Health & Wellness - October 2015 Archives

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis about 12 years ago. I haven’t had many symptoms over the years, but about six months ago I started noticing increasing discomfort in my legs. Is surgery an option to treat spinal stenosis? If not, what else can I do? The leg pain is making it hard for me to walk. ANSWER: Surgery usually isn’t necessary to treat spinal stenosis. Often a combination of lifestyle changes, physical therapy and medication can effectively decrease the pain and discomfort caused by this common back problem. Spinal stenosis occurs when the open space within your spine narrows, causing pressure and irritation to the nerve tissue. It can happen for a variety of reasons, but most of the time spinal stenosis is a result of aging and the buildup of arthritis. In some cases, spinal stenosis does not cause any symptoms and may be found during a medical test done for another reason. Spinal stenosis, and the nerve compression that is associated with it, tends to develop slowly. Over time, it can put pressure on your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through the spine to your arms and legs, and possibly cause symptoms. If the nerves affected are in your neck — the part of your spine called the cervical spine — that may cause numbness, weakness or tingling in an arm or hand, or trouble with coordination in a leg or foot. It often causes problems with walking and balance. Nerves to your bladder or bowel can be affected, too.

Every day thousands of people take dietary supplements. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say some of those supplements are not ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Today Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., toured the Mayo Clinic Biobank, discussing the Precision Medicine Initiative with leadership ...

When you're ill, showing gratitude for caregivers can be therapeutic Even with the stress of being treated for cancer, giving back to your caregivers can ...

This article first appeared in April 1987 in the publication Mayovox. The Clinic joins a national effort to help the endangered peregrine falcon make a comeback. Mayo is lending its stature and its pigeons in an effort to help a rare wild bird get a fresh start in Minnesota. This summer, 15 to 18 young peregrine falcons will be released from the roof of the Mayo Building to learn to fly and hunt in the wide open spaces over Rochester.The hope is that some of these birds will take up permanent residence in the state. The releases are part of a national effort to reestablish the peregrine in its natural habitat. The peregrine once lived along the bluffs of the upper Mississippi River and along Lake Superior, nesting on ledges of high cliffs and chasing down its prey — other birds — over expanses of open water. But the widespread use of the pesticide DDT in the 1950s and 1960s spelled the bird’s doom. DDT affected the bird’s reproductive system, causing the peregrine’s eggs to become so fragile they broke before hatching. As a result, by the early 1960s there were no peregrines anywhere in the eastern United States. In 1972 the use of DDT was banned and shortly thereafter efforts began to bring the peregrine back. Minnesota’s program began in 1982, with a goal of reestablishing 21 breeding pairs of peregrines in their traditional aerier (lofty nesting sites) in the state. Ninety-two young peregrines, offspring of birds raised in captivity, have been released at three sites: Tofte on Lake Superior, a skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis and the Weaver dunes area near Wabasha.

The birth of a baby is supposed to be a time of wonder, joy and happiness. But for some new moms, that time can be one of sadness and anxiety. Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife Julie Lamppa says 80 percent of new moms experience the "baby blues" during the first couple weeks after delivery. The baby blues are normal and temporary. Approximately 15 percent of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, or PPD, which lasts longer and is more severe. "Postpartum depression can be very difficult because we are trained to think that this is supposed to be a perfect time and sometimes it is not. Women with postpartum depression should not be ashamed and they should not cover it up. They should talk about it." Julie Lamppa says postpartum depression can hit anytime within the first year after giving birth, but prompt treatment can help manage symptoms and help you to enjoy your new child. Journalists: Sound bites with Julie Lamppa are available in the downloads. Click here for transcript. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBYYr_kEjmo  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and on the next program breast cancer specialist Dr. Sandhya Pruthi discusses the latest in diagnosis and treatment, including ...

By Joseph Dolan, M.D., ophthalmologist with Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, WI. We often don’t think about eye injuries when doing daily activities, but as almost half of all eye injuries each year happen at home, we probably should. October is Eye Injury Prevention Month, although I see it as a year-round goal. Household injuries Here are examples of common household activities that can cause an eye injury, according to experts from the American Academy of Ophthalmology: Household chemicals or bleach: Getting unexpectedly sprayed or splashed in the eye can cause anything from minor irritation to a chemical burn. If this happens, immediately flush the eye by putting your head under a steady stream of room temperature tap water for 15 minutes. Contact your eye doctor or urgent care facility to determine what is recommended as a next step, based on the chemical. Hot grease or oil splatter: As with household chemicals, the most important thing to do is irrigate the eye and contact your eye doctor as soon as possible. Drilling or hammering: An activity as simple as hanging a picture can cause a nail or screw to become a projectile or cause fragments to fly off and cause an eye injury. Seek immediate medical help if you are hit in the eye with any foreign object. Lawn and garden care: Always wear protective eyewear when mowing the grass, trimming hedges, cutting wood or using power tools. Whether you use a riding or push mower, stop the engine when any one approaches. The mower can cause rocks and other objects on the lawn to fly toward someone and cause injury. Securing items to racks: Use caution with any objects that have the potential to snap like bungee cords or rubber bands.

This article first appeared In the Loop September 17, 2015 Troy Chroniger of Orlando, Florida, enjoyed a busy, if hectic, life as a construction ...

ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It's a condition that is common in young and old alike, and can occur in both males and females. It tends to start during the early grade school years and very often persists into adulthood. There are three different types of ADHD, so not everyone who has this condition acts the same way. Amanda Schuh, behavioral health nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System, shares more information about the nuances of each form: Predominantly inattentive type. This type is most common in girls, but can occur in boys as well. Some of the most common symptoms are: Daydreaming Losing track of time Easily distracted Procrastinates Difficulty finishing tasks Seems not to listen Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type. This is the least common type of ADHD, and when it does occur, it tends to happen in very young children. Signs of this type of ADHD include: Lots of energy Restless, fidgets, can’t sit still Impatient Blurts out statements, interrupts often Aggressive behavior toward others

Stem cell transplantation, also known as bone marrow transplantation, has come a long way since it was first tried in the early part of the ...

There's no clear link between caffeine intake and depression. However, caffeine intake and depression may be linked indirectly for people who are particularly sensitive to ...