Learn how to prevent the spread of flu
Do you know how to wash your hands?
Federal, state and local health officials say scrubbing your hands well with sudsy water can help decrease the spread of H1N1 influenza.
But you've got to really scrub, long enough to sing the happy birthday song twice. And that doesn't necessarily kill... (Monday, September 28, 2009)
Intense tracking for swine flu shot's side effects
WASHINGTON -- More than 3,000 people a day have a heart attack. If you're one of them the day after your swine flu shot, will you worry the vaccine was to blame and not the more likely culprit, all those burgers and fries? (Monday, September 28, 2009)
3 more deaths linked to swine flu in Minnesota
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota health officials on Friday reported three more deaths linked to swine flu, doubling the number of swine flu-related deaths in the state since April.
All three people -- a Watonwan County woman in her 40s, a Dakota County woman in her 50s and a Ramsey County man in his 50s --... (Friday, October 2, 2009)
Urologist urges earlier prostate screening
Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. R. Jeffrey Karnes has a message for men: Get screened for prostate cancer.
Starting at around age 40, men should be screened, he said, which is a change from the prior recommendation of 50 and older. Whether to be screened is "a decision that should be made between a man... (Monday, October 5, 2009)
Need vaccine? Don't line up yet
WASHINGTON -- And we're off: Swine flu vaccinations begin this week, after months of preparations and promises. But don't start bugging your doctor about an appointment just yet.
This week's initial shipments to states are so small that, with a few exceptions for children, most states are reserving... (Monday, October 5, 2009)
Mayo has only Flumist for adults
Due to high demand, Mayo Clinic's supply of seasonal flu vaccine is now limited to the Flumist nasal spray and injectable vaccine for children 6 months to 3 years old.
Employees and patients who already scheduled a seasonal vaccine appointment at Mayo Family Clinic Northeast or Mayo Family Clinic... (Monday, October 5, 2009)
Government finds higher autism figure -- 1 in 100
CHICAGO -- Two new government studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders -- higher than a previous U.S. estimate of 1 in 150.
Greater awareness, broader definitions and spotting autism in younger children may explain some of the increase, federal health officials said. (Monday, October 5, 2009)
New cocaine vaccine does not block craving
Scientists say they have developed a cocaine vaccine that can prevent addicts from getting high by blocking the drug's effect on the brain, though it does not blunt cravings for the drug.
Although the vaccine had only limited success, it created enough of an immune response in some subjects that... (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)
Study links virus to chronic fatigue syndrome
WASHINGTON -- A virus recently linked to prostate cancer is a new suspect in chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists tested blood from 101 patients and found two-thirds carried it.
That doesn't mean the virus causes chronic fatigue, stressed the research published Thursday in the journal Science. (Friday, October 9, 2009)
Mayo, OMC join county officials on H1N1 updates
Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center have joined forces to begin offering a weekly update about the H1N1 influenza situation.
So far, seven Minnesotans have died from complications of H1N1, the Minnesota Department of Health says. (Saturday, October 10, 2009)
Laughter yoga gains popularity in the Twin Cities
ST. PAUL -- Yoga is hilarious.
Seriously.
With the growing popularity of various forms of yoga, it was only a matter of time before a practice called laughter yoga made its way to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. (Saturday, October 10, 2009)
Flu outbreaks in Minn. schools slow a bit
MINNEAPOLIS -- The state Health Department says 125 Minnesota schools reported outbreaks of the flu in the last week of September, about 10 fewer than the week before.
The metro area again had the most reported school outbreaks, with 19 in Ramsey County, 14 in Hennepin County and 13 in Dakota... (Wednesday, October 7, 2009)
First doses of swine flu vaccine reach an anxious nation
The fear of swine flu is being compounded by new worries, this time among primary care doctors who say that they are swamped by calls from patients seeking the new vaccine, and that they are ill-prepared to cope with the nationwide drive to immunize everyone, particularly children and chronically... (Tuesday, October 6, 2009)
Medical research partnership receives skin cancer grant
A partnership among the Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic has been awarded $495,000 for a two-year skin cancer research project.
Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director of the Hormel Institute, received the grant to try to find the cause of skin cancer. The news was announced by... (Monday, October 5, 2009)
3 Americans share 2009 Nobel medicine prize
STOCKHOLM -- Americans Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak won the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discovering a key mechanism in the genetic operations of cells, an insight that has inspired new lines of research into cancer. (Monday, October 5, 2009)
MedicalStrong genetic component may be associated with Asperger
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What are the chances of Asperger syndrome being inherited?
Although doctors and researchers don't understand exactly what causes Asperger syndrome, there seems to be a strong genetic component associated with this disorder. For example, having one child in a family with Asperger... (Monday, October 5, 2009)
Mayo offers tips on preventing bed sores
Mayo Clinic Health Letter has tips for bedsore prevention:
• Change positions every 15 to 30 minutes (if in a wheelchair), or at least every two hours (if in bed).
• Support the body. Lie propped on side at a 30-degree angle with pillows to keep knees and ankles from touching. Or, on back,... (Saturday, October 3, 2009)
McTriage -- Hospitals use drive-thrus for swine flu
Fast-food places have them. Banks and pharmacies do, too. Now hospitals are opening drive-thrus and drive-up tent clinics to screen and treat a swelling tide of swine flu patients.
Call it McTriage. And yes, you can get Tamiflu with that -- if you're sick enough to need it. Most people aren't. (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)
Medical Edge --Drooping face often associated with Bell's palsy
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Two weeks ago, I noticed that my face was slightly droopy on one side, so I immediately went to my doctor. He was able to rule out a minor stroke and told me I most likely have Bell's palsy. What caused this, and will it really take care of itself, as he suggested? (Monday, September 28, 2009)
Range of treatments available for fibromyalgia
ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- Imagine one of the worst pains you've ever felt in your life.
Now imagine someone telling you it's all in your head.
"It was extremely frustrating," said Karen Linnell, who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after five years of flulike aches and pains. (Saturday, October 10, 2009)
Volunteers help U of M fight flu
MINNEAPOLIS -- About 100 University of Minnesota students are turning up with suspected cases of swine flu every week; however most of those H1N1 cases aren't identified by doctors or nurses, but rather by student volunteers called health advocates. (Saturday, October 10, 2009)
