Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet
Dietary fiber, which is found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, is known for its ability to prevent or relieve constipation. But foods containing fiber can provide other health benefits, as well, such as maintaining a healthy weight, and lowering your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Find out your daily recommended fiber intake and how to make sure you're getting enough in your diet.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can mononucleosis recur?
Mononucleosis is an infection most commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. Most people who have mononucleosis will have it only once. Rarely, however, symptoms may recur months or even years later. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

Are lung nodules cancerous?
Lung nodules are small masses of tissue in the lung that appear as round, white shadows on a chest X-ray or CT scan. Lung nodules are common. Most are noncancerous and do not require treatment. In some cases, though, your health care provider may recommend annual chest imaging to see if a lung nodule grows or changes over time. Learn more from Dr. Eric Olson, a Mayo Clinic pulmonologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
Athlete's foot
Blocked tear duct
Slideshow: Portion control for weight loss

HEALTHY RECIPES
Buttermilk waffles
Apple cinnamon muffins
Veggie egg bake
Cinnamon French toast

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Long-term care for aging parents: Talk now
If you're considering long-term care options for an aging parent or other loved one, start the discussions early. If you wait too long, an illness or injury may force a hasty decision that everyone may regret later. Start by helping your loved one compare various facilities, including services, prices and payment options. Chat about preferences and concerns. If your loved one doesn't respond well to your efforts to talk about long-term care, don't give up. Consider involving a trusted clergy member, health care provider or attorney.

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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The post Housecall: What do you do if your ‘happy holidays’ aren’t so happy? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Long-term care: Early planning pays off
Long-term care is a term used to describe home and community-based services for adults who need help taking care of themselves. If you're considering long-term care options for yourself or a loved one, start the research and discussions early. If you wait, an injury or illness may lead to a hasty decision that might not be best in the long run. Here's what you need to know.

EXPERT ANSWERS
What are functional foods?
Functional foods are foods that could positively affect health beyond basic nutrition. Proponents of functional foods say they promote optimal health and reduce the risk of disease. Learn more from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.

Can a Mediterranean diet lower Alzheimer's risk?
A Mediterranean diet — one rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, whole grains and fish — offers many heart-healthy benefits. But a Mediterranean diet also may benefit your brain. Learn more from Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Huntington's disease
Video: 'Why is it so hard to stop smoking?'
Liposuction
Canker sore

HEALTHY RECIPES
Dilled pasta salad with spring vegetables
Creamy asparagus soup
Easy nacho skillet dinner
Rancher's eggs

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Is your hearing at risk?
Repeated exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate, sound-sensitive hair cells in your inner ear. You can't reverse hearing loss, so take steps to protect your hearing:

1. Turn down the volume on headphones.
2. Wear earplugs or other protection when you're around noisy tools, equipment or firearms.
3. If you're frequently around loud noise, ask your health care provider about yearly hearing exams.

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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Long-term care: Early planning pays off
It's best to talk about long-term care early — before a sudden injury or illness forces your hand, leading to a hasty decision. Here's how to choose a facility, deal with finances and more.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Can exercising late in the day cause insomnia?
For some people, exercising within a few hours of bedtime may cause problems getting to sleep.

Are my annual colds really allergies?
Do you get a cold each spring and fall? It could be seasonal allergies. Learn how to recognize the signs.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Slideshow: A look inside your eyes
Anaphylaxis: Symptoms and causes
Psoriasis and your self-esteem
Video: Take a break for meditation

HEALTHY RECIPES
Muesli breakfast bars
English cucumber salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Chicken quesadillas
Turkey pesto melt

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Is your lifestyle causing heartburn?
Heartburn can make your chest feel like it's on fire. Consider these lifestyle changes to prevent heartburn:

1. Lose excess weight.
2. Stop smoking.
3. Don't wear tight-fitting clothes.
4. Avoid heartburn triggers, such as alcohol, fatty foods, chocolate and mint.
5. Don't lie down soon after a meal.
6. Raise the head of your bed.

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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Nutrition-wise: Eat well to age well
Research on diet and aging may make you rethink what you put on your plate. Here's what you should know.

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The post Housecall: Spring cleaning and allergies appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Long-term care: Early planning pays off
It's best to talk about long-term care early — before a sudden injury or illness forces your hand, leading to a hasty decision. Here's how to choose a facility, deal with finances and more.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
Sitting for extended periods — such as in front of the TV or at a desk — may lead to a number of health problems.

Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure?
See how drinking too much alcohol can lead to short- and long-term increases in blood pressure.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 
Ice cream headaches
Reducing the discomfort of hidradenitis suppurativa: Self-care tips
Primary immunodeficiency: Tips for easing stress
Insect bites and stings: First aid

HEALTHY RECIPES
Tossed greens with pasta, fruit and balsamic vinaigrette
Soft tacos with southwestern vegetables
Barley and roasted tomato risotto
Sweet peppers stuffed with scalloped corn

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Is your diet hurting your heart?
When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn't need right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. If you regularly eat more calories than you burn, you may have high triglycerides. The higher your triglycerides, the higher your risk of heart disease. The solution? Healthier habits. Choose healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Scale back your portion sizes. Include physical activity in your daily routine.

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

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Nutrition-wise: How do you define healthy?
What we know about food and nutrition is evolving. Is food labeling keeping up?

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Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

Listen to this previously aired program at 9:05 a.m. CT, Saturday, December 26 and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Access archived shows.

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

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Planning Long-Term Care/Parasite Blog/Mouse Avatars appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Home visits by doctors and pharmacists can extend the time an older adult lives at home.

Listen to the program at 9:05 a.m. CT, Saturday, December 26.

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

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

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

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Planning Long-Term Care/Parasite Blog/Mouse Avatars appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Choosing long-term care for a loved one ... or yourself ... can be a difficult decision. The level of care, the cost and the physical surroundings all must be considered. Mayo Clinic geriatric specialist Dr. Paul Takahashi offers guidance on how to evaluate long-term care facilities and services. Also on the program, parasitologist Dr. Bobbi Pritt talks about her unusual blog, "Creepy, Dreadful, Wonderful Parasites: A Parasitologist's View of the World." And Dr. John Weroha explains how mouse avatars are helping to fight cancer in humans.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Long-term care is primarily for people over age 70.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.

Click here to listen to the program on Saturday, May 16, at 9:05 a.m., and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

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.

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Miss the program?  Here's the podcast:MayoClinicRadio PODCAST May 16 2015

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Long-term care is primarily for people over age 70.

To listen to the program at 9:05 a.m. Saturday, May 16, click here.

Follow #MayoClinicRadio and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

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: Choosing Senior Care/Parasitic Wonders/Mouse Avatars appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Acupuncture
Are you having trouble controlling pain with conventional methods? Since acupuncture has few side effects, it may be worth a try.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis can help you cope with a number of conditions, including stress, anxiety and pain. It can also help treat obesity, smoking, insomnia and more.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Acai berries: Do they have health benefits?
Acai berries are a good source of nutrients, but some health claims may go too far.

Can yoga or tai chi help control rheumatoid arthritis?
When used with conventional treatments, the movements and breathing of yoga and tai chi may ease RA symptoms.

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PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Moles
Anxiety
Long-term care: Early planning pays off
Vaccines for adults: Which do you need?

HEALTHY RECIPES
Southwestern cornmeal muffins
Southwestern frittata
Quesadillas
Guacamole

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Fruit: To peel or not to peel?
If you're tossing a fruit's edible peel, you're tossing fiber and nutrition, too. The peels of apples, pears and most fruits with pits add interesting texture to recipes and contain valuable nutrients and fiber. So go ahead, eat your peels.

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

NOW BLOGGING
Stress: Distractions: The best defense is a good offense
We live in an age of distractions. It's too easy to let these time-stealers devour your day. Fight back by taking control of your time and space.

The post Monday’s Housecall: Week of May 4, 2015 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.