Mayo Clinic Health Matters

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, covers the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses current outbreak numbers, why there may be a second wave of infections, and research on a vaccine.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread worldwide, a race began to develop testing protocols and ramp up research. Mayo Clinic's COVID-19 research task force is studying the virus, predicting hot spots, and working towards effective treatments and a vaccine. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Andrew Badley, chair of Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 research task force, gives an update on COVID-19 research activities at Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, efforts are underway to find a new normal and begin to reopen the country and the economy. While people are eager for strict social distancing rules to end, public health measures, including testing and tracing for the virus, will be important tools needed to control the spread of the virus and prevent an uptick in new infections. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, discusses the steps needed to reopen businesses, schools and other activities as the fight to control COVID-19 continues.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A new serology test from Mayo Clinic Laboratories is being used to identify the presence of immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The serology test is intended only to detect antibodies to the virus. It does not diagnose recent or active infection. Mayo Clinic Laboratories also offers a molecular test to diagnose very recent or active infection. Both tests are important tools in the pandemic response. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Elitza Theel, director of Mayo Clinic’s Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory, explains why serology testing is initially focused on identifying people in areas where potential immunity is key, including front-line health care workers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to daily life, and disrupted normal routines at work, at school, and at home. Physical isolation can negatively affect mental health, and constant news coverage can bring fear and anxiety about the disease. How can you best cope in these uncertain times? On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, chair of the Division of Integrated Behavioral Health at Mayo Clinic, shares helpful tips and strategies on managing stress and anxiety during the pandemic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Contact tracing is a used to slow community spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Contact tracing is the process of finding and reaching out to the people who have been in contact with an infected person. Then close contacts of a person who might have COVID-19 can be isolated or quarantined to lessen further spread of the virus. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, explains contact tracing and discusses other current news related to the COVID-19 pandemic.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An intensive care unit (ICU) is a special unit in a hospital where patients who are very ill can be under constant supervision by their health care team. The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed ICU and critical care units in hot spots where the virus had spread widely. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Daniel Brown, director of critical care medicine at Mayo Clinic, discusses critical care medicine and COVID-19. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There are two types of tests for COVID-19, and it is important to understand the difference. The first type, a diagnostic test, is used to find out if you are actively infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. This test typically is done as a nasal swab. The second type of test is a serologic test to determine if you had a recent infection of SARS-CoV-2 and now have antibodies against the virus. This test is done through a blood sample. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, explains the need for two different tests and how they will help move recovery from the pandemic forward.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Emergency medicine is a specialty that prides itself on a mantra: anyone, anything, anytime. The COVID-19 pandemic has put emergency health care providers and first responders on the front lines, fighting the spread of the virus and caring for critically ill patients. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Annie Sadosty, a Mayo Clinic emergency medicine physician, discusses when patients should come to the emergency room, how to safely care for people with COVID-19, and how teams at Mayo Clinic are collaborating during the pandemic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Because SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus, researchers are still learning how the virus affects the body. And this raises questions for pregnant women. Can COVID-19 affect pregnancy? Is breastfeeding safe? How can a pregnant woman protect herself from the disease? On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, will discuss COVID-19 and pregnancy. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, covers the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses why the U.S. has reached its deadliest week during the pandemic, and how clinical trials and vaccine research are underway to prevent future outbreaks.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A study published recently in Mayo Clinic Proceedings details information about potential cardiac side effects when using off-label drugs to treat COVID-19. Off-label means the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat a different condition. Some of the off-label drugs being used to treat COVID-19 have a risk of sudden cardiac arrest and death. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Michael Ackerman, a Mayo Clinic genetic cardiologist and director of the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory, explains how heart monitoring is important to identify at-risk patients. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that Americans wear wearing cloth masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The CDC considers cloth masks an additional, voluntary public health measure. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic COVID-19 expert, explains the difference between medical masking and public masking, and discusses the proper way to put a mask on and off to prevent the spread of disease.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, shares the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses antibody testing, immunity, and how the scientific and research communities are collaborating to fight this disease.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily burdened front-line health care providers. "Our nation and our medical community is facing an unprecedented challenge," says Dr. Elie Berbari, chair of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Berbari discusses how Mayo Clinic is minimizing exposure to staff, while providing safe and compassionate care to patients. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been seen before in humans. SARS-Co-V2 is a novel virus, causing the disease COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is a new disease, much is still being learned about how it spreads and the severity of illness it causes. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, infectious disease expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, explains the science behind how the virus makes people sick, and what the virus does to the body. Dr. Poland will also discuss the latest information on clinical trials and vaccine research to fight the disease outbreak. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When it comes to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayo Clinic is relying not only on clinicians, but also engineers. Supply chain management and manufacturing capabilities are being readied to help in the fight against COVID-19. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jonathan Morris, co-director of tMayo Clinic's 3D Anatomic Modeling Lab, and Mark Wehde, chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Engineering, discuss personal protective equipment and mobilizing the manufacturing sector to help in the fight. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Each day, the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast shares the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. On today's episode, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, answers listeners' coronavirus questions.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As people follow recommendations to stay home and practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, questions arise as to how to pass the time. There may be things you can do to help get and stay healthy. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Cozine, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician, highlights the importance of eating well, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep to stay well while being stuck at home. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, shares the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses the importance of testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19; work being done on antiviral medications; and how long social distancing might need to last.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Continuous news coverage about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is creating worry and anxiety for people across the globe. How can you be better prepared to cope with the crisis? On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Beth Rush, a Mayo Clinic neuropsychologist, shares ideas for taking care of your mental health and finding comfort amid the uncertainty. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The information about the COVID-19 pandemic changes rapidly, and it's hard to stay up to date with the latest information. On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, answers COVID-19 questions. Dr. Poland discusses preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus, what to do if you do get sick, and the potential for effective treatments and a vaccine. Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In epidemiology, the idea of slowing a virus' spread so that fewer people need to seek treatment at any given time is known as "flattening the curve." It's a phrase you've likely heard in the news, and it is an important goal for governments and health care leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Clayton Cowl, chair of Mayo Clinic's Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, explains how isolation can stop a spike in the number of new coronavirus cases. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Long-term care facilities are taking steps to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. With guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, long-term care facilities are restricting visitors in most cases. The Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features Dr. Brandon Verdoorn, a Mayo Clinic geriatrician. Dr. Verdoorn is also medical director of Charter House, a continuing care retirement community in Rochester, Minnesota, that is affiliated with Mayo Clinic. Dr. Verdoorn explains how staff are taking steps to keep residents safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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

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. Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to the "Mayo Clinic Q&A" podcast today. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to Q & A, a new weekly podcast from Mayo Clinic. On this podcast, we will welcome Mayo Clinic physicians, nurses, dietitians and patients for wide-ranging interviews on newsworthy topics, emerging treatments, and complex conditions. Our goal – reach patients and consumers where they are and share medical information and health and wellness news from Mayo Clinic experts. Subscribe now and look for episodes starting January 2020. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy