Explore every episode of the podcast Mayo Clinic Health Matters

If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that GLP-1s are here to stay. But as time passes, we’re also learning more about them — from new uses to new side effects to unexpected cultural trends. So have these drugs really lived up to the promise of easy weight loss? On this episode of Health Matters, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt rejoins us — one year after our original GLP-1 episode — to talk about what we’ve learned so far, what’s surprised researchers and patients, and what questions still need answers.

Curing cancer is often talked about as a pie-in-the-sky goal. Given how difficult cancer can be to detect — let alone treat — a cure can sometimes feel out of reach. But what if a real cure for many types of cancer is closer than we think — perhaps just a decade away? On this episode of Health Matters, oncologist Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab joins us to explain what makes cancer so challenging to cure, how we are treating it today, and what is giving him real hope for the future.

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure—many without even realizing it. So what do those two numbers really mean for your health? And is your high blood pressure preventable, treatable... or even reversible? On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with Dr. Gary Schwartz about hypertension, how to get your numbers within range, and whether you should be measuring your blood pressure at home. For more information on blood pressure device validation and accuracy, check out validatebp.org. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the U.S. But it can occur in people of all gender identities. Nearly 13% of women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point, according to the National Cancer Institute. Fortunately, thanks to earlier detection and advances in diagnosis and treatment, most people diagnosed with breast cancer will survive. Understanding what to expect can make the cancer journey smoother. "It's important for people to know the road map," explains Dr. Daniela Stan, an internist with the Mayo Clinic Breast Diagnostic Clinic. "What treatments are they expected to have and what's the timeline? What will the side effects be? How can they prepare?"  People who survive breast cancer can have unique needs depending on their cancer type and stage, but there are some experiences many breast cancer survivors will share after treatment. "Survivors on a daily basis learn how to deal with their cancer, how to pace themselves, how to get help from family and friends, and how to go forward during and after the treatment is completed," says Dr. Stan. "Luckily, there are many, many resources available to deal with the physical and psychological issues of cancer survivorship." Dr. Stan encourages cancer survivors to talk with their health care team about how nutrition, exercise and controlling stress can help with the long-term effects of cancer treatment and even help prevent cancer recurrence. On this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Stan discusses what people can expect after completing breast cancer treatment and how to achieve the best quality of life. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As immunity wanes for many vaccinated adults and omicron and its subvariants continue to circulate, it seems that just about everyone knows someone with a case of COVID-19.  The steady increase in COVID-19 infections is due to changing, highly contagious variants, explains Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. Dr. Poland says it’s still important to take the precaution of mask-wearing in public areas, even if you have been vaccinated and have received your boosters.  "I can’t say it enough. This is so hypercontagious that, regardless of having had three or four doses of vaccine or of having previous COVID-19, you still run an appreciable chance of getting COVID," explains Dr. Poland. "The risk in that case is not of death or hospitalization, but of the complications and long-haul symptoms of COVID-19. And that’s what we’re trying to prevent in people."   For parents, there is positive news this week, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel voted unanimously to authorize emergency use of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5. For this age group, the Pfizer vaccine will be given in three doses while the Moderna vaccine will be given in two doses.  The FDA panel's recommendation now goes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for approval before shots can be administered, possibly beginning as early as next week.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland shares the latest COVID-19 news, answers listener questions, and discusses another infectious disease outbreak: monkeypox. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

LGBTQ people can face specific health concerns related to their gender incongruence, sexual orientation, practices and social stigma.  People in the LGBTQ community often experience barriers to accessing health care and preventive services, which can result in disparities in both cancer risk and treatment.  "Many of those disparities are rooted in stigma and discrimination that have really historically been an issue for this population," says Dr. Jewel Kling, chair of the Women's Health Center at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Kling encourages people who identify as LGBTQ to find a health care professional they trust, as open and honest communication is important. "Once they find a provider they trust, then hopefully they feel that they can disclose everything about themselves, including their health behaviors, their challenges, the things that are impacting their social determinants of health," says Dr. Kling. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Kling discusses cancer screening, prevention and treatment for people who identify as LGBTQ, and the importance of finding a trusted health care team. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An ear infection is an infection of the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. Because ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to clear the infection. Some people are prone to having multiple ear infections. This can cause hearing problems and other serious complications. If your child has repeated, long-term ear infections or continuous fluid buildup in the ear after an infection has cleared up, your child's doctor may suggest ear tubes. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, a special edition of "Ask the Mayo Mom," pediatrician and host Dr. Angela Mattke is joined by Dr. Shelagh Cofer, a Mayo Clinic otolaryngologist, to discuss when ear tubes may be necessary, their traditional surgical placement, and outline a newer procedure that might be an option for some patients. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Palliative care is offered alongside cancer treatment to help people with cancer manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for them and their families. Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relieving patients' pain and other symptoms of serious illness no matter the diagnosis or stage of disease.  "The palliative care team really focuses on addressing symptoms and needs so that we can help people feel as comfortable as they can as they go through their treatment for cancer," says Dr. Deirdre Pachman, a palliative medicine expert at Mayo Clinic. "We do this by focusing and talking about some different interventions. They might be medications, or they might be other procedures for pain that some of our colleagues do. Palliative care is a very team-based approach, so we may involve our nurses, our physical therapists, our social workers really to all be there to help support the patient and make sure that we're addressing their symptoms and their needs."  Palliative care is designed to fit the life and needs of each individual patient. It may include symptom management, support and advice, care techniques that improve comfort and well-being, referrals to other specialists, and advance care planning. Palliative care also offers support for families and those caring for people with cancer. "The goal of palliative care, along with helping patients manage their symptoms and improving quality of life, is really providing that support to their loved ones or their caregivers, so that they have time to care for themselves and feel well-supported so that they can continue to give to others," says Dr. Pachman. Research indicates that early use of palliative care services can improve quality of life for people with serious illness, decrease depression and anxiety, increase patient and family satisfaction with care, and in some cases even extend survival. On this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Pachman discusses how palliative care can improve quality of life for people with cancer. