Mayo Clinic Talks

Guest: Olivia (Liv) M. Muller, D.D.S. Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD) Dental caries and periodontal disease are commonly seen by primary care providers in the outpatient setting. In fact, dental caries is the most common disease in the United States, both in children and adults. Up to 50% of children have dental caries, and most adults have at least one tooth with decay or have a filling. Gingivitis is also quite common in adults; it is present in up to half of all individuals between the ages of 35 and 45. Yet, unless we go into dentistry, healthcare providers don’t get much training in the evaluation of dental conditions. The topic of discussion for this podcast is dental care and dental infections. Our guest is Olivia (Liv) M. Muller, D.D.S., an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at the Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss which dental problems we’re likely to encounter in our patients, recommendations we can give them to prevent dental infections and some of the more common complications of dental infections. 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 January 2022 Guest: Gregory A. Poland, M.D. (@drgregpoland) Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd) The number of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is dropping as the omicron wave wanes in many places, but some parts of the country lag behind. "As a nation, it looks like we've kind of gotten to the peak and are now starting on the decline, but it's very uneven," explains Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group. "That's what's happening in the big Northeast cities, and maybe in L.A., for example. But if you look at the rest of the nation, it's not clear that they have peaked yet." And on the heels of the latest surge, a new omicron subvariant — BA.2 — is emerging. Early indications are that the new subvariant may be more transmissible, but it does not appear to cause more severe disease than the original omicron strain. Mayo experts, including Dr. Poland, continue to urge COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters as the best defense against the latest variants.  "By getting two doses of vaccine and a booster, or a dose of Johnson & Johnson and a booster, you move yourself into a category of maximal protection such that if you have a normal immune system, you are probably going to have trivial or even asymptomatic disease if you get infected with COVID-19," explains Dr. Poland.  On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Poland discusses the latest information on COVID-19 and answers listener questions.

Guest: Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD) It is quite common for individuals to go through periods where they feel somewhat sad and discouraged and often these mood changes tend to occur with the changes in seasons, especially during the winter months. In some cases, these mood changes become more serious and can result in depression. When people experience depressive episodes in the late fall and winter, this may represent Seasonal Affective Disorder. Our guest today is Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P., a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology at the Mayo Clinic. Our topic for this podcast is Seasonal Affective Disorder. We’ll discuss its frequency, how we can recognize it in our patients, and the available treatment options. 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 January 2022 Guest: Matthew J. Binnicker, Ph.D. (@DrMattBinnicker) Host: Halena M. Gazelka, M.D. (@hmgazelkamd) Testing for COVID-19 is a part of the strategy to end the pandemic. But understanding testing — different types of tests and how and when to use them — can be confusing. Lab-run polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests and at-home antigen tests each have a role. "PCR tests are really sensitive, meaning we can detect really low levels of the virus in a sample," explains Dr. Matthew Binnicker, director of Clinical Virology at Mayo Clinic. "They're very specific, meaning we shouldn't get many false positive results with PCR tests." At-home antigen tests use a nasal swab and can produce results in 15 minutes, but they also have an increased chance of false-negative results, depending on when you test.  "At-home rapid antigen tests look for a viral protein in the patient sample," says Dr. Binnicker. "So they're quick and easy, but they also have some important limitations." So if you're worried you might have COVID-19, what test should you take and when?  On the Q&A podcast, Dr. Binnicker walks through various scenarios and makes testing recommendations for what to do if: You think you’ve been exposed but I don’t have symptoms. You have symptoms of COVID-19. You had COVID-19 and want to know if you're “in the clear” to return to work, school or activities.

Guest: Benjamin (Ben) D. Holmes, D.C., Ph.D. Host: Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. (@DrEdSportsMed) Low back pain is one of the most common conditions that physicians see in their practices. Studies indicate that, by the age of 50 years old, approximately 80% of people will experience low back pain in their lives. Joining us today is Benjamin D. Holmes, D.C., Ph.D. a practicing chiropractor and one of the spine specialists in the Mayo Clinic Spine Center. Dr. Holmes will discuss various treatment interventions for back pain, as well as misconceptions and assumptions regarding chiropractic treatment. Additional Resources: Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., Chou, R., Cohen, S. P., Gross, D. P., ... & Woolf, A. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368-2383. Bialosky, J. E., George, S. Z., Horn, M. E., Price, D. D., Staud, R., & Robinson, M. E. (2014). Spinal manipulative therapy–specific changes in pain sensitivity in individuals with low back pain (NCT01168999). The Journal of Pain, 15(2), 136-148. Cook, C., Learman, K., Showalter, C., Kabbaz, V., & O'Halloran, B. (2013). Early use of thrust manipulation versus non-thrust manipulation: a randomized clinical trial. Manual Therapy, 18(3), 191-198. Chou, R., Fu, R., Carrino, J. A., & Deyo, R. A. (2009). Imaging strategies for low-back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 373(9662), 463-472. 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 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 Variability in the rate of aging in individuals Function of senescent cells Effects of exercise on senescent cells Clinical correlations resulting from the elimination of senescent cells Recommendations clinicians can give their patients to reduce the effects of aging

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 Presenting symptoms Complications of untreated temporal arteritis Extra-cranial artery involvement of patients with temporal arteritis Relationship of temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica Laboratory abnormalities in temporal arteritis Importance of an early temporal artery biopsy in establishing a diagnosis Treatment recommendations Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.