SAN DIEGO -- A new study from researchers at San Diego State University suggests that ancient viruses called biophages may be just the set of garden tools needed to cultivate a healthy microbiome.

One need look no further than the nation's multi-billion-dollar probiotics industry to understand that many people are entranced by the notion of ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I've never donated blood before because I'm nervous that I'll faint when I see the needle or blood. Is there anything that I can do to prevent that from happening?

ANSWER: It's common to be nervous about donating blood if you've never done it before. But blood donation center staff members are skilled at making the experience ...Read more

Dear Mayo Clinic: Recently, I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, but doctors said a cause cannot be determined. What usually causes this problem? Does knowing the cause make a difference in treatment?

A: There are many causes of ventricular tachycardia. Some do not present a serious health threat, while others are potentially more ...Read more

California is known for progressive everything, including its health care policies, and, just a few weeks into 2020, state leaders aren't disappointing.

The politicians' health care bills and budget initiatives are heavy on ideas and dollars -- and on opposition from powerful industries. They put California, once again, at the forefront.

The ...Read more

WASHINGTON -- The debate over creating a single government health plan for all Americans may have dominated the Democratic presidential campaign, but most voters are focused on a more basic pocketbook issue: prescription drug prices.

In poll after poll, the high cost of medications is at or near the top of voters' health care concerns, far ...Read more

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to take up another challenge to the Affordable Care Act, leaving the health care law known as Obamacare intact but still under legal challenge.

Instead, without comment or dissent, the justices turned away appeals from the California attorney general and House Democrats who sought a speedy ruling ...Read more

You're not doomed to toss and turn every night. Consider simple tips for better sleep, from setting a sleep schedule to including physical activity in your daily routine.

Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep -- from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It's no ...Read more

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- As Democratic candidates propose a spectrum of health care options on the debate stage, the Medicare for all plan floated by progressive candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders offers a utopian vision of health care in America: universal coverage with no premiums or co-pays. But what about the costs?

According to a ...Read more

For six hours in a Saint Luke's Hospital emergency room recently, Dakota Allen worried that he might become a fatal pneumonia statistic. He'd been coughing for weeks.

"I overlooked it," said the 20-year-old who works two jobs, one of them at Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City. "I thought it could be early flu.

"Then it just got to the point...Read more

Midwives could save rural hospitals struggling with the challenge of being prepared 24/7 to deliver babies, a new Mayo Clinic study found.

Mayo's hospital in La Crosse, Wis., reported fewer surgical deliveries and birth complications requiring neonatal intensive care under a system in which seven certified nurse midwives provided round-the-...Read more

Colorado, Utah and the nation's capital have the fewest inactive residents while almost a third of people in the South are living a sedentary lifestyle, according to a study focused on the health benefits of exercise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found more than 15% of adults in every state reported a shortage of physical ...Read more

An increasing body of research suggests that optimistic people are healthier and happier than those who are pessimistic. But even if you are a negative thinker, you can teach yourself to make happiness a habit. Dr. Richa Sood, a Mayo Clinic general internist, has tips on how you can become more optimistic.

Optimism is good for your health. But ...Read more

Lyme disease is caused by four main species of bacteria. Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii cause Lyme disease in the United States, while Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii are the leading causes in Europe and Asia. The most common tick-borne illness in these regions, Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected black-legged...Read more

Dear Healthy Men: A recent news release suggested that men with low testosterone levels may have improvement in sexual function and quality of life. How can I determine whether I can benefit and what questions should I ask my doctor?

A: Before we get into the details of the newly reported benefits of testosterone therapy -- including the scope ...Read more

For centuries, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit was said to be the average, normal body temperature. It's not.

More recently, researchers have known normal body temperature is actually lower than 98.6 and can vary by gender, size, age, time of day and other factors. But now there's also new evidence that shows we've been cooling off since the 19th ...Read more

UnitedHealth Group's fourth-quarter profit beat expectations, led by its Optum health services that saw sizable growth from its business running clinics and outpatient medical centers.

UnitedHealth saw a profit of $3.54 billion during fourth the quarter, up more than 16% from the year-ago period. After adjusting for one-time factors, income of ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What is the difference between occasionally worrying that something is wrong with me and somatic symptom disorder? How can I stop worrying that I'm not as healthy as my doctor says?

ANSWER: A little worry over your health is normal. But for some people, fear and concern over symptoms can get out of control. These people can ...Read more

Dear Mayo Clinic: Why does my doctor want to know what supplements I'm taking, even if I don't have any health problems and don't take more than the recommended amounts?

A: It's important to tell your health care provider about any dietary supplements you take. Although you don't need a prescription for most supplements, that doesn't mean they ...Read more

WASHINGTON -- When the Democratic presidential debate turned to health care Tuesday, the candidates engaged in a now-familiar clash. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders unapologetically pushed their case for government-run "Medicare for All" as Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg warned that they were not being up front with voters about...Read more

With the 2020 election months away, President Donald Trump's reelection campaign is touting his health care record as a key reason voters should grant him another term.

Those talking points were distilled in a Dec. 31 social media post from Team Trump, the campaign's official Twitter account, and again in a post on Monday from the president's ...Read more