Endometrial ablation for endometriosis
Q: I’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and have heavy menstrual bleeding. My health care provider said I should consider endometrial ablation. A friend told me it…
How to prep for a specialist visit
Find out how Mayo Clinic specialists themselves recommend preparing for your visit so you feel both ready and a little more relaxed. Health Letter+Get direct…
Polycystic kidney disease can affect children, too
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.…
Breast cancer radiotherapy and treatment innovations
The type of breast cancer a person has and how far it has spread determine the appropriate treatment. Previously, a patient with breast cancer might have received…
Facing a new brain cancer diagnosis
After the shock of a brain tumor diagnosis, what are the most important steps to take? Learn what Dr. Ian Parney, a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon,…
Video: What to do with 5 free minutes
What can you really get done in five free minutes? Turns out, it’s a lot, say Mayo Clinic experts, even when it’s taking a moment…
How and why endoscopy is used in children
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…
The sleep episode: For both you and your infant
Fact: babies actually sleep a lot. And moms can, too. Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., discuss how to make both things happen…
Video: Why sitting has become the new smoking
Why has sitting become the new smoking when it comes to your health risks? Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, explains the science. Health…
The Feeding episode: Helping your baby thrive
Breast is best. Or is formula fine? A bit of both? Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., talk through all the issues and…
Video: How to talk to kids about serious illness
How do you talk to a child about a serious diagnosis in the family? Mayo Clinic experts have helped many families with the process. See…
Post-partum: What to expect in the 6 weeks after delivery
Everything’s new. Everything’s exciting. And everything’s hard. The first six weeks after birth probably aren’t talked about enough. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic…
Climate change and global childhood health
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,…
Video: Getting a good night’s sleep
Which simple habits can help you sleep better? Find out what works best for Mayo Clinic experts. Health Letter+Get direct access to the knowledge, wisdom,…
Delivery: The real deal and stuff no one tells you about
Learn why Rachel’s delivery room scene on “Friends” qualifies as “the most unrealistic birth ever.” Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist and…
Video: Mayo Clinic experts on how to face your fears
We often hear only two options for confronting fear: Fight or flee. Find out what Mayo Clinic experts hope you’ll do instead. Health Letter+Get…
Using the immune system to treat stomach cancer
An emergence of new therapies to treat stomach cancer has received FDA approval in recent years, according to Dr. Lionel Kankeu Fonkoua, a Mayo Clinic…
Preparing for Delivery: Having a plan, but keeping it flexible
Your trip to the hospital, like a trip to go camping, will benefit from advanced planning. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist…
Video: The rewards of living organ donation
What does life look like after donating an organ to a loved one? Get an inside glimpse of real stories from a Mayo Clinic nurse…
Planning and Nesting: What do you actually need?
The pop-up ads will start soon after the positive pregnancy test. You must have this safety feature! Your baby cannot survive without that gadget! Co-hosts…
Early intervention can help kids with cerebral palsy
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…
Video: How parents find hope when a child faces brain surgery
No family should have to face brain surgery for a child. But the inspiring outcomes this Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon has seen show hope for any…
Pregnancy do’s and don’ts – Part 2
Pregnancy creates a tidal wave of hormones. This protects a growing baby — while creating serious discomfort for mom. Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie…
Managing sickle cell disease in children and teens
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…
Video: Calming pre-surgery nerves
What are the most effective ways to manage worries about an upcoming surgery? Hear what Mayo Clinic doctors and nurses say has helped their patients…
Pregnancy do’s and don’ts — Part 1
Being pregnant means you’re about to swim in a sea of “do’s and don’ts.” Mostly don’ts. Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., discuss…
Video: The rewards of kidney donation
What’s in store for a kidney donor after the surgery? This Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon shares what he’s learned from his patients about what happens…
Keeping yourself and your baby healthy early in pregnancy
Pregnancy: It’s the most excited you’ll ever be. And it’s the most scared you’ve ever been. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist…
Helping children cope with medical experiences
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…
Video: Balancing life as a busy professional and a mom
As a working mom, it’s tough not to buckle under the weight of your two jobs. Mayo Clinic doctors who are also moms offer their…
Video: A Mayo Clinic expert tells how to get motivated for exercise
To stick with an exercise program, you need the right motivation. See why this Mayo Clinic physical therapist Dani Johnson says it starts with joy.…
Congratulations, you’re pregnant! But now what?
