ROCHESTER, Minn. — Symptoms are only half of the picture when it comes to long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome. The other half is how long COVID affects a person's ability to live their lives. Greg Vanichkachorn, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic's COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program, offers tips for navigating the return to work during...Read more

Q: I read a lot online about vaccines. Do kids really need so many shots?

A: Childhood vaccination has been one of modern medicines biggest success stories. In fact, vaccines for children have been so successful that we no longer see many of the diseases that used to cause severe illnesses and lasting disabilities.

Thanks to vaccines, most ...Read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. — This time of year, Sanjeev Kakar, M.D., a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, starts seeing many injuries among people inspired by watching golf and other stick-handling sports.

''The weather is changing. Major golf tournaments are on television. Local courses have opened. People are excited to be playing again,'' says Dr. ...Read more

They might have a smelly-sounding name, but muskmelons, like cantaloupes and honeydew, are actually sweet fruits full of flavor and nutrients.

"Muskmelon is an overarching term that includes cantaloupe and honeydew. These fruits provide a wealth of health benefits, including antioxidant support for your immune system. They also promote eye ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis and my health care team suggested that I eat a bone-healthy diet to prevent more issues and maintain strong bones as I age. What is osteoporosis, and how can I maintain a bone-healthy diet?

ANSWER: Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to thin and lose their strength. When...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have been diagnosed with a mild case of irritable bowel syndrome, and I talked to my doctor about managing my symptoms without medication. I am interested in trying to focus more on diet to control my condition. Are there certain things that I should be mindful of, or will medication be the only way for me to manage my ...Read more

Toxoplasmosis is a disease that results from an infection from one of the most common parasites. So common in fact that it might be in your home right now. People can be exposed to this parasite from infected cat feces, and exposure is especially risky for people who are pregnant.

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic...Read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about managing stress.

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. When used positively, stress can lead to growth, action and change. But negative, long-term stress...Read more

With the leak of a draft Supreme Court opinion that would overturn the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade, the future of abortion access in many states is uncertain. Without a clinic close by to obtain one, supporters of abortion rights say they expect to see patients increasingly opting for medication abortion, which ...Read more

Infant caregivers are finding empty store shelves where baby formula was once stocked. They may be turning to online searches and even alternative solutions, such as making homemade baby formula.

While it may sound like a good idea, Dr. Kelsey Klaas, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, says feeding your baby homemade formula is not safe for multiple ...Read more

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to learn about finding a mental health care professional.

Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, regulate your feelings and behave. A mental disorder may be present when patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving cause distress or disrupt a person's ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA -- As one of Philadelphia’s first vaccine ambassadors, Dominai Taylor’s capacity for listening is equally as important as her compassion for those she listens to.

During her weekly visits to city-operated shelters to speak about the COVID-19 vaccine with people experiencing homelessness, Taylor, 38, who is currently ...Read more

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — With new COVID cases in Florida on the rise, taking an easy-to-get rapid test can give you quick results.

But the timing has become tricky.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, congestion or a sore throat, test yourself immediately but know that a negative result may mean that you swabbed too early.

�...Read more

On a humid August afternoon in 2020, two caskets ― one silver, one white ― sat by holes in the ground at a small, graveside service in the town of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

The family had just lost a mom and dad, both to COVID-19.

“They died five days apart,” said Allison Leaver, their daughter who now lives in Maryland with her ...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- With COVID-19 cases rising again in the Bay Area, parents have a new consideration for protecting their children this week: The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization Tuesday for kids ages 5-11 to get a booster shot of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

So should they? Tuesday’s announcement didn’t ...Read more

Studies show that most Americans don’t get enough of several important nutrients from their diets. A multivitamin/mineral supplement can help fill in those nutrient gaps. But does it make scientific sense to choose a supplement specifically tailored to men or women? There is some rationale behind creating gender-specific supplements, but the ...Read more

Longer days and warmer weather are a happy indication that cantaloupe season is just around the corner. And while you can usually find this delicious melon variety in grocery stores year-round, it’ll be most delicious when in season, which can start as early as April or as late as August, depending on where you live.

Cantaloupe may not be the...Read more

When you hear the phrase tooth loss, what comes to mind first? Trauma? Tooth decay? The tooth fairy? While all of these are acceptable associations, there are many more factors involved in tooth loss. From a population perspective, older Americans are keeping their teeth longer, according to a 2016 study. In fact, complete tooth loss has ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a congenital heart defect and my initial surgery at 32 was complicated. I continue to have heart problems. At my last visit, my cardiologist said I would likely need another surgery. I’m afraid to have another procedure. How do I know if I need one, and why would a revision be needed?

ANSWER: Patients with moderate to...Read more