Khaleej Times, Online communities can help patients, caregivers emotionally by Saman Haziq — Talking about his personal journey that led him to take up research and development of online patient communities professionally, Dan Hinmon, community director of the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network, said: "I was just 25 when my newborn was diagnosed with a rare liver disorder and we were faced with a tough choice whether to get her surgery done or not as their was no guarantee that she would survive both ways. Me and my wife felt absolutely alone, terrified, making the most important decision of our lives that time. I would have given anything for a helpful online support group but that time there were none. My daughter died and I realised how online support groups add to the development of new social relationships that alleviate the sense of isolation and lonliness."

The Gulf News, Wanted: Healthcare influencers in UAE by Sajila Saseendran — The biggest risk in health care social media is not participating in the conversation, according to Dr. Faris Tamimi, medical director of Mayo Clinic Social Media Network. Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the summit, Dr. Tamimi said: “We are focusing on the moral obligations of healthcare professionals, the physicians, nurses and pharmacists, to join the conversation and share important information of value to improve preventive medicine opportunities.”

Wall Street Journal, Play Ball! Women Bond Through Rounders by Jen Murphy — Dani Johnson, a wellness physical therapist with the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program in Rochester, Minn., adds that group sports can provide a sense of community. “Women in particular can lose their sense of self and community in their middle ages, when life is centered around their kids,” she says. Ms. Johnson says poor self esteem and poor fitness levels can also be barriers, particularly for adults who did not play sports as kids. “Try not to set expectations,” she says. “If you played soccer in college you probably aren’t going to perform at that level in your 50s. If that will get you down, try a new sport, like curling or pickleball.” Check with your doctor before starting a new sport, Ms. Johnson adds. Working with a personal trainer to learn sport-specific exercises can help prevent injuries.

STAT, Aducanumab: the beginning of the end of Alzheimer’s disease? by Jason Karlawish — For much of the 20th century, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia were enmeshed. A person had to have dementia to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This made sense. You have to be ill to have a disease. Most of the participants in Biogen’s trials, however, did not have dementia. They had what’s called mild cognitive impairment, known widely as MCI. Characterized in 1999 by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, MCI describes changes in individuals’ cognitive abilities that, while noticeable and often annoying, are not disabling. They don’t have dementia, nor do they have normal aging. They’re sort of in between. The reason why the field cared about MCI was that the Mayo team showed it was a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease, like smoking or obesity. The Mayo investigators reported that an individual with MCI had about a 15% per year chance of declining from MCI to dementia.

Bloomberg, Confusing Alzheimer’s Data Leaves Big Decision in FDA Hands by Robert Langreth and Michelle Cortez — …Amyloid was one area in which there was no controversy. Patients were screened for the plaque build-up before being allowed into the trial, and the drug clearly removed it. Whether its dispersal led to any benefit, however, remained a topic of heated debate among researchers. “It’s inconclusive right now,” said Mayo Clinic neurologist David Knopman, in an interview the night before the meeting. “I think most of my colleagues explicitly or in their hearts believe another study has to be done. I don’t see any other choice.” Knopman, who was the Mayo Clinic’s lead investigator for one of the studies, said that approving aducanumab now would mean that doctors and patients would never get a definitive answer about its benefits. After the presentation, he said the Biogen talk contained some helpful details but nothing that fundamentally changed his views. Additional coverage: Associated Press, Reuters, Washington Post, New York Times, ABC News, Star Tribune, Arizona ABC 15, FOX News, CNBC, Florida Times-Union, Voice of America, KABC Los Angeles

TIME, A New Type of Migraine Drug Treats Pain During an Attack by Alice Park — Led by Dr. David Dodick, professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic, the researchers studied 1,672 people with a history of migraine who were randomly assigned to receive a placebo pill or one of two dosage levels of ubrogepant, a drug that blocks CGRP from binding to its receptors and setting off pain alarms. After the first use, nearly twice as many people taking the highest dose of the drug reported being pain free after two hours compared to those taking placebo. And while 28% of people in the placebo group reported no sensitivity to light or sound, which are among the more debilitating symptoms of migraine, at two hours, 38% of those in the highest ubrogepant group did. “I don’t think there is any question that we have identified a key player in migraine pain,” says Dodick.