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If your child is a picky eater, the battle over healthy foods can be a challenge. Being fussy about food is common in toddlers and small children, but parents can try some tips and tricks to introduce new foods. One approach to improving eating habits is to get kids involved in the kitchen.  Involving children in meal planning and teaching kids to cook can have multiple benefits. Not only is cooking a necessary life skill, learning how to cook teaches math, science and creativity. Using fresh fruits and vegetables encourages healthy eating and children are more likely to eat food they've helped prepare.  Other tips include: Let your child pick which fruits and vegetables to make for dinner or during visits to the grocery store or farmers market.  Read kid-friendly cookbooks together and let your child pick out new recipes to try. Toddlers and children can help with some cooking tasks — with supervision — including sifting, stirring, counting ingredients, picking fresh herbs from a garden or windowsill, and “painting” on cooking oil with a pastry brush. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, a special edition of "Ask the Mayo Mom" pediatrician and host Dr. Angela Mattke is joined by Kate Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist, and Jen Welper, Mayo Clinic executive chef, for a discussion on teaching children how to nourish their bodies with healthy foods, encouraging kids to try new foods, and getting kids involved in cooking. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pectus excavatum is a condition where a person's breastbone is sunken into the chest. While the sunken breastbone is often noticeable shortly after birth, the severity of pectus excavatum typically worsens during the adolescent growth spurt. "The initial diagnosis is often based on appearance," explains Dr. Denise Klinkner, a pediatric surgeon at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center and practice chair of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Mayo Clinic. "Then when we try to grade the severity, using what's called the Haller index." The Haller index is calculated by measuring the width of the chest and dividing that width by the distance between the sternum and the vertebral column. This calculation can be performed using a chest X-ray or chest CT scan. In severe cases of pectus excavatum, the breastbone may compress the lungs and heart. Signs and symptoms can include: Decreased exercise tolerance. Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations. Recurrent respiratory infections. Wheezing or coughing. Chest pain. Heart murmur. Fatigue. Dizziness. Surgery can correct the deformity.  The two most common surgical procedures to repair pectus excavatum are known by the names of the surgeons who first developed them: Nuss procedure This minimally invasive procedure uses small incisions placed on each side of the chest. Long-handled tools and a narrow fiber-optic camera are inserted through the incisions. A curved metal bar is threaded under the depressed breastbone, to raise it into a more normal position. In some cases, more than one bar is used. The bars are removed after two or three years. Ravitch technique This older procedure involves a much larger incision down the center of the chest. The surgeon removes the deformed cartilage attaching the ribs to the lower breastbone and then fixes the breastbone into a more normal position with surgical hardware, such as a metal strut or mesh supports. These supports are removed after 12 months. Many pain control options are available after surgery to improve recovery. Cryoablation temporarily freezes the nerves to block pain after surgery, and can help with recovery and decrease postoperative pain for four to six weeks. "With the addition of cryotherapy, patients need less narcotic pain medicine and have been able to go home the next day after surgery," says Dr. Klinkner.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, a special edition of "Ask the Mayo Mom" focuses on minimally invasive pectus repair in children. Dr. Angela Mattke, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician and host, is joined by Dr. Klinkner to discuss options for pectus excavatum repair and what patients can expect after surgery. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

To address health disparities and reach underserved communities, work is underway at Mayo Clinic to raise up community voices through community engagement.  "Community engagement is an ongoing process," explains Dr. Chyke Doubeni, director of Mayo Clinic’s Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research. "It's a partnership or collaboration among organizational entities and members of the community. And the sole purpose of this is to solve problems and address priorities that a community sees as being priorities for them." The Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research focuses on disparity-related health promotion and disease prevention in areas including cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic illness. One initiative Mayo Clinic is taking part in is the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities (CEAL) research program. This research program focuses on working with communities hardest hit by the pandemic to provide trustworthy information and improve diversity and inclusion in COVID-19 research. Eula Dean is a community leader who leads the Arizona CEAL consortium community engagement work group. She is also a member of Mayo Clinic in Arizona's Community Engagement in Research Advisory Board. "I think that one of the things that helped was we identified individuals in the community who have respect and who already worked in the community," says Dean. "Whether they were located in our churches or they have positions of power in terms of their work, it opened some doors for us to really be able to reach our community."  By partnering with community leaders, the CEAL program was able to reach those who were otherwise reluctant to use the health care system, sometimes due to past experiences.  "We had to honor and listen to those concerns," explains Dean. "We had to explain that we want you to know what's happening with COVID-19, so we are bringing this information to you. And we allowed them to ask their questions. And I think it made a difference. We understand that we still have struggles, but I believe that the manner in which we started with a humble heart to say: 'This is what I've learned. Here's my expertise. I love my family. I want my family to be healthy.' I think those were the things that made a difference." Dr. Doubeni agrees that building trust is key to the successful partnership between researchers and the community. "What we want to do as researchers is to be able to build trust and be trustworthy so that people can believe in science and can believe in and trust the health care they need to get," says Dr. Doubeni. "So building that trust through community engagement in research can allow us to be stronger for when the next crisis may come along." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Doubeni and Dean discuss the work of the CEAL program and the importance of engaging underserved communities in research. To learn more, read the Raising Up Community Voices in Research blog series, including Eula Dean's essay. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On average, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.  A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen. It's important to recognize the warning signs of stroke, because prompt treatment can minimize brain damage. Every moment is crucial.  "Strokes commonly occur in people of all ages," says Dr. Robert D. Brown, Jr., chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. "And, so, it's very important that people know what is a stroke, what are the symptoms, and what are the risk factors for stroke."  May is National stroke Awareness Month. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Brown explains the importance of remembering the F.A.S.T. acronym to recognize a stroke:  Face drooping. Arm weakness. Speech difficulty.  