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    Housecall: Is your nest suddenly empty?

a close-up of a middle-aged couple and their daughter, all smilingTHIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Empty-nest syndrome: Tips for coping
If your last child is all grown up and about to leave home — or he or she has already moved out — you might be feeling mixed emotions. Although you actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful. Find out how an empty nest can affect parents, what you can do to prepare for the transition and how to cope.

Childhood vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers
Childhood vaccines protect children from several serious or potentially fatal diseases, including diphtheria, measles, polio and whooping cough (pertussis). Still, you might wonder about the benefits and risks. Get straight answers to common questions about childhood vaccines.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can Resperate help reduce blood pressure?
Resperate is a portable electronic device that promotes slow, deep breathing. Resperate is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for reducing stress and lowering blood pressure, and it's available without a prescription. Learn more from Dr. Sheldon Sheps, an emeritus Mayo Clinic hypertension and peripheral vascular diseases specialist.

What is a Candida cleanse diet and what does it do?
Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners blame common symptoms such as fatigue, headache and poor memory on overgrowth of the funguslike organism Candida albicans in the intestines, sometimes called "yeast syndrome." To cure the syndrome, they recommend a Candida cleanse diet. Is it effective? Learn more from Dr. Brent Bauer, director of Mayo Clinic's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Video: 'Seated Leg Press With Weight Machine'
Fecal incontinence
Tips for long-distance caregivers
Erectile dysfunction: A sign of heart disease?

HEALTHY RECIPES
Caramelized balsamic vinaigrette
Black bean wrap
Turkey pesto melt
Vegetable calzone

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Depression: Diagnosis is key
It's normal to occasionally feel sad or upset, or to be unhappy with situations in your life. But, with depression, these feelings linger for weeks, months or even years. If you think you may be depressed, seek medical help as soon as possible. Depression usually doesn't get better on its own, but depression is treatable. Remember, help is available.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

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