Today, NBC's Kristen Dahlgren shares the unusual breast cancer symptom she nearly missed by Kristen Dahlgren — As a correspondent for NBC News for more than a decade, I've reported on countless stories. Some stand out more than others, but there is now one for which I will be forever grateful. It's a story I credit with saving my life. It was November 2016 and I was just back from maternity leave. I was sent to Rochester, Minnesota, to interview a doctor at the Mayo Clinic for what I thought was a routine assignment. A research study from the U.K. had found that around 1 in 6 women diagnosed with breast cancer went to the doctor with a symptom other than a lump…"It's profoundly important to be aware of your breasts," Dr. Deborah Rhodes, an internist with Mayo Breast Diagnostic Clinic, told me. I remember thinking that the story would save lives. I had no idea the life it would save would be my own. Additional coverage: NBC News, Daily Mail, The Independent

NBC News, 5 simple stretches to relieve low back pain by Stephanie Mansour — …Maybe even more eye-opening are the stats on just how many of us are struggling with back pain. According to Mayo Clinic, back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work or go to the doctor, and is one of the leading causes of disability. Most people also have an episode of back pain more than once.

Washington Post, A genetic mutation is associated with increased risk of heart failure in black people, study finds by Lateshia Beachum — Heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood well enough to meet the needs of the body, can result from other forms of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Researchers analyzed the connection between the genetic mutation and heart failure in 9,694 people of African and Latino ancestry. The Latino participants were mainly people from Afro-Caribbean populations, said Ron Do, one of the researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

CNN, Bitter cold, snow and wind chill alerts hit much of the East Coast by Nichole Chavez — Wind chill can lead to frostbite, hypothermia and even death. Frostbite is caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. It's most common on the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin, according to the Mayo Clinic.

KAAL, Bell ringing continues with hopes to reach $950,000 goal — The total goal for this year's bell-ringing campaign is to raise $950,000. And as of last week, they have raised about $270,000. Next Thursday and Friday, donations in the red buckets will be matched by Mayo Clinic. The match will be an ulimited amount those two days.

KAAL, Local Moms Demand Action group hold town hall — Panelists discussed the role of education and the impact gun violence has on children and even law enforcement. "People are passionate about this topic and it was really refreshing tonight to have a nice, open dialogue,” said David Sas, a Mayo Clinic pediatric nephrologist and group volunteer. Sas was part of the panel.  "I put all my energy and all my effort into helping children with rare diseases and if we can do it for rare diseases, we should be putting forth great effort for the number two leading cause of death in children in the United States,” he said.

KAAL, Therapy Dogs help patients at Mayo Clinic — Holidays spent away from family can be difficult, especially if you're in the hospital. "We see some, very ill people," said Charlie Waite, a volunteer with the Caring Canines Unit at Mayo Clinic. For those non-traditional holidays that are spent hooked to machines instead of surrounded by the ones you love, Mayo Clinic offers a little comfort, with a visit from a lab named Lily. Lily and Charlie go room to room on different floors, as requested by a patient's nurse. Though she makes friends everywhere she goes, one patient in particular has grown familiar with the lab.

KAAL, New digs for Reading Center in Rochester — Dr. Brooks Edwards, a former Reading Center student, said it works. "I struggled in school, I was a terrible reader," he said. At 11-years-old he went to the Reading Center and was diagnosed with dyslexia. He then worked with a tutor trained by the Reading Center for several years. "It changed everything. All of a sudden I went from being at the bottom of the class to the top of the class," he said. Now, he’s a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic.

