Low-risk technique for prostate biopsies
Dear Mayo Clinic: My husband had an MRI that showed an abnormal spot on his prostate. The last time he had a prostate biopsy, he got a severe urinary tract infection, which led to him being hospitalized. It took him weeks to recover. Is he at risk of another serious infection after this prostate biopsy? Is there anything we can do to reduce that risk? A: Although it’s... READ MORE
Gardeners: help yourself and others, too
Gardening’s popularity has surged during the coronavirus pandemic. It provides exercise, outdoor time, emotional well-being and wholesome produce. Home gardeners can also provide some hunger relief to others during a time of rising food insecurity. Many home gardeners are donating portions of their freshly picked harvests to food banks, meal programs and shelters. Some are... READ MORE
Digital registry tracks COVID symptoms
For some of us, the worst aspect of the coronavirus pandemic is the fear of the unknown. How long will it last? When will a vaccine be available? Will we contract the virus, and if so, how bad will it be? Since late March, a digital study called Behavioral, Environmental and Treatments for COVID-19 (Beat19) has been gathering real-world information about the novel virus’ symptoms and ... READ MORE
Coronavirus news shorts
Virus kept ER patients home Emergency room visits in the U.S. for chest pain and heart attacks fell early this spring, according to a June study that supports fears that the coronavirus outbreak scared away people from going to the hospital. ER visits were up for respiratory illnesses and pneumonia, but were down for nearly every other kind of injury or ailment, according to the... READ MORE
Take steps to avoid heat-related illnesses
Q: Temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit for much of the summer season in Virginia. How do I keep myself safe during these summer months? A: Climbing temperatures coupled with high humidity can pose health risks to many people. Older adults in the community are at an increased risk for heat-related illness due to age-related changes in skin thickness, a decrease in sweat... READ MORE
Finding new benefits for ancient walnuts
Walnuts are prized for their delicious flavor as well as their health-promoting nutrients and unique supply of plant compounds. Walnuts are the oldest tree food known to man, dating back to 7,000 BCE. Native to ancient Persia, walnuts were so coveted that only royalty were allowed to eat them. Ancient Greeks then used walnuts for food, medicine and dye for wool and cloth. They... READ MORE
Summer bean, corn and avocado salad
For an easy, light, summertime bean salad, we combined fiber-rich black beans with fresh corn, bright tomato and creamy avocado. Toasting the corn in a skillet until golden brown will bring out its natural sweetness. Chipotle chile, cilantro and lime juice provide the perfect Southwestern flavor profile to this easy-to-prepare salad. Fresh corn is important for the flavor of... READ MORE
Check out any bleeding after menopause
Bleeding after menopause can be disconcerting, but the good news is, more than 90% of the time it’s not caused by a serious condition, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. That said, the study also reinforces the idea that postmenopausal bleeding should always be checked out by your doctor to rule out endometrial cancer, a cancer of the uterine lining, according to Ross... READ MORE
How to get the most from a clinical trial
For most of his life, Steve Sultanoff, 66, has had high cholesterol, a problem that runs in his family. When he was younger and didn’t have great health insurance, he decided to participate in clinical trials to get better healthcare and help discover new medicine that might benefit him. He was put on statins, but those gave him muscle aches. It took 30 years of participating in some... READ MORE
Ginger spices up foods and relieves pain
Bold, aromatic and pungent, ginger (also called ginger root) has spiced up palates and herbal remedies for thousands of years. The folklore Thought to be native to southeastern Asia, ginger had long been prized in India, China and the Middle East, before the Chinese brought it to Rome when it grew in demand and became widely traded. It’s been used extensively in the treatment of... READ MORE