Mayo Clinic Health Matters

Pediatric growth charts track growth in infants, children and adolescents. While children can go through brief periods where they gain or lose a little weight, if children don't gain weight or grow well, they may be diagnosed with failure to thrive. On the other end of the nutrition spectrum are children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This occurs when too much fat is stored in the liver and can cause problems for the liver’s normal functioning. This edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode, which is hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. To discuss the nutrition spectrum in children, Dr. Mattke is joined by Dr. Dana Steien, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Sara Hassan, a pediatric gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist at Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For generations, people have intentionally and unintentionally exposed their skin to the sun. As a result, skin cancer has become the most common form of cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment options are limited for people with skin cancer, especially on the face and more specifically the nose. Dr. Brittany E. Howard, a Mayo Clinic otolaryngologist, and head and neck surgeon, says the cancer often leaves a patient with deformities. And these patients sometimes require prosthetics. Dr. Howard specializes in facial plastic and reconstruction. However, Dr. Howard says there is a relatively uncommon reconstructive surgery, using regenerative medicine techniques, that can help a patient return to a new normal and feel less self-conscious. "After we treat the cancer, the specialized team can work with the patient all the way through the reconstruction surgery," says Dr. Howard. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Howard talks about research by Mayo Clinic's Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Mayo Clinic surgical team that can reconstruct parts of a patient's face. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The first COVID-19 vaccines to reach the market are likely to be messenger RNA vaccines, or mRNA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mRNA vaccines work by teaching cells in the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. Unlike many vaccines that use a weakened or inactivated form of a virus, mRNA vaccines do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, explains how mRNA vaccines work, gives a status update on the pandemic and answers listener questions.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The current COVID-19 surge numbers could worsen in coming days as experts prepare for a post-Thanksgiving holiday increase in cases. Increased positivity rates lead to more people needing hospitalization, straining the health care system and medical staff. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Elie Berbari, chair of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic, explains how Mayo Clinic is managing staff, supplies and space during the COVID-19 surge. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

More than 12,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a liver transplant, and 1 in 5 of those on the national waiting list will die or become too sick before an organ becomes available. Due to the shortage of available deceased donor organs, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is expanding its living liver donation program. While living donors traditionally have been people who know the recipient, such as a family member or friend, the Mayo Clinic program now include non directed and paired donation options. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Timucin Taner, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon, discusses the process of living liver donation and shares information on becoming an organ donor. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Berg has had seizures due to epilepsy since he was 12 years old. This past year, his seizures increased in frequency, affecting his day-to-day life and his ability to work. With encouragement from his fiancee, Eric sought treatment at Mayo Clinic. At Mayo Clinic, experts are using a new way to treat some seizure disorders: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS. This treatment uses a magnetic field to stimulate certain areas of the brain. While often used to treat depression, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation also is showing promise in treating seizures. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Eric Berg shares his story. His physician, Dr. Jeffrey Britton, a neurologist and chair of the Division of Epilepsy at Mayo Clinic, also joins the podcast and explains how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is used to treat seizure disorders. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday will look different for families across the country this year. As the pandemic worsens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends no Thanksgiving travel, instead asking Americans to stay home and celebrate only with their immediate household to reduce the risk of spreading 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 the need to stay home and stay safe this holiday season. Also on the podcast, Dr. Poland discusses emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines and how these vaccines will be distributed across the country.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

COVID-19 patients may experience a mild case of the illness, and others may experience the most severe symptoms, which can lead to death. There are some patients who recover at home but are monitored as they're healing. For instance, these patients need to check their vital signs daily, including oxygen saturation levels, body temperature an blood pressure. Dr. Tufia Haddad, a Mayo Clinic oncologist and medical director of the Center for Connected Care's Remote Patient Monitoring program, at Mayo Clinic, says the program is a way to deliver patient care between clinical visits to make sure their health is improving. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Haddad details how the program works for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development that affects how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. This special edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode, which is hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss interventions and resources for children with autism is Dr. Maja Katusic a Mayo Clinic developmental-behavioral pediatrician. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While testicular cancer is rare compared with other types of cancer, it is the most common cancer in American males ages 15 to 35. