Mayo Clinic Talks

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Post COVID-19 syndrome can be a long haul

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in December 2021

Guest:  Greg Vanichkachorn, M.D., M.P.H. (@DoctorGregVan)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

Most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks. But some people — even those who had mild versions of the disease — continue to experience symptoms after their initial recovery. 

Sometimes called “long haulers” or “long COVID," these patients can have fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog and other symptoms long after the time of their infection.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome conditions are generally considered to be effects of COVID-19 that persist for more than four weeks after you've been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

A recent Mayo Clinic study on post-COVID-19 symptoms found that more women than men suffer long-term effects. Women predominantly showed symptoms of fatigue, followed by muscle pain and low blood pressure, while men primarily experienced shortness of breath.

Research is also underway to better understand what may be causing post-COVID-19 syndrome.

"We do have some research now that shows that some of the cells that are used to create immunity after an infection, they may be malfunctioning in this condition in patients with long-haul COVID," says  Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, director of Mayo Clinic’s COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program. "We also now have some research that shows that patients with this condition can have antibodies against themselves, otherwise known as an auto-antibody. And this may be associated with the long-haul COVID state, so immune dysfunction and auto immunity, they may be at play here."

The COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic helps people experiencing post-COVID-19 syndrome by working with patients to decrease symptoms and improve overall functioning and quality of life. 

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Vanichkachorn discusses how treatment can help patients who suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Nutritional Supplements Edition: Strength, Power, and Performance

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Nutritional Supplement Edition

Guest:  Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Nutritional supplements are being promoted to enhance a variety of areas of physical fitness. This episode focuses on the impact on strength, power and overall performance. Our guest for this podcast is Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D., the director of Sports Medicine research at Mayo Clinic.

Specific topics:

• Activities that benefit from increased strength and performance
  • Lifestyle strategies used to enhance strength and performance
  • Common nutritional supplements used to increase strength and performance
  • Safety concerns regarding the use of nutritional supplements

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Recommendation for Your Arthritic Patients - Keep Them Moving

Guest: Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. (@DrEdSportsMed) 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Arthritis is one of the most common health conditions our patients have for eliminating exercise from their daily routine, yet the American College of Rheumatology feels that exercise should be one of the mainstays of treatment for those with arthritis. How do we convince our patients of the importance of continued exercise despite their arthritis? Are some types of exercise better than others? Can exercise make their arthritis worse? We’ll discuss these questions with Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, a Sports Medicine physician from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic.

Specific topics:

• Benefits of exercise in patients who have arthritis
• Exercises that patients with arthritis should avoid
• What patients should do if they have increased joint pain after exercising
• Joint-friendly exercises that can be done by most patients
• Importance of performing resistance as well as aerobic exercise
• Recommended frequency and duration of exercise
• Exercises for the was with inflammatory arthritis

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Nutritional Supplement Edition: Exercise Endurance and Recovery

Guest: Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Can nutritional supplements help to increase exercise endurance? What types of supplements can help with short term – immediate improvements and which can assist with longer term recovery? Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D., director of Sports Medicine research at Mayo Clinic joins us to discuss some of the claims that we can hear about nutritional supplements promoted to prove one's endurance, increase exercise economy, and improve tolerance of high-intensity exercise.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Boosters reduce vulnerability to COVID-19 variants

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in November, 2021

Guest:  Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

Omicron, a new COVID-19 variant of concern, has been detected in all regions of the world, including North America. While research and clinical observations on the new strain are underway, it is not yet known what impact, if any, omicron will have on the immune response, transmissibility, or specific COVID-19 treatments.

The emergence of omicron is a reminder to take important steps to protect yourself against COVID-19.

"The answer is masking and boosters," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. 

Dr. Poland is encouraged by vaccine booster rates in the U.S. "In a relatively short period of time, about 36% of adults who are eligible have indeed gotten a booster," says Dr. Poland. "There's plenty of vaccine available. So in the strongest possible terms, I would recommend getting that booster."

Adults who are six months past completing their initial Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination series are eligible to receive a booster dose, as are adults who are two months past completing their initial dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the omicron variant and COVID-19 boosters, and he answers some listener questions.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

 

Nutritional Supplement Edition: A Critical Overview

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Nutritional Supplement Edition

Guest:  Andrew R. Jagim, PhD

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Imagine taking a supplement that increases muscle mass, improves strength and endurance, promotes weight loss, helps prevent injury from exercise and promotes healing. Do these supplements exist and are they safe? This episode discusses nutritional supplements. We will discuss proven benefits as well as risks. Our guest for this podcast is Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D., the director of Sports Medicine research at Mayo Clinic.

