This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in January 2022

Guest: Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

With the highly transmissible omicron variant spread across the U.S., it may seem inevitable that most people will get infected with COVID-19. But Mayo Clinic experts explain why it is important to continue to be vigilant and take measures to avoid COVID-19 infection. 

"One of the many negatives about saying, 'Well, I'll just go ahead and get infected and get it over with' is you can spread the virus to highly vulnerable people," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "Parents, grandparents, people too young to be immunized, and people whose immune systems might not be working well are all at risk of more severe disease. While your case may be mild, theirs may not." 

Dr. Poland cautions that the sheer number of infections is stressing the health care system, and treatments for omicron are more limited than they were for the delta variant.

"The role of testing and of getting boosted is critical to our response to this, and remember, even though you might have mild disease, every time this virus infects somebody, it is the opportunity for further mutation." says Dr. Poland. 

Vaccination, boosting and masking are all necessary to prevent the spread of omicron.

"Your best chance of protecting yourself is to be fully vaccinated, wear a proper mask properly when in public, and to avoid crowded indoor settings," says Dr. Poland.

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the omicron surge and answers listener questions.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Guest: Kristina M. Thurber, Pharm.D., R.Ph.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

There are a variety of outstanding pharmaceutical products we use to treat the multiple health problems our patients develop and every year, clinical research has provided us with new and improved therapeutic options. When we prescribe a medication to a patient, we generally assume they’ll take it exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true. Non-adherence to chronic medications is surprisingly common and can account for up to half of all treatment failures. Our guest for this podcast is Kristina M. Thurber, Pharm.D., R.Ph., a medication therapy pharmacist at the Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss the prevalence of medication adherence, its causes, how we can recognize it in our patients and management strategies to improve adherence.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Guest: Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Ph.D., M.S. (@NKLeBRASSEUR)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

The effects of aging occur in all our organs. In muscles, there is a reduction in strength and stamina; the brain shows a decrease in cognitive function and the ability to learn new information. Aging causes a reduced ability of the liver to metabolize drugs and the kidney’s ability to eliminate various waste products. Our guest for this podcast is aging researcher Nathan K. LeBrasseur, Ph.D., M.S., the senior author of a study recently published in the journal “Aging Cell.” The authors described significant benefits from exercise on a cellular level which correlated with an improvement in physical changes related to aging. We’ll discuss cellular changes which occur with aging, the significance of senescent cells and how exercise can reduce the impact of aging on both a cellular level as well as clinically.

Specific topics:

• The effects of aging on a cellular level

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in January 2022

Guest: Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

The rapid spread of COVID-19 due to the omicron variant continues, and experts expect a January surge across the U.S. 

"This is spreading unlike anything we've seen in the U.S.," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group.  "Over the last seven days, we're now averaging about 400,000 or so new cases a day."

While people who are fully vaccinated can get breakthrough infections and spread the virus to others, COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe illness. Mayo Clinic experts urge people to protect themselves by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask. Being fully vaccinated, including getting a booster when eligible, offers the highest protection possible against COVID-19. 

"The good news is, for those who are immunized and boosted, we are winning the battle," says Dr. Poland. "Getting immunized is basically a weapon against this virus."

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the omicron surge and the importance of vaccines and boosters for COVID-19.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Guest: Andy Abril, M.D. (@andyabrilMD)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Temporal arteritis is a vasculitis involving medium-sized vessels and typically occurs in those over the age of 50. If diagnosed and treated early, there is an excellent likelihood of recovery. However, temporal arteritis often mimics other health problems and this commonly results in a delay in the diagnosis. If untreated, serious complications can occur, including permanent blindness or stroke. The topic for this podcast is temporal arteritis and our guest is Andy Abril, M.D., Chair of the Division of Rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll discuss the risk factors, presenting symptoms and complications of temporal arteritis, as well as the recommendations for establishing a diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment.

Specific topics discussed:

• Risk factors for temporal arteritis

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Nutritional Supplement Edition

Guest:  Andrew R. Jagim, PhD

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

How can we tell if the claims made by nutritional supplement companies are factual?  In this episode we'll discuss the research currently being done in this field and whether the research findings are valid.  Finally, we’ll talk about regulation of nutritional supplements. Our guest for this podcast is Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D., the director of Sports Medicine research at the Mayo Clinic.

Specific topics:

• Importance of a foundation of good nutrition and exercise related to the benefits of nutritional supplements

Guest: Sebastian Fernandez-Bussy, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Lung cancer is the second most common malignancy in both men and women.  Survival rates depend on how early the cancer is discovered, with a survival rate much higher in localized disease than for patients with distant metastases. Therefore, an early diagnosis becomes extremely important. One of the problems with early diagnosis is that until recently, we’ve not had an effective screening test for lung cancer. In this podcast, we’ll be speaking with Sebastian Fernandez-Bussy, M.D., an Interventional Pulmonologist from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and we’ll discuss proven techniques for lung cancer screening.

Specific topics:

• Benefits in survival in finding lung cancer at an early stage

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

To claim credit for this episode, visit: Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast: Nutritional Supplement Edition

Guests:

Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D.

Jakob R. Erickson, D.O.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

The care of athletes often requires special knowledge that many healthcare providers are less familiar with.  Athletes may have somewhat unique health problems related to their endurance or strength training.  They may also be taking a variety of nutritional supplements which could cause health issues.  This case-based podcast covers a couple different examples of health issues experienced by athletes. Featured guests include Andrew R. Jagim, Ph.D. and Jacob R. Erickson, D.O. from Sports Medicine at Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss some of the medical issues often faced by athletes.

Specific topics:

• Iron-deficiency anemia

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Guest: Elizabeth A. Stewart, M.D.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Infertility can be related to health issues in the male, female or both. Whatever the reason, infertility can put a major strain on a couple’s relationship. To add to the stress, infertility often results in multiple exams, tests, injections and procedures for one or both of the couple. Fortunately, the cause of infertility can often be found and in some cases, treatment is effective, resulting in a successful pregnancy and birth. The topic of discussion for this podcast is infertility, specifically infertility in females. Our guest is Dr. Elizabeth (Ebbie) A. Stewart, a physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Endocrinology and Infertility. We’ll review the prevalence of infertility in females, males and both, risk factors for infertility, the most common causes of infertility and the evaluation a primary care provider can perform.

Specific topics discussed:

• Definition of infertility

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

This episode is shared from Mayo Clinic Q&A and was recorded in December 2021

Guest:  Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland)

Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd)

More Americans are now eligible for COVID-19 booster doses as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine booster for 16- and 17-year-olds late last week. Previously, only those 18 and older were eligible.

Early research suggests that a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine improves protection against severe disease caused by the omicron variant, according to Pfizer.

Mayo Clinic experts say, regardless of the variant, prevention of infection works. Getting a booster offers the highest protection possible against COVID-19.

"Omicron infection rates are picking up rapidly," says Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "If we do not take the proper precaution over the holiday, we are going to see a January omicron surge."

Dr. Poland explains that there are two threats — delta and omicron COVID-19 variants — but there is a solution. "Masking and boosting — those are key to protecting yourself and your family."

On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest on COVID-19 variants and shares advice on how to stay safe this holiday season.

AskMayoExpert COVID-19 Resources: https://askmayoexpert.mayoclinic.org/navigator/COVID-19

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.