Health & Wellness - September 2015 Archives

ESTIMADA MAYO CLINIC: Cuando era adolescente y durante la década de mis 20 años, iba con regularidad a salones de bronceado. Ahora que tengo 43 años, me preocupa mucho el melanoma y por ello, voy al dermatólogo todos los años para revisarme la piel. Tengo varios lunares, pero la revisión de la piel dura apenas 5 minutos. ¿Es ese tiempo suficiente para realizar una evaluación minuciosa? ¿Qué se busca? ¿A qué debería prestar atención yo personalmente?     RESPUESTA: Usted hace muy bien en vigilar su piel. Acudir al dermatólogo para una evaluación anual y revisar la piel de manera regular son dos medidas excelentes para detectar pronto el melanoma y otros tipos de cáncer de piel, pues cuanto antes se descubre el cáncer de piel, mejor es la oportunidad de curarlo. El melanoma es el tipo más grave de cáncer de piel y se desarrolla en las células llamadas melanocitos que producen melanina, o pigmento que da el color a la piel. A pesar de no ser clara la causa exacta de todos los melanomas, se sabe que la exposición a los rayos ultravioletas (UV) y a la radiación proveniente de la luz solar o de las lámparas y camas de bronceado aumenta el riesgo para la enfermedad. La cantidad de casos de melanoma ha aumentado drásticamente en los últimos 30 años, sobre todo en las mujeres de edad media. Dicho aumento podría tener vinculación con el mayor uso de camas de bronceado durante los años 80, cuando muchas mujeres que ahora tienen entre 40 y 50 años eran adolescentes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCgdcUSB4t0 Mayo Clinic is partnering with the Federal Communications Commission to host its Connect2HealthFCC Broadband Summit on Thursday, Oct. 1, Mayo's campus in Jacksonville, Fla. The event highlights how broadband-enabled health technologies can transform health care for seniors and people with disabilities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2060, 1 out of every 4 Americans will be 65 or older. As our population ages and more Americans assume caregiving tasks for family members, broadband-enabled health technologies hold great promise to help address access to care issues, facilitate the next generation of caregiving and provide new self-management tools. Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Ommen, Dr. TerKonda, Commissioner Clyburn and Chairman Wheeler are available in the downloads.  MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Weiss, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 904-953-2299, newsbureau@mayo.edu

  If a simple blood test could improve your long-term health or possibly save your life, would you have it done? The answer for most people is a resounding “Yes.” Testing for hepatitis C, which entails a basic blood draw and analysis, can be the difference between serious health complications later in life or a manageable — in some cases curable — condition. Victoria Louwagie, physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System, explores questions and answers to help you understand more about chronic hepatitis C. What is hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a viral infection that targets the liver, leading to inflammation. Several hepatitis viruses exist, but hepatitis C is one of the most serious forms. Hepatitis A, B and C are different diseases. Passed through contact with contaminated blood, hepatitis C is often contracted by sharing needles or snorting drugs. However, receiving a blood transfusion, clotting factor or organ transplant before 1992, getting piercings or tattoos in an unsterile environment, and having a history of incarceration, among other things, are also risks for hepatitis C.

Escrito por Micah Dorfner, Relaciones Públicas de Mayo Clinic Todos atravesamos por períodos de ansiedad, pues es la manera en la cual el cerebro nos prepara para enfrentar y/o escapar del peligro, o para lidiar con situaciones estresantes. Por ejemplo, sentir ansiedad antes de los exámenes puede hacernos estudiar más y, por tanto, rendir mejor; pero la ansiedad a veces también puede ser muy fuerte o exagerada en relación con la situación real y conducir a sensaciones físicas intensas, pensamientos ansiosos, preocupaciones y evasiones que repercuten sobre la vida de la persona, como en el caso de llegar a faltar al colegio el día del examen o sufrir un ataque de pánico que hace imposible dar el examen. ¿Por qué la ansiedad se manifiesta con síntomas físicos?

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My daughter is 19 and was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. What is considered a flare-up? Her symptoms seem to be quite mild so far. Is it possible that this will continue, or do they usually worsen with time? ANSWER: Crohn’s disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract lining. This inflammation can involve any part of the digestive tract, but it’s most common in the lower portion of the small intestine and in the large intestine. Unlike ulcerative colitis (another inflammatory condition), Crohn’s disease usually affects the entire thickness of the bowel wall. People with Crohn’s disease typically have intermittent symptoms due to active inflammation. These are called flares. The flares usually alternate with periods of remission when there’s no active inflammation or symptoms. A flare may happen if a person with Crohn’s disease doesn’t take medication as prescribed, develops certain infections, receives antibiotics, or takes pain medications, including aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Stress also may trigger a flare and result in symptoms of Crohn’s disease becoming worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikHOHM7dXRc Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. [TRT 2:16] Click here for the transcript. Almost 1 out of 3. According to the Centers ...

According to the CDC, more than one-third of all adults in the U.S. are obese. That puts them at increased risk for heart disease, stroke, ...

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Menopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread Think you're destined to gain extra pounds after menopause? Here are some ways ...

Varicose veins and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are common blood vessel disorders. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, cardiovascular disease specialist Dr. Thom Rooke explains ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Why is it that so many kids these days have peanut allergies? I don’t remember it being an issue even 20 years ago. Is it something most kids will grow out of? I have heard of children doing a peanut allergy study to “cure” them of their allergy. What does that involve? ANSWER: You’re correct that the number of children with peanut allergies has increased significantly over the last several decades. Although researchers have several theories, at this time there’s no definitive explanation for the increase. A variety of studies are currently underway to better understand peanut allergies and to help find more effective ways of treating them. Over the last several decades, the prevalence of peanut allergies in children in the United States has more than tripled. The reasons behind this dramatic increase are unclear. Lifestyle, diet choices and genetics all seem to play a role.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBy3fyDPBx8 Are you confused about the new guidelines for taking aspirin? A Mayo Clinic expert offers information to help explain them. In mid-September, the U.S. ...

LA CROSSE, Wis. — Tree stand injuries are common throughout the hunting season. In fact, a study by the International Hunter Education Association found that one in every three hunters who hunts from a tree stand will fall at some point in their hunting career. Eric Grube, D.O., Emergency Medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System — and avid hunter — says with archery and crossbow deer hunting in full swing and gun season approaching, it’s time to re-establish safety practices to prevent accidents from occurring. “These injuries can easily be avoided if hunters use caution and common sense,” Dr. Grube acknowledges. “Multiple injuries and even death can result from falling asleep, slipping while climbing in or out of the stand and having faulty equipment.” Dr. Grube emphasizes the use of the safety harness. “It’s a necessary yet simple, preventative measure all hunters can and should use. When using a safety harness, make sure it's fully secured,” he says. He also suggests if you have an older style waist harness, consider purchasing a chest or five-point harness as these provide better support through the upper body and reduce chance of internal organ injuries.