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Lice. The word alone is enough to make your head itch. And like it or not, all children are at risk of getting lice no matter how good their hygiene. Let's go to Mayo Clinic to find out the best ways to get rid of head lice if your kids bring the bugs home from school.
Sight is one of those things many of us take for granted. But imagine what life would be like if you were losing your vision, and the world around you was getting blurry and dark. It's a reality for many people who have certain eye diseases of the cornea. But corneal transplants can return the gift of sight to many people. More from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic
One out of ten. That's how many Americans suffer from stomach problems. Many people find relief with antacids or other medications. But for some people, nothing seems to help the bloating, gas and burning they feel after a meal. But researchers at Mayo Clinic say they may have found a new cause for chronic, unexplained stomach pain and they're studying ways to treat it.
Resource: Gastroenterology & Hepatology Services at Mayo Clinic
Remember the story "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer?" When bad weather almost stopped Santa from delivering gifts on Christmas Eve? Well, the same thing almost happened to the Santa you're about to meet. But instead of dealing with bad weather, this Santa faced an even bigger problem. Throat cancer. And just as the legendary light from that story guided Santa through the storm, a laser light helped this Santa weather the storm of cancer. More from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: Throat Cancer Treatment at Mayo Clinic
Heart disease is the number one killer in North America. Most of us know that high cholesterol is a major risk factor. Exercise, eating right and medications can help get your cholesterol numbers down. But for some people, none of those things work. Doctors at Mayo Clinic say those people may benefit from a new cholesterol absorbing machine that removes bad cholesterol from your blood.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: High Blood Cholesterol
Severe pain, vision problems, nausea and sensitivity to light – all symptoms of a migraine headache. Research into why migraines happen is leading doctors to examine not a patient's head but his or her heart. They're looking to prove that many migraines are caused by a very common, often undiagnosed heart defect. More from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: Treatment of Migraine Headaches
The statistics are alarming. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 16-percent of school aged children are over weight. And that number is likely growing. Many of those overweight kids are at risk of health problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So how can we help our kids stay healthy? Part of the answer may be changing the way they eat. More on a new approach from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Healthy Living Resources
Every year up to 30-thousand Americans are diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. It's an inflammatory condition of the intestines that causes pain, cramping and constant diarrhea. There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatment keeps getting better. More on a new generation of medications from Mayo Clinic.
If your child, spouse or parent got sick and you became their care giver, would you be prepared for the task? No matter how much you love someone, becoming their caregiver can be very stressful. And people under chronic stress are at an increased risk of depression and other major medical illnesses. More from Mayo Clinic on a program geared at managing caregiver stress and possibly helping caregivers lead healthier and longer lives. Read more about the Judges' experience.
Resource: Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic
Every year up to 2-thousand people in the U.S. and Canada die from anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction. The most common causes are allergies to peanuts, insect bites and seafood. But not all anaphylactic reactions are severe. They can be mild with subtler symptoms. And most people don't know that if you've had a mild reaction in the past, you're at risk of having a life threatening one in the future. More from Mayo Clinic on a new anaphylaxis awareness campaign.
Resource: Allergy Services at Mayo Clinic
We live in a talkative society. Millions of people depend on their voices every day for work– teachers, telemarketers, therapists, singers-- the list goes on. But if you over-use your voice you can get sore, hoarse and even develop calluses or nodules on your vocal cords. Doctors at Mayo Clinic say learning to use your voice correctly can help keep the dialogue going.
Ask anyone who's had shingles and they'll tell you: a flare up is no fun. The rash hurts and can cause major pain and discomfort months after the initial outbreak. And anyone who has had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine is at risk. But doctors at Mayo Clinic say you can protect yourself from the virus with the shingles vaccine.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Shingles
Herbal supplements are big business. Millions of people spend billions of dollars on herbs such as ginseng, ginkgo and St. John's wort. Many of these supplements have real health benefits. But many don't and some are downright dangerous. And a Mayo Clinic study shows that most people who take herbal supplements don't know enough about the supplements they're taking.