Co-host Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. talks through the “biggest adventure of my life” — she’s pregnant! She’s joined by co-host Angela Mattke, M.D. — and special…
Video: Normalizing life for kids with epilepsy
Should children with epilepsy be encouraged to take risks? Dr. Lily Wong-Kisiel of Mayo Clinic says yes — maybe more than you think. Find out…
Innovative procedures for kids with congenital heart disease
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…
More than 2 years of COVID-19 takes its toll on children, families
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…
Video: Expert advice for women facing a serious diagnosis
How can a woman best help herself after a serious diagnosis? This Mayo Clinic expert says it’s about focusing on yourself first — even when…
Current research into the role of the microbiome in women’s health and gynecologic cancers
The microbiome — the microorganisms that live within and on the body — plays an important role in our health, according to Dr. Marina Walther-Antonio,…
Video: Being a patient changes your perspective.
What do health care professionals learn when they become the patient? These Mayo Clinic doctors’ answers may surprise you. Health Letter+Get direct access to the…
Treating congenital heart defects
A congenital heart defect means that a child was born with a problem in the structure of his or her heart. Some congenital heart defects in…
Treating hernias in children
A hernia occurs when a part of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the stomach muscles. A hernia creates a soft lump or…
Spinal anesthesia has advantages for some pediatric surgeries
When a baby needs surgery, parents may be worried about how general anesthesia will affect their child. In place of general anesthesia, Mayo Clinic is using spinal…
Video: Protect your bones as you age
Older adults are at higher risk of complications from a broken bone. Dr. Ann Kearns, an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, explains how to prevent that…
Podcast: Healthy ways to discipline children
Child health experts condemn the use of violence in any form, but some people still use corporal punishment, such as spanking, as a way to…
Podcast: Advanced care at home
January’s Mayo Clinic Health Letter included an interview with Michael Maniaci, M.D., physician leader of Advanced Care at Home at Mayo Clinic. He explained that…
Healing from cleft lip and cleft palate
Having a baby born with a cleft can be upsetting, but cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects, and both can be…
Caring for transgender and gender-diverse children, teens
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe the spectrum of gender identity and gender expression diversity. Gender identity is the internal sense of being male, female,…
Chest wall deformities in children
Chest wall deformities are structural abnormalities in the chest. While present since birth, chest wall deformities might not become noticeable until children hit their adolescent…
Promising new medical research
Discover what Mayo Clinic experts are most excited about in the field of medical research. Some new treatments may sound like sci-fi, but they’re the…
COVID Conversations: Why getting infected is still a bad idea
With the highly transmissible omicron variant spreading across the U.S., it may seem inevitable that most people will get infected with COVID-19. But Mayo Clinic experts…
Video: Complementary medicine
Have you ever wondered whether alternative therapies could help you feel better about your health? Learn which approaches Mayo Clinic experts rely on in their…
My child wets the bed at night — is this normal?
It’s not unusual for kids to wet the bed at night. Known formally as pediatric enuresis, uncontrolled nighttime urination affects as many as 5% to…
What’s on the horizon for cardiac regenerative therapies?
Stable angina shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re feeling chest discomfort, talk to your doctor. In the meantime, it’s helpful to know how your heart works…
Mayo Clinic expert offers tips for at-home COVID-19 care
When you become infected with COVID-19, what are you supposed to do? Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 does not need to seek medical care. Young, otherwise…
Video: How to handle a serious diagnosis
A serious medical diagnosis can turn anyone’s world upside down. Mayo Clinic experts offer insight into how they would process a difficult diagnosis and who…
Podcast: How high-intensity intervals impact cardiovascular health
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) — doing short bursts of higher intensity exercise followed by lower intensity exercise for a number of cycles — brings big…
COVID Conversations: January bringing an omicron surge
The rapid spread of COVID-19 due to the omicron variant continues, and experts expect a January surge across the U.S. “This is spreading unlike anything we’ve seen…
Video: How do you deal with midday stress?
That moment when pent-up stress threatens to throw off your day? Stop what you’re doing and try the techniques Mayo Clinic experts use to re-center.…
Diet and nutrition help cancer survivors return to good health
After cancer treatment, cancer survivors are eager to return to good health. The right diet and nutrition can play a big role in improving long-term health so…
Who should be screened for lung cancer?
