Intermittent fasting

Bone density test   Overview A bone density test determines if you have osteoporosis — a disorder characterized by bones that are more fragile and more likely to break. In the past, osteoporosis would be suspected only after you broke a bone. By that time, however, your bones could be quite weak. A bone density test enhances the accuracy of calculating your risk of breaking bones. A bone density test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm. Why it's done Bone density Doctors use bone density testing to: Identify decreases in bone density before you break a bone Determine your risk of broken bones (fractures) Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis Monitor osteoporosis treatment The higher your bone mineral content, the denser your bones are. And the denser your bones, the stronger th

Peptic ulcer   Overview Ulcers Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain. Peptic ulcers include: Gastric ulcers that occur on the inside of the stomach Duodenal ulcers that occur on the inside of the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenum) The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of aspirin and certain other painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, others). Stress and spicy foods do not cause peptic ulcers. However, they can make your symptoms worse. Symptoms Burning stomach pain Feeling of fullness, bloating or belching Fatty food intolerance Heartburn Nausea The most common peptic ulcer symptom is burning stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. Th

Prostate cancer    Overview Prostate cancer Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. Prostate cancer that's detected early — when it's still confined to the prostate gland— has a better chance of successful treatment. Symptoms Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as: Trouble urinating Decreased force in the stream of urine Blood in semen Discomf

Kidney stones Overview Kidney stones   Kidney stones (renal lithiasis, nephrolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones have many causes and can affect any part of your urinary tract — from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage if they're recognized in a timely fashion. Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take pain medication and drink lots of water to pass a kidney stone. In other instances — for example, if stones become lodged in the urinary tract, are associated with a urinary infection or cause complications — surgery may be needed. Your doctor may recommend preventive treatment to reduce your risk of recurrent kidney stones if you're at increased risk of developing them again.

Ear infection (middle ear)   Overview An ear infection (acute otitis media) is most often a bacterial or viral infection that affects the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. Children are more likely than adults to get ear infections. Ear infections frequently are painful because of inflammation and buildup of fluids in the middle ear. Because ear infections often clear up on their own, treatment may begin with managing pain and monitoring the problem. Ear infection in infants and severe cases in general often require antibiotic medications. Long-term problems related to ear infections — persistent fluids in the middle ear, persistent infections or frequent infections — can cause hearing problems and other serious complications. Symptoms The onset of signs and symptoms of ear infection is usually rapid. Children Signs and symptoms common in children include: Ear pain, especially when lying down Tugging or pull

Sinus headaches   Overview Sinus headaches are headaches that may feel like an infection in the sinuses (sinusitis). You may feel pressure around your eyes, cheeks and forehead. Perhaps your head throbs. However, many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis, including many who have received such a diagnosis, actually have migraines or tension headaches. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of sinus headaches — regardless of cause — may include: Pain, pressure and fullness in your cheeks, brow or forehead Worsening pain if you bend forward or lie down Stuffy nose Fatigue Achy feeling in your upper teeth Sinusitis or migraine? Migraines and headaches from sinusitis are easy to confuse because the signs and symptoms of the two types of headaches often overlap. Both sinusitis and migraine headache pain often gets worse when you bend forward.  Migraine can also be accompanied by various nasal signs and symptoms — including congestion, facial pre

Overview   Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But white and Asian women — especially older women who are past menopause — are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones. Symptoms There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have signs and symptoms that include: Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra Loss of height over time A stooped

Blood Cancers    Blood cancers affect the production and function of your blood cells. Most of these cancers start in your bone marrow where blood is produced. Stem cells in your bone marrow mature and develop into three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. In most blood cancers, the normal blood cell development process is interrupted by uncontrolled growth of an abnormal type of blood cell. These abnormal blood cells, or cancerous cells, prevent your blood from performing many of its functions, like fighting off infections or preventing serious bleeding. There are three main types of blood cancers: Leukemia, a type of cancer found in your blood and bone marrow, is caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. The high number of abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection, and they impair the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets. Lymphoma is a type of blood c

Mayo Clinic is one of the leading medical facilities in the country for the diagnosis and management of various blood disorders. Hematology specialists at Mayo Clinic are internationally recognized as leaders in the field of blood disorders. Experts in hematology at Mayo Clinic are at the leading edge of research to continuously improve diagnosis and treatment options. At Mayo Clinic, hematologists work in collaboration with teams of experts from virtually every medical and surgical specialty for the care of adults and children with blood diseases, including various cancers of the blood and bone marrow. Mayo Clinic hematology experts are actively involved in patient care and research in the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, designated by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center ranks in the top tier of cancer centers in the United States for cancer research, treatment and education. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is also a member of

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism  Thyroid The Mayo Clinic Thyroid Core Group is composed of endocrinologists, clinical researchers, basic researchers, and individuals involved in the related fields of Nuclear and Laboratory Medicine. Although the group has clinical expertise in all areas of thyroid and eye disease. We have more than 35 on-going IRB-approved research protocols. Our work is supported by several NIH grants, as well as by pharmaceutical and internal Mayo Clinic grants. Within the area of thyroid cancer, our basic research group is interested in oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and the identification of other genes involved in the initiation or spread of malignancy. In addition, studies of novel approaches to therapy of thyroid and other endocrine and non-endocrine cancers using targeted gene therapy are underway. Our group is especially interested in the sodium-iodide symporter as a gene that might have utility in this regard. For clinical study purposes, we have a

Headaches and hormones: What's the connection?   Being female has some real health advantages, but not when it comes to headaches — particularly migraines. Fortunately, there's help.  Many factors contribute to headaches for both men and women, including family history and age. Women, however, often notice a relationship between headaches and hormonal changes. The hormones estrogen (ES-truh-jen) and progesterone (pro-JES-tuh-rohn) play key roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy and may also affect headache-related chemicals in the brain. Having steady estrogen levels may improve headaches, while experiencing estrogen levels that dip or change can make headaches worse. Though fluctuating hormone levels can influence headache patterns, you're not completely at the mercy of your hormones. Your doctor can help you treat — or prevent — hormone-related headaches. During menstruation The drop in estrogen just before your period may contribute

Overview  Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don't replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated. Anyone may become dehydrated, but the condition is especially dangerous for young children and older adults. The most common cause of dehydration in young children is severe diarrhea and vomiting. Older adults naturally have a lower volume of water in their bodies, and may have conditions or take medications that increase the risk of dehydration. This means that even minor illnesses, such as infections affecting the lungs or bladder, can result in dehydration in older adults. Dehydration also can occur in any age group if you don't drink enough water during hot weather — especially if you are exercising vigorously. You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medic

   Overview         A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain or close to your brain. Many different types of brain tumors exist. Some brain tumors are noncancerous (benign), and some brain tumors are cancerous (malignant). Brain tumors can begin in your brain (primary brain tumors), or cancer can begin in other parts of your body and spread to your brain (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors). How quickly a brain tumor grows can vary greatly. The growth rate as well as location of a brain tumor determines how it will affect the function of your nervous system. Brain tumor treatment options depend on the type of brain tumor you have, as well as its size and location. Types     Choroid plexus carcinoma     Craniopharyngioma     Embryonal tumors     Ependymoma     Medulloblastoma     Pineoblastoma Symptoms The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor vary greatly and depend on the brain tumor's size, location and rate of growth. General signs and symptoms c

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), which is the final part of your digestive tract. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancer. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool, that lasts longer than four weeks Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely Weakness or fatigue Unexplained weight loss Many people with colon cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages