Mayo Clinic Health Matters

As people follow recommendations to stay home and practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, questions arise as to how to pass the time. There may be things you can do to help get and stay healthy. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Cozine, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, highlights the importance of eating well, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep to stay...

On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, shares the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses the importance of testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19; work being done on antiviral medications; and how long social distancing might need to last. Research disclosures...

Continuous news coverage about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is creating worry and anxiety for people across the globe. How can you be better prepared to cope with the crisis? On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Beth Rush, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist, shares ideas for taking care of your mental health and finding comfort amid the uncertainty. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle....

The information about the COVID-19 pandemic changes rapidly, and it's hard to stay up to date with the latest information. On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, answers COVID-19 questions. Dr. Poland discusses preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus, what to do if you do get sic...

In epidemiology, the idea of slowing a virus' spread so that fewer people need to seek treatment at any given time is known as "flattening the curve." It's a phrase you've likely heard in the news, and it is an important goal for governments and health care leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Preventive, Occupati...

Long-term care facilities are taking steps to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. With guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, long-term care facilities are restricting visitors in most cases. The Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features Dr. Brandon Verdoorn, a Mayo Clinic geriatrician. Dr. Verdoorn is also medi...

With recommendations to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. now has a critical blood shortage. Blood donation collections have plummeted due to canceled blood drives and concerns about being out in the community. Almost half of U.S. blood collectors are reporting that they only have a two-day supply or less of blood products. On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Justin Kreuter, tra...

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases specialist, gives helpful tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 (coronavirus). Hand-washing, social distancing and respiratory etiquette all play a part in stopping the spread of coronavirus. Learn more on today's episode of Mayo Clinic Q&A. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy...

This week’s episode of Mayo Clinic Q&A separates fact from fiction on COVID-19 (coronavirus). Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, discusses who is at risk, how to stay protected from the virus, and, if there will be a coronavirus vaccine in the future. Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: ht...

Gamma knife radio surgery is surgery without a scalpel. The procedure combines radiation oncology and neurosurgery to treat lesions in the brain, including tumors. Among the upsides, there's no incision in the skull, the radiation can be given in a single outpatient setting, and there are no typical side effects like hair loss, and nausea and vomiting, that come with traditional radiation therapy....

Millions of Americans have coronary artery disease caused by plaque buildup in their blood vessels. But once heart disease starts, can the damage be undone? "Studies have shown you can reverse this narrowing of the arteries to the heart," says Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. So what can you do to make your heart healthier than it is today? The answer is in this week's Mayo Clinic...

“Sperm counts have dropped over 40% over the last 60 years”, according to Dr. Sevann Helo, a Mayo Clinic urologist. What’s behind the dramatic decrease? Smoking, stress and environmental exposures as well as a man’s biological clock affect fertility. What can a man do to increase and maintain fertility? The answer on this episode of Mayo Clinic Q&A. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/bra...

In honor of National Donor Day on Feb 14th, the latest episode Mayo Clinic Q&A takes a look at living donor kidney transplant. While 6,000 people chose living kidney donation in 2018, experts say the pool of potential donors is still untapped. Educating would-be donors and recipients about the advantages of living donation is key. Dr. Mikel Prieto, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon, discusses the l...

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. Chest pain is a common symptom, but it's often not the only one, and understanding the wide-ranging symptoms of heart disease becomes more important as a woman ages. What is a woman's best defense against heart disease? Dr. Rekha Mankad, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, discusses women’s heart health — this week on Mayo Clinic Q&A. Advertising Inqu...

The latest episode of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, features a milestone in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). Tim Myer has lived with cystic fibrosis his whole life. He was awaiting a lung transplant, when a new medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration changed everything. "There are about 30,000 patients in the U.S. with cystic fibrosis. This drug will expand treatment to 27,000...

More than 6,000 people had died from flu complications, including 39 children, as of mid-January. The flu vaccine is still the best defense against the illness. And if you get the shot but still end up with the flu, there are anti-viral treatments that can help. What can you do today to prevent or treat this year's flu?  Dr. Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, shares...

The heart doesn’t lie, and you may be surprised to learn that your heart can even reveal your physiological age. Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to an EKG can now measure your body's health. On the debut episode of the "Mayo Clinic Q&A" podcast, Dr. Paul Friedman and Dr. Suraj Kapa — both Mayo Clinic cardiologists —explain how your body's age might differ from what's on your birth certificate...

Welcome to Q & A, a new weekly podcast from Mayo Clinic. On this podcast, we will welcome Mayo Clinic physicians, nurses, dietitians and patients for wide-ranging interviews on newsworthy topics, emerging treatments, and complex conditions. Our goal – reach patients and consumers where they are and share medical information and health and wellness news from Mayo Clinic experts. Subscribe now and l...