One of the challenges of treating lung cancer is that it’s often diagnosed at an advanced stage, but screening can help catch it at an…
Video: Mayo Clinic experts on the best health resolutions
Most health resolutions are short-lived. Somehow life creeps in, getting in the way of our greatest intentions. It doesn’t have to be this way. The…
Exercise is first-line treatment for Parkinson’s
There’s voluminous evidence that supports exercise as a first-line treatment for Parkinson’s disease, according to Dr. Edward Laskowski, a Mayo Clinic specialist in physical medicine…
Why the risk of frostbite is greater than you think
It’s almost a worst-case scenario when you’re out in extreme cold, and it’s more common than you might think. Dr. Sanj Kakar, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic…
Video: Why exercise is such powerful medicine
If this habit were available in pill form, it would be a wonder drug. This Mayo Clinic expert wants you to know why exercise is…
Video: Tips for putting instinct to work at snack time
When presented with two options, it’s natural to choose quick and easy. Jen Welper, executive chef at Mayo Clinic and author of “Cook Smart, Eat…
Researching health info online
Wondering what online health information you can trust? Mayo Clinic experts share tips on how to focus your searches on dependable sources. Video: Mayo Clinic…
Video: Mayo Clinic experts on how to set screen time rules
When all your screens are closing in, it’s time to take a stand. Learn how Mayo Clinic experts fight the good fight in their own…
Winter, holidays and keeping safe from COVID-19 and other viruses
As the end of the year approaches, it’s only the beginning of the season for illnesses like the cold and flu. Add COVID-19 and other viruses to the list,…
COVID Conversations: Experts urge COVID-19 boosters to fight omicron surge
In a podcast recorded for the Mayo Clinic News Network, Gregory Poland, M.D., discuses the latest information on COVID-19 variants and shares advice on how…
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Got itchy, red skin?
When it comes to itchy, red skin, it’s possible that psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, could be the cause. “Psoriasis and eczema are both skin…
Biological age and other AI tools in preventive cardiology
Doctors have observed for many years that people age at different speeds, according to Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, chair of preventive cardiology at Mayo Clinic in…
How Mayo Clinic doctors are discussing the new Alzheimer’s drug with patients
Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug aducanumab to treat Alzheimer’s disease. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Mayo Clinic neurologists…
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Post COVID-19 syndrome can be a long haul
Most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease —…
Hot flash? Breathe.
Even if you make over your environment and do your best to avoid triggers, you may still experience hot flashes with the menopause transition. But…
Testing for COVID-19 at home
The emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, omicron, has heightened safety protocols and plans to help people stay safe from illness as researchers and experts learn more about…
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Boosters reduce vulnerability to COVID-19 variants
Omicron, a new COVID-19 variant of concern, has been detected in all regions of the world, including North America. While research and clinical observations on the new…
COVID-19 pill gets advisory panel approval
The first oral antiviral medication to treat COVID-19 is one step closer. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has voted to recommend emergency use authorization…
Beyond the lungs: COVID-19 infection and the heart
Although COVID-19 has been seen as a disease that primarily affects the lungs, it can affect other organs, including the heart. Organ damage can lead…
COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5 to 11 years old: Good news for families
Nearly 28 million children in the U.S. are newly eligible to be protected by COVID-19 vaccination. The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization…
How clinical trials work: COVID-19 and beyond
Clinical trials follow rigorous scientific processes that usually take many years to complete. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical trials are operating on fast-forward. In…
Parkinson’s disease: It’s more than a tremor
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…
Advancing colorectal cancer screening with artificial intelligence
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,…
An underrecognized form of Alzheimer’s disease affects people in their younger years
In 2020, Mayo Clinic researchers defined a form of Alzheimer’s disease that strikes younger people as early as their 40s or 50s, involves atypical symptoms,…
What’s new in regenerative medicine research for neurodegenerative diseases
The cells in the brain and spinal cord don’t replace themselves after they’ve been injured, such as from a neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson’s, or as…
With esophageal cancer, every decision is life or death
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…
Fatigue that won’t stop: COVID-19 long-hauler syndrome
Experts estimate that 10 percent to 30 percent of people who have had COVID-19 experience fatigue and other symptoms many months after initial infection. In…
What women need to know about migraines
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…
Policies in health care lead to cruelty
In his book Why We Revolt (Mayo Clinic Press, 2020), Dr. Victor Montori writes about cruelty in health care. In this excerpt from the book,…
Meet John: a sign of problems in healthcare
John is a 55-year-old man. He is overweight. He takes two different pills daily for diabetes. He also has hypertension and, until recently, was using…
Robot-guided technology can bring greater precision to back and neck surgery
When it comes to back pain and neck pain, surgery is often a treatment of last resort. Most back and neck problems respond to nonsurgical…
Stem cells may be a step toward improving motor, sensory function after spinal cord injury
Between 250,000 and 500,000 people worldwide suffer a spinal cord injury each year, often with life-changing loss of sensory and motor function, according to the…
Q&A podcast: Book focuses on well-being and hope for dementia patients, care partners
Dementia is a serious health challenge. By some estimates, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia could triple by…
A safety plan can help you get out of an abusive environment
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…
The agony of da feet – Assessing foot and ankle pain and injury
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…
What are ‘natural’ personal care products?
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…
Osteoporosis affects men, too
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…
How to use healthy cooking oils at home
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 Cardiologist: Getting treatment for atrial fibrillation can improve quality of life
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…