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• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• October 29, 2009 7:18 a.m.

  To Ms Zeratsky: Enjoyed her commentary on protein shakes. Correct:"fewer calories" not "less calories"

  - Lynn

• October 27, 2009 8:28 p.m.

  A small company in Eugene Oregon has produced an interactive computer program designed to teach people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities about germs and germ transmission, flu and colds, how to use a digital thermometer and how to make basic health care decisions based on the presence of a fever, how to take care of yourself when you are ill, and beginning to prepare your home in case you need to stay put for a few days due to illness. The program was evaluated with 40 people with intellectual disabilities and a research report presenting the evaluation outcomes can also be found on the website, www.techaidinstitute.com. Spread the word, not the flu!

  - Jennifer

• October 22, 2009 10:12 a.m.

  For years iIve wanted to contact someone concerning fibromyalgia. I hope you can pass this along to someone who will hear it. I was bedridden in 1969 with an unknown illness. Dr was perplexed bc it was like RA , but in the muscles instead. I was at times considering suicide-I was in constant pain. He prescribed a drug called butazolidan (SP?) I was eventually able to get moving. After a few years, I was almost without symtoms. Years later , after I moved to Fl, someone sent me an article about this "New" illness-fibromyalgia. One of the symtoms , it said, was not dreaming! It described it to a tee. Doctors now tell me , I couldn't have had it, if I don't have it now. Well, I have chronic rib pain syndrome, which I know is a result of what I had. I just wanted to tell someone about this drug that I was treated with and hope you can pass it along. That drug is probably not in use today, but let me tell you, it should be.Please pass this along to someone on your staff who works in this area. Many people will thank you.

  - leslie

• October 21, 2009 9:16 a.m.

  When I read about GERDS and Acid Reflux I am surprised that more aggressive followup is not recommended. Like testing for H. pylori. I had a total gastrectomy for cancer caused by this bacteria and I think anyone with gastric problems should be tested for H. pylori. Thanks, Rita

  - Rita

• September 20, 2009 12:34 p.m.

  I have tinnitis and when I get my heart rate up by exercising or working ect. I hear a different noise hard to explane but it is like a surging or hard heart beat. It always happens in groups of 2 or 3 times fast with intermitant cycles. My doctor cant figure it out. I also have high blood pressure. It dosen,t hapen when I am relaxing but it still happens occasionaly. What do you think. Thanks Tony

  - tony

• July 23, 2009 2:14 a.m.

  I saw on-line where the Clinic was not in favor of this latest atempt at Socialized Medicine. Then I was informed that the Clinic changed it's mind and is now IN Favor of it. I would like to know which it is. I have been reding the Bill on-line and so far as I can tell, there are a LOT of pages that do not really say a whole lot. I would like to say that the way Obama is pushin;g this to hurry it through ASAP, it seems that there must be something that I haven't gotten to that he doesn't want the public to know about until it is too late.

  - Mary-Jo

• May 29, 2009 9:46 a.m.

  Over the last few weeks I had two seizures that I learned were probably atonic epilepsy or drop attacks. The last one caused some physical damage. I'm entering CT scans, neurology exams and whatever else comes with this. I was hoping to find a blog about living with this condition. I scanned the full list and found none. Did I miss it? Is it worth creating an epilepsy blog?

  - PaulC

• March 21, 2009 7:07 p.m.

  just wanted to know..my son, who had a problem of geting terrible pain and what he describe as " the muscles getting locked" who was diagnoised with Bilateral Compartment Syndromme and who underwent surgery for the same in Oct 07...the problem has recurred and the latest MRI of the spine shows Spinal Cord Stenous.and the Dr Consulted has gven him physio life long, has asked him to go back to swimming and it appears in the MRi done before the surgey also showed this but it was not attended to....i want to know if this Stenous could have led to the Syndromme and he is just 25 yrs and his life is put on hold..any comments

  - lea mathias

• March 13, 2009 7:00 p.m.

  I have spent the last 15 minutes trying to find a web site to print out a blood pressure log to record my husbands blood pressure every day to take to the doctor. Im sure my blood pressure went up just trying to do this. Im not a computer guru so ?????? Any suggentions?

  - Anon

• March 1, 2009 2:20 p.m.

