Mayo Clinic Health Matters

It seems like everyone's talking about hormone panels. But are they worth the hype — and the cost? And are your hormones really the problem? On this episode of Health Matters, endocrinologist and women's health expert Dr. Ekta Kapoor explains what a hormone panel can — and can't — tell you about your health. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more...

Breaking news! This podcast episode is going to change everything you thought you knew about health … or is it? Catchy headlines and viral videos are everywhere — but can you trust them? On this episode of Health Matters, registered dietitian Joy Heimgartner guides us through all the twists and turns research results can take as they move from the lab to your For You Page. She explains how studies...

Some inflammation is helpful, but too much can do more harm than good. These days, chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health conditions, from joint pain and digestive issues to heart disease and fatigue. So how do you know whether chronic inflammation is contributing to your health concerns — and what can you do about it? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with rheumatologis...

The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and the only one with a significant ability to regenerate. But that doesn't mean the liver is invincible. Liver cancer is harder to detect than some other cancers — and challenging to treat. So who is likely to get liver cancer, and how can you reduce your risk? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with liver and pancreatic surgeon Dr...

Midwest tornadoes. East Coast hurricanes. West Coast wildfires. Giant earthquakes and towering waves. Emergencies can bring out the biggest challenges — and surprising strengths — in people and healthcare systems alike. So how do you care for your health when your world might literally be falling apart? On this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with emergency management coordinator Deb Tesk...

Bladder cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the U.S. On top of that, it can be difficult to diagnose. But it also has some very clear causes — which means there are real steps you can take to reduce your risk. On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with urologist Dr. Timothy Lyon about the surprising connection between the bladder and the lungs, cutting-edge treatments like incision...

Back pain has a way of stopping life in its tracks. One minute you’re bending down to pick up a shoe, and the next you’re flat on your back, wondering how something so small could cause so much pain — and what you can do to feel better. In this episode of Health Matters, we talk with physiatrist Dr. Nick Canzanello about why back pain happens, when it may be serious, and what you can do to prevent...

Lung cancer currently accounts for about one in five cancer deaths. But only a fraction of people who are eligible for lung cancer screening are getting screened. So why aren’t more people getting screened? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with pulmonologist Dr. Brett Bade and oncologist Dr. Konstantinos Leventakos. They’re part of a team delivering cutting-edge lung cancer care, and the...

Dandruff, eczema, rashes, redness — dermatitis can take many forms. While symptoms can be frustrating, uncomfortable or even painful, effective treatment options are available. On this episode of Health Matters, dermatologist Dawn Marie Davis, M.D., joins us to explain the different types of dermatitis, how to manage symptoms, and what actually works when it comes to skin care. She also helps sepa...

What if your doctor prescribed a poem? What if the surgeon removing your tumor took an improv class? On this episode of Health Matters, we continue our conversation on the intersection of art and medicine. First, Dr. Shelley Noland — a hand and peripheral nerve surgeon and medical director of the Center for Humanities in Medicine — joins us to explore what the science says about the healing power...

Art feeds the soul — but can it also help the body heal? Mayo Clinic’s Arts at the Bedside program is exploring exactly that. On this episode of Health Matters, we’re joined by artist Robin Anderson, who brings creativity directly to patients’ bedsides, and patient-turned-artist Katie White, who left Mayo Clinic with not just a new heart, but a new creative passion. Together, they share how art ca...

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...

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,...

It’s time to talk about poop. While poop can feel awkward or uncomfortable to talk about, it can offer valuable clues about your health. So what might your poop be telling you? In this episode of Health Matters, gastroenterologist Dr. Xiao Jing Iris Wang shares practical guidance on healthy bowel habits, how to manage constipation and diarrhea, and whether there really are “right” or “wrong” ways...

How does healthcare in rural America differ from care in cities? The answer is more complex than familiar images of house calls and close-knit communities. On this episode of Health Matters, Steven Furr, M.D., of the American Academy of Family Physicians draws on more than 40 years of experience practicing rural medicine. He explains what makes rural populations unique, how closely connected rural...

Many people find strokes frightening to think about, but advances in stroke care continue to improve survival and recovery. What has changed, and what should patients and families know about stroke symptoms, treatment and prevention? On this episode of Health Matters, neurologist James Klaas, M.D., explains how stroke treatment has evolved, what signs and symptoms require immediate attention, and...

Why is nicotine so hard to quit? What’s the best way to do it? In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Robert Kirchoff breaks down the science of addiction. He explains why the method of nicotine use — including pouches, vaping, smoking and chewing tobacco — matters and discusses how GLP-1 medications may play a future role in smoking cessation. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.   Find u...

On this episode of Health Matters, genitourinary oncologist Dr. Elisabeth Heath breaks down what we know — and what we’re still learning — about the prostate and prostate cancer. She also shares the latest advances in treating metastatic prostate cancer and explains how many people diagnosed with advanced disease can still live full, fulfilling lives. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails. ...

You’ve been dealing with headaches, joint pain and sudden trouble concentrating. Could it be menopause? The menopause transition can be confusing, especially because there’s no single set of symptoms or treatments. In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Denise Millstine discusses how perimenopause and menopause are diagnosed, the latest on hormone therapy, and how our understanding of this stage o...

We all want a bright set of pearly whites, but teeth are more than what meets the eye. Your mouth and teeth serve as gatekeepers for your body, helping protect your heart, lungs and other organs from bacteria, pathogens and disease. On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Sarah Lee, a prosthodontist, about how oral health and overall health go hand in hand — and how to optimize your de...

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Little League elbow — and now, even pickleball elbow. Staying active has countless benefits, but sports can be tough on your tendons. And you don’t have to be an athlete to end up with a “sports injury.” So, what are the early signs to watch for, and how can you prevent injury in the first place? Is there anything you can do to speed up recovery? On this episode of He...

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...

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...

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....

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 tal...