KTTC, Young Mayo Clinic patients get an uplifting surprise — As we get a festive coating of fresh snow outside, patients at Mayo Clinic Children's Center are getting some special fun indoors. Hy-Vee's Balloon Brigade stopped by the hospital Monday morning. Staff members had a big delivery to make: 700 foil balloons, all purchased by customers of Hy-Vee. We were invited to be there as the kids got a colorful surprise. Additional coverage: KIMT-TV, KAAL-TV

KTTC, Minnesota Nice on full display for cancer patient — All it took was someone sending in a request to a local radio station to help Josie Klemett celebrate her birthday while she is receiving treatment for leukemia. Klemett turned 24 Friday and community members made sure she didn't celebrate her birthday alone despite her family still back in Michigan. Mayo Clinic is not a new place for her. This is her third time fighting cancer, but the good news is she's in remission, and now she has a new family of Rochester residents. Nearly 100 people ended up visiting Friday. There was cake shared with the friendly faces who visited.

KIMT, Local families host a toy drive for Mayo Clinic and Ronald McDonald House by Madelyne Watkins — The Rippy family has been donating toys to the Mayo Clinic Children's Center and Ronald McDonald House for the past 9 years after unfortunately knowing what it feels like to spend the holidays in the hospital.  That can be a huge downer for patients and their families, especially little ones who are supposed to be opening presents from Santa. Every year, they create a public Amazon wishlist of toys people can donate.

Action News Jax, Two strangers are brought together in Jacksonville through fate and a rare disease by Meghan Moriarty — This time, every year, you can find David Moore, a New Jersey native, in Jacksonville. “We celebrate with each other.” Ginger Brewer said. Both Moore and Ginger Brewer—who lives here---have their annual “liver transplant anniversary” to remember the day they received new organs and a fresh take on life…Moore and Brewer were both diagnosed in 2008 with Wilson’s disease, a rare liver condition. Brewer got her transplant in 2010 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. She got the call at one in the morning on October 2, 2010. Brewer did not know Moore at this time. It was not until Brewer’s son, Mike, had moved to New Jersey that he and Moore happened to meet at a church.

Florida Times-Union, Restore funding for clinics that treat ALS patients by Mike Clark — …I am a 64-year-old attorney. Over eight years ago I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease…Thanks in part to funding that the state makes possible through the Bitner Plante ALS Initiative of Florida, ALS patients in Jacksonville have access to two multidisciplinary ALS clinics — one at the Mayo Clinic of Florida and the other at the University of Florida, Jacksonville. These clinics allow ALS patients to receive regular comprehensive care from a team of specialists at a single location on a single day.

Jacksonville Business Journal, Health care giants invested heavily in Northeast Florida in 2019 by Will Robinson — Here's where health care dollars were invested across the region, setting the stage for 2020 growth…

Marshall Independent, Life-changing injury leads professor to spinal cord research by Karin Elton — Willmar native Dr. Peter Grahn, a 2011 Southwest Minnesota State alumnus and a neurosurgery professor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, was the keynote speaker Wednesday morning at the 14th annual Undergraduate Research Conference. The conference featured SMSU students presenting research topics from 18 academic areas. As a neurosurgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation professor at the Mayo Clinic, Grahn and his team have garnered international attention for their groundbreaking research surrounding electrical stimulation of the spinal cord which, when combined with therapy, helped a Wisconsin man regain some use of his legs, which were paralyzed in a 2013 snowmobile accident.

WKBT La Crosse, Mayo Clinic celebrates facility dog's one year anniversary by Martha Koloski — Mayo Clinic Health System celebrates its first facility dog's one year anniversary. Luna has added a dimension of care to Mayo that only a dog can.  She travels to other clinics in the region, including Onalaska, Sparta and Tomah with her handler, Lisa Morgan. Luna regularly visits and works in many departments, including rehab services, cardiac rehab and hospice. Additional coverage: La Crosse Tribune

WKBT La Crosse, Doctor explains the difference between stomach flu and influenza by Molly Ringberg — "If you've had it for more than ten days or a couple weeks, that's too long. You should probably consider looking into some other causes, whether maybe there's a bacterial thing going on or something else that's causing diarrhea that's not an infection at all," said Dr. Joel Greenya, Mayo Clinic Health System. The influenza vaccine doesn't prevent the stomach flu, but it can be prevented by washing your hands, wiping down surfaces you touch, and staying out of contact with someone infected.

