Among cancers that affect men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases of colorectal cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called polyps. Over time, some polyps become colon cancer. Because these polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms, health care providers recommend regular screening tests to prevent colon cancer. These screenings identify and remove polyps before they become cancerous. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, a time to educate the public about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. John Kisiel, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, will discuss colorectal cancer. Also on the program, Dr. Michelle Mauermann, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, will explain peripheral neuropathy, a nerve condition that causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet. And Dr. Thomas Salinas, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist, will share how oral health affects heart health. 

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Check out the new podcast, Mayo Clinic Q&A.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. John Kisiel, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, will discuss colorectal cancer. Also on the program, Dr. Michelle Mauermann, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, will explain peripheral neuropathy, a nerve condition that causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet. And Dr. Thomas Salinas, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist, will share how oral health affects heart health.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

Check out the new podcast, Mayo Clinic Q&A.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Colorectal cancer / peripheral neuropathy / oral health and your heart appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (0:59) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Dr. Thomas Salinas, a Mayo Clinic dental specialist, says while there appears to be some connection between oral health and heart disease, it's not well-understood.

"There have been a sporadic number of studies. Some of these are well-controlled with regard to specifically just one disease process. However, as we know, disease presents itself in many ways," explains Dr. Salinas.

While taking good care of your teeth and gums isn't a proven way to prevent heart disease, Dr. Salinas says removing oral bacteria through regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups is an investment in your overall health.

"The big picture here is the oral cavity is the gateway to the body," Dr. Salinas says. "After a period of time without being removed, other species will grow in an anaerobic, or without oxygen environment, and those are the ones that can contribute to systematic disease. It's really important to get that type of bacteria off the teeth."

If you are concerned about heart disease prevention, ask your health care provider about proven ways to reduce your risk, such as stopping smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Brush your way to heart health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Statins: Are these cholesterol-lowering drugs right for you?
Statins are drugs that can lower your cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Statins also may help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in plaques on your artery walls, preventing further blockage in your blood vessels and heart attacks. Find out whether your risk factors for heart disease make you a good candidate for this drug therapy.

EXPERT ANSWERS
What's the best way to clean dentures?
Dentures require proper care to keep them clean, free from stains and looking their best. Learn more from Dr. Thomas Salinas, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist.

Can diet and exercise prevent Alzheimer's disease?
There are a number of articles that appear quite convincing that certain lifestyle behaviors prevent Alzheimer's disease. Yet, even with these mounting reports, the scientific evidence remains unclear. The most consistent data support cardiovascular exercise and a Mediterranean diet as two lifestyle behaviors that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Learn more from Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Video: 'Squat exercise'
Tourette syndrome
Malaria
Slideshow: Types of psoriasis

HEALTHY RECIPES
Peach honey spread
Fire roasted corn soup
Balsamic feta chicken
Quinoa cakes

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Heat cramps from exercise?
Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that typically occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. You're most likely to get heat cramps in the calf, arm, abdomen and back. Next time you experience heat cramps, here's what to do:

1. Rest briefly and cool down.
2. Drink clear juice or an electrolyte-containing sports drink.
3. Gently stretch and massage the affected muscles.
4. Call your doctor if the cramps don't go away in an hour.

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

Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.

The post Housecall: Menopause and weight gain appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Edward Creagan, an oncologist and palliative care specialist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss the importance of preparing for end-of-life care. Also on the program, Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, division chair of Preventive Cardiology at Mayo Clinic, will explain the benefits of standing workstations. And Dr. Thomas Salinas, a prosthodontist at Mayo Clinic, will share why dental health is important for adults.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Planning for end-of-life care appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Edward Creagan, an oncologist and palliative care specialist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss the importance of preparing for end-of-life care. Also on the program, Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, division chair of Preventive Cardiology at Mayo Clinic, will explain the benefits of standing workstations. And Dr. Thomas Salinas, a prosthodontist at Mayo Clinic, will share why dental health is important for adults.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show?  Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: End-of-life care decisions / standing workstations / dental health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

***

Also in today's tips ...

'Herbal viagra': Is it safe?
Be wary of any product that claims to be a natural form of Viagra. These supplements can cause dangerously low blood pressure in some men, particularly those who take nitrate medications for heart problems. Learn more from Dr. Erik Castle, a Mayo Clinic urologist.

Slideshow: Balance exercises
Balance exercises can help you maintain your balance and confidence at any age. If you're an older adult, balance exercises are especially important because they can help you prevent falls and maintain your independence. Watch this slideshow for examples of balance exercises that may keep you surefooted and safe.