Specific topics:

• Definition of nutritional supplements
• Common reasons to take these products
• Accuracy of claims that nutritional supplements improve fitness and enhance performance
• Research conducted on nutritional supplements
• Regulation of the nutritional supplement industry
• Potential safety issues in taking nutritional supplements

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Racism in Pain Medicine

Guest: Natalie H. Strand, M.D. (@DrNatStrand)

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D. (@AmitGhosh006)

Racial biases can influence diagnosis and treatment decisions. It is important to normalize implicit biases and be aware of our own biases to reduce disparities and improve health care for patients. Joining us today is Natalie Strand, M.D., a consultant in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. She will discuss the unique, relevant and timely topic of racism in pain medicine, including the occurrence of racism in medicine at all levels – from patient care, diagnoses and outcomes to professional development of physicians. She describes our responsibility and how, if we want to engage in anti-racism, we must do it at all levels in medicine.

Additional Resources:

• Strand, N. H., Mariano, E. R., Goree, J. H., Narouze, S., Doshi, T. L., Freeman, J.A., Pearson, A. C. S. (2021). Racism in Pain Medicine: We Can and Should Do More. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 96(6), 1394-1400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.02.030

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Travel trends and colder temperatures could mean a COVID-19 holiday surge

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in November, 2021

Guest:  Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

Cold weather, increased travel, waning immunity and the potential for new variants may serve up the perfect recipe for a holiday COVID-19 surge, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.  

"I have consistently said what's very likely to happen as we get to the cooler weather and see the trends in travel is that we will have another surge," says Dr. Poland. "We're in this unusual situation where the pandemic is actually getting worse because humans don't want to believe that the pandemic is just as important now as it was a year ago."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland answers several listener questions and talks more about being vigilant against COVID-19 as the U.S. heads into a second winter with this coronavirus. He also addresses the recent news that wild deer have shown evidence of COVID-19 infection and what that might mean in the battle to eliminate the disease. 

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes and Your Health Series: Hot Topics in Phage Therapy

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guests: Gina A. Suh, M.D.

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

What is Phage Therapy? When was it discovered? Where is it used? We know about antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, but this is a whole new world! Have no fear, this episode is here from the Genes & Your Health miniseries to help demystify all there is to know about Phages.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

 

Hyperlipidemia

Guest: Monique A. Freund, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It’s known that a combination of lifestyle changes and pharmacologic therapy has proven effective in reducing the complications of cardiovascular disease. Despite this, it’s estimated that less than 35% of those patients with hyperlipidemia are adequately managed. Why aren’t we doing a better job at managing this major public health problem? In this podcast, we’ll be speaking with Monique A. Freund, M.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss how to optimize management of hyperlipidemia, which lifestyle changes are beneficial, when to use pharmacologic therapy and how to manage patients with statin intolerance.

Specific topics:

• Relative importance of elevated LDLc, low HDLc and elevated triglycerides
• Effective non-pharmacologic therapy for treating elevated LDLc, low HDLc and elevated triglycerides
• When to consider starting a patient on a statin
• Benefits of fish oil
• Mechanism of action of statins
• Statin intolerance
• When to use ezetimibe
• When to use one of the PCSK9-inhibitors

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes and Your Health Series: Predicting the Future: What Role is Artificial Intelligence Playing Today and What Can We Expect in the Future?

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guests: Christopher (Chris) A. Aakre (@ChrisAakreMD), M.D.; Bradley J. Erickson, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

Artificial Intelligence has begun being utilized in Radiology. In fact, it was boldly predicted that Radiology would become an obsolete profession as a result! How has it altered this practice? How will it alter our practices moving forward? Join this episode of our Genes & Your Health miniseries from the Center of Individualized Medicine to learn these answers and more!

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

The Eyes Have It: Common External Eye Conditions

Guest: Amir R. Khan, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

External eye disorders are commonly seen in a primary care provider’s office, yet very few of us have ever had any formal training in ophthalmology. Fortunately, most of the external eye problems are relatively benign, though not all. It’s important to be able to recognize these conditions since some may be associated with a variety of systemic diseases. In this podcast, Amir Khan, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic, joins Dr. Chutka to discuss how to recognize commonly seen external eye conditions. Links to specific topics below include additional information and images for most of the covered conditions.

Specific topics:

• Viral versus bacterial conjunctivitis: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pink-eye/symptoms-causes/syc-20376355
• Scleritis and episcleritis
• Blepharitis: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141
• Sty (Hordeolum): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sty/symptoms-causes/syc-20378017
• Ectropion versus entropion: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectropion/symptoms-causes/syc-20351164; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/entropion/symptoms-causes/syc-20351125
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/subconjunctival-hemorrhage/symptoms-causes/syc-20353826
• Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
• Corneal abrasions: https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-corneal-abrasion/basics/art-20056659

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Building a wall of immunity against COVID-19

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in November  3, 2021

Guest:  Elie F. Berbari, M.D.