WKBT La Crosse, One case of flu-like symptoms in La Crosse County as flu season gets underway by Alec Giannakopoulos — Signs of the cold weather can be seen all over La Crosse, empty downtown sidewalks show that people are trying to avoid the cold as much as possible.  "We can't go outside in this cold weather and that's the reason it tends to peak this time of year," said John O'Horo, infection consultant for Mayo Clinic Health System.

WKBT La Crosse, Mayo Clinic Health System presents check at Onalaska/Avalanche hockey match-up by Rachel Ausman — Mayo Clinic Health System has stepped forward with a $1,000 donation towards the Mini Donut Foundation. The Mini Donut Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises money to promote the understanding and prevention of suicide. The check was presented after the Onalaska/Avalanche hockey game at the Onalaska Omnicenter.

Le Sueur County News, Mayo donates $9,000 to New Prague Schools for new wooded trail by Bekcy Asleson — Mayo Clinic Health System recently donated $9,000 to New Prague Area Schools for an outdoor fitness system at Falcon Ridge Elementary School. The school will use the funds to build a trail through a wooded area between Falcon Ridge and Trojan Stadium for use by physical education classes, as well as the general student population and public. The trail also will be used by classroom teachers with students who need sensory breaks.

Business Insider, If you get pregnant while on birth control, stop taking it immediately by Madeline Kennedy — According to the CDC, nine% of people who take birth control pills will become pregnant each year. That’s because “although the effectiveness of birth control pills is very high when used perfectly (99.7%), the average woman will occasionally miss doses,” says Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah, MD, an OB-GYN at the Mayo Clinic.

Good Housekeeping, 'Today' Star Hoda Kotb Delivers an Important Update About Savannah Guthrie's Surgery by Kayla Keegan — According to Mayo Clinic, it can take several months for your vision to improve after having the surgery and another procedure may be necessary. Dr. Annie Negrin, a board-certified ophthalmologist, explained on the NBC program that the surgery may require a patient to be face down at all times for up to three weeks. At the moment, it's unclear if this will be the case for Savannah and if she'll be absent for that long.

WPVI Philadelphia, Research suggests windows at work improve productivity — If your workplace has windows, you're probably more productive. A new study from the Mayo Clinic shows offices with windows, providing natural light and views of the outdoors improve workers' performance and they are more satisfied with their jobs. In an experiment, they had volunteers spend 14 weeks working in a variety of environments. In the end, outdoor views won out.

North Carolina Health News, Mayo Clinic Care Network gains a foothold in North Carolina by Liora Engel-Smith — A coastal North Carolina hospital has joined a selective network associated with Mayo Clinic. Carteret Health Care is the first health care facility in the state to have joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, granting it access to expert consultations and other services. “It’s not a merger … they [Mayo] don’t want that, [and] our board, our management doesn’t want that,” said Dick Brvenik, who heads the Morehead City hospital. “We’re in the relationship so we can improve our quality, improve our performance as a high-quality, independent hospital and health network, that’s what we want and that’s what we’re getting.”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ‘Tis the season for holidays and hangovers: what nurses need to know by Mary Caldwell — What causes a hangover: Alcohol affects your body in many ways that can lead to a hangover. Here are some of the effects, cited by the Mayo Clinic, that can contribute to a hangover…

Everyday Health, Can Regular Toothbrushing Lower Risk of AFib and Heart Failure? by Don Rauf — Thomas J. Salinas, DDS, a prosthodontist with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, adds that poor dental health also increases the risk of a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which can affect the heart valves. “Oral health may be particularly important if you have artificial heart valves,” says Dr. Salinas, who was not involved in the study. “Artificial heart valves have a tendency to collect debris and are more prone to developing bacterial growth. Although of low incidence, it seems that bacteria inadvertently introduced into the bloodstream could be causative in a prosthetic heart valve becoming infected.”

