Mayo Clinic Health Matters

We know most of our health problems because they're obvious, but high blood pressure can sneak up on you if you're not watching it. So how can you be sure you've got it handled? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with cardiovascular nurse epidemiologist Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Ph.D., M.H.S., RN, about how to take better care of our arteries, as well as the changes we can make today to get our blood pressure under control. For more resources to help manage your blood pressure and build a control plan that works for you, visit MyBPControl.org.  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].

A chronic condition can be with you anywhere from a long time to a lifetime. So how do you stay grounded when your health is constantly threatening to take over your life? On this episode of Health Matters, health policy advocate, chronic illness patient and author Gwen Mayes joins us with her cardiologist, Steve Ommen, M.D. Together, they share what 20 years of working together have taught them about chronic illness. You can find Gwen's book, "More Person Than Patient: Finding Your Purpose and Power with Chronic Illness,” here: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/more-person-than-patient 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 gut microbiome is one of the great medical discoveries of our time. It could revolutionize the way we treat GI issues, autoimmune diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases and even mental health. But has the internet started getting ahead of what the science actually says? On this episode of Health Matters, gastroenterologist Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S., helps us understand what the research says, what we're hoping to find out and the best way to invest in your gut health based on what we know so far. 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].

No one wants to hear their doctor say "you have cancer." But if that happens, the conversation will affect your life for years to come. On this episode of Health Matters, medical oncologist Pooja Advani, M.D., pulls back the curtain on what those early conversations look like and gives us advice on how to handle such an overwhelming diagnosis. 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].

Strokes seem sudden, but they can actually be years in the making. In fact, 80% of strokes are preventable. So what can you do today to help prevent a stroke further down the line? On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with radiologist David Miller, M.D., about the stroke risk factors you can control. 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].

One of the biggest challenges with vaginal health is feeling like we can't talk about it. There’s a lot of shame, embarrassment and misinformation surrounding this part of our bodies. On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with internist and women’s health specialist Jewel Kling, M.D., about everything from anatomy and sexual pleasure to sexual dysfunction. 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].

AI is becoming part of everyday life. But doctors have been using and studying AI in medicine long before it entered the mainstream. What promise does AI hold for better cancer care? And what parts of medicine should it never replace? On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with radiologist Dr. Matthew Callstrom about how he uses AI in his practice, what the research shows and how AI could change cancer detection and treatment. 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].

Drinking has been part of life for longer than recorded history. But these days, many are skipping that beer or glass of wine to protect their health. So is drinking totally bad now? And if not, how much is actually OK? On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with psychiatrist Dr. Bhanu Kolla about the long-term effects of alcohol and whether it's time to break up with drinking. 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].

Do you see a bony bump when you look down at your feet? If so, you might have a bunion. And if you don’t, you probably want to keep it that way. On this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with podiatrist Dr. Martin Ellman about how to care for your feet, whether high heels cause bunions and whether it’s actually better to go barefoot. 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].

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].