Mayo Clinic Health Matters

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, transfusion medicine specialist with the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center, explains how new blood donors are needed to step up and fill the void. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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

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: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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. This week on the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Bruce Pollock, a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon, explains how gamma knife radiosurgery is performed. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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

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

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 living kidney donation option.   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 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, or 90% of all patients with CF in the U.S.," says Dr. Mark Wylam, a Mayo Clinic pulmonologist, and Myer's physician. Myer and Dr. Wylam share the story on this week's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast.   Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 advice on this week's "Mayo Clinic Q&A" podcast.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy