When Melissa Boughton complained to her OB-GYN about dull pelvic pain, the doctor responded by asking about her diet and exercise habits.

The question seemed irrelevant, considering the type of pain she was having, Boughton thought at the time. But it wasn’t unusual coming from this doctor. “Every time I was in there, she’d talk about ...Read more

BALTIMORE — There are thousands of children across Maryland who not only haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19, but also lack protection from influenza and the kinds of diseases that routine shots long ago made scarce, such as measles and chickenpox.

It’s a worrisome trend for public health experts, who see a surging number of children...Read more

For two years, you beat the odds. You masked, kept your distance, got your shots.

Now, despite those efforts, you, your child, or someone else in your home has come down with COVID-19. And the last thing you want is for the virus to spread to everyone in the family or household. But how do you prevent it from circulating when you live in close ...Read more

My boyfriend wasn’t feeling well. Then again, that wasn’t too surprising.

We had just spent a weekend at New Orleans’ annual jazz festival, where we spent long days baking in 90 degree weather and drinking plenty of beer to stay cool. But hangovers and heatstroke weren’t the only potential culprits.

The risk of COVID was everywhere. I ...Read more

Health officials are investigating the monkeypox outbreak to determine if the virus acquired a mutation that makes it more transmissible or if superspreader events in Europe may be to blame for the current outbreak.

"Anytime the virus does something new, it catches our attention," says Dr. Richard Kennedy, co-director of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine ...Read more

Perhaps you don’t give much thought to your morning bowl of oatmeal, lunch turkey and cheese sandwich, and dinner pasta. It all seems healthy, right? Well, research is making it clear that when it comes to the calories we consume every day, form matters. Not all fruits, breads, oats, potatoes, and nuts are created equal concerning their ...Read more

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or simply want to maintain a healthier lifestyle, you probably already know it’s important to keep portion control in mind. Sure, eating a plate of vegetables is healthier than eating a plate of pasta or a bowl of ice cream, but that doesn’t mean we should forbid ourselves to enjoy our favorite comfort ...Read more

Last year, the World Health Organization estimated that more than 55 million people are currently living with dementia, with that number rising to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. What can you do to keep yourself from being part of this flood of dementia? There is new evidence from two studies by investigators at Rush University in ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am 54 and have had two pregnancies. I was recently diagnosed with vaginal prolapse and am not sure where to begin with treatment. I’ve heard I may need surgery, but are there other options? What is the best long-term treatment?

ANSWER: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common pelvic floor disorder that occurs when normal support ...Read more

A bill awaiting Gov. Jared Polis’ signature that would fund training for Colorado health care providers to help them better work with diverse populations is a good start, but it won’t address all the ways the system leaves some people out, advocates say.

HB22-1267, which cleared the legislature on the penultimate day of the session, would ...Read more

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