes intense throbbing on one side of the head. It can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.

Listening to patients is what medical teams at Mayo Clinic do each day. To honor Mayo's 150th Anniversary, StoryCorps was asked to listen to and record several ...

BOSTON: Una molécula sanguínea se muestra esperanzadora como marcador capaz de predecir si los medicamentos biológicos serían provechosos para los pacientes con artritis reumatoide o si se debería intentar con otros fármacos, revela un estudio dirigido por Mayo Clinic. La proteína, que se analiza en exámenes de sangre, puede ayudar a evitar el proceso de ensayo y error con los medicamentos, evitando no solamente que se retrase el tratamiento de los pacientes sino también efectos secundarios y costos innecesarios. La investigación es uno de varios estudios que Mayo Clinic presentó durante la reunión anual del Colegio Americano de Reumatología en Boston. Los científicos analizaron las muestras de sangre obtenidas antes de la administración del tratamiento para la artritis reumatoide. Luego, los pacientes recibieron tratamiento con medicamentos biológicos antiinflamatorios, los inhibidores del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa, que son un nuevo tipo de fármaco para la artritis reumatoide. Los científicos descubrieron  que una proteína producida por el sistema inmunitario, el interferón tipo 1, parece ser un marcador válido para saber cuáles pacientes con artritis reumatoide responderán a los medicamentos biológicos o si se debe ensayar con otros fármacos.

ESTIMADA MAYO CLINIC: Hace poco me diagnosticaron cáncer de mama en etapas tempranas en un seno. Pienso someterme a la mastectomía y la reconstrucción del seno. ¿Cuál es la probabilidad de que el cáncer aparezca en el otro seno? Intento decidir si debo seguir adelante con la mastectomía doble ahora, aunque realmente no lo desee, pero no creo que podría atravesar por esto dos veces. RESPUESTA: Para alguien que se encuentra en su situación, el riesgo de desarrollar un nuevo cáncer en la otra mama en general suele ser muy bajo. El tratamiento para el cáncer de mama no exige extirpar el seno normal. La decisión de someterse a una mastectomía en el lado con cáncer y también extirpar el seno sin cáncer (del otro lado) es muy personal. Existen razones válidas por las que algunas mujeres optan por proseguir con una cirugía que conlleva efectos secundarios duraderos sobre el cuerpo, pero es preciso que la paciente se sienta satisfecha con la decisión que tome. La mastectomía es una cirugía que implica extirpar la mayor parte del tejido mamario de un seno como medio de tratar o prevenir el cáncer. Desde el punto de vista de la prevención del cáncer, esta cirugía reduce el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de mama en alrededor de 90 a 95 por ciento, pero no es 100 por ciento porque después de la mastectomía todavía restan ciertas áreas de tejido mamario en las que puede desarrollarse cáncer, aunque la probabilidad de ocurrencia sea muy baja.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCCzsAoVFDA&feature=plcp Journalists: The broadcast quality video is available in the downloads. Preparing a Thanksgiving turkey can prove tricky for even the most experienced cooks. How big of a bird to select, how to thaw it in time and how to avoid undercooking, overcooking or — even worse — food poisoning, are among the challenges faced by holiday chefs. Here are some tips from Mayo Clinic to help avoid turkey-related mishaps: *Turkey selection: At least 1 pound per person is the rough rule of thumb. That might sound like a lot, but much of that weight comes from bone and fat that you will trim away. If you enjoy leftovers, do the math for the number of people you will serve, then choose a turkey at least a few pounds heavier. *Defrosting: Keep your turkey frozen until it is ready to thaw. To thaw it in the refrigerator, leave it in its original wrapper, place it on a tray and allow at least a full day for every 4 pounds. For example, a 12-pound turkey, enough for about eight people plus leftovers, will take three or four days to thaw. You can also thaw the turkey in its wrapper submerged in cold water in a clean sink; allow a half-hour per pound and change the water every 30 minutes.

Many of us might not really know where our pancreas is located or what it does, but one thing we DO know is that a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, even when discovered early.  Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death.  On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, Saturday, November 22 at 9 a.m. CT, we'll be joined by KMarie Reid Lombardo, M.D., and Gloria Petersen, Ph.D., to discuss signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer, how it is diagnosed and what the future holds in research. Myth or Fact: There is a pancreatic cancer screening test available.   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 Seg November 22, 2014 (right click MP3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3oZrMGDMMw ZUMBROTA, Minn. — Symptoms of an ordinary common cold are hard not to miss. But could it be worse? Mayo Clinic Health System has diagnosed several confirmed cases of pertussis, also commonly known as whooping cough. Family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing in Zumbrota, Elizabeth Cozine, M.D. has seen patients present with symptoms. “Children and adults alike can contract whooping cough,” she says. “Yet, a simple vaccination could have prevented many of these cases.” Whooping cough can take one to three weeks for signs and symptoms to appear. They're usually mild at first and resemble those of a common cold: Runny nose Nasal congestion Sneezing Red, watery eyes A mild fever Dry cough Journalists: Video of baby coughing is available in the downloads. MEDIA CONTACT: Kristy Jacobson, Mayo Clinic Health System Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, Email:  jacobson.kristy@mayo.edu