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Several treatments or a combination of treatments are available, and long-term survival rates are greater than 90%. As a part of men's health and the Movember Foundation's focus on testicular cancer, Dr. Matthew Ziegelmann, a Mayo Clinic urologist, joins the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast to discuss diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When it comes to medical care, men are less likely to seek care than women. While men may typically avoid seeing their health care provider, some problems often prompt them to take action. One complaint that can bring men to the doctor's office is erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex. Since erectile dysfunction also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment, and it is a risk factor for heart disease, it is important for men to talk to their health care provider. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Sevann Helo, a Mayo Clinic urologist, discusses men's sexual health and treatments for erectile dysfunction, as well as male infertility. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge, there is positive news on the vaccine front. In early clinical trial data, two vaccines have now shown at least 90% effectiveness in reducing the risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. While more time and research is needed to understand how long the immunity from a vaccine lasts, experts believe a vaccine could be approved for emergency use authorization before the end of the year. 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 latest on current COVID-19 clinical trials. Dr. Poland also explains what public health experts mean by community spread of the virus and why that leads to exponential growth in cases of COVID-19.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and causes seizures. More than 3 million Americans and more than 65 million people worldwide have epilepsy - a key reason that November is recognized as National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Thankfully, treatment with medications or sometimes surgery can control seizures for most people with epilepsy. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Joseph Sirven, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, discusses the importance of raising awareness of epilepsy to lessen the stigma, Dr. Sirven also highlights the latest in treatments and research. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

An estimated 47 million Americans are living with cardiometabolic diseases, according to the American College of Cardiology. Cardiometabolic diseases are interrelated conditions that include cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, as well as metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Patients with cardiometabolic diseases have a higher risk of not only developing COVID-19, but also developing complications related to COVID-19. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, discusses lifestyle factors that affect cardiometabolic diseases and how COVID-19 can damage the heart. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, one of the areas of science and research most affected was laboratory medicine. From developing tests that detect the virus, to testing for antibodies in patients who have recovered, Mayo Clinic Laboratories has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing and research. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. William Morice II, president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories and chair of the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, explains how a reference lab works and how Mayo Clinic Laboratories quickly ramped up its testing capability to meet pandemic testing needs. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The U.S. reached the wrong kind of milestones this past week, reporting the 10 millionth coronavirus case and daily infection rates repeatedly topping the 100,000 mark. Cases of COVID-19 have been spiking for weeks as a third wave of infections spreads across the country. 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 growing number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and across Europe, and what can be done to reverse the trends.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. In the U.S., 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer that's detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland — has a better chance to be successfully treated, so it's important that men know their risk factors. The "Movember" movement is encouraging men to grow a mustache in November to raise awareness of men's health issues, including prostate cancer. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Raymond Pak, a Mayo Clinic urologist, explains the guidelines for prostate screening and when to get a second opinion. Dr. Pak also shares the latest advances in treatment for prostate cancer. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pancreatic cancer tends to spread quickly and early detection is uncommon. For up to 50% of patients, at the time of their diagnosis, the cancer has spread outside the pancreas to other organs. Survival rates are typically 12 to 18 months, but there have been improvements in surgical techniques and chemotherapy. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Mark Truty, an oncology surgeon, and Dr. Santhi Swaroop Vege, a gastroenterologist, talk about treatment options, new chemotherapies, improving a patient's quality of life and the collaborative approach to team-based patient care at Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Congential heart defects are the most common birth defect in the U.S., affecting approximately 1 in every 110 (about 40,000) babies each year. Some congenital heart defects in children are simple and don't need treatment. Other congenital heart defects are more complex and may require several surgeries performed over a period of several years. This special edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode, which is hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss cardiovascular surgery is Dr. Elizabeth Stephens, a Mayo Clinic pediatric cardiovascular surgeon. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A recent survey conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association found that nearly 80% of adults say that the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives. In addition, 60% say that they are overwhelmed by the number of issues America faces, including health care, the economy, racism and political tensions. Now, the holidays are looming, a time of year that often brings heightened family and relationship stress. How can we better cope in these unsettling times? On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Craig Sawchuk, the division chair of Integrated Behavioral Health at Mayo Clinic, discusses how to handle relationships and stress during the holidays and beyond. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Each week, the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast shares the latest information on COVID-19. On today's episode, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, answers listeners' coronavirus questions. Dr. Poland discusses how to stay safe from the virus while exercising outdoors, whether temperature checks help screen for COVID-19, and how to deal with holiday travel and gatherings this year.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The second edition of "Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias: A Guide for People With Dementia and Those Who Care for Them" answers many common questions including: When it comes to memory, what is typical aging? What is the difference between Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia? How can you keep your brain healthy? On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, co-editors of the book, Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford, a behavioral neurologist at Mayo Clinic, and Angela Lunde, co-investigator in Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, highlight the book's focus on personal stories of those living with dementia and practical advice for caregivers. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A recent Mayo Clinic study looked at the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minorities. "We found that environmental factors, especially systemic racism and problems with housing density, predispose these patients to having more chances of infection," says Dr. Aditya Shah, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert and one of the authors of the study. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Shah explains the research findings and discusses how clinicians can help bring awareness to health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to spike across much of the country, the role of contact tracing to prevent further spread becomes more important. Contact tracing is the process of notifying people who have had close contact with people newly infected with COVID-19, to let them know they may have been exposed. When it comes to contact tracing, quarantining and isolation, timing is critical to prevent further infections. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Laura Breeher, a preventive medicine specialist and medical director of Occupational Health Services at Mayo Clinic, explains how digital tools were developed at Mayo Clinic to aid in contact tracing. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidelines for defining close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19. Previously, close contact was defined as occurring when someone was within 6 feet of an infectious person for 15 consecutive minutes. Now close contact includes people who were within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period, as the CDC now advises that repeated, brief encounters also carry a risk of transmission. 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 updated information from the CDC and the latest information from the Food and Drug Administration on COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As most of America prepares to “fall back” and end daylight saving time, many people welcome the extra hour of sleep. But how do time changes affect the body and sleep patterns? On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Lois Krahn, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, discusses daylight saving time and offers sleep hygiene tips for dealing with time and season changes Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Halloween is just around the corner. Usually, this means trick-or-treating, fall parties, and lots of candy and treats for children and families. But this year is different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Halloween festivities need to be adapted to protect those who are most vulnerable and slow the spread of COVID-19. This special edition of the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast features an #AskMayoMom episode, which is hosted by Dr. Angela Mattke, a pediatrician at Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Joining Dr. Mattke to discuss safe Halloween activities during the pandemic are Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Kelsey Klaas, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the COVID pandemic continues and flu season begins, staying healthy and finding ways to improve your immunity is important. "A resilient immune system is not just preventing, but constantly eliminating our exposures to background infections or inflammatory agents," says Dr. Anjali Bhagra, a Mayo Clinic integrative medicine specialist. "It allows your body to keep healing from inflammatory or infective triggers." In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Bhagra, whose research focuses on resilience, talks about the ways to build your immune system and how resiliency practices can help you cope with illnesses this winter. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The race to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments continues, with multiple clinical trials now in the final stages of testing. While the research is moving rapidly, it’s not without challenges. Two different trials were paused recently over potential safety concerns. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, discusses current COVID-19 clinical trials. Dr. Poland also covers the possibility of reinfection with COVID-19, and the importance of getting a flu vaccination to protect yourself from influenza during the pandemic.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an early form of a non-invasive breast cancer that begins as abnormal cells inside the milk ducts in the breast. It typically doesn't show signs or symptoms and it's estimated that up to 40% of cases eventually become invasive if not treated. The current standard treatment is to perform a lumpectomy or a mastectomy in more extreme cases. Clinical trials are underway to determine if some patients with ductal carcinoma in situ might be able to avoid surgery. "In addition to considering proton therapy to target the cancer, Mayo Clinic is conducting a clinical trial that involves a vaccine that could boost immunity against the HER2 receptor," says Dr. Amy Degnim, a surgeon with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. "HER2 is a protein that in some cases is on the outside of cancer cells and for women with ductal carcinoma in situ, these receptors are present in about 50% to 60% of the cases." In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast Dr. Degnim, and one of her patients, Helen Gagoud, discuss receiving a ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis and determining treatment, as well as the hopeful vaccine research at Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As cases of COVID-19 rise in many areas of the U.S., it's important for people to have up-to-date information to protect themselves and their loved ones. Mayo Clinic has a tracking tool that features the latest COVID-19 data for every county in all 50 states, and Washington, D.C. The tool also features Mayo Clinic insight on how to assess risk and plan accordingly. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Henry Ting, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and health services researcher, discusses the COVID-19 tracking tool and other COVID-19 resources available from Mayo Clinic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mayo Clinic recently performed the first-ever shoulder arthroplasty procedure that used mixed reality technology in the United States. This technology provides surgeons with a 3D holographic view of the patient's preoperative plan, allowing the surgeon to visualize, rotate and interact with a surgical plan during the procedure. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, explains how mixed reality technology helps put the surgical plan into action. Dr. Sanchez-Sotelo and Mayo Clinic have a financial interest in Wright Medical Group N.V., which developed the mixed reality technology. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After COVID-19 patients have recovered from the infection, some continue to have lingering effects from the disease, known as post-COVID syndrome. To help these patients, Mayo Clinic has launched the COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program. This program takes a multidisciplinary approach, including specialists in occupational medicine, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry and infectious diseases to treat persistent symptoms and help patients return to daily activities and work. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, a Mayo Clinic preventive, occupational and aerospace medicine specialist who leads the program, discusses the symptoms of post-COVID syndrome and explains how the COVID-19 Activity Rehabilitation Program helps people return to normal activity. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Severe lung damage has been a serious outcome for COVID-19 patients who survive and face recovery from the disease. "As we know, lungs are one of the major organs that are involved with COVID infection," says Dr. Sadia Shah, a Mayo Clinic transplant pulmonologist and critical care physician. "In severe cases, the patient's lungs can be significantly inflamed from the disease, leading to pneumonia and scarring of the lungs, also known as pulmonary fibrosis." She says that, in the future, these are the patients who may need a lung transplant. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Shah talks about COVID-19 lung damage, the speculation there will be an increased need for lung transplants, and what improvements are being made in the field of lung transplantation. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the knee joint. The ACL connects your thighbone, or femur, to your shinbone, or tibia. It's most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Matthew Crowe, an orthopedic surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida, discusses ACL injury treatment options, including surgery and how proper training can reduce the risk of ACL injury. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In an effort to reassure the public about the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration has set stricter standardsfor COVID-19 vaccine development. These standards include following phase 3 clinical trial participants for at least two months, and having at least five severe COVID-19 cases in the placebo group. The agency's requirements are designed to ensure that there is adequate safety data on any vaccine before it is authorized for emergency use. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, discusses vaccine development standards and shares concerns about the second wave of COVID-19 infections.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

According to an article in the journal JAMA Network Open, American adults report they are drinking 14% more often during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the research didn't determine why drinking frequency has increased, health experts worry that people are turning to alcohol to cope with the stress, anxiety, and isolation caused by the pandemic. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Victor Karpyak, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist and addiction researcher, discusses alcohol use and the warning signs that drinking may be a problem. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Children benefit from social interaction, and participating in sports activities is one way to spend time with peers. It's a chance to exercise and learn socialization skills. "But most sports require close contact, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is creating a dilemma," says Dr. David Soma, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Soma discusses risks and benefits of youth sports during the pandemic and offers suggestions to minimize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mayo Clinic's Quality Academy was created in 2006 to deliver effective and cohesive quality improvement education across Mayo. The Quality Academy now offers more than 20 different courses for both individuals and teams. Now the Quality Academy is expanding its offerings beyond Mayo Clinic. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Quality Academy leaders Dr. Nneka Comfere, medical director; Barbara Jordan, administrator; and Jolene Anderson-Rau, operations manager, discuss how the Quality Academy is delivering quality improvement in health care. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Integrative health care for women encompasses a wide range of health issues, beyond what people might think are the usual areas of concern. Women's health generally focuses on breast health and gynecological health, but Dr. Jackie Thielen, an internal medicine physician with the Women's Health Specialty Center at Mayo Clinic in Florida, says women respond differently to other illnesses than men. Dr. Thielen says, "Women are simply not a smaller version of men, and they may experience illnesses differently." She says arthritic diseases or endocrine issues, even cancers, are different because of genetics, and how women's hormones and bodies work. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Thielen discusses why integrative health care is so important for women. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pediatricians and family physicians are alerting parents that it’s important to keep their children up to date on routine vaccinations, whether or not children attend in-person school. "We’ve had a number of difficulties with the COVID-19 pandemic that actually resulted in children missing months of well-child visits in which routine vaccines were given," says Dr. Robert Jacobson, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jacobson discusses childhood vaccinations and the extra importance of getting a flu vaccination this year during the pandemic. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Antiviral drugs are medicines that fight against viruses in your body by impeding the infection process. Antivirals are commonly used to treat HIV/AIDS, influenza, herpes, and hepatitis B and C. The antiviral, Remdesivir, which was originally developed to fight Ebola, is now being used to treat COVID-19. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, explains how antivirals work to shorten the course of the disease. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

