THIS WEEK'S TOP TOPICS
Office ergonomics: Your how-to guide
If you sit behind a desk and computer screen for hours at a time, you're not doomed to a career of neck and back pain, or sore wrists and fingers. Proper office ergonomics, including correct chair height, adequate equipment spacing and good desk posture, can help you and your joints stay comfortable. Give your work area a makeover with this visual guide to office ergonomics.

Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is performed to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum. Your health care provider may recommend a colonoscopy to investigate causes of abdominal pain, chronic constipation or diarrhea, or rectal bleeding — or to screen for colon cancer. While it may be uncomfortable to talk about, the procedure is simple and can be lifesaving. Here's what you need to know.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Will a flu shot prevent the stomach flu?
The flu shot will not prevent the stomach flu. The flu shot protects against influenza. The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an infection caused by various viruses, including rotaviruses and noroviruses. The stomach flu is not caused by influenza viruses. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

Is it safe to store food in takeout containers?
If you don't plan on eating takeout food immediately, the key is to limit contamination by bacteria until you do. And to reheat the food sufficiently just before serving. Learn more from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Infographic: Multiple sclerosis
Pseudobulbar affect
Dementia
Mammogram guidelines

HEALTHY RECIPES
Greek salad
Wild rice mushroom soup
Beef and vegetable stew
Rustic apple-cranberry tart

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Do adults need vaccinations?
You're not a kid anymore, so you don't have to worry about shots, right? Wrong. Adults also benefit from vaccines. Talk with your health care provider about the vaccinations that you need, and stay informed about guideline changes. Adult vaccines to consider include the flu vaccine; the pneumococcal vaccine; the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap); the shingles vaccine; and the HPV vaccine.

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: Is your office space helping or hurting? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Insomnia: Lifestyle and home remedies
No matter what your age, insomnia is usually treatable. Often, the key is changing your routine during the day and when you go to bed. These suggestions may help.

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity
Working out can improve your mood, boost your energy and help you prevent heart disease. How many more reasons do you need to get moving?

EXPERT ANSWERS
Mammogram guidelines: What are they?
When to begin mammogram screenings and how often to have them is a personal decision based on your preferences, medical history and individual breast cancer risk.

Heel spurs: Do they always cause pain?
It's possible to have a heel spur — a bony growth in your foot — without realizing it. Learn how they're usually discovered.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Boiling down the dietary guidelines
Stuttering
Acupuncture
High cholesterol risk factors: What you can control

HEALTHY RECIPES
Hot ham and cheese sandwiches with mushrooms
Chicken Caesar pitas
Tomato-basil sandwich
Tuna steak sandwiches

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Aging doesn't mean the end of sex
Sex may not be the same as it was in your 20s, but it still can be fulfilling. Communication is essential for maintaining a satisfying sex life. Talk with your partner about what you want from him or her. Be honest about what you're experiencing physically and emotionally. If you take medications or have health problems that affect your sex life, don't be afraid to talk with your doctor.

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: Apples and pears
If your favorite fall recipe calls for cooked apples or pears, do you know which kinds are best to use? Keep these tips in mind.

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The post Housecall: Insomnia keeping you up nights? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

Healthy cooking techniques: Boost flavor and cut calories
You don't need extra salt or fat to make dishes taste great. Capture the flavor and nutrients of food with these simple cooking tips.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Blood pressure cuff: Does size matter?
Whether you're measuring your blood pressure at home or your doctor is checking it, the wrong cuff size can affect your numbers.

Mammogram guidelines: What's changed?
Not all organizations agree on breast cancer screening guidelines. Here's what Mayo Clinic recommends.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 
Slideshow: Prevent back pain with good posture
Living better with primary immunodeficiency
Childhood vaccines: Tough questions, straight answers
Health savings accounts: Is an HSA right for you?

HEALTHY RECIPES
Grilled salmon on sourdough bread
Tuna pita pockets
Buffalo chicken salad wrap
Grilled portobello mushroom burgers

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Feeling faint? What to do
If the blood supply to your brain is inadequate, even momentarily, you may feel faint. You may even lose consciousness for a short time. If you feel faint, lie down or sit down and place your head between your knees. Sometimes fainting has no medical significance. In other cases, fainting can be caused by a serious underlying condition. Discuss it with your doctor.

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: Eating well at work
Are workplace temptations sabotaging your wellness efforts? Here's how to steer clear of unhealthy foods and be more active.

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The post Housecall: Pay Attention to Oral Health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For most women, breast surgery means mastectomy. But there are other types of breast surgery, including breast reconstruction and breast augmentation. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio, surgeon Dr. Steven Jacobson discusses the different kinds of breast surgery. Also on the program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released draft guidelines for breast cancer screening. Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, who evaluates and treats women in the Mayo Clinic Breast Diagnostic Clinic, offers her assessment of the new guidelines. And dermatologist Dr. Dawn Davis has tips for managing nail fungal infections and hair loss.

Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeartRadio.

Click here to listen to the program at 9:05 a.m. CT, Saturday, July 18, 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 post MAYO CLINIC RADIO appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Myth or Matter-of-Fact: The best time to start treating hair loss is when you first notice it.

Miss the show?  Here's the podcast: MayoClinicRadio 07-18-15 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.

To find and listen to archived shows, click here.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Breast Surgery/Nail Fungus/Mammogram Guidelines/Hair Loss appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Mammogram guidelines: What's changed?
Get the latest Mayo Clinic mammogram guidelines for breast cancer screening.

Heart disease prevention: Strategies keep your heart healthy
You can avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today. Here are six tips to get you started.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Alzheimer's prevention: Does it exist?
Staying physically and mentally fit may be most effective in preventing Alzheimer's.

Migraines: Are they triggered by weather changes?
Some people who have migraines appear to be more sensitive to changes in the weather.

HEALTHY RECIPES
Roasted salmon
Lemon or lime glaze for chicken, fish or vegetables
Tangy green beans
Sweet carrots

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Need a snack? Go nuts!
Nuts can be good for your heart. They may lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or 'bad,' cholesterol levels. Eating nuts may reduce the risk of developing blood clots that can lead to a heart attack. Try a small handful of nuts every day. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and pecans are also very heart healthy. Even peanuts, which are technically not a nut, but a legume, can be good for you. Of course, choosing nuts coated in chocolate, sugar or salt may cancel out their heart-healthy benefits.

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PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Hand-washing: Do's and don'ts
Mediterranean diet for heart health
Pilates for beginners: Explore the core
Medication errors: Cut your risk with these tips

NOW BLOGGING
Diet: New weight-loss guidelines to help you navigate new year
Even a little weight loss can deliver health benefits. Find a diet that appeals to you. Strive for a long-term maintenance plan to keep the weight off.

The post Monday’s Housecall appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY
Breast Cancer Public support for breast cancer awareness and research funding has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Expert Answers
Mammogram guidelines: What are they?
Mastectomy
Aspirin allergy: What are the symptoms?
Lyme disease
Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK

Posture check: Do you stand up straight?   
Good posture minimizes strain on your joints and muscles, which can help prevent aches and pains. So what's good posture? When you're standing, keep your chest held high and your shoulders back and relaxed. Try not to tilt your head forward, backward or sideways. Pull in your abdomen and buttocks. Make sure your knees are relaxed, not locked. Keep your feet parallel and your weight balanced evenly on both feet.

Now Blogging
Living with diabetes: Diabetes etiquette — When you don't have diabetes

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