MedPage Today, E-cigs: What You Need to Know if You Care for Patients with COPD by Gloria Arminio Berlinski — In an interview with MedPage Today, J. Taylor Hays, MD, Director of the Nicotine Dependence Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, discusses some key issues surrounding the evolving EVALI outbreak, particularly those that concern patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Medscape, Patients With Fibromyalgia Find Relief in Group Treatment by Marcia Frellick — By the time patients get to the fibromyalgia treatment program at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, they typically have tried all the approved drugs for the disorder and are tired of the pain, the fatigue, the depression, and the skepticism. "Patients tell me it's like having the flu every day," said Barbara Bruce, PhD, a behavioral psychologist who developed the program and coauthored the Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia: Strategies to Take Back Your Life, which addresses the latest techniques for managing symptoms.

Medscape, Patients With Fibromyalgia Find Relief in Group Treatment by Marcia Frellick — By the time patients get to the fibromyalgia treatment program at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, they typically have tried all the approved drugs for the disorder and are tired of the pain, the fatigue, the depression, and the skepticism. "Patients tell me it's like having the flu every day," said Barbara Bruce, PhD, a behavioral psychologist who developed the program and coauthored the Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia: Strategies to Take Back Your Life, which addresses the latest techniques for managing symptoms.

WebMD, Stress, Sadness Really Can Break Your Heart by Kathleen Doheny — Wanda Kump took it hard when her mother's cancer progressed and she had to move her into hospice. "It took her a week to pass," says Kump, 51, of Mankato, MN. "She died June 28. I'm the baby in the family. It was hard to watch." Kump's sister-in-law died the next day, making the stress overwhelming, Kump says. Then came her mom's funeral. When she was leaving, she began to feel dizzy and nauseated. She fell hard on a concrete sidewalk…."We noticed an EKG abnormality," says Susan Haugh, the certified nurse practitioner in cardiology who helped treat her at Mayo Clinic Health System Southwest Region. There was an abnormal motion of the heart wall as it was pumping, she says. The hospital did more testing to be sure that wasn't the result of blocked arteries. Then came the stunning diagnosis: takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Pain News Network, Mayo Clinic Research Shows Stem Cells May Treat Paralysis by A. Rhaman Ford — In a case report recently published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, a 53-year-old California man paralyzed from the neck down in a surfing accident experienced dramatic improvement after an injection of his own stem cells.   Chris Barr can walk again and has shown other improvements in his motor and sensory functions. His case is significant, because currently there is no FDA-approved therapy that can reverse the devastating life-changing effects of paralysis from spinal cord injuries.  Barr’s inspiring story can be seen in this video produced by the Mayo Clinic. Additional coverage: TrialSite News, 21^st Century Tech, News-medical.net

Neurology Today, Epileptic High-Frequency Oscillations Disrupt Cognition in Human Brain by Jamie Talan — “The field has observed that high frequency oscillations are correlated with where seizures start,” said Benjamin H. Brinkmann, PhD, a biomedical engineer in the epilepsy and neurophysiology laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. “The problem with HFOs is that they can mean different things,” Dr. Brinkman said. “A number of studies have looked at HFOs and the frequency in the gamma range, from 30 to 80 Hz. But gamma frequency activity is also associated with cognitive processing, which means that these oscillations are part of normal functioning. It is difficult to separate high frequency bursts of activity from seizure-generated tissue and normal tissue.

DotMed.com, Radiologists should consider vaping in patient history by John W. Mitchell — Dr. Brandon Larsen, associate professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ, is on the staff of a pulmonary consultation practice. He said earlier this year they began to receive case referrals from around the country, and it was evident from the first five cases they reviewed that vaping was a bigger problem than initially realized. “The information that was coming out from early observations didn't match what we were actually seeing in the lung tissue," said Larsen. "Early on, people were thinking there was just an accumulation of lipid oil in the lung ... We started getting these cases flooding in. Instead, what we were seeing in every single case was this very severe injury ... involving the small airways."

