Checkup

Making Rounds

Mayo Clinic Health Forum

Mayo Clinic Health Forum presents "The Facts About Pulmonary Hypertension" with Dr. Charles Burger, Cardiovascular Diseases and Dr. Robert Safford, Pulmonary Medicine, Wednesday, July 19.

The program begins at 7 p.m. in Kinne Auditorium in the Cannaday Building at Mayo Clinic. Please call (904) 953-0770 to reserve your seat, or use our online reservation request form.

Simple Success Series

Diabetes program: This comprehensive outpatient program teaches diabetics how to manage their disease. Health-care professionals teach a series of four classes totaling 10 hours in a supportive, small-group environment. Insurance companies may provide coverage.

Weight control program: A registered dietitian and exercise physiologist teach this 12-week, comprehensive outpatient program. Emphasis is placed on lifestyle, exercise, attitudes and relationships and their effect on one's health.

Classes for both programs are held at the St. Luke's Hospital campus. For class dates, times and other information, please call (904) 296-3733.

Nutrition Cancer Class

This nutrition class is designed for patients currently undergoing cancer treatment or those who have completed their treatment. Classes are held the first and third Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon in Room 600E-10 of the Davis Building on the Mayo Clinic campus. For more information, call (904) 296-3733.

Carpal Tunnel Surgery and the Elderly

While results of surgery for elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are good or excellent in most cases, hand surgeons at Mayo Clinic say that some will continue to experience persistent disability from carpal tunnel syndrome following surgery. Mayo surgeons say about 98 percent of people who have carpal tunnel surgery say they're satisfied after several months, or even several weeks following surgery, but a large number of people who are over 75 years of age don't do as well. Factors such as arthritis and other ailments may also play a role in the patient's perceived level of post-operative disability. Out of 69 patients over age 75 who had open carpal tunnel surgery, 16 percent of the wrists operated on continued to exhibit disability, including loss of tactile sensation and grip strength. Surgeons say elderly patients shouldn't rule out surgery, but doctors should be sure they have realistic expectations beforehand.