Migraines affect nearly 40 million people in the U.S. Yet pinpointing an effective prophylactic medication ― the most commonly prescribed drugs for people diagnosed with migraines ― remains a long and complex process. Patients often cycle through medications for weeks or months until achieving a therapeutic response. Now after years…

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, with symptoms that progress over the years. In this Mayo Clinic Talks podcast, Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. Jeremy Cutsforth-Gregory describes what happens in the brain when people have Parkinson’s and explains the signs and symptoms, including the telltale resting…

Artificial intelligence is playing a role in colonoscopies. AI has the ability to recognize polyps the same way it can spot faces in facial recognition, which can lead to increases in polyp detection. And it’s coming to clinical care, Dr. James East, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London,…

Esophageal cancer is treatable but rarely curable, so early diagnosis and treatment are vital, Dr. Shanda Blackmon explains in this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast. Learn what causes esophageal cancer, who’s at risk, the signs of symptoms, and why it’s so important to get checked early if you’re concerned you…

The August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter discussed various types of heart sensations or palpitations, which are the most common reason people seek medical care for heart issues. In most cases, palpitations don’t signal a larger problem. But sometimes they do, and medical professionals can help you sort…

Can you change the way you think about yourself and your mindset? Or improve how you feel just by altering your thoughts? Turns out… yes. Your brain is malleable and constantly adjusting. This (thankfully) gives you the ability to learn and adapt throughout life. But, sometimes, your thought patterns get…

What’s the connection between hormones and migraine headaches? As those with migraines know all too well, the throbbing pain associated with these headaches can be severe and debilitating. And all is not equal between the sexes when it comes to these crippling attacks. Research shows that migraines are three times…

An estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s estimated that by 2050 the number will reach 12.7 million. The fight for prevention and a cure endures. While that fight is a necessary one, it isn’t the only fight. The battle I’m speaking…

Screens have been a help during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve allowed friends and family members to stay connected and for workers to do their jobs at home. But now that COVID-19 vaccines are allowing people to gather in person and go back to the office, stepping away from screens when…

Antifungal preventive medications reduce mortality risk by half in the first year following lung transplantation, according to Mayo Clinic research involving 667 patients who received lung transplants from 2005 to 2018. The retrospective study, published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, is the largest ever…

In the July 2021 issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, the article titled “Healthy Cooking Oils” provided an overview of various cooking oil qualities. The recipes below help bring that advice into action. If you have peanut, sesame, grapeseed or olive oil on hand, you can create these delicious…

With incident reports of domestic violence increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to put together a safety plan if you’re at risk of experiencing domestic violence. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Amanda Kubista Owen, a Mayo Clinic social worker, explains what to do if you’re…

Mayo Clinic researchers have confirmed the accuracy of a minimally invasive method to detect and help prevent esophageal cancer in patients at risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer. In Barrett’s esophagus, tissue in the esophagus is replaced by tissue similar to the intestinal lining. Often diagnosed in people who…

Most Americans experience foot pain and other foot issues at some point during their lives, including torn ligaments and Achilles tendon ruptures. In this Mayo Clinic Talks podcast, internist Dr. Darryl Chutka talks to orthopedist and sports medicine physician Dr. Daniel Ryssman, who takes a deep dive into some of…

If you’re new to massage, it’s good to have some idea of what’s commonly done during a session: You’ll likely need to answer questions about your goals for your massage. For example, are you looking for relief in a specific area or solely to relax? Your massage therapist will also…

Dear Mayo Clinic: I am 62-year-old woman who has been fairly healthy most of my life. I try to walk daily and eat right. I’ve never had a fracture or bone health issues. But after my annual physical this year, my doctor suggested a bone density test. Do I really…

Phone calls are a simple, important way to stave off loneliness when you or a loved one is spending more time at home. But after you’ve gotten off the phone, there’s more you can do to combat loneliness: Practice kindness. In this post, Steve Siegle, a licensed professional counselor, explains…

As you search for at-home, anti-aging skin care, you’ll come across a variety of skin care labels, such as “natural” and “organic.” What do they all mean? Mary Duh P.A.-C, a Mayo Clinic physician assistant in dermatology in Onalaska, Wisconsin, breaks down the claims. Also, watch a…

Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience a bone fracture due to osteoporosis, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation. But it’s not just women who are affected by osteoporosis. One in 5 men over age 50 also will have the same issue. Osteoporosis is thinning of your…

Peripheral neuropathy could have a surprising cause: severe, long-term, untreated hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism develops when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, and it can be an uncommon cause of damage to your peripheral nerves. Your peripheral nerves carry information to and from your brain and spinal cord and the…

Once you’ve stocked up on healthy cooking oils, learn how to use them. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Angie Murad, M.P.H, a dietitian with the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program, explains how to incorporate the oils in your recipes in healthful ways. “So both canola and olive…

New options available in the U.S. at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona — larynx transplant program and 3D-printed prosthetic larynx — appear promising for improved quality of life for patients undergoing laryngectomy. Cancer is the major reason for laryngectomy, according to David G. Lott, M.D., an otolaryngologist leading the…

The signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation can be vague and cause some people to think they’re just out of shape or getting older. But atrial fibrillation, or “a-fib,” shouldn’t be ignored. An irregular, often rapid, heartbeat due to a-fib increases risk of stroke, heart failure and other cardiac problems.