Resource: Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Mayo Clinic
A sore throat, chronic cough and bronchitis that just won't go away. Think you might have a lingering cold? Maybe. But doctors at Mayo Clinic say for some people, those symptoms might actually be caused by acid reflux. Here's the latest.
Resource: Treatment of Acid Reflux
Bed wetting is very common. Approximately ten-percent of all children ages 5 to fourteen wake up in soggy sheets. It's uncomfortable and embarrassing. And if your child is worried about it or has ever avoided a sleep over because of it, you might want to seek help. More from Mayo Clinic on a device that trains kids to stay dry without medication.
Resource: Treatment of Bed Wetting
Imagine this: you have a serious illness and have been given only months to live. How would you want to spend your last days? In the hospital, a nursing home or what about in your own home or that of a loved one? With hospice care you can make that choice. You can live your last days surrounded by people who care. More from the staff at Mayo Clinic.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Hospice Care
If you want to improve your health, what are some of the first things you have to do? Eat right and exercise. The truth is healthy lifestyle choices can make a big difference in how you feel. They can also dramatically reduce your risk of certain diseases. More from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Healthy Living Resources
Sticker Syndrome is a genetic condition that's rare, but can cause major problems for many people who have it. Joint problems, hearing loss, cleft soft palates, even blindness. There's no cure, but doctors at Mayo Clinic are working toward managing symptoms so people with Sticker Syndrome can lead full, productive lives.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Stickler Syndrome
Summer time is a great time to get out and do things that are good for your health. Biking, rollerblading and even gardening can get you moving. But don't forget to pay attention to safety while you're outside playing. More on summer safety tips from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Fitness Center
Every year thousands of women get hot flashes as they near menopause. The intense sweating can be a nuisance and embarrassing. But did you know that men can get hot flashes too? The problem is very common among men who've had treatment for prostate cancer. But a medication studied at Mayo Clinic is helping many men find relief.
Resource: Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Macular degeneration is an eye disease for which there is no cure. Its victims may become legally blind, unable to read, recognize faces or drive a car. Until recently there hasn't been anything you can do about this disease. But doctors at Mayo Clinic are using a medication that's been proven to delay the progression of macular degeneration and prolong sight for many people.
Resource: Treatment of Macular Degeneration
Obsessive compulsive disorder is often portrayed as being funny. But if you ask anyone who suffers from OCD, they'll tell you there's nothing humorous about it. Children with OCD constantly fight anxiety caused by being afraid of their own thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy reduces symptoms, but many children do not have access to it. Doctors at Mayo Clinic are trying to change that. They started a new, intensive treatment program that's available to kids who can't find treatment close to home.
Resource: Psychiatry
Swimming, gardening and lazy days in the sun. For many people, summertime is full of outdoor fun. But being outside puts you at risk of many common summer skin issues, such as sunburn, bug bites and poison ivy. Let's go to Mayo Clinic to find out how to prevent and treat summer skin problems.
Resource: Dermatology
If you're trying to drop a few pounds and get healthy, what's one of the first things you need to do? Get some exercise. But that's not easy if you go to work every day and sit behind a desk for eight hours. Doctors at Mayo Clinic are trying to change that. They're studying how to incorporate daily exercise into the workplace. And it means getting out of your chair and walking while you work.
Resource: Office of the Future
Every day, doctors use ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs to see inside the body without making an incision. Those tests are great at showing size and structure, but they don't show important physical properties such as tissue stiffness, which, for example, is a sign of fibrosis in the liver. But researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed technology that uses sound waves to see if a patient's liver is harder than it should be — if it's developing fibrosis. It's called Magnetic Resonance Elastography, and it offers a noninvasive alternative to liver biopsy.
Resource: Treatment of Liver Disease
Brain cancer is one of the most common cancers in children, second only to leukemia. But unlike leukemia, the genes that cause pediatric brain cancer continue to be somewhat of a mystery to researchers. They don't know why some tumors just don't respond to treatment. Doctors at Mayo Clinic are working hard to find the genes responsible for tumor growth in hopes of one day finding an easier cure for patients like the 15-year-old you're about to meet.
Resource: Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumors
For thousands of years, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have used the herb ginseng to increase energy, endurance and brain power. Research shows that in many cases, the herb may help. Researchers at Mayo Clinic led a study with ginseng and found it may also help fight fatigue in cancer patients.
Resource: Cancer Treatment at Mayo Clinic
For this year, 2007, the National Cancer Institute estimates that more than 50,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Many will have surgery to remove the tumors. But some people are not able to have an operation because of other medical problems. In that case doctors at Mayo Clinic offer another, less-invasive option. It's called cryoablation.
Resource: Treatment of Kidney Cancer
Sometimes what's old becomes new again. It happens in music, fashion, even eye care. Optometrists at Mayo Clinic are using a type of lens developed back in the late 1800s for some people who can't wear normal contacts. They're called scleral lenses and they're helping many folks with bad vision see.
Resource: Ophthalmology
Millions of people know the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome - pain, numbness and weakness in your hands, wrists and even arms. Doctors have known for years that pressure buildup around a nerve causes carpal tunnel. But they haven't been as certain as to why it happens. New research from Mayo Clinic may lead to answers that could one day help in the prevention of this sometimes debilitating condition.
Resource: Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Malaria may not be a huge threat in the West, but worldwide the disease kills more than 1 million people every year. Pesticides help get rid of the mosquito that carries malaria, but they can also be very toxic to humans and other animals. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a target site within the malaria-carrying mosquitoes that could be used to develop a new pesticide that is harmless to humans and kills only the mosquitoes that carry the disease. Saving lives and the environment.
Resource: News Release: Mayo Researcher Discovers Target Site for Developing Mosquito Pesticides
Imagine having a headache so bad that you pass out from the pain. That's what happens to some people who suffer from a disorder called SUNCT. Episodes come on fast, last just minutes, but recur up to 200 times a day. The man you're about to meet was debilitated by these headaches until he had brain surgery at Mayo Clinic.
Resource: Neurosciences
A new finding at Mayo Clinic could help thousands get relief from annoying and sometimes debilitating wrist pain. Researchers there have identified a type of ligament injury that has been overlooked until now. Plus, they've developed an operation to fix it.
Resource: Treatment of Ulnar Wrist Pain
Research has shown that for some cancers, screening for early detection most definitely saves lives. Examples are mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopy for colon cancer. But not all cancers have screening tools that have been proven to work. Let's go to Mayo Clinic to learn more about screening for lung cancer.
Resource: Treatment of Lung Cancer
Here's a question for you: What's the most common joint injury people can get? It's an ankle sprain. And if you do twist your ankle, your chances of re-injuring it are very high unless you make an effort to strengthen it. Get the details from Mayo Clinic.
Resource: Sports Medicine
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and Canada. If you have a stroke, the saying is, 'time is brain.' The sooner you get to a stroke treatment center the better your chances are of recovering. The man you're about to meet knows that first hand. He's alive and well after being almost completely paralyzed from a massive stroke.
Resource: Treatment of Stroke
Wouldn't it be great to go to a doctor who makes you feel relaxed, who really listens to you, and answered all your questions? Research shows that people who go to doctors who have good bedside manners get more from office visits than those who don't. Mayo Clinic is taking that information seriously. They're teaching residents and med students how to communicate with patients.
Pain, numbness and weakness in your hands. All symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Research at Mayo Clinic suggests there are many causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, and thankfully there are treatments that can help. How do you know which treatment is right for you?
Resource: Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cover up and use sunscreen to protect yourself from skin cancer. Sound familiar? Those words of warning should be taken seriously because a certain type of skin cancer called malignant melanoma can kill. How can a tiny mole on you shoulder or leg be so deadly?
Resource: Treatment of Melanoma
One out of every 400 babies is born with a condition called pectus. That's when your chest wall doesn't grow properly and becomes concave. Some cases are mild - a matter of cosmetics. But others may cause problems with the heart or lungs because there's not enough room for them to function. Often pectus cases are repaired in the teen years. But the man you're about to meet had the operation much later.
