Mayo Clinic Health Matters

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Ask the Mayo Mom: RSV and bronchiolitis – what to expect this season Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract. It's so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2.

RSV can cause severe infection in some people, especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system.

In severe cases, RSV infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing pneumonia or bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airway passages entering the lungs. Signs and symptoms may include:

Congested or runny nose
Dry cough
Low-grade fever
Sore throat
Sneezing
Headache

Treatment for RSV generally involves self-care measures, but hospital care may be needed if severe symptoms occur.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Ask the Mayo Mom host Dr. Angela Mattke, Mayo Clinic pediatrician, is joined by Dr. Jay Homme, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, and Dr. Jim Homme, a Mayo Clinic pediatric emergency medicine physician, to discuss what parents and caregivers should expect for RSV and bronchiolitis this season.

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Experts urge COVID-19 boosters to fight omicron surge Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

More Americans are now eligible for COVID-19 booster doses as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine booster for 16- and 17-year-olds late last week. Previously, only those 18 and older were eligible.

Early research suggests that a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe disease caused by the omicron variant, according to Pfizer.

Mayo Clinic experts say, regardless of the variant, prevention of infection works. Getting a booster offers the highest protection possible against COVID-19.

"Omicron infection rates are picking up rapidly," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "If we do not take the proper precaution over the holiday, we are going to see a January omicron surge."

Dr. Poland explains that there are two threats — delta and omicron COVID-19 variants — but there is a solution. "Masking and boosting — those are key to protecting yourself and your family."

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest on COVID-19 variants and shares advice on how to stay safe this holiday season.

Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Got itchy, red skin? Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

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 reactions to the inflammation or immune system coming to the skin and causing a reaction," says Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist.

Psoriasis is thought to be an immune system problem that causes the skin to regenerate at faster-than-normal rates. This rapid turnover of cells results in scales and red patches.

Eczema results from irritants or allergens. It's common in children, but can occur at any age. And people with eczema often have other sensitivities, including asthma, hay fever or food allergies.

Both are long-term chronic conditions that don’t have a cure but can be treated. It is important for people with psoriasis or eczema to seek care to control flares-ups and improve their quality of life.

"Anticipate a lifelong relationship with your dermatologist or primary care provider so that we can take care of your skin over time and keep track of the treatment and management of your condition," explains Dr. Davis.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Davis helps explain the similarities, differences and treatments for psoriasis and eczema.

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Find direction to disease prevention using a compass of habits Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

While we know that health affects longevity and quality of life, it can be difficult to change bad habits. People often try to make sweeping New Year's resolutions, only to fail.

Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a Mayo Clinic preventive cardiologist, says a better approach is to focus on small steps that add up over time.

"The answer, I think, is to make small sustainable steps that you can live with," says Dr. Kopecky "And when I say small steps, like for diet, I tell patients one bite, one bite of something healthy. Take some processed meat or foods off your plate, and put on something like a legume or a bean. After a couple of years, that one-bite difference will lower your risk of having a heart attack."

In his new book, "Live Younger Longer: 6 Steps to Prevent Heart Disease, Cancer, Alzheimer's and More," Dr. Kopecky shares strategies for making changes, including thinking of a compass of habits:

N — Nutrition
E — Exercise
W — Weight
S — Sleep, stress, smoking and spirits (alcohol)

Making positive changes in these areas can help improve health and longevity.

"We cannot prevent aging. We can slow aging," says Dr. Kopecky. "But we can prevent disease, it's certainly possible to do. And if you adopt a certain healthy lifestyle, you can affect that."

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Kopecky discusses developing healthy habits one small step at a time.

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Post COVID-19 syndrome can be a long haul Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

Most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease — continue to experience symptoms after their initial recovery.

Sometimes called “long haulers” or “long COVID," these patients can have fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog and other symptoms long after the time of their infection.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome conditions are generally considered to be effects of COVID-19 that persist for more than four weeks after you've been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

A recent Mayo Clinic study on post-COVID-19 symptoms found that more women than men suffer long-term effects. Women predominantly showed symptoms of fatigue, followed by muscle pain and low blood pressure, while men primarily experienced shortness of breath.

Research is also underway to better understand what may be causing post-COVID-19 syndrome.

"We do have some research now that shows that some of the cells that are used to create immunity after an infection, they may be malfunctioning in this condition in patients with long-haul COVID," says Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, director of Mayo Clinic’s COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program. "We also now have some research that shows that patients with this condition can have antibodies against themselves, otherwise known as an auto-antibody. And this may be associated with the long-haul COVID state, so immune dysfunction and auto immunity, they may be at play here."

The COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic helps people experiencing post-COVID-19 syndrome by working with patients to decrease symptoms and improve overall functioning and quality of life.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Vanichkachorn discusses how treatment can help patients who suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome.

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Diet and nutrition help cancer survivors return to good health Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

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 cancer survivors can enjoy the years ahead.

Diet and nutrition recommendations for cancer survivors are no different from the recommendations for anyone who wants to improve their health: Eat a balanced diet with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits and whole grains; drink alcohol moderately, if at all; and maintain a healthy weight.

"Both the American Cancer Society and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend the same exact diet for cancer survivors that we recommend for cancer prevention," says Dr. Dawn Mussallem, a Mayo Clinic hematologist and oncologist. "A low fat-diet is recommended. That's a predominantly whole food, plant-based diet that is rich with vegetables; whole grains; colorful fruits; and things like beans, lentils, seeds and nuts. This is really the essential diet that's good for all health and health-related diseases, not just cancer."

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to overall health, but some cancer survivors may struggle to maintain weight during and after treatment due to nausea or lack of appetite.

"For underweight patients, it is very important that they work with a dietician," says Dr. Mussallem. "These patients need healthy, high calorie-dense foods and they may need to eat smaller portions throughout the day."

On this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Mussallem, discusses what cancer survivors should know about diet and nutrition.

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Healing from cleft lip and cleft palate Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

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 corrected.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip; the roof of the mouth, or palate; or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don't close completely.

Treatment involves surgery or a series of surgeries to repair the defect and therapies to improve any related conditions. Treatment seeks to improve the child's ability to eat, speak and hear normally, and achieve a normal facial appearance.

On this edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Angela Mattke, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician and host of "Ask the Mayo Mom", discusses cleft lip and cleft palate with three Mayo Clinic Children’s Center experts: Dr. Samir Mardini, chair of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Dr. Shelagh Cofer, a pediatric otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon; and Dr. Waleed Gibreel, a craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgeon.

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Boosters reduce vulnerability to COVID-19 variants Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

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 strain are underway, it is not yet known what impact, if any, omicron will have on the immune response, transmissibility, or specific COVID-19 treatments.

The emergence of omicron is a reminder to take important steps to protect yourself against COVID-19.

"The answer is masking and boosters," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.

Dr. Poland is encouraged by vaccine booster rates in the U.S. "In a relatively short period of time, about 36% of adults who are eligible have indeed gotten a booster," says Dr. Poland. "There's plenty of vaccine available. So in the strongest possible terms, I would recommend getting that booster."

Adults who are six months past completing their initial Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination series are eligible to receive a booster dose, as are adults who are two months past completing their initial dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the omicron variant and COVID-19 boosters, and he answers some listener questions.

Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Well-being and hope for dementia patients, caregivers Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

November is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the disease while recognizing the important work that caregivers do when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia.

Approximately 5.8 million people in the U.S. age 65 and older live with Alzheimer's disease. Of those, 80% are 75 and older. Of the approximately 50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60% and 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease.

For those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, common questions include:

When it comes to memory, what is typical aging?
What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia?
How can you keep your brain healthy?

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, a behavioral neurologist at Mayo Clinic, and Angela Lunde, an investigator in Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center — both co-authors of the second edition of "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: A Guide for People With Dementia and Those Who Care for Them" — share stories of those living with dementia and offer practical advice for caregivers.

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Justin’s journey and silver linings Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

At the age of 15, Justin Vigile was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that causes the muscles of the heart to thicken, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Vigile had a cardiac defibrillator placed, but over time, his heart began to fail.

When looking for answers and help, Vigile and his family turned to Mayo Clinic. Thanks to science, research and an innovative procedure performed by the man who developed it, Justin got his life back.

At Mayo, Dr. Hartzell Schaff, a cardiovascular surgeon, gave Vigile an alternative to heart transplant in the form of apical myectomy, a surgical procedure to relieve symptoms caused by the thickening of muscle in the apex of his heart.

It's a procedure that Dr. Schaff developed at Mayo Clinic in 1996. Vigile feels grateful for the surgery and the surgeon.

"Dr. Schaff changed my life, which is obvious. But it also changed the lives of my friends and family. I was able to meet the woman that I fell in love with. I've been able to pursue my dreams." Those dreams include writing music for NFL films and becoming a podcaster.

Now, almost 10 years later, Vigile and Dr. Schaff reunite on the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast. Also on the program, Justin's podcast partner, Darrell Campbell, joins the conversation to talk about the Everyman Podcast and how they've found silver linings along the way.

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