Time to call 911. Learn more about recognizing the signs of stroke:  Read Consumer Health: Do you know the warning signs of stroke? Watch Mayo Clinic Minute: Think 'FAST' when recognizing stroke symptoms Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. When ovarian cancer first develops, it might not cause noticeable symptoms. It often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen.  "Unfortunately, ovarian cancer often presents with very common symptoms, and these common symptoms are things that everybody will complain about at some point," explains Dr. John Weroha, a Mayo Clinic medical oncologist. "For example, constipation, bloating, maybe a little weight gain. These are very common symptoms, and oftentimes, people just kind of blow it off as being normal. So, that's how it hides and grows." Once ovarian cancer is detected, treatment depends on the stage when the disease is diagnosed. Stage 1 — the lowest stage — indicates that the cancer is confined to the ovaries. At this stage, a cure may be achieved with surgery alone. By stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant areas of the body. At this point, treatment is more complex, often involving drug therapies and potentially immunotherapy, which uses the immune system to attack cancer cells. Dr. Weroha encourages patients to explore all their treatment options, including clinical trials.  "I think one of the biggest misconceptions that I see with patients is that clinical trials are supposed to be a last resort, and that is absolutely not true," says Dr. Weroha. "What we do at Mayo, and really everywhere else, is we try to bring clinical trials to our patients — not because we want to test whether or not this brand-new drug works, but we already believe the drug works. We think it's going to work, and we want to give that to our patients because they can't get it any other way, except through a clinical trial."  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Weroha discusses the latest treatments for ovarian cancer.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Your colon is more than a pit stop for waste — it houses a lush, thriving ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These organisms affect everything from your digestion to your immune system — and maybe even your mental health. So how can we harness the power of the gut microbiome? And when it comes to “gut-healthy” diets and products, who should you believe? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Sahil Khanna about the care and keeping of your gut microbiome — and the exciting potential of microbiota-based therapies. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The widespread availability of at-home COVID-19 tests have made it easier for people to know if they have the virus, and to take measures to protect themselves and others. But there is a downside. Because the majority of tests are now done at home and often not reported, the official counts on COVID-19 infection rates are not as accurate as they have been in past waves of the virus.  "Because the majority of testing is being done at home, we can no longer tell you accurately about the positivity rate for a given community for a given state like we used to be able to," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "And this is problematic. It means that we lose our ability to understand what's called genetic epidemiology — the ability to trace how these variants are moving, how fast they're moving, and whether they're changing and evolving into yet different subvariants or new variants. We've lost that ability now." The most recent omicron subvariant, BA 2.12.1, has cases on the rise again and the U.S. passed a tragic milestone last week, reaching 1 million COVID-19 deaths in the country. In an effort to capture a more accurate picture, the latest tool being used by public health officials to track COVID-19 infection rates is wastewater surveillance. By looking for the presence of the COVID-19 virus shed by people, wastewater surveillance can give a more accurate picture of how much virus is in the community. This detects virus not only from those who test at home, but also from people who are asymptomatic and, therefore, didn't get tested. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the current state of COVID-19 in the U.S., including what we know about the latest subvariants. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder where clusters of cysts develop within the kidneys, causing the kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time. The cysts, which are noncancerous sacs containing fluid, vary in size, and they can grow to be large. This disorder can occur in children and adults. The two main types of polycystic kidney disease, caused by different genetic flaws, are: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Signs and symptoms of ADPKD often develop between the ages of 30 and 40. In the past, this type was called adult polycystic kidney disease, but children can develop the disorder.Only one parent needs to have the disease for it to pass to the children. If one parent has ADPKD, each child has a 50% chance of getting the disease. This form accounts for most of the cases of polycystic kidney disease.  Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). This type is far less common than is ADPKD. The signs and symptoms often appear shortly after birth. Sometimes, symptoms don't appear until later in childhood or during adolescence.Both parents must have abnormal genes to pass on this form of the disease. If both parents carry a gene for this disorder, each child has a 25% chance of getting the disease. Polycystic kidney disease also can cause cysts to develop in the liver and elsewhere in the body. The disease can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and kidney failure. The disease varies greatly in its severity, and some complications from polycystic kidney disease are preventable. Lifestyle changes and treatments might help reduce damage to the kidneys from complications, but long-term interventions, including dialysis or kidney transplant, are sometimes needed. On this special Ask the Mayo Mom edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, host Dr. Angela Mattke is joined by Dr. Christian Hanna, a pediatric nephrologist with Mayo Clinic Children’s Center to discuss PKD in children. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanoma is one of the most common cancer types in the U. S. Roughly 2% of people will be diagnosed with melanoma of the skin at some point during their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute.  Treatment for early stage melanomas usually includes surgery to remove the melanoma. Mohs surgery is a precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are progressively removed and examined until only cancer-free tissue remains.  "Mohs surgery is essentially skin cancer removal," explains Dr. Nahid Vidal, a dermatologic surgeon at Mayo Clinic. "It's a surgical removal process that's highly specialized, where we're removing the skin cancer with a goal of not only removing all of it, but also leaving behind as much healthy tissue as possible." Mohs surgery allows surgeons to verify in real time through pathology that all cancer cells have been removed at the time of surgery. This increases the chance of a cure and reduces the need for additional treatments or additional surgery. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Vidal discusses skin cancer and the use of Mohs surgery to treat early stage melanoma. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At Mayo Clinic, the Department of Nursing consists of over 22,000 people, including nurses, patient care assistants, patient care technicians and social workers. Like many health care professionals, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a stressful and challenging time for those in the department. "Throughout the pandemic, our nurses have continued to be there for their patients," says Ryannon Frederick, Mayo Clinic's chief nursing officer. "Our patient satisfaction actually increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. And that's really due to the excellence from our nursing staff. When you just imagine all the stress and strain they were feeling, and they continued to excel." Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary approach relies on nurses to be an integral part of the care team. Frederick says nurses are the closest touch point to the patient, and they often identify opportunities to improve care.  "We encourage nurses to speak up and advocate on behalf of the patients," explains Frederick. "Then we engage them to be part of the solution — to make sure that once we identify the problem, we also have a solution for it," says Frederick. "And our nurses do this each and every single day. " Each year, May 6-12 is designated National Nurses Week. This week acknowledges and celebrate nurses and the care they provide for their patients.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Frederick shares her own professional journey at Mayo Clinic — from nursing student to chief nursing officer. She also discusses the role nurses will play in leading the future of health care, including the role of nursing research. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At least 16 countries and 10 U.S. states have identified unusual hepatitis cases in children. Experts advise that cases are extremely rare, with about 200 children affected worldwide.  Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It is most commonly caused by a viral infection, although there are other potential causes. A common adenovirus is being investigated as a potential cause for this hepatitis outbreak. Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that typically cause respiratory and GI tract infections.  On this special Ask the Mayo Mom edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, host Dr. Angela Mattke discusses the recent hepatitis outbreak in children with Mayo Clinic Children’s Center experts Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases expert, and Dr. Sara Hassan, a pediatric transplant hepatologist and gastroenterologist. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to visually examine the digestive system with a tiny camera on the end of a long, flexible tube. An upper endoscopy examines the stomach, esophagus and small intestines. A colonoscopy, which is another type of endoscopy, is used to examine the rectum, large intestine and colon. In children, endoscopy can be used to look for causes of unexplained abdominal pain, to diagnose swallowing disorders or to identify conditions including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and polyps.  Undergoing any type of procedure can be stressful for kids, parents or caregivers. Dr. Pua Hopson, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, explains endoscopy is a relatively quick and painless procedure. "An upper endoscopy typically takes 10 minutes, while colonoscopy may take 30 minutes," says Dr. Hopson. "I tell the kids it takes longer to put them to sleep with anesthesia or sedation than the actual procedure. And once you wake up, your parents will be right by your side." One condition Dr. Hopson commonly treats in children is eosinophilic esophagitis (e-o-sin-o-FILL-ik uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis), known as EoE. This is a chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) builds up in the lining of the esophagus. This buildup, which is a reaction to foods, allergens or acid reflux, can inflame or injure the esophageal tissue. Damaged esophageal tissue can lead to difficulty swallowing or cause food to get stuck when you swallow. EoE is diagnosed through biopsy using an upper endoscopy. On this Ask the Mayo Mom edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, host Dr. Angela Mattke is joined by Dr. Hopson to discuss how and why endoscopy is used in children. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An estimated 3 out of 4 U.S. children and more than half of all adults have been infected with COVID-19, according to a report released on Tuesday, April 26 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a Mayo Clinic expert says more information is needed to get the complete picture.  "This was a convenient sample. In other words, people who were having blood drawn for other reasons were tested,"explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "That does not reflect the full population or differences by race or geographic location. And the detection of antibodies does not necessarily mean that you are protected from infection. So, there's a lot of nuance around understanding that headline."  The research study looked at more than 200,000 blood samples and found that signs of past infection rose dramatically during the omicron surge between December 2021 and February. Other COVID-19 news this week includes a push to make treatments more available, the rising incidence of new omicron subvariants, and changes in mask recommendations. Dr. Poland cautions that COVID-19 is still present and encourages wearing a mask in crowded spaces, even when there isn't a requirement to do so. "If only one of us is wearing a mask and the other one isn't and is infected, you still have pretty high protection — but not the same level of protection as if both of us wearing one," says Dr. Poland. "So, it's it is not futile to be the only one wearing a mask. In fact, I think it sends a message." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest COVID-19 news and answers listener questions. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oral cancer refers to cancers that originate in the mouth, tongue and back of the throat. Treatment options, which can vary based on the cancer's location and stage, include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The use of anatomic modeling and 3D printing have led to advances in surgical treatments for oral cancer. "One of the advances that we've seen in the last 20 or 30 years in the treatment of head and neck cancers certainly has to do with the reconstruction," says Dr. Kevin Arce, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Mayo Clinic. "Often, we have to remove not only the cancer, but also the surrounding tissue that is normal. And to replace that can be quite challenging. We now have better abilities to reconstruct the structures that have been lost."  Dr. Arce explains advances in the treatment of head and neck cancers now allow surgeons to bring in tissues from different areas of the body and reconstruct a tongue or rebuild a jaw. And the anatomical lab and 3D printing allow surgeons to perform patient-specific reconstruction that helps maintain function.  "With these advancements, patients can obviously not only look the same, but speak and eat as they did prior to the surgery," says Dr. Arce. "At Mayo Clinic, we can do that all in house. We have a group of neuroradiologists and biomedical engineers who are a part of the institution, and we collaborate with them in these types of reconstructions." Early detection of oral cancer can lead to better treatment options and outcomes.  April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, aimed at reminding the public about the steps to take to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer. The two main risk factors are tobacco and alcohol use. "Awareness of oral cancer is important," says Dr. Arce. "It's important to maintain that relationship with either your dentist or your primary care physician so they do at least an annual screen of the oral cavity to make sure that there is nothing unusual or a lesion that needs more attention." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Arce discusses oral cancer treatment and prevention. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Department of Medicine, which is the largest department at Mayo Clinic, is helping lead the transformation of health care. Important innovations include moving to digital and virtual care to meet patients where they are, and addressing health equity, all while keeping patients front and center. "Patients are our North Star," says Dr. Vijay Shah, chair of the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic. "We're all about patients all day, every day. So, all of our strategies cascade out of that." Dr. Shah explains those strategies include practice innovations, digital transformation and internal and external partnerships. Internal partnerships include working alongside the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, the Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic Platformand others focused on improving patient care and developing cures. These partnerships are leading to innovations in teleheath and at-home care models, as well as new ways to use health data to improve treatments.  And at the core of it all? "The most important pillar is our people and our culture," explains Dr. Shah. "Because our people are our greatest asset, and we're nowhere without them."   On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Shah and Natalie Caine, associate administrator, discuss the innovations happening in the Department of Medicine at Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and patients often have many questions about what their cancer journey will entail. At Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, patient navigators help guide patients through the health care system. Patient navigators are active members of the health care team, assessing and addressing a patient's immediate needs and identifying obstacles that might prevent them from getting the care they need. Patient navigators help patients and their families access cancer information, find resources to meet day-to-day needs, and offer emotional support.  "Our role as patient navigators is to support with a lot of the nonclinical sides of their cancer journey, whether that's logistics, transportation or issues with lodging when they're coming to a Mayo Clinic site for care," explains Laura Kurland, a Mayo Clinic Cancer Center patient navigator. "Oftentimes, we're helping them understand the finances, whether that's insurance, or other things that are going to be coming up that are going to be financial stressors for them as they're going through their cancer care. And certainly, we're there to lend an ear and offer support as they're learning how to truly navigate the medical system." The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has both general patient navigators who assist all patients and patient navigators who serve specific cultural patient populations. Mayo Clinic currently has navigators on staff serving these communities: Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan Native and African descent.  Kurland serves the Hispanic/Latino population and explains the important role the culture-specific patient navigators play. "The patient populations that we work with come with different experiences," says Kurland."So our goal is to understand the values they bring and support them with what their needs are. Whether there are language barriers, or there are just gaps in cultural misunderstandings, our role is to help bridge those gaps, clarify misunderstandings and also be advocates to those populations." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Kurland discusses the importance of patient navigators, why culture-specific navigators are needed, and how she helps patients access the care and support they need. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nearly everyone experiences a headache at some point in life, but not all headaches are created equal. They can have different causes, pain levels and effects on your daily functioning. In this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with neurologist Dr. Amaal Starling. She takes us on a tour of the world of headaches — from nursing a garden-variety tension headache to being plagued by migraines. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From allergies and asthma to infectious diseases and even malnutrition, the indirect effects of climate change are taking a toll on our most valuable resource, kids! On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, is joined by Dr. Molly Herr, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center to discuss climate change and its effects on children's health.  In addition to her clinical care for children, Dr. Herr has been an advocate and leader in Mayo Clinic’s Green initiatives. She has also been involved with creating sustainable practices at Mayo Clinic and medical student education related to these topics. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The World Health Organization reports that the number of people with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million by 2014. And that number is estimated to reach 552 million by 2030. One big concern for people with diabetes is the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease and are at higher risk of premature death. "In people with diabetes, the risk of death due to heart diseases is approximately four or five times higher than in general population," explains Dr. Gosia Wamil, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London. "And this, obviously, is a major concern. There is now a strong research and scientific evidence about this link and association between cardiovascular disease and metabolic diseases, especially diabetes."  So what can be done to help patients? Dr. Wamil explains that research has shown positive lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, exercising more, developing a healthy diet and controlling blood pressure, can all contribute to better heart health. "We try to develop personalized management plans, we listen to our patients and try to understand what are the steps that they can take to improve their quality of life and to improve their future life and their health, " says Dr. Wamil. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Wamil discusses the diabetes and heart disease connection. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fifty-seven-year-old Ted Garding is Mayo Clinic’s first altruistic living liver donor. The living liver donation program allows a healthy person to donate a portion of his or her liver, which then regenerates over time. What makes Ted’s story even better? He's a two-time altruistic organ donor, having previously donated a kidney back in 2010.  An altruistic, or nondirected living donor, is a person who donates an organ, usually a kidney, and does not name or have an intended recipient.  "We were taught to help people in need, and we were blessed with good health in our family," says Ted. "And I am well aware that there are a lot of people that aren't as fortunate. Being kind to people and helping people in need has always been the most important thing to me." When Ted heard about living liver donation, he applied at Mayo Clinic, but expected he might get denied because he has one kidney and is in his 50s. But Ted was accepted, and in October 2021, the transplant happened in Rochester, Minnesota. The recipient reached out a few days later to thank him and told Ted he was her "guardian angel." "My own personal experience as a double living organ donor, personally, it's changed my life for the better," says Ted. "When you help someone in need, you're naturally going to feel better. I feel as though I've been blessed and that I am the one who received a gift."  April is National Donate Life Month to raise awareness of the need for organ donors. In honor of Donate Life Month, Ted joins the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast to share his story. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While some adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer receive care in pediatrics, the majority are cared for in adult cancer systems. One of the challenges is that people in the AYA group don't fit well with either patient population.  "If you think about the kinds of things that people in this age group are going through, there's a lot of life transition happening there," explains Dr. Allison Rosenthal, a Mayo Clinic hematologist and oncologist. "So this group really has a lot of unique needs as far as psychosocial development." AYA patients are 15-39. They may be students in high school or college, may be living on their own, and often are caught between losing coverage under parental health insurance and finding their own. Another common issue is the desire to start a family as fertility can be impacted by cancer and its treatment, which makes conversations about fertility preservation very important. "There's never a convenient time to be diagnosed with cancer, but particularly inconvenient in this group," says Dr. Rosenthal. "And they often get overlooked because I think people just don't recognize that cancer is really common in this age population as well." Dr. Rosenthal is leading an effort at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center to change that. The adolescent and young adult cancer center program aims to help AYA patients receive access to age-appropriate care and support. This multidisciplinary approach will include not only cancer specialists but also social workers, health psychologists, and financial and vocational counselors. Another important piece is helping AYA patients transition from pediatric to adult care and plan for cancer survivorship. "One of the most important things is having survivorship care that focuses on the needs of these patients as they move forward," says Dr. Rosenthal. "We're really fortunate that the majority of young adult patients who get cancer care are going to do well. Thankfully, there are going to be a lot of long-term survivors."  April 4-10 is Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Rosenthal discusses the needs of AYA patients with cancer. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When it comes to knee replacement surgery, orthopedic surgeons now have a new tool for the operating room: augmented reality knee replacement. This technology enables a surgeon to view important data using special smart glasses or a helmet-based visor while maintaining their view of the surgical site. In that way, augmented reality differs from virtual reality. "Think of a fighter pilot in a jet that has a visor over their eyes that's displaying electronic data that is overlaid over what they're seeing in the real world," explains Dr. Michael Taunton, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon. "So don't confuse this with virtual reality that your kids have at home, that they're playing video games with their eyes covered." Augmented reality technology superimposes digital content, including data and 3D images, onto the user's view. Surgeons use this information to be precise and receive real-time feedback when removing bone and cartilage, and placing a knee implant. Dr. Taunton explains augmented reality is a new advancement beyond computer-assisted knee replacement.  "We've had computer-assisted surgery for a while where we take data from the patient's own leg and enter that into a computer, and have it display some of this information to help us understand how best to remove the correct amount of bone in the right angle to make the knee replacement fit better, and have better alignment of the limb after surgery," says Dr. Taunton. "The problem with some of those computer-assisted programs is that there is a screen or computer that we're looking at across the room. So we're having to take our eyes off the patient during surgery."  The first augmented reality knee replacement at Mayo Clinic was performed in fall of 2021, and the technology is not yet widely available. Research is ongoing to study whether augmented reality can reduce the length of surgery and improve patient outcomes.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Taunton discusses the advantages of using augmented reality for knee replacement surgery. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 continue to decline, leading to some optimism about the way forward from pandemic to endemic. But experts still urge caution as the omicron subvariant, named BA.2, has quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S. "When you look around the nation, all of the metrics, with the exception of BA.2, have fallen precipitously," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "But we need to be very cautious about pretending that the pandemic is over."  Dr. Poland explains that each time there has been a waning number of COVID-19 infections, people have let down their guard and relaxed precautions, which has led to another surge. Dr. Poland still recommends masking in crowded indoor settings and urges people to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 to reduce the chance of infection. "We're just coming down into a quiet period," says Dr. Poland. "But every time we've seen this set of markers in the past, we've had a new variant that's caused a surge. The question is, will it be BA.2, one of the newer variants that have been identified, or something completely unexpected? We just don't know." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest COVID-19 news including potential changes to booster recommendations, data on vaccine protection for pregnant women and the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5. Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Precision medicine aims to customize health care by tailoring medications and treatments to each patient. An important step in being able to personalize treatments is diagnostic testing. Mayo Clinic BioPharma Diagnostics collaborates with biopharmaceutical, diagnostic, and other biotech companies to enable precision medicine through advanced diagnostics. Diagnostic testing can help find the right answers for each individual patient. "A laboratory test can either help in making a diagnosis for a disease, or it can help guide the clinician to the right diagnosis or to the right treatment," explains Dr. Alicia Algeciras-Schimnich, medical director of BioPharma Diagnostics. Accurate and rapid diagnostic testing has many benefits, says Dr. Algeciras-Schimnich. "The faster we reach the right diagnosis for a patient, the faster we get to the right treatment. It not only improves their outcome, but it has been shown that the overall cost of health care is also reduced by providing the right answers faster." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Algeciras-Schimnich discusses diagnostic testing, precision medicine and what it means for patients. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Children with cerebral palsy may require lifelong care from a medical care team, but early intervention and treatments can improve function.  Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth. Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years. In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with exaggerated reflexes, floppiness or spasticity of the limbs and trunk, unusual posture, involuntary movements and unsteady walking, or some combination thereof. For children with cerebral palsy, the care team likely will include a pediatrician or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, a pediatric neurologist, and a variety of therapists and mental health specialists. These experts give special attention to needs and issues that are more common in people with cerebral palsy, and they can work together with the primary care provider to develop a treatment plan. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, is joined by Mayo Clinic Children’s Center expert Dr. Joline Brandenburg, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, to discuss important aspects of health for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and what families and health care professionals can do to offer support. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Every March, Mayo Clinic joins the effort to raise awareness of colorectal cancer, which are cancers that develop in the colon and the rectum. While regular colonoscopies and lower rates of smoking have reduced colorectal cancer rates in older adults, cancers of the colon and rectum are now a leading cause of cancer death among people under 50 in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute. The rates of new diagnoses continue to climb in this age group, with the largest increase seen among Alaska Natives, American Indians, and white people. "We've seen about a 50% relative increase in the percent of patients under the age of 50 who have been diagnosed with colon cancer," says Dr. Jeremy Jones, a Mayo Clinic oncologist. "Unfortunately, there is not an age where I would say you're too young to have colon cancer." Dr. Jones explains that health care professionals don't yet know what's causing this increase in colorectal cancer rates among younger people. It may be related to an increase in risk factors for colorectal cancer among this age group, such as obesity, a lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet.  Regular screening tests for colorectal cancer can help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer.  National guidelines recommend people of average risk of developing colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45, but those with increased risk factors should consult with their health care team. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jones discusses his experiences caring for younger people with colorectal cancer, and why you should talk to your health care team about screening for colorectal cancer by age 45, or sooner if you're at higher risk. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Red blood cells are usually round and flexible, so they move easily through blood vessels. With sickle cell disease, some red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons, become rigid and sticky. These sickle-cell shaped cells can slow or block blood flow. The most common type of sickle cell disease is sickle cell anemia. Red blood cells usually live for about 120 days before they need to be replaced. But sickle cells typically die in 10 to 20 days, leaving a shortage of red blood cells, or anemia. Without enough red blood cells, the body can't get enough oxygen, and this causes fatigue. For a baby to be born with sickle cell anemia, both parents must carry a sickle cell gene. In the U.S., sickle cell anemia most commonly affects people of African, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, is joined by Mayo Clinic Children’s Center experts Dr. Asmaa Ferdjallah, pediatric hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician, and Dr. Emily McTate, pediatric psychologist, to discuss managing sickle cell disease in pediatric patients and the latest advancements in treatment of sickle cell disease, including bone marrow transplant. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ovarian cancer may not be the most common or talked-about cancer, but like any major disease, it can turn your life upside down. While the risk of developing ovarian cancer is comparatively lower, it’s harder to detect — there’s no reliable way to screen for it, and early symptoms can be vague. Still, some dedicate their careers to advancing its treatment. On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with one such person: Dr. Marion Curtis, whose groundbreaking research is changing the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Last week marked two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. While infection rates and hospitalizations in the U.S. continue to decline, there are some areas of concern globally.  "China, Hong Kong, Ireland, the U.K. and Denmark are seeing surges back up again," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "These countries, many of us experts believe, prematurely dropped mask-wearing and nonpharmaceutical interventions, and really have stopped pushing and encouraging people to get vaccinated. I think that's a mistake." Dr. Poland explains that public health measures — and vaccination and boosters — are still the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.  "What can I say but what we have said all along," implores Dr. Poland. "Hands, face, space and vaccines. It works." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest COVID-19 news, including a study on the true death toll of COVID-19, an update on the BA.2 variant and the latest on vaccines for children under 5. Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell.  Healthy plasma cells help the body fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications. Immunotherapy, which uses the body's immune system to fight cancer, is now a standard treatment option for multiple myeloma. Immunotherapy works by interfering with cancer cells' ability to produce proteins that help them hide from the immune system. "Immunotherapy is really one of the major backbone of now our current treatment for multiple myeloma," explains Dr. Yi Lin, a hematologist at Mayo Clinic. "We have some new agents that really help extend the amount of time that patients are able to live with multiple myeloma." While there is no cure, treatment options for multiple myeloma are advancing quickly and new immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, are improving outcomes for patients. "We always want to strive towards the treatment that we think can offer the longest period of remission," says Dr. Lin. "But balancing that with side effects because we want to keep patients not only living as long as they can with multiple myeloma, but hopefully also with good quality of life."  March is Myeloma Awareness Month. On this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Lin discusses the use of immunotherapies and other novel approaches to treating multiple myeloma. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mayo Clinic living donor Mike Peshut is one of 22 kidney donors who will climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a group called Kidney Donor Athletes. The goal of the One Kidney Climb is to reach the summit on World Kidney Day, which is Thursday, March 10.  Peshut donated a kidney on behalf of his wife, Annie, in February 2019. Peshut tried to be a direct donor, but he was not a match for his wife. Through paired-organ donation, he became part of a six-kidney donation chain, allowing Annie to receive a kidney.  In paired donation, two or more organ-recipient pairs trade donors so that each recipient gets an organ that is compatible with his or her blood type.  Peshut recently met his recipient, who credits him with giving her more time with her family, including her 13 grandchildren. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. await a lifesaving kidney transplant. An estimated 20 people die every day because a needed is not donated in time. Now Peshut is focused on sharing his story and encouraging others to become organ donors. The Mount Kilimanjaro climb is a public way to show that living organ donation doesn't limit the donor. "Don't be afraid. Don't sit on the sidelines," says Mike. "If you're healthy, you can donate a kidney to help save someone else's life. It's really, really rewarding."  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Peshut join host Dr. Halena Gazelka, a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist, to share his message about organ donation. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A recent study found that people who were infected with COVID-19 are at increased risk of heart disease, even a year after their recovery from infection. The study, published in Nature Medicine, reviewed the health records of more than 150,000 U.S. veterans, and found that people with prior COVID-19 infections were 60% more likely to develop cardiac issues. "There is a large spectrum of disease," says Dr. Leslie Cooper, chair of the Department of Cardiology at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "Not only can you have the common heart attack, or blood clots in the veins or the lungs, but also less common diseases like myocarditis or pericarditis occur at a higher rate in patients who have had COVID-19." The study found that increases in cardiovascular problems were evident across different ages, races and sexes. "Almost all of the complications from a cardiac standpoint were significantly elevated following COVID a year after symptom diagnosis in women and men, and all the age groups," explains Dr. Cooper.  Research is underway to look at better ways to treat heart issues related to COVID-19 and alleviate the long COVID-19 symptoms. "We think that because there are specific mechanisms at work, in the future we will be treating more specifically with anti-inflammatory therapies if inflammation is an ongoing cause of the symptoms," says Dr. Cooper. "Multiple research studies are ongoing in this area." On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Cooper discusses cardiac complications from COVID-19. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children feel comfortable with medical care. When possible, sharing age-appropriate information with children before a medical appointment can help ease their fear and anxiety.  To help children prepare for a visit with their health care team, it is important that parents and caregivers understand the reason for the visit and what tests or procedures are likely to occur. Child life specialists, who are trained in child development, can help guide families and minimize the stress of the medical environment for children and teens. "We want to make sure kids feel empowered," explains Jennifer Rodemeyer, manager of Child Life at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. "We're open and honest with them so they know what they are about to experience." On this Ask the Mayo Mom edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, host Dr. Angela Mattke is joined by Jennifer Rodemeyer and Tara Lodermeier, also a child life specialist at Mayo Clinic's Children's Center, to discuss helping children cope with medical experiences. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New cases of COVID-19 are down 90% from the peak, with under 75,000 new cases reported last week across the U.S.  "What we're observing is a pretty dramatic suppression of cases," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "This is good news, but we need to be cautious." Dr. Poland warns that there are still people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, including people who are immunocompromised; children under 5 who cannot yet be protected by COVID-19 vaccination; and the more than 30% of the U.S. population that is not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Mayo Clinic's COVID-19 tracking tool data. "'I'm as weary of COVID-19 as everybody else," says Dr. Poland. "But we still need to take this seriously."  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest COVID-19 news, including new COVID-19 vaccines coming for approval; the latest on long COVID; and his recent commentary with his colleague, Dr. Richard Kennedy, a Mayo Clinic internist, on the need for more research infrastructure and research funding in order to maintain public confidence in vaccines. Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When it comes to the heart, it can be scary to seek care when you think you might be having a problem. Tests may be necessary to evaluate your heart, and the unfamiliar terminology associated with these tests can be confusing and intimidating.  Understanding terms like EKG, echocardiogram, coronary angiogram or stress test may help alleviate the fear. "Whenever we order these tests, we don't want you to have anxiety," says Dr. Christopher DeSimone, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. "These tests are all done for a reason: to get you a diagnosis and to help you feel better. " As American Heart Month wraps up, Dr. DeSimone joins the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast to break down the terminology and explain what to expect during cardiac testing and evaluation. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun, but it also can occur on areas of skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. "And the incidence of skin cancer is rising," says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist. The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the best chance for successful skin cancer treatment. While it is common to have freckles and moles develop over time, it is important to know your skin and recognize when changes occur. "It's important to know what skin lesions you have," explains Dr. Davis. "Know what they look like, so that if they change, you can come to the dermatologist or health care provider for evaluation." Melanoma is the most serious and deadly form of skin cancer. Dr. Davis says the "melanoma alphabet" can help with early detection: Asymmetry Look for moles with irregular shape. Border Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders. Changes in color Look for growths with different or uneven colors. Diameter Look for new growth of more than one-quarter of an inch in diameter. Evolving Look for changes over time. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Davis discusses skin cancer detection and treatment. Dr. Davis also recommends steps to take to protect your skin including avoiding ultraviolet rays, and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For heart surgery patients, a cardiac reoperation or reintervention is sometimes needed. A reoperation is a second or subsequent surgery needed due to complications that develop over time. People who require a second or even third heart surgery often fall in to three groups:  Patients with aortic dissections For patients with aortic dissections, emergency lifesaving surgery is performed initially. Then additional surgeries are often needed to repair the aorta. Patients who receive tissue valves Tissue valves typically last a decade before a reoperation is needed to replace the deteriorated valve. Adults with congenital heart disease Patients with congenital heart disease often have surgery as a newborn or infant. As they grow and age, additional operations may be necessary. Cardiac reoperations are even more complex than first surgeries, due to scar tissue and other underlying conditions that develop. It is important to have a surgeon with a highly advanced set of surgical skills and techniques. Mayo Clinic surgeons perform more than 300 cardiac reoperations each year. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Alberto Pochettino, a Mayo Clinic cardiovascular surgeon, discusses cardiac reoperations and reinterventions. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thanks to significant advances in techniques and devices, minimally invasive procedures can be used to treat some congenital heart disease defects. Innovative procedures using catheters through blood vessels in the legs or neck allow interventional cardiologists to repair heart defects without surgically opening a child's chest.  Specialists at Mayo Clinic's Center for Congenital Heart Disease use catheter-based procedures to treat some heart valve replacements and many other conditions, including tetralogy of Fallot, patent ductus arteriosus, patent foramen ovales, and atrial septal defects.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jason H. Anderson, a Mayo Clinic pediatric interventional cardiologist, joins Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke to discuss innovative procedures to treat congenital heart defects. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're back for a second installment of the Vaccines episode, digging further into vaccines and dispelling misinformation about them. On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Gregory Poland returns to explain why women have better immune responses to viral vaccines than men, how "natural infection" is NOT safer than vaccines, and what the future of vaccines looks like. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the U.S. moves beyond the omicron surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, key indicators are dropping. "Both the acute indicators — number of cases — and the lagging indicators — hospitalizations and then deaths — are all dropping slowly, but they're surely dropping," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.  Experts warn that caution is still needed to protect yourself in certain situations, including masking in crowded indoor settings and making sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. While the latest surge wanes, COVID-19 research continues.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest COVID-19 news, including a new study on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the heart and why Pfizer is delaying the request for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5.  Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Thanks to research and treatment advances over the past few decades, most children diagnosed with cancer now live on to pursue full adult lives. To ensure that those children will one day have the option to become parents, families must consider the risk of infertility when deciding about cancer treatment. Researchers and health care providers have made progress in minimizing the side effects of cancer treatment without reducing its effectiveness, allowing many cancer survivors to have children after spontaneous recovery of fertility. However, some cancers require rigorous treatment that almost always leads to permanent infertility. But there is hope for those families through fertility preservation. Mayo Clinic's Fertility Preservation Program offers several options for fertility preservation, depending on the child's age, stage of puberty, diagnosis and proposed treatment plan. Both ovarian and testicular tissue cryopreservation is possible. "We hope the pediatric Fertility Preservation Program brings a lot of optimism for the future for these children," says Dr. Asma Chattha, chair of Pediatric Gynecology at Mayo Clinic. "They're obviously fighting an uphill battle. It's a very difficult time in their lives. But barring none, I've always found the conversation surrounding fertility preservation to be a source of hope for families."  In recognition of International Childhood Cancer Day on Tuesday, Feb. 15, Dr. Chattha joins the Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast to discuss what patients and their families should consider when making decisions related to fertility preservation, and the steps involved in the process. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

More than two full years of living in the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on children and their families. During the most recent omicron surge, pediatric infection rates were particularly concerning for pediatricians across the country.  Parents of children younger than 5 years of age are feeling especially concerned, as vaccines have not yet been approved in this age group. But that may change soon, as Pfizer has recently submitted a request to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for kids 6 months to 5 years old. Beyond the direct effects of COVID-19 infections on children are the psychosocial and mental health effects of the pandemic. Isolation and socioeconomic stressors on families affect children, too. "One in 6 children has sought mental health services in the past two years," says is Dr. James Gaensbauer, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. "The American Academy of Pediatrics has declared a mental health emergency during this pandemic." Dr. Gaensbauer points out it is important for parents to keep an open dialogue and be empathetic with kids about their fears and anxieties. Resources are available to help families, including the Mayo Clinic Family Stress Resource Center.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gaensbauer joins Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke to discuss how children and their families have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy