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 health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.   Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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 become headlines, the red flags of health misinformation, and how to separate evidence-based advice from hype. Page. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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 rheumatologist Dr. Vanessa Kronzer about what drives inflammation, how we can do a better job preventing and treating it, and steps we can all take to help reduce inflammation in our bodies. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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. Susanne Warner about treating liver cancer and liver disease, as well as things we can all do to keep our livers healthy long-term. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.   Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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 Teske about disaster preparedness, from the home to the hospital. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]

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-free surgery, and what you can do today to keep your bladder healthy for years to come.

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 it in the first place. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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 they share more about screening, treatment and what gives them hope for the future. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books. Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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 separate common myths from evidence-based guidance so you can make more informed decisions about your skin health. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.  Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.  Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

An overwhelming surge of  COVID-19 cases is underway in the U.S. As the delta variant continues to spread, the lambda variant is showing up, and some people are refusing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or wear face masks. "My message today is a hospital term and that's Code Red," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "It is Code Red in the U.S. and for the globe regarding these variants." Dr. Poland adds that the public has been thinking that the COVID-19 pandemic was over but nothing could be further from the truth.  "You see article after article of people pleading for the vaccine, once they're intubated, or dying, or are begging their family to tell everybody, "We were wrong about this,'" says Dr. Poland. "People who were mocking vaccines and masks are now dead of COVID-19. It makes you feel beside yourself because you're watching a population-wide tragedy occurring, yet can't get the message across to people. How do you save the public from itself?" Dr. Poland encourages people to consider these 5 tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19: Listen to credible experts, not people who are celebrities or politicians, but people who know the science. Get vaccinated. Wear a proper mask properly. Limit your travel to only that which is essential. Avoid crowds and if it's inevitable you have to be around a crowd, stay to the periphery and wear a mask. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland goes into detail about the latest COVID-19 research, back-to-school masking, air travel and explains why people who have already had COVID-19 still need to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy