Tag Archives: Mayo Clinic

December 9, 2018 · 12:06 am

Mayo Clinic – Gene Therapy – potential and pitfalls

I put gene therapy up there with the technology that makes the GPS in my car work. It reminds me of the wonderful quote from Arthur C. Clarke, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Research is advancing gene therapy as a possible treatment or eventual cure for genetic diseases that bedevil modern science. Gene therapy was conceived over 20 years ago, and until recently, remained largely in the research lab. But gene therapy products are now beginning to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical care. Physician-scientists are intrigued with exploring its possibilities for transforming medical practice.

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Gene therapy seeks to target faulty genes that are driving disease and either correct or replace them. Imagine your entire genome as an electric master board that controls physical characteristics and bodily functions. A genomic variant would be the burned out fuse causing disease. Gene therapy would target the defective fuse and either replace it or add a new fuse to get the body functioning correctly.

Mayo’s research

As an example of the potential, David Deyle, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic Department of Clinical Genomics and Center for Individualized Medicine Clinomics Program, is using gene therapy in his research into possible treatments for osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. People with this devastating rare genetic disorder suffer with bones that break easily and often. Caused by a defect in the protein known as collagen, brittle bone disease has no cure. Continue reading →

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February 21, 2018 · 2:46 pm

The Mayo Clinic tells why you should exercise regularly

Regular readers know that I feel very strongly about exercising regularly. Eat less; move more; live longer is the mantra of this blog. So, I was thrilled to receive a Mayo Clinic Newsletter from Dr. Robert Sheeler, Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. So many people think about exercise as an adjunct to dieting to lose weight. Wrong. You need to exercise to stay generally healthy and also to maintain a healthy body weight. You don’t stop after you reach your goal weight.

Here’s what the good doctor had to say, “If you exercise regularly, you may lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke. If you are middle-aged or older and haven’t been exercising regularly or have a chronic health problem, work with your doctor to develop an exercise program.

Running at the fitness club

“To condition your heart safely:
• Start at a comfortable level of exertion — Try walking five to 10 minutes over a short distance indoors. Increase your time by five minutes a session as you’re able.
• Schedule regular exercise — Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day of low- to moderate-intensity physical activity.
• Include variety — Combine three types of exercise — stretching (flexibility), endurance (aerobic or cardio) and strengthening (weight training). Start each session with a warm-up of lower intensity, and cool down gradually. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, may provide even greater benefits.
• Cross-train to reduce your risk of injury — Alternate among exercises that emphasize different parts of the body, such as swimming, bicycling and walking.
• Don’t overdue it — Start slowly and build up gradually, allowing time between sessions for your body to rest and recover. And forget the saying “No pain, no gain.” A little muscle soreness when you do something new isn’t unusual, but soreness doesn’t equal pain. If it hurts, stop doing it.
• Increase your physical activity — Even routine activities such as gardening, climbing stairs or washing floors can burn calories and help improve your health. You’ll get the most benefit from a structured exercise program, but any physical movement helps. Walk or bike to the store instead of driving, park farther away at the shopping mall or take the stairs instead of taking an elevator.”

Want more great health information? Visit the store now to see the latest products from Mayo Clinic doctors, specialists and editorial staff.

Tony

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April 24, 2017 · 5:00 am

Healthy living = a healthy brain as you age – Mayo Clinic

Eat less; move more; live longer is the mantra of this blog. Seems that a healthy lifestyle increases the chances of a healthy brain as we age, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can protect the brain against several risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol and avoiding obesity, smoking and diabetes are among the steps that can help preserve brain health, according to the study, published in JAMA Neurology.

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Neurologists believe two aspects make up Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Amyloid deposits: Toxic proteins that build up plaques on the brain.
  • Neurodegeneration: Loss of structure and function of neurons in the brain.

The Mayo research examined whether the risk factors and protective steps against each differ. Continue reading →

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April 22, 2017 · 5:15 am

HIIT training can reverse aging processes in adults – Mayo Clinic

Eat less; move more; live longer remains the mantra of this blog. So, I was thrilled to read this latest from the Mayo Clinic on High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).

Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, but what type of training helps most, especially when you’re older – say over 65? A Mayo Clinic study says it’s high-intensity aerobic exercise, which can reverse some cellular aspects of aging. The findings appear in Cell Metabolism.

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Mayo researchers compared high-intensity interval training, resistance training and combined training. All training types improved lean body mass and insulin sensitivity, but only high-intensity and combined training improved aerobic capacity and mitochondrial function for skeletal muscle. Decline in mitochondrial content and function are common in older adults. Continue reading →

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March 9, 2017 · 12:07 am

Researchers Uncover New Agents That Eliminate Cells Tied to Age-Related Diseases – Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic researchers have uncovered three new agents to add to the emerging repertoire of drugs that aim to delay the onset of aging by targeting senescent cells – cells that contribute to frailty and other age-related conditions. A recent study of human cell cultures shows that the drugs, fisetin and two BCL-XL inhibitors – A1331852 and A1155463 – cleared senescent cells in vitro. Findings appear online in Aging.

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“Senescent cells accumulate with age and at sites of multiple chronic conditions, such as in fat tissue in diabetes, the lungs in chronic pulmonary diseases, the aorta in vascular disease, or the joints in osteoarthritis,” says James Kirkland, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging. “At Mayo Clinic, we discovered the first senolytic drugs – agents that selectively eliminate senescent cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. These senolytic agents alleviated a range of age- and disease-related problems in mice. We used the hypothesis-driven approach that we used to discover the first senolytic drugs, two published in early 2015 and another later in 2015, to discover these three new senolytic drugs.” Continue reading →

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December 11, 2015 · 12:05 am

Exercise AND Computer Use Cut Odds of Memory Loss – Mayo Clinic

As regular readers know, I feel strongly about the importance of exercise for everyone, but especially for seniors. In the case of seniors exercise helps to preserve our brain cells and memory besides exercising our muscles. Well, cyber-seniors, rejoice!

Now comes a Mayo Clinic study that adds to our positive evidence.

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Combining mentally stimulating activities, such as using a computer, with moderate exercise decreases your odds of having memory loss more than computer use or exercise alone, a Mayo Clinic study shows. Previous studies have shown that exercising your body and your mind will help your memory but the new study, published in the May 2012 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, reports a synergistic interaction between computer activities and moderate exercise in “protecting” the brain function in people better than 70 years old.

Researchers studied 926 people in Olmsted County, Minn., ages 70 to 93, who completed self-reported questionnaires on physical exercise, and computer use within one year prior of the date of interview. Moderate physical exercise was defined as brisk walking, hiking, aerobics, strength training, golfing without a golf cart, swimming, doubles tennis, yoga, martial arts, using exercise machines and weightlifting. Mentally stimulating activities included reading, crafts, computer use, playing games, playing music, group and social and artistic activities and watching less television. Of those activities the study singled out computer use because of its popularity, said study author Yonas E. Geda, M.D., MSc, a physician scientist with Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

“The aging of baby boomers is projected to lead to dramatic increases in the prevalence of dementia,” Dr. Geda said. “As frequent computer use has becoming increasingly common among all age groups, it is important to examine how it relates to aging and dementia. Our study further adds to this discussion.”

The study examined exercise, computer use and the relationship to neurological risks such as mild cognitive impairment, Dr. Geda says. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the intermediate stage between normal memory loss that comes with aging and early Alzheimer’s disease. Of the study participants who did not exercise and did not use a computer, 20.1 percent were cognitively normal and 37.6 percent showed signs of mild cognitive impairment. Of the participants who both exercise and use a computer, 36 percent were cognitively normal and 18.3 percent showed signs of MCI.

Dr. Geda expects that this study will lead to more research on this topic.

Because I lost an aunt to Alzheimer’s and my mother suffered from dementia very late in her life, I have posted a number of times on these subjects.

To explore further check out my Page – Important Facts About Your Brain (and Exercise Benefits).

Here are some Alzheimer’s posts: How Does Exercise Benefit the Brain?, Does Exercise Reduce Our Chances of Alzheimer’s? Some Common Meds That Might Interfere With Alzheimer’s Drugs, How To Reduce Your Risks of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Good Cholesterol News _ Alzheimer’s Study, What Are the Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s?

Tony

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November 28, 2015 · 12:01 am

The Power of Touch as Medicine – Mayo Clinic

“Almost everyone has experienced moments in life when grief is so intense that words seem inadequate, or the suffering you witness almost makes you avert your gaze,” says Robert Sheeler, M.D. Medical Editor — Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

“It can be tempting to physically and emotionally withdraw from painful situations, such as when a friend’s partner dies or your relative faces a terminal illness. You want to guard your own emotions, or you fear being perceived as inappropriate or invading another’s personal space.

Massaging-Hands-Med
“While these concerns can be valid, such an approach risks loneliness and isolation for all those involved. Multiple studies have shown that feeling isolated from others has a number of negative health effects, including accelerated aging, depression, cognitive decline and increased risk of heart disease.

“The role of companionship under difficult circumstances need not be as complicated as you might think. In fact, it can be as simple as holding a hand. Connecting through touch or just being present in a quiet, mindful way can bridge the divide between individual — and unique — sorrows and provide immeasurable comfort.

Touch as medicine
“Many health care providers intuitively sense that a compassionate touch or presence can help to alleviate pain and discomfort in their patients. A sympathetic hand on the arm can help a person absorb difficult news, or an encouraging pat on the shoulder may provide motivation toward recovery.

I would like to interrupt Dr. Sheeler’s words to mention that I have written about the benefits of human touch in the form of hugging as well as companionship. Check out my post What is the value of hugging? and 22 Ways dogs make humans better for more details.

Dr. Sheeler continued, “More-formal approaches to incorporating touch into medicine generally fall under the umbrella of complementary therapies that aim to support traditional treatments and improve quality of life. Some touch therapies focus on manipulating soft tissue, others on tuning into your energy. Most help you relax.

“Massage therapy, for example, manipulates your muscles, skin and tendons. Almost everyone feels better after a massage. Studies have shown it can reduce anxiety, pain and fatigue.

“Reiki, on the other hand, is an energy therapy where the practitioner’s hands are placed on or a few inches above the recipient’s body. Different hand positions are held about two to five minutes until the practitioner feels that the flow of energy has slowed or stopped. Recipients sometimes describe a feeling of warmth and relaxation after a session. Reiki has been used to treat stress, pain and nausea from chemotherapy.

“Examples of other touch therapies include reflexology, which focuses on specific parts of the body, deep tissue massage, spinal manipulation and healing (therapeutic) touch.

Getting close
“In an era dominated by virtual communication such as by cellphones, the Internet and wireless technology, it can be even more important to realize the value of being physically close. An arm around the shoulder of a family member or friend in need of comfort can often do more good than an email.

“Humans need to be near each other to be mentally, emotionally and physically healthy. The next time you’re tempted to withdraw, try reaching out instead. Since comfort levels with touch vary, you may need to ask for permission first, but offer and give a hug, link arms, sit close.

“Life is richer when you share the highs and lows together — words aren’t always necessary.

Want more great health information related to this subject? Read more about these types of medical practices and treatments in the Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine.

Tony

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April 14, 2015 · 12:05 am

What You Need to Know About High Blood Pressure – Infographic

I went to a talk at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on high blood pressure a while back. I wrote the post What is High Blood Pressure then.

Some of the points made in the post included: “Normal (blood pressure) BP is 120/80, systolic/diastolic. Prehypertensive is 120-139 over 80-89. Stage one hypertension is 140-159 over 90 – 99. Stage two hypertension reads 160 -179 over 100 – 109.

“Modifiable causes of high BP or hypertension include smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, dietary salt, alcohol consumption and stress.

“Causes of high BP over which we have no control include older age, genetics, family history of high BP, chronic kidney disease and adrenal and thyroid disorders.

“The Mayo Clinic said that most people with high BP have no signs or symptoms, even if BP readings reach dangerously high levels.”

I hope this has piqued your curiosity about high blood pressure because I have found two dynamite infographics on it that will fill in a lot of details. The first is from the American Heart Association and is very personal and the second from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and covers a broad spectrum of high blood pressure in the U.S.
BPConsequencesmh_bp_infographicTony

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March 27, 2015 · 12:37 pm

Healthy Cooking Tips From the Mayo Clinic

Besides eating less to control our weight, we can also prepare our food in such a way as to minimize empty calories and at the some times add nutrition as well as taste.

Herewith several easy cooking methods that can promote healthier eating from the desk of Dr. Robert Sheeler, Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
 •    Invest in nonstick cookware — Instead of pouring oil in a pan, use nonstick cookware and vegetable cooking sprays. One tablespoon of vegetable oil has 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, but a one-second spray has negligible calories and less than 1 gram of fat.

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•    Think flavor, not fat — Sauté vegetables such as onions, mushrooms or celery in a small amount of wine, broth, water, soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Keep a supply of onions, fresh garlic, ginger root, Dijon mustard, fresh lemons and limes, flavored vinegars, sherry or other wines, cornstarch (to thicken sauces), and plain fat-free yogurt.
•    Try different cooking methods — Microwave or steam vegetables. Then dress them up with flavored vinegars, herbs and spices. Cook fish in parchment paper or foil to seal in flavors and juices.

A while back I bought the Pasta Boat (Mr. Lazy Cook Cruises on the Pasta Boat) for fixing my pasta. It is also excellent for Steaming Broccoli in the Pasta Boat.
 •    Modify recipes — In most recipes, you can reduce sugar, salt and fat by one-third to one-half without sacrificing taste.
   •    Minimize meat — Decrease the amount of meat in casseroles and stews by one-third and add more vegetables, rice or pasta. Or, replace meat with beans, nuts, eggs or low-fat cheese. Buy lean cuts of meat.

Want more great health information? Visit the store now to see the latest products from Mayo Clinic doctors, specialists and editorial staff.

Tony

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March 4, 2014 · 1:09 pm

Insights into Heart Health – Mayo Clinic

Not long ago I posted some logistical suggestions from Harvard on aging. Now comes the Mayo Clinic with some excellent internal insights.

“As you age, your heart rate becomes slightly slower and your heart might become bigger. Your blood vessels and your arteries also become stiffer, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.

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“What you can do
 to promote heart health:
• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try walking, swimming or other activities you enjoy. Regular moderate physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and lessen the extent of arterial stiffening.

• Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help you keep your heart and arteries healthy.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking contributes to the hardening of your arteries and increases your blood pressure and heart rate. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

• Manage stress. Stress can take a toll on your heart. Take steps to reduce stress — or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.”

It’s true that everyone already knows all of these but I think it is good to have them repeated by a reputable source to get us going in the right direction.

These are part of a Mayo Clinic page on healthy aging that covers bones, memory and other aspects of it.

Tony

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February 7, 2014 · 1:48 pm

Lifestyle Techniques to Ease Arthritis Pain – Mayo Clinic

As regular readers know, I suffer from arthritis. Mine is in my hands at the base of each thumb. Because of it, I have difficulty turning a key in a lock, buttoning and unbuttoning clothes and generally using my hands to grasp. So, I am always on the lookout for tips on living with arthritis and dealing with the pain.  More than half of us over age 65 suffer from some variety of osteoarthritis. After age 65 more than 75 percent of arthritis sufferers are women.

“You can relieve much of the discomfort of arthritis by adopting a healthy lifestyle and using simple self-care techniques,” so says the Mayo Clinic in its book The Mayo Clinic on Healthy Aging.

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Following are the guidelines for living with arthritis from the Mayo Clinic:

“Control your weight. Excess weight puts added stress on joints in your back, hips, knees and feet. Excess weight can also make joint replacement surgery more difficult.

“Develop an exercise program. Appropriate exercie helps keep joints flexible and builds muscle strength. Work with your doctor.

“Apply heat, especially before exercising. It will ease your pain, relax painful tense muscles and increase blood flow in the area.

“Apply cold for occasional flareups. Cold may dull the sensation of pain the first day or two. It can also decrease muscle spasms.

“Wear comfortable shoes that properly support your weight. This is especially important if you have arthritis in your weight-bearing joints or back.

 “Maintain good posture. Poor posture causes uneven weight distribution and may strain your ligaments and muscles. Walking can improve your posture.

“Practice relaxation techniques. Hypnosis, guided imagery, deep breathing and muscle relaxation can all be used to control pain.

“If you’re tired, rest. Prioritize your energy. Arthritis can make  you prone to deep exhaustion.”

I recommend checking out the Mayo Clinic book which has tons of useful information on virtually every aspect of aging.

For further info on arthritis, the following posts may be helpful: How do I get relief from Arthritis in my hands, Shoulder Arthritis, Diet and exercise for knee Arthritis, Four ways exercise helps with Arthritis – Harvard, How to handle Arthritis through natural healing, Oleda Baker on Arthritis and Alcohol, Is it Okay to exercise with Arthritis?

Tony

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January 24, 2014 · 11:25 am

How to Handle Heartburn – Mayo Clinic

I recently learned that I suffer from heartburn so I was fascinated by these tips from the Mayo Clinic. “Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus,” according to Dr. Robert Sheeler, Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

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” The following lifestyle changes may eliminate or reduce the frequency of your symptoms:
•    Avoid your triggers — Most people have specific foods and beverages that trigger heartburn. Common offenders are fried or fatty foods, chocolate, mint, alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages, onions, tomato-based and spicy foods, and citrus foods and juices.

•    Lose excess weight — Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, which crowds your stomach and can cause acid backup.

•    Avoid tightness at your waist — Reduce pressure on your abdomen by loosening your belt or by not wearing control-top stockings or body-shaping undergarments.

•    Eat smaller meals — Doing so reduces pressure from the stomach on the lower esophageal sphincter and makes it less likely stomach acid will escape into your esophagus.

•    Don’t lie down after a meal — Wait two to three hours after a meal before you lie down. If you nap, try doing so in a more upright reclining chair.

•    Don’t use tobacco — Tobacco interferes with function of the lower esophageal sphincter.

•    Raise the head of your bed — If you’re bothered by heartburn in the night, elevate the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches using blocks under the legs.

“An appointment with your doctor is warranted if these lifestyle changes don’t relieve your symptoms or if you have heartburn more than twice a week.”

Visit the store now to see the latest products from Mayo Clinic doctors, specialists and editorial staff.

I practice most of these already on my doctor’s orders recommendation. I am sure they will benefit fellow sufferers. The one partially mentioned was that I can’t eat anything within 1-1/2 hours of going to bed for the night. This one brought immediate relief to me.

Tony

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July 18, 2013 · 11:04 am

Should You Try a Gluten-Free Diet?

A popular diet myth is that everyone can benefit from a gluten-free diet. It can give you more energy and is anti-inflammatory. Sales of gluten-free products increased 16 percent in 2010.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body can’t digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Less than two percent of the population suffers from celiac disease. So, the odds are that you don’t. Nonetheless, there are hundreds of Gluten-Free products.
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The Mayo Clinic says, “A gluten-free diet is used to treat celiac disease. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease. Eating a gluten-free diet helps people with celiac disease control their signs and symptoms and prevent complications.”

If you don’t have a medical reason for following a gluten-free diet, there is no benefit, according to Erin McCarthy, MS, RD, LDN at theCenter for Lifestyle Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The Mayo Clinic also pointed out, “People who follow a gluten-free diet may have low levels of certain vitamins and nutrients in their diets. Many grains are enriched with vitamins. Avoiding grains with a gluten-free diet may mean eating fewer of these enriched products.

So, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. A gluten-free diet is very difficult to adhere to and you will likely get no direct benefit from it for your troubles.

Tony

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April 29, 2013 · 9:05 am

Tips on Eliminating Meat from your Diet – Mayo Clinic

I haven’t eliminated meat from my diet, but I have cut back sharply. If you are considering either going without meat, or cutting way back, you have probably wondered about what you will be missing in nutrition. Well, Dr. Robert Sheeler, Medical Editor of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter offered some worthwhile tips for just such a situation.

” … if you eliminate or markedly reduce only the meat in your diet, but still consume animal products such as dairy and eggs, and a wide variety of plant-based foods, you should have no problem getting adequate protein, iron, calcium and vitamin B-12.

Not so much ...

Not so much …

“Even a vegan diet — which eliminates all animal-based foods, including dairy and eggs — provides adequate protein and iron if you get enough calories and eat a variety of foods, including soy products, legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and dark green leafy vegetables.

“The only true nutritional issues for those who adopt a balanced vegan diet are:
•    Calcium — If you don’t consume dairy products, a calcium supplement may be necessary. Other calcium sources include fortified products such as some types of tofu, soy milk, breakfast cereal and fruit juice. Dark green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli, also contain calcium.

•    Vitamin B-12 — Some foods, such as breakfast cereals, are fortified with vitamin B-12. Still, you may need to take a vitamin supplement to get this important nutrient.
The key to a healthy meatless diet, like any diet, is to enjoy a variety of foods. No single food can provide all the nutrients your body needs.

“Want more great health information? Visit the store now to see the latest products from Mayo Clinic doctors, specialists and editorial staff.”

Tony

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April 2, 2013 · 3:26 pm

Walnuts Cut Diabetes Risk – The Telegraph

“Nuts to you!” Takes on all new meaning with the latest info from The Telegraph in London. The Telegraph is reporting, “Eating walnuts just two or three times a week can reduce the risk of type two diabetes by a almost a quarter, according to new research.

“A study of nearly 140,000 women in the US shows regular helpings of a small portion of nuts can have a powerful protective effect against a disease that is threatening to become a global epidemic.

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“Women who consumed a 28 gramme (one ounce) packet of walnuts at least twice a week were 24 per cent less likely to develop type two diabetes than those who rarely or never ate them.

“The latest findings, published in the Journal of Nutrition, are not the first to highlight the anti-diabetic effects of walnuts, with earlier research showing similar benefits.

“However, this is thought to be one of the largest studies to find regularly snacking on them can help prevent the condition. Continue reading →

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December 18, 2012 · 8:49 pm

The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies

I don’t write about a lot of books here, but I try to get some of the most useful ones. The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies is just such a book.

I have been paging through it and reading it all evening. I feel like that guy in the commercial where someone asks him, “Are you a doctor?” and he responds, “No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.”

But, in this instance, I would respond, “No, but I did read the Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies.”

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The idea for the book came from numerous discussions physicians, nurses, health educators, and other health care providers about the questions and concerns they hear most frequently from visitors to Mayo. Or, what are the main reasons people go to a doctor? Their stated goal is to develop a simple resource that could guide health decisions, offer easy remedies to treat many health problems and possibly reduce the need for a visit to a clinic or an emergency room.

The book is arranged by each topic alphabetically. Each topic is introduced in a summary that may include signs and symptoms, causes and possible outcomes. Then there is a ‘Home Remedies’ that describes simple actions you can take to help prevent, treat or manage the condition. This may include advice on diet, exercise, a change in behavior or a supplement to relieve signs and symptoms.

There is also a ‘Medical Help’ segment that identifies serious signs and symptoms and tells you when you need to contact a doctor or other health care provider and what kind of treatment you might expect.

I like the scope of their coverage. They give you the symptoms first, tell you what they mean and possibly why they are occurring. They they tell you what to do to remedy the situation. As the writer of this blog, I was gratified to see so many that improving your diet and exercising more actively were  part of the remedies.

So, what are we talking about here? Topics include but are not limited to: back pain, burns, cold sores, dry skin, dry mouth, ear infection, fatigue, high blood pressure, indigestion, motion sickness nosebleeds, shin splints, snoring, ulcers, to name a few.

At this time of year, the Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies is a good candidate for that student who is going off to college and will be on his/her own for the first time ever. For the favorite senior aunt or uncle who is transitioning into old age. It is also a super resource for a young family or just a guy or gal on their own who doesn’t feel like running up big medical bills.

You can pick it up at Amazon.

It sells for the discounted price of $17.13.

Tony

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