  Your newsletter has helped me in various ways in understanding various conditions that appear in my life. It helps me in asking my doctor pertinent questions. Keep up the good work. Most appreciatively.

  - H Hutchison

• February 26, 2009 12:30 p.m.

  Have been learning from Mayo, my weekly health treat, for at least two years. Thanks to all who provide the information. A question I've asked Mayo several times, but alas, no answer: How many calories are burned per hour sleeping, reading, couch "potato-ing"? At age 76 I'm a pro at "I'll do it later". Knowing what my starting point is will help me "get moving"! ;-) Thanks, KB

  - Katte Bradley

• February 25, 2009 10:09 p.m.

  mayo clinic is my first family doctor,expert in all health fields,always ready with to the point guidance,it tells me all my health querries, wish it could have a chat option, wish you all success.

  - mnkhan.

• February 25, 2009 7:26 p.m.

  I look forward to seeing the changes to mayoclinic.com. That and the newsletter are one of my prime sources of medical advice.You have such a broad range of information. Thank you.

  - Jane Price

• February 25, 2009 7:58 a.m.

  Dr. Gott article states: The Mayo Clinic recommends that men with or at risk for prostate cancer avoid flaxseed and alpha-linolenic acid supplements....But if you have diabetes, some studies have shown that omega-3s can increase blood sugar levels" also "flaxseed oil and omega 3" may "actually increase (triglyseride) levels." Every other report I have read states the opposite is true. Omega 3s should reduce triglyseride levels and do not address the effect on blood sugar. Can anyone please clarify this contradiction of information?? BarrY McCall

  - Barry McCall

• February 24, 2009 10:40 p.m.

  My cousin had back surgery 8 wks ago and during the surgery the doctor cut into a nerve sac hidden behind the damaged area and now her leg is numb and has alot of pain as he damaged the nerve there. She has been told she has diffused active denervation in the left L2 to L5 and S1 nerve root with radiculopathics nerve root damage. What can be done to at least releive the terrible pain she has in her leg? The numbness she can live with but the pain keeps her from doing much of anything. Thank you for you site - I use it often.

  - Rose Ann Fasnacht

• February 24, 2009 8:47 p.m.

  In your discussion on memory problems, is there anything available on treating brain problems as a diabetis problem?

  - vsclift@juno.com

• February 24, 2009 7:25 p.m.

  Is there such a surgery as vagotomy reversal?

  - Larry

• February 24, 2009 5:33 p.m.

  Mr. Harms: I encourage your reporting staff to complete an investigation of the condition known as adult onet hydrocephalus or Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH. One of the symptoms of this condition is dementia. Some portion of nursing home residets who are diagnosed as suffering from dementia may not have dementia at all. THey may be suffering from NPH which is partically reverseable with surgerigal intervention. The cost to the health care system could be very significant because this diagnosis is often missed. Not only would your writers educate practicing physicians but also the gneral public who for the most part, do not know to ask about this diagnosis when presented with the dementia conclusion. In addition, I would ask you to be a champion among your Mayo Clinic colleagues to undertake research about the prevalence of NPH in the general population. The data is simply not available. I would hope the Mayo Cliinic might fund such research out of its endowment. If that is not possible, I would suggest that the Mayo Clinic grant writer be commissioned to search for ppossible grant-study funds for such a project. I appreciate your consideration and I will look forward to a response in this space. Thank you.

  - Michael McLean

• February 24, 2009 3:57 p.m.

  Not only is Mayo Clinic.com a continuous source of information in preventing and treating so many medical problems , but it does so in a very lucid and comprehensive manner- thanks a million.

  - Ken Trappler

• February 24, 2009 3:49 p.m.

  I also trust your web site for accurate information about my health. In my case, a very important health issue is not addressed. I, like millions of others, have celiac disease. Hopefully, you will address this disease in the future and make those of us who have it feel more welcome in turning to you for information. This blog is a great idea and I will continue to check it out. Keep it coming!

  - Susan Wong

• February 21, 2009 12:38 p.m.

  Thank you to everyone at MayoClinic.com for giving us the information we need to improve the health of our family members. This is the first site I turn to when I want to read about any health concern or find tips on nutrition and exercise. "Mayo" has a prime spot on the toolbar of my computer.

  - Barbara Carr