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

In anticipation of more COVID-19 vaccine approvals this week, Dr. Elie Berbari, chair of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mayo Clinic, says it's good news that younger children will now have more protection against COVID-19.

"It's important that we reach a very high level of vaccination rates to achieve kind of a wall of immunity that could prevent transmission and prevent us from these repeated peaks that we've been dealing with over the last year and a half during this pandemic," says Dr. Berbari. 

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Berbari also talks about the rare cases of myocarditis and how the Food and Drug Administration is monitoring those cases. Dr. Berbari also addresses additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for immunocompromised people, the importance of masking, even if vaccinated, and he answers a number of listener questions.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes & Your Health Edition - Preparing Your Practice for the Increased Use of Genomics

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guests: Megan A. Allyse, Ph.D. (@MAllyse); Jennifer (Jenny) L. Anderson, M.S., CGC; Radhika Dhamija, M.B.B.S. (@NeurogenesDr)

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

Genetic testing is increasingly becoming mainstream. Not only is it first-line testing for many different indications, but we have begun seeing an increase in predictive genomics for healthy patients as well. How can your practice prepare for what is here and what is to come? Tune in to this episode of the Genes & Your Health miniseries from the Center for Individualized Medicine to find out.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Developing Equitable Care Models for Diabetic Patients

Guest: Rozalina G. McCoy, M.D., M.S. (@RozalinaMD)

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D. (@AmitGhosh006)

Diabetic research starts with understanding contemporary treatment practices (overtreatment and undertreatment, misuse or underuse of glucose-lowering medications, comparative effectiveness of different diabetes medications), the resulting impact on patient health and the disparities in both treatment practices and outcomes. In this episode Rozalina McCoy, M.D., M.S., associate professor of medicine and consultant in the Division of Community Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campus, joins us to discuss developing care delivery models that support high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered, and equitable diabetes care.

Additional resources:

• McCoy RG, Galindo RJ, Swarna KS, et al. Sociodemographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors associated with hyperglycemic crises among adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the US from 2014 to 2020. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(9):e2123471. doi:1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.23471

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes & Your Health Edition - Genomics for Cardiovascular Health in Primary Care

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guest: Iftikhar J. Kullo, M.D. (@iftikhar_kullo)

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

What is familial hypercholesterolemia? Who should be tested for it? Are there genetic variants that are associated with cardiovascular diseases? How young do we start screening? This installment of the Genes & Your Health miniseries from the Center for Individualized Medicine is here to help answer these questions and more!

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Preserving Sight with Macular Degeneration

Guest: Sophie J. Bakri, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of 50. The loss of central vision from macular degeneration can result in significant lifestyle changes in patients. They may no longer be able to read, write or drive. In this podcast, we’ll discuss macular degeneration with Sophie Bakri, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Mayo Clinic. She’ll review the two types and pathology of macular degeneration, its presentation, risk factors and preventive strategies, and new treatments on the horizon.

Specific topics:

• Pathologic changes in macular degeneration
• Vision loss associated with macular degeneration
• Possible causes of macular degeneration
• Risk factors
• Typical course of macular degeneration
• The difference between wet and dry macular degeneration
• Treatment strategies
• Preventive strategies

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Changing COVID-19 recommendations means the science is working

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in October, 2021

Guest:  Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

As continuing research guides medical recommendations, it seems that there are COVID-19 updates released daily. These recommendations cover a range of topics, including whether COVID-19 booster vaccinations are necessary to whether COVID-19 vaccines can be mixed and matched.

"The fact that recommendations are changing is not evidence people don't know what they're doing," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "It's evidence that they do know what they're doing and are paying close attention to new data that's coming along. Then they're adjusting recommendations based on the latest data."

Dr. Poland continues to urge people to get the latest COVID-19 news from credible sources. 

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland walks through the recent recommendations, corrects misperceptions and answers a number of listener questions.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes & Your Health Edition - Cell-Free DNA: Implications in Practice

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guests: Minetta C. Liu, M.D.; Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D. (@MyraWickMD)

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

What is cell-free DNA? How does this type of DNA interact with our body? How is it useful in the clinical setting? Advances in technologies has expanded our understanding of cell-free DNA and its implications. Where are we now and what can we look for in the future? Find out these answers and more in the seventh episode of the Genes & Your Health miniseries from the Center for Individualized Medicine.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

A Neurologist’s Take on Syncope

Guest: Paola Sandroni, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Amit K. Ghosh, M.D. (@AmitGhosh006)

Syncope is defined as the sudden and transient loss of consciousness and postural tone due to global reduction of blood flow to the reticular activating system. Syncopal episodes are followed by a rapid and spontaneous recovery.  Joining us today is Paola Sandroni, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist at Mayo Clinic’s Rochester Campus. She will help us sort through the complicated subject of syncope, including its main etiologies and how to distinguish which is affecting your patient. She also outlines the nuances of evidence-based evaluation of syncope, which is largely guided by the patient’s presentation.