While most people who contract COVID-19 will be able to manage symptoms and recover at home, there are some who have a more severe course of the disease and need to be hospitalized. Physicians and scientists have learned a lot about COVID-19 in the first nine months of the pandemic, and that new knowledge is improving treatments for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Raymund Razonable, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases specialist, discusses management of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including therapeutics available to treat COVID-19. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When patients are diagnosed with COVID-19, they are required to self-isolate until the infection is cleared. Some patients will be at risk for complications, and may need comprehensive support at home. Providing that support is the goal of Mayo Clinic's remote patient monitoring team. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Ryan T. Hurt, a Mayo Clinic general internal medicine specialist, explains how remote monitoring benefits patients. Dr. Hurt helped form the team that manages positive COVID-19 test results at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and the Mayo Clinic Health System. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It has been a remarkable year of discoveries and medical advances at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine. Some innovations include personalized treatments for cancer and rare diseases, and the development of lifesaving artificial intelligence algorithms. All of the center’s efforts are driven by advanced genetic analysis and aimed at providing patients with answers, treatment options and optimism. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Jewel Samadder discusses precision oncology. Dr. Samadder associate program director for the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship Program and program leader for clinical genomics in the Center for Individualized Medicine in Arizona. He also is an associate medical director in the Department of Development. Dr. Samadder’s research focuses on colorectal cancer and inherited predisposition to cancer. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It has been a remarkable year of discoveries and medical advances at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine. Some innovations include personalized treatments for cancer and rare diseases, and the development of lifesaving artificial intelligence algorithms. All of the center’s efforts are driven by advanced genetic analysis and aimed at providing patients with answers, treatment options and optimism. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. John Kalantari discusses artificial general intelligence. Dr. Kalantari is an associate consultant in the Department of Surgery, and a faculty member in the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine Microbiome Program. He has a joint appointment in the department of Health Sciences Research. His research focuses on artificial general intelligence and the development of AI algorithms for predictive analytics, clinical decision-making and causal inference for preventive medicine. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It has been a remarkable year of discoveries and medical advances at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine. Some innovations include personalized treatments for cancer and rare diseases, and the development of lifesaving artificial intelligence algorithms. All of the center’s efforts are driven by advanced genetic analysis and aimed at providing patients with answers, treatment options and optimism. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Marina Walther-Antonio discusses the microbiome and gynecologic cancers. Dr. Walther-Antonio is assistant professor in the Department of Surgery and in the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine Microbiome Program. She has a joint appointment in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her research focuses on the role of the human microbiome in women's health. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A new study from Mayo Clinic, published in the American Journal of Transplantation, found that patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) can have dual surgery safely. This means patients with large polycystic kidneys in need of a kidney transplant can have their diseased kidneys safely removed at the same time as their transplant surgery, instead of having two separate procedures. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Mikel Prieto, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon and senior author of the study, explains the results of the study and the benefits of dual surgery for PKD. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, women have reportedly skipped or delayed their regular breast cancer screenings. This may lead to a surge in breast cancer diagnoses in the months ahead. That's according to a study in JAMA. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Katie Hunt, a Mayo Clinic radiologist, says it's the perfect time to make sure women are up to date on their breast cancer screenings. In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Hunt discusses a variety of recommendations for screening and encourages women not to miss the window of opportunity to catch breast cancer early. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With the COVID-19 pandemic entering a tenth month, experts says adherence to public health measures appears to be waning in some parts of the country. "COVID fatigue," meaning failing to comply with masking, hand hygiene and physical distancing guidelines, has fueled a resurgence in COVID-19 cases in more than half of the U.S. states. 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 rising number of COVID-19 cases and how vaccine experts in science and industry are working together in unprecedented ways.Research disclosures for Dr. Gregory Poland. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy