THIS WEEK'S TOP TOPICS
Want to stay hydrated? Drink before you're thirsty
Did you know you're already dehydrated when you start to feel thirsty? And that how much water you need per day depends on a number of factors, such as what you eat and the way you move your body? The climate and the weather on any given day can influence your hydration needs, as well. Here's what you need to know about staying hydrated.

Integrative medicine: Find out what works
Integrative medicine, the combination of complementary and alternative medicine treatments with conventional treatments, takes advantage of evidence-based conventional and alternative medicine practices to improve health and treat illness. While nonconventional approaches such as acupuncture, music therapy and animal-assisted therapy have been found to be effective, others haven't been studied well enough to determine whether they're safe and effective. And the web and social media are full of information about integrative health techniques, but not all of it is accurate. Here are some tips for finding integrative techniques that may work for you.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Is honey an effective cough remedy?
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

Can depression and anxiety occur together?
Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They also have similar treatments. Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder. Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression. Learn more from Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist and co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Integrated Behavioral Health.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Sudden infant death syndrome
Testosterone therapy: Benefits and risks as you age
Morphea
Underage drinking: Talking to your teen about alcohol

HEALTHY RECIPES
Salad greens with squash
Cracked wheat chili
Baked macaroni with red sauce
Quinoa cakes

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
The power of positive thinking
Negative thoughts can feed pessimism and create unnecessary stress. You can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The process is simple, but it takes time and practice. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.

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: Why you should drink water before you’re thirsty appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness
Unfortunately, negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common. Others' judgments almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than facts. Learning to accept your condition, recognizing what you need to do to treat it, seeking support and educating others can make a big difference in dealing with the stigma of mental illness.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Is honey an effective cough remedy?
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. Learn more from Dr. James Steckelberg, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist.

What are the heart health benefits of grass-fed beef?
Many people think grass-fed beef tastes better than cattle raised on a diet that includes grains. Compared with other types of beef, grass-fed beef may have some heart health benefits, too. Learn more from Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress
Domestic violence against women: Recognize patterns
Sudden infant death syndrome
Testosterone therapy: Benefits and risks as you age

HEALTHY RECIPES
Sweet potatoes and roasted bananas
Brussels sprouts with shallots and lemon
Seasoned baked cod
Portobello and blue cheese salad

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Have a cold? Common sense rules
There's no cure for the common cold, but you don't need to feel miserable while you're toughing it out. Drink plenty of fluids. Try chicken soup. Rest as much as you can. Use saline nasal spray to relieve stuffiness. Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat. Turn on a humidifier. And to prevent spreading your cold to others, wash your hands often.

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: Are you drinking enough water? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Landon Trost, a urologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss common men's health concerns, including vasectomy and testosterone therapy. Also on the program, Dr. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain why what you eat before bed can affect your sleep. And Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, a Mayo Clinic resident, will share his journey from Somalian refugee to medical school.

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

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

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

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Men’s Health Week appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Landon Trost, a urologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss common men's health concerns, including vasectomy and testosterone therapy. Also on the program, Dr. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic, will explain why what you eat before bed can affect your sleep. And Dr. Ahmed Mohamed, a Mayo Clinic resident, will share his journey from Somalian refugee to medical school.

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

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

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

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

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Men’s Health Week / worst things to eat before bed / from refugee to physician appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Headaches: Reduce stress to prevent the pain
Stress is the most common cause of tension-type headaches and can trigger other types of headaches or make them worse. You can't avoid daily stress, but here are some tips to keep stress under control, which can help prevent headaches.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Exercise and illness: Working out with a cold
Depending on your symptoms, exercising when you have a cold may help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion. Learn when it's OK to work out and when to slow down or take a break from your exercise routine.

Can vitamins help prevent a heart attack?
There's mixed evidence on whether taking vitamins can reduce the risk of heart disease or a heart attack. Here's what you should know.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Nasal congestion: When to see a doctor
Gluten sensitivity and psoriasis: What's the connection?
Video: Advance directives awareness
Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age

HEALTHY RECIPES
Baby beet and orange salad
Seasoned baked cod
Warm chocolate pudding
Zesty tomato soup

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Have cold sores? Keep them to yourself
If you have cold sores, do your part to avoid spreading them to others:

1. Avoid skin-to-skin contact. This includes kissing.
2. Don't share utensils, towels, lip balm or other personal items.
3. Wash your hands before touching your eyes or genital area.
4. Wash your hands before touching another person.

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

NOW BLOGGING
Going the distance: Don't get squeezed by the tech crunch
How can you make technology work for you and not against you? Try these smart tactics.

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The post Housecall: Carbohydrates and your healthy diet appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m a 56-year-old man without any health problems. Recently, I’ve noticed I don’t have the energy for physical activities that I used to. Working in the yard, riding my bike and even just doing jobs around the house all wear me out much faster now than even five years ago. My sex drive is lower, too. I see ads all the time for testosterone therapy and what a difference it can make for men my age. Should I give it a try? Is it safe?

ANSWER: Recent research shows that testosterone therapy can be useful in some cases, but it’s not right for all men. To see if it could be helpful for you, start by making an appointment with your doctor to have your testosterone level checked.

Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone helps maintain men’s bone density, fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, red blood cell production, sex drive and sperm production. For most men, testosterone peaks during adolescence and early adulthood. Then, as men get older, testosterone levels gradually fall.

If testosterone drops below a certain level, it can cause symptoms. Fatigue and low sexual interest are common. Some men also see changes in beard and body hair growth. Muscle wasting and a decrease in muscle strength can be a result of low testosterone, too.

Your doctor can use a blood test to check your testosterone level. Even if your testosterone level is found to be low, though, testosterone therapy is not automatically the answer. It’s also important to determine any potential causes or associated conditions of low testosterone before moving forward with treatment.

In some cases, medical conditions can contribute to low testosterone, including thyroid problems, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, depression and excessive alcohol use. Some medications may cause testosterone levels to drop, as well.

As part of your evaluation, your doctor should review your current medications and check for underlying medical problems that could be contributing to your symptoms. If your testosterone is low and a medical condition is identified, treatment for that disorder may be all you need to bring your testosterone level back into the normal range. A change in medications also could make a difference.

If low testosterone isn’t due to medication or a medical problem, then taking prescription testosterone replacement may be beneficial. Numerous studies have found that testosterone may be helpful for men experiencing symptoms as a result of low testosterone. In many cases, however, the effects are modest. In men with normal levels of testosterone, taking prescription testosterone generally has no effect for most symptoms.

In addition to easing symptoms of low testosterone, prescription testosterone may have other benefits, including reducing fat mass, improving lean muscle mass, strengthening bones and improving insulin sensitivity.

Taking prescription testosterone does have risks. It may cause production of more red blood cells (a condition known as polycythemia); increase prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, in the blood; enlarge breasts; or reduce sperm production. Testosterone therapy does not cause cancer, including prostate cancer. If your doctor recommends that you take testosterone, you need regular blood tests to make sure the prescribed dose is correct, as too much testosterone potentially can lead to other medical problems.

Although most studies suggest that testosterone therapy does not increase the risk of heart attacks or stroke, and that it may even be protective in some cases, there is not enough information to prove its safety conclusively among elderly men with cardiovascular risk factors.

To see if testosterone therapy may be right for you, make an appointment to see your doctor and assess your symptoms. He or she can do a thorough evaluation and help you decide what, if any, treatment you may need. — Landon Trost, M.D., Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 

The post Mayo Clinic Q and A: Testosterone therapy? Maybe appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post Mental Illness / Exercise in Extreme Heat / Testosterone Therapy: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 9:05 a.m. CDT, and follow #MayoClinicRadio.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows.

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

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Mental Illness / Exercise in Extreme Heat / Testosterone Therapy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Listen to the program on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 9:05 a.m. CDT.

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

Follow #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

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

Access archived shows.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Mental Illness / Exercise in Extreme Heat / Testosterone Therapy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES

Menopause weight gain: Stop the middle age spread
There's no magic formula for preventing — or reversing — menopause weight gain. Simply stick to these weight-control basics.

EXPERT ANSWERS
Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers?
Bacteria typically don't change the taste, smell or look of food, so you can't tell whether it's dangerous to eat.

How much exercise do I need to help control my cholesterol?
See how much physical activity can help get your cholesterol numbers in check and which exercises to try.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Chest pain: First aid
Living better with hidradenitis suppurativa
Sickle cell anemia
How a cataract affects your vision

HEALTHY RECIPES
Vegetable, lentil and garbanzo bean stew
Sauteed fresh corn
Tangy green beans
Jamaican barbecued pork tenderloin

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Rx check: Do you know what you're taking?
When your health care provider prescribes a medication, make sure you know the basics. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist these questions: 1. What are the brand and generic names of the medication? 2. Why do I need the medication? 3. How soon can I expect results? 4. When should I take the medication and for how long? 5. What are the side effects? 6. Does it interact with other medications or with foods?

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
Going the distance: Visualize the success you want to achieve
You can learn how to improve by observing the success of others. Sports offers some examples to consider.

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

The post Housecall: Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Therapy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.