Additional resources:

• Thiruganasambandamoorthy V, Kwong K, Wells GA, Sivilotti MLA, Mukarram M, Rowe BH, Lang E, Perry JJ, Sheldon R, Stiell IG, Taljaard M. Development of the Canadian Syncope Risk Score to predict serious adverse events after emergency department assessment of syncope. CMAJ. 2016 Sep 6;188(12):E289-E298. doi: 1503/cmaj.151469. Epub 2016 Jul 4. PMID: 27378464; PMCID: PMC5008955

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes & Your Health Edition - Why Does It Matter? Genes, Hormones, and Women’s Health

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guests: Stephanie S. Faubion, M.D., M.B.A. (@StephFaubionMD); Kejal Kantarci, M.D. (@KejalKantarciMD); Juliana (Jewel) M. Kling, M.D., M.P.H. (@DrJewelKling)

Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

Is hormone therapy good or bad for women? What are the myths surrounding it? Is the varying experience of menopause genetic? Join the sixth episode of Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine’s Genes & Your Health Edition to dive into women’s health and hormones and what you need to know for your practice.  

Additional resources:
• USPSTF Recommendations Statement for Breast Cancer: Medication Use to Reduce Risk https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-medications-for-risk-reduction 
• Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Using Artificial Intelligence to Combat COVID-19

Guest: Thomas Caulfield, Ph.D.

Host: Amit K Ghosh, M.D., MBA (@AmitGhosh006)

In this podcast, Dr. Thomas Caulfield from Mayo Clinic Florida describes a novel approach for SARS-CoV2 multi-drug targeting using artificial intelligence. Dr. Caulfield is leading a national team of investigators from Harvard, University of California, In Vivo Biosystems and Mayo Clinic to perform large-scale in silico and in vivo experiments on de novo drugs to better understand COVID-19 and halt its progression.  University of California hosts a live virus BSL3 facility for rapidly screening novel compounds that Dr. Caulfield's lab designs in silico and refines with feedback using machine learning techniques and data layering.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Genes & Your Health Edition - How Does Your Microbiome Impact Your Health?

To claim credit for this series, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Genes & Your Health

Guest: Purna C. Kashyap, M.B.B.S. (@KashyapPurna); Marina R. Walther-Antonio, Ph.D.
Host: Denise M. Dupras, M.D., Ph.D.

What is the microbiome? How does the microbiome interact with our body? How much of us is nurture, how much is nature? The whole concept of microbiome may be a new idea but have no fear this fifth episode of the Genes & Your Health Edition from the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine is here to help answer those questions and more!

Additional resources:

• Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine: https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Mayo Clinic Q&A: Breaking Down COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Approvals

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in September 29, 2021

Guest:  Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

The path to approvals for a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has seemed complicated. 

"This is a confusing set of recommendations," says Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "So let's look at the four groups approved for only the Pfizer booster, thus far. If you got a primary series of the Pfizer vaccine, you're 65 and older, and it's been six months or more, you are eligible for a booster. If you're 50–64 and you have medical conditions that place you at high risk, you are eligible for the booster. If you're 18–49, you may be able to get a booster based on a medical condition and if you talk with your health care provider to weigh risks and benefits. And, finally, for people 18–64 years old, who are health care providers in congregate living situations or who have occupations that place them at high risk for transmission, such as school teachers, they also may be eligible. That should happen very soon."

In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland talks more about the approval process for COVID-19 vaccine boosters, including for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. He also discusses the possibility that emergency use approval for children, down to age 5, could come before the end of October.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Breast Imaging for Patients with Dense Breast Tissue

Guest: Christina A. Dilaveri, M.D. (@CDilaveri)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

 

Breast cancer is very treatable when detected early. Therefore, early detection becomes very important as it significantly reduces a patient’s risk of developing metastases and death. Breast imaging plays an extremely important role in the detection of early breast cancer, and we now have several modalities of breast imaging available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Our guest for this podcast is Christina Dilaveri, M.D. a breast disease specialist, from Mayo Clinic’s Rochester Campus. We’ll discuss mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and molecular breast imaging, when they’re indicated, and the advantages of each. You’ll hear which patients should have more than a mammogram and how often it should be performed.

Specific topics discussed:

• The various types of mammography available
• Indications for breast ultrasound
• Benefits of breast MRI
• When breast MRI should be performed
• Benefits of molecular breast imaging
• When molecular breast imaging should be performed

Connect with the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.