Resource: Thoracic (Chest) Surgery at Mayo Clinic
For many of us, wear and tear arthritis is an inevitable part of aging. Thousands of people have knee pain from it, and many go on to have knee replacements. But for younger patients, doctors at Mayo Clinic have another option. They're using high tech computers to realign knee joints in hopes of preventing the need of a total knee replacement.
Resource: Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic
Hundreds of thousands of people go to the ER every year because of problems with medications they're taking - accidental overdoses, side effects and bad interactions. Pharmacists at Mayo Clinic are tying to change that. They've started a new program that helps people manage their medications safely and as cost-effectively as possible.
Step into a hospital and what's one of the first things you notice? The smell. Hospitals have that distinct smell because they are constantly being disinfected. But no matter how clean a hospital is, they still have germs that can infect patients. In fact, some of these germs thrive in the hospital setting. Let's go to Mayo Clinic to find out what doctors there are doing to protect patients from hospital-acquired infections.
Herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractics and massage. It used to be that alternative therapies like these were ignored by many doctors. But that's changing. Thanks to public demand and an increasing amount of positive research, many doctors are embracing some alternative therapies. So how do you know if the herb you're taking or therapy you're trying is safe?
Resource: Complementary and Integrative Medicine
There's nothing like foot pain to make you crazy. That's what an expert at Mayo Clinic says he hears from patients who have a condition called plantar fasciitis [fashee-EYE-tis]. It's very common and can make walking across the room a miserable experience. What can you do about it?
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Plantar Fasciitis
This is a story of a life-saving form of recycling. It's about two men who've never met, but who have something very personal in common. One of them needed a new heart and liver because of a disease called familial amyloidosis. When it came time for the transplant he gave his diseased liver to someone else. How can a liver that doesn't work for one man be the gift of life for another?
Resource: Liver Transplant at Mayo Clinic
Going to the doctor for an annual exam is not most people's idea of fun. But regular checkups can help you learn about how to stay healthy. They can even save your life. That's what happened to the man you're about to meet. He's alive and well thanks in part to a regular exam.
Resource: Preventive Medicine at Mayo Clinic
In the medical world, researchers continue to search for new ways to treat disease and reduce pain. At the same time many doctors are embracing a therapy that's been around for more than 4-thousand years. Acupuncture. It's used for many conditions including nausea, depression, anxiety and addiction. It can even help you control your appetite.
Resource: Complementary and Integrative Medicine
In our culture numbers are everywhere. Phone numbers, bank numbers, license numbers, the clock on the wall. Everyday we remember and use many of these numbers over and over again. But doctors at Mayo Clinic say most of us don't know or even think about the most important numbers: our heart health numbers. Here are the numbers you need to know to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Resource: MayoClinic.com: Heart Disease Center
Wouldn't it be great to take a supplement that can slow the effects of aging? There is one on the market, and you can buy it at most health food stores. It's called DHEA for short and some say it can help your body feel younger and function better. Does it work? A study from Mayo Clinic has the answer.
Ever since the Garden of Eden, snakes have gotten a bad rap. Vipers, fangs and venom are the stuff of horror movies and nightmares. But in the medical world, snakes are becoming good guys. Doctors are testing snake venom to see if it can help stroke victims by buying them more time.
Resource: Treatment of Stroke
In the spring of 2006 the world watched as doctors at Mayo Clinic gave separate lives to a pair of conjoined twins. It was a complicated surgery and an amazing example of faith, love and teamwork. Let's check in with the Carlsen family to see how Abby and Belle are doing now, months after the operation.
Resource: Carlsen Twins Updates
If you've ever watched a prime time TV show you've seen the ads. Commercials promoting Viagra, Levitra or Cialis - erectile dysfunction drugs. Those medications have helped millions of men have a normal sex life. But how do you know which of those medications, if any, are right for you?
Resource: Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
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