Nicotine dependence
Nicotine produces physical and mood-altering effects in your brain that are temporarily pleasing. These effects make you want to use tobacco and can lead to dependence. At the same time, stopping tobacco use causes withdrawal symptoms, including irritability and anxiety. While it's the nicotine in tobacco that causes nicotine dependence, the toxic effects of tobacco result from other substances in tobacco. Smokers have much higher rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer than nonsmokers. Learn more about nicotine dependence and how you can break the habit.

Dental floss versus water pick: Which is better?
A water pick, also known as an oral pulsating irrigator, is a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth. A water pick can remove food particles from your teeth and may reduce bleeding and gum disease, but it isn't generally considered a substitute for brushing and flossing. Learn more from Dr. Thomas Salinas, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist.

The post Consumer Health: Acai berries — superfood or hype? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Some people may be more prone to tooth decay than others, even within the same family. To give your children the best protection against cavities, teach them the importance of dental health by showing them how to care for their teeth. That includes daily flossing from a very young age. It is important for parents to have good oral hygiene, too. Make sure you and your children see a dentist regularly.

Tooth decay happens when areas in the hard surface of your teeth become damaged and develop holes, or cavities. If left untreated, the holes get bigger and can eventually lead to pain, infection and tooth loss. A combination of factors can trigger tooth decay, including bacteria in the mouth, teeth not being cleaned well, and eating or drinking lots of sugary foods and beverages. If parents or other caregivers do not have good dental habits, they may have large amounts of bacteria in their mouths. Those bacteria can be transferred to young children, increasing the risk of decay. Special attention should be taken to avoid sharing toothbrushes, drinking glasses and other items that might transmit bacteria.

Brushing teeth at least twice a day — and ideally after every meal — is still one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. Using a mechanical toothbrush with a rotating head is a good choice. They do a much better job of cleaning teeth than manual toothbrushes. Some include a two-minute timer, so it stays on for the amount of time dentists recommend teeth be brushed. That makes it easier for kids to get a thorough cleaning each time they brush.

Make sure the toothpaste your family uses contains fluoride. Research has shown that fluoride is effective in reducing cavities. Many cities now add fluoride to drinking water and that helps prevent tooth decay, too. If your city has fluoridated water, give your children tap water to drink rather than bottled water to get the benefits of the fluoride. Many dentists give children fluoride treatments during their dental visits, as well. For people who seem particularly susceptible to cavities, a dentist also may recommend a daily fluoride rinse.

Ask your dentist about applying dental sealants to your children’s teeth. A sealant is a protective coating applied to the chewing surface of back teeth, sealing off grooves that tend to collect food and protecting tooth enamel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sealants for all school-age children.

Your children should start flossing as soon as possible. Flossing is the most effective way to remove food and plaque from between teeth. Encourage them to floss at least once or twice a day for the best cavity protection. Flossing is particularly important for children between the teeth in the back of their mouths, as children tend not to brush as well in those areas as they do in the front.

Lowering your children’s intake of snacks and beverages that contain sugar also can help prevent tooth decay. Sugar is linked to tooth decay because if sugar is not cleaned off teeth well, bacteria in your mouth feed on it, producing acids. In time, acid wears away the teeth’s hard outer layer of enamel and the process of decay begins. Drinks that contain high sugar content, such as fortified fruit juices and carbonated beverages, can bring about tooth decay, especially when sipping throughout the day.

Finally, take your children to see a dentist on a regular basis. Most children need dental checkups twice a year, although some may require them more often. Try to choose one dentist and stay with him or her as your children grow. Having a dentist who knows your children’s dental history and who is familiar with any special needs they have can make it easier to prevent and catch problems quickly. — Thomas Salinas, D.D.S., Dental Specialties, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Teach children importance of dental health for best protection against cavities appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

It’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and on this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio Dr. Thomas Salinas will discuss children’s oral health. Also, can erectile dysfunction (ED) predict heart disease? Find out on Mayo Clinic Radio when cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky explains the connection between ED and possible heart problems.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Erectile dysfunction can indicate possible heart disease when no other signs are present.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Click here to listen to the program on Saturday February 7, at 9:05 a.m. and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Listen to this week’s Medical News Headlines: News Segment February 14, 2015 (right click MP3)

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.

The post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Can erectile dysfunction (ED) predict heart disease? Find out on this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio. Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Kopecky explains the connection between ED and possible heart problems. Also on Mayo Clinic Radio, it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and Dr. Thomas Salinas discusses children’s oral health.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Erectile dysfunction can indicate possible heart disease when no other signs are present.

Want more info on the Mediterranean Diet? Here is some helpful info (PDF) Mediterranean Diet - mc6815pf

What is a healthy BMI?  (PDF) BMI Chart mc6019-06

To listen to the program at 9 a.m. Saturday, February 14, click here.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Men’s Heart Health/Children’s Oral Health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.