Mayo Clinic Health Matters

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"Ask the Mayo Mom" discusses common concerns for new parents Mar 12, 2021

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Being a new parent is a time filled with excitement, exhaustion, and questions as children grow and develop rapidly during the first few years of life. Typical concerns for parents with infants and toddlers include eating, sleeping, common illnesses, immunizations and safety.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, a special edition of "Ask the Mayo Mom" focuses on parenting questions during the first few years of life. Dr. Angela Mattke a Mayo Clinic pediatrician and host of "Ask the Mayo Mom" is joined by Dr. Kelsey Klaas, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children’s Center. Dr. Klass is the co-medical editor of the updated 2nd edition of Mayo Clinic's Guide to Your Baby's First Years.

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So much learned in 1 year of COVID-19 Mar 10, 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how quickly life can change. That's evident in people's personal lives and across the scientific community. Remarkable advances have been made in science over the past year, guided by international research collaborations.

"When you look at nine months from when we first identified this pathogen to having a vaccine, that's as close to a human miracle, if I could use that term, as as one could expect," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.

But he says there have been some frustrations. "As soon as we make some progress, everybody wants to open up and relax restrictions," says Dr. Poland. "Opening up and getting back to normal is not a light switch."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland talks about lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that vaccinations aren't enough to beat the COVID-19 virus and variants. He also says that communicating science and public health messaging needs to improve in the future.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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“Brain fog” is a lingering condition for many COVID-19 long-haulers Mar 08, 2021

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Fatigue and what's being called "brain fog" are turning out to be some of the most common issues for long-hauler patients recovering from COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health calls these and other symptoms, which can last for several months, post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, or PASC.

Those suffering from brain fog may experience short-term memory loss, confusion, difficulty concentrating, or just feeling different than they did before they had COVID-19, even if it was a mild case of the infection.

And Dr. Billie Schultz, a Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation expert, says, though older patients more often to have these symptoms more often, younger people are also showing up with brain fog.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Schultz says brain fog seems to be more inflammatory than infection, but there are more questions than answers about this neurological concern. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to develop rehabilitation programs to help patients recover.

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Innovation during COVID-19 improves patient care for the future Mar 05, 2021

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At Mayo Clinic in Arizona, the COVID-19 pandemic means expanding virtual capabilities, increasing innovation, communicating and coordinating even more than usual, and streamlining patient care.

Dr. Richard Gray, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Arizona, says the medical teams and staff continue to be nimble and flexible, and they are learning each step of the way.

"I think that all of the creative solutions and accelerations in health care transformation will be what we'll carry with us," says Dr. Gray. "Because those will still be a day-to-day part of how we're taking care of patients and how we're performing our research and education duties."

Dr. Gray adds, "It's validated a lot of our thoughts of what the future should look like for Mayo Clinic and in a patient-centered way."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gray talks about the empathy and bravery of staff, as well as patients. And he expands on how the lessons learned will affect the "Arizona. Bold. Forward." strategy. That strategy will include adding space for inpatient care, outpatient care areas, emergency department and laboratory space, and expanding Mayo Clinic's education and research footprints.

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Don’t let down your guard during the COVID-19 pandemic Mar 03, 2021

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"People seem to be decreasing travel. More folks are wearing masks. They're following that hand, space, and vaccinate paradigm," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "And it's working."

But he warns that this is not the time to let down your guard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Poland says there are three COVID-19 vaccines and receiving whichever one is available to you, is the way out of this pandemic. He also reminds people to continue wearing masks, even after being vaccinated for COVID-19.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland answers more questions from listeners, including concerns about persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms following COVID-19, whether a COVID-19 vaccination is needed after having COVID-19, and if COVID-19 vaccines will become seasonal like the flu vaccine.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Don’t delay lifesaving cancer tests, treatments because of COVID-19 Mar 02, 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed, canceled and delayed many parts of people's lives, including when or if they seek medical care.

Dr. Robert McWilliams, a Mayo Clinic medical oncologist, says there are various reasons patients may be avoiding or delaying care. But he emphasizes that coming to medical institutions is safe, and that ignoring symptoms or delaying exams can result in more severe illness or even death.

"Early on in the pandemic, we said to postpone elective care," says Dr. McWilliams. "Unfortunately, I think a lot of people view cancer screening as part of elective care. It's really not."

On this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. McWilliams talks about the importance of cancer screenings, which cancer patients are at higher risk of COVID-19, whether patients receiving cancer treatment should be vaccinated for COVID-19 and how the acceleration of telehealth has been a silver lining of the pandemic.

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Screening for colorectal cancer can be prevention Mar 01, 2021

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Colorectal cancer is a term that includes colon and rectal cancers, both of which originate in the lower portion of the large intestine and into the rectum.

"The vast majority of the time, we don't know exactly what causes any specific cancer," says Dr. Jeremy Jones, a Mayo Clinic oncologist. "But there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing colon or rectal cancer."

Dr. Jones says one risk factor is increasing age. However, he adds that over the last 30 years younger patients have seen a 50% increased risk of developing colon and rectal cancers.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jones talks about risk factors, symptoms, treatment, health care disparities and the latest in colorectal cancer research.

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Less pain and faster recovery with minimally invasive heart surgery Feb 26, 2021

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Smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery are just a few reasons minimally invasive heart surgery can be a good option for patients with heart disease.

"I would define minimally invasive heart surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery as essentially performing a standard surgical operation through smaller incisions, without going through the breastbone," says Dr. Phillip Rowse, a Mayo Clinic cardiovascular surgeon.

Treating mitral valve disease is one example of how often robotic-assisted heart surgery is performed at Mayo Clinic. "Mayo treats about 120 cases, or more, robotically each year," Dr. Rowse says. "We have dedicated cardiologists who are in the room performing the echo tests at the time of surgery and right afterwards."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Rowse discusses who's eligible for this surgery and what's involved with minimally invasive heart surgery.

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COVID-19 variants and the evolving science Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

People may be curious, confused or critical of what seem to be changing messages related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, reminds folks that messages change because data changes and the science evolves.

"As we learn new science, we use that science to modify our recommendations," says Dr. Poland. "It's not that scientists are flip-flopping. It is that new data allows us to begin expanding those recommendations."

For instance, COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. are currently declining. But, Dr. Poland says, there are new data predicting the possibility of another surge of COVID-19 infections in March because of U.K. variant transmission.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Poland talks about several issues, including the U.K. variant, vaccine development and the public’s COVID-19 fatigue.
Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland.

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Hidden gallbladder and bile duct cancers Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits just beneath the liver, on the right side of the abdomen. Slender tubes that carry bile fluid also are also located in that area. Because of the relatively hidden nature of the gallbladder and bile ducts, cancers can grow without being detected. Late detection can mean a poor prognosis.

Dr. Kabir Mody, former co-chair of the Hepatobiliary Disease Group at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, says February is the awareness month set aside to educate people about these rare cancers.

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Mody talks about symptoms, detection, surgical interventions and treatments for gallbladder and bile ducts cancers.

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