Vikings, Organ Donation Recipient Surprises Donor’s Family with Super Bowl Tix by Eric Smith — Tom Schultz worked as a statistician for the Vikings for 25 years. The father of two passed away from a sudden brain aneurism on June 1, 2014. Schultz’s passing was a blessing for Jones, who lives in Bermuda but was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester in dire condition. Jones was dealing with amyloidosis, a rare disease in which abnormal proteins are produced in organs. The disease affects the liver and other organs, and the only cure was a pair of organ transplants…Early in the morning on June 2, Jones received the news that Schultz’s heart and lungs were a perfect match. The surgery was performed on June 3.

Pocono Record, Scoliosis most often develops during growth spurt just before puberty — Dear Mayo Clinic: What causes scoliosis? Do genetics play a role? I was diagnosed with it as a teenager, and several of my cousins had it, too. Now I’m worried that my daughter, who’s 8, may be affected when she gets older. Should she be checked for scoliosis soon? A: The exact cause of scoliosis isn’t known. But it tends to run in families, which indicates that there is a genetic element to this spine disorder. Scoliosis also can be the result of birth defects and a component of some neuromuscular disorders. Watch your daughter for signs of scoliosis and have her evaluated as soon as possible if you suspect that she may be developing a spinal curve.

Paradise Post, Looney’s long, scary road back aided by homecooked meals with mom, dad by Ryan Gorcey — His calm, low-maintenance approach made him the ideal role player on a team loaded with All-Stars. Even as Looney recently fretted about his long-term health, his coaches and teammates saw little change in his demeanor. But today, Looney recognizes that his diligence might have worsened his neuropathic condition. Doctors told him that his rigorous offseason workouts — a mix of scrimmages against fellow NBA players, weight-lifting sessions and Brazilian jiujitsu — could have caused the hamstring strain. After he visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., last month, Looney ironed out a recovery plan. He went gluten-free and became a pescatarian (meat-free diets have been shown to help in many neuropathy cases). He rested and began preventative exercises and other traditional rehab on his leg.

La Nacion, Cigarrillo electrónico: "Estamos viendo efectos inmediatos y todavía desconocemos los efectos en el largo plazo" — Fernández-Bussy se recibió de médico en la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad del Salvador (USAL) y se especializó en el uso de procedimientos mínimamente invasivos para el estudio y el tratamiento de los problemas de salud pulmonar en la Clínica del Tórax de la Universidad de Heidelberg Alemania, y la Universidad de Florida, Estados Unidos. En 2013, creó el Servicio de Neumonología Intervencionista en la Clínica Mayo de Jacksonville.

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Tags: A.L.S., Aducanumab, alzheimer's disease, atrial fibrillation, back pain, birth control, Breast Cancer, Caring Canines, Charlie Waite, Chris Barr, COPD, Dani Johnson, David Moore, David Sas, Dr. Barbara Bruce, Dr. Benjamin Brinkmann, Dr. Brandon Larsen, Dr. Brooks Edwards, Dr. David Dodick, Dr. David Knopman, Dr. Deborah Rhodes, Dr. Faris Tamimi, Dr. J. Taylor Hays, Dr. Joel Greenya, Dr. Peter Grahn, Dr. Thomas J. Salinas, Dr. Yvonne Butler Tobah, E-cigarettes, epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, fitness, flu, frostbite, Ginger Brewer, hangovers, heart failure, Hoda Kotb, Hy-Vee Balloon Brigade, Influenza, Josie Klemett, Kristen Dahlgren, Luna, Mayo Clinic Care Network, migraine, Mini Donut Foundation, New Prague schools, organ donation, paralysis, platform, pregnancy, Salvation Army, Savannah Guthrie, scoliosis, stem cells, stress, Super Bowl, Susan Haugh, therapy dogs, Uncategorized, Vaping