Mayo Clinic Q & A

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a 55-year-old woman and have had headaches my entire life. In the past, ibuprofen would get rid of a headache rather quickly, but lately nothing has been working. Do I need to get a stronger medicine from my doctor? ANSWER: You should definitely talk to your doctor about your headaches. A different type of medication might make a difference. However, it is possible that the problem could be linked to taking too much medication. Your doctor can assess your symptoms, review your current medications and help you come up with a more effective treatment plan for your headaches. Your headaches sound like they fall under the category of tension headaches. These common headaches tend to involve mild to moderate pain. They typically feel like a tight band around your head. These headaches may last from a few hours to several days.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: As the result of a sports injury, my 16-year-old daughter has chronic pain that has lasted for more than a year. It is really taking a toll on her. The pain makes it hard for her to go to school and to do the activities she enjoys. Medication doesn’t make much difference. What can we do? Is there a chance the pain will go away with time? ANSWER: Your daughter’s pain may fade over time. While she has pain, though, it is important for her to find ways to manage it. A cure may not be possible, but there are many strategies that can help her get back into life. Pain usually comes from illness, injury or surgery, and it goes away as our bodies heal. This type of pain is called acute pain. Chronic pain is different. It is generally defined as daily pain that lasts more than three months. Chronic pain may continue after an injury or illness has passed. It may come from a medical condition that is hard to treat. Sometimes chronic pain may not have any clear source.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have long suffered from allergies. But there have been times when I haven’t been sure if my symptoms are really from my allergies or may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference? ANSWER: Allergies and sinus infections are often mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem. A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, affects the cavities around your nasal passages. The infection causes your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain, and mucus builds up. You become congested and have trouble breathing through your nose. Sinusitis often causes thick yellow or green nasal discharge. A sore throat, cough or headache, as well as pressure or tenderness around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, may also accompany sinusitis.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have read a lot lately about regenerative medicine, and I am wondering if there has been any research conducted on uterine, bladder, vaginal or rectal prolapse. ANSWER: A number of research studies have been done to investigate pelvic organ prolapse and the possibility of treating it with regenerative medicine. Currently, Mayo Clinic in Arizona — along with Arizona State University — is involved in research regarding the treatment of vaginal prolapse using the principles of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is an emerging discipline in medicine and surgery, focused on finding ways to boost the body’s ability to heal itself. It examines new therapies and advances new ways to manage diseases that go beyond current medical treatment.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Can type 2 diabetes be cured just by losing weight? ANSWER: Losing weight can have a big impact on diabetes. Although it might not cure type 2 diabetes in every case, getting to a healthy body weight does have that potential for many people. Even if it doesn’t completely cure the disease, losing weight may make it possible for people with diabetes to take less medication. It often helps manage or prevent some of the health problems that can come with diabetes, too. People who have diabetes have too much sugar in their blood. This happens because of a problem with the hormone called insulin. Insulin is made in the pancreas — a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, the pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream. The insulin allows sugar to enter your cells, lowering the amount of sugar in your blood.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have had hyperthyroidism for just over one year, and medication does not seem to keep it in check. I do not want to have my thyroid removed. But I’m nervous about radioactive iodine treatment, which is what was recommended. Is it safe? What are the risks? ANSWER: Radioactive iodine is a safe, proven and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. It is not the best choice for everyone, however. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of all the available treatment options. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. This gland produces hormones that affect every cell in your body. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid makes too much of the hormone thyroxine. This disorder can cause weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, sweating, nervousness and irritability.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC:  I have long suffered from allergies. But there have been times when I haven’t been sure if my symptoms are really from my allergies or may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference? ANSWER: Allergies and sinus infections are often mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem. A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, affects the cavities around your nasal passages. The infection causes your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain, and mucus builds up. You become congested and have trouble breathing through your nose. Sinusitis often causes thick yellow or green nasal discharge. A sore throat, cough or headache, as well as pressure or tenderness around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, may also accompany sinusitis.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 68 and understand that exercise is good for my health, but I recently read that exercise can also reduce the risk of developing dementia. Is that true, and if so, do researchers know why? ANSWER: Perhaps one of the most feared conditions associated with aging is dementia — an impaired ability to think or recall. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease. Aging also may be associated with lesser — but still disruptive — thinking and memory problems, which is called mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment is a common precursor to Alzheimer’s. 

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My 7-year-old son wets the bed most nights. He does not have accidents during the day. I’m wondering if I should have him seen by a physician or if this is considered normal for some children.   ANSWER: Bed-wetting is very common in children, especially boys. The problem typically improves over time and often disappears around the time children turn 5. At your son’s age, it would be a good idea to take steps at home to help reduce bed-wetting. If that does not help, make an appointment for your son to see his doctor.  

DEAR MAYO CLINIC:    I am a 46-year-old woman and have never had a urinary tract infection before, but think I may have one now. Do I need to be seen by a physician for treatment? What causes UTIs?   ANSWER: Urinary tract infection, or UTI, is generally a bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract. Up to 50 percent of women encounter UTIs during their lifetimes. When treated promptly, a UTI is typically curable. Usually antibiotics play a key role in treatment. Rarely do UTIs progress to something more serious, such as an infection of the kidney or infection of the bloodstream. Because you have not previously been diagnosed with a UTI, you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms.  UTIs are often caused by bacteria that live in the colon. The most common bacterium causing a UTI is a type of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The female anatomy increases risk of UTIs, because bacteria can easily migrate from the nearby rectum or vagina to the urethra and into the bladder. 

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