Health & Wellness - November 2015 Archives

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but another type called dementia with Lewy bodies, or DLB, comes in second. Both diseases ...

According to the CDC, between 50 and 70 million people in the U.S. have sleep disorders ... including sleep apnea. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES  Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. Here are ...

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It was 33 years ago that President Ronald Reagan launched the first national Alzheimer's disease awareness campaign. Since then, research has developed ways to manage symptoms ... but ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I recently heard about cartilage being used in knee joints. Last summer I was diagnosed with osteopenia, degenerative arthritis, moderate lateral compartment narrowing, and knee joint effusion in my right knee. I can no longer straighten it and have some swelling. I’ve had two injections, which helped with the pain for a time, but am wondering if cartilage would help in my situation. ANSWER: Procedures to restore and repair cartilage are becoming more common. In situations like yours, however, where there is significant cartilage loss, these procedures typically are not successful. But there are other effective options for treating the symptoms associated with arthritis in your knee and the conditions accompanying it. Your knee has two kinds of cartilage. The first is articular cartilage. It provides a smooth, lubricated surface within the joint. The second is the meniscus. It provides a cushion to the articular cartilage during weight-bearing activities. The issues you’re dealing with involve the articular cartilage. When problems arise in the articular cartilage, they are the result of a focal injury or defect, or they happen due to arthritis — a diffuse loss of cartilage.

It was 33 years ago that President Ronald Reagan launched the first national Alzheimer's disease awareness campaign. Since then, research has developed ways to manage ...

Mary Thelen is a registered nurse and director of Palliative and Supportive Care for Mayo Clinic Health System in northwest Wisconsin. Let’s talk turkey. And, no, I don’t mean gobbling like that festive holiday bird. I mean use the holidays, when family members are gathered, to go beyond the “How ’bout them Packers?” discussion. Use that precious time to speak honestly and openly about your end-of-life wishes. For example: Would I want a feeding tube? Would I want to be put on a breathing machine? Would I want CPR if my heart or breathing stops? What would be important to me if my days were numbered? “Depressing,” some people groan. “I’ll make those big decisions when the time comes.” It’s human to want to put off thoughts of death and dying. Unfortunately, a health care crisis can happen at any time, at any age. When the unthinkable strikes — a debilitating illness, a devastating accident — families who haven’t had these discussions often are left agonizing over “what would my loved one want?”

This article appeared November 19, 2015 In the Loop. You can't beat the clock. No matter who you are and what you do, you're ...

'Tis the season for family gatherings and plenty of turkey. This Thanksgiving, be sure to keep your family and guests safe from foodborne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1 in 6 Americans (48 million) get sick with foodborne illnesses each year. Broken down further, 128,000 people require hospitalization and 3,000 die of these illnesses, with the most vulnerable being children and the elderly. Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program dietician Angela Murad offers insight and tips on how to keep your family and guests healthy this holiday. Thawing Your Turkey Plan ahead when thawing turkey. If needed, thaw turkey breast-side down in a clean, sanitized sink (use 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon water). Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes to thaw for every pound. Be sure to clean and sanitize the sink again after thawing the turkey. Most Common Food Safety Mistake

Do you know what health conditions run in your family? Take advantage of upcoming holiday gatherings to find out. Having access to this vital ...

A new gene that makes bacteria highly resistant to a last-resort class of antibiotics has been identified in China, and doctors are warning of the global ...