Your 8 hourly digest for Blogs - All topics

Blogs - All topics Mayo Clinic experts blog about various health topics. // via fulltextrssfeed.com

Much work lies ahead to increase research, resources for Alzheimer's caregivers Feb 19th 2013, 06:00 With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator Angela Lunde read biography Latest entries Much work lies ahead to increase research, resources for Alzheimer's caregivers Feb. 19, 2013 Conference highlights those with dementia, caregiving and research Feb. 5, 2013 Dear Abby's connection to Mayo Clinic continues Jan. 22, 2013 Research advances, but real caring is also key in Alzheimer's effort Jan. 8, 2013 A sharing caregiver community offers peace, love and hope Dec. 21, 2012 Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our weekly general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Sign up now Alzheimer's blog Feb. 19, 2013 Much work lies ahead to increase research, resources for Alzheimer's caregivers By Angela Lunde Alzheimer's Caregiving Subscribe to our Alzheimer's Caregiving e-newsletter to stay up to date on Alzheimer's topics. Sign up now As I'm writing, the Meeting of the Minds Conference is just around the corner. I know not all of you can attend, so I'll be bringing you many highlights, a few session overviews and other information I think you'll find valuable in the weeks that follow. In addition, I see it as both a responsibility and an honor to be the voice for many of you. As I read your postings from week to week, I hear your concerns and challenges. I witness the isolation that surrounds persons living with the disease and many caregivers. As a society we have a long way to go to embrace and support families impacted by Alzheimer's and related dementias. Work lies ahead in shifting communities toward first seeing a person with considerable strengths before disease and disability. We need to increase research and resources for identifying ways of improving well-being and implementing real strategies and policies that support family and friends in a caregiving role. Berrie's recent post touched my heart deeply, and I'm sure others who read it felt something too. The efforts she's pioneering in Namibia are magnanimous to say the least. And, truth-be-told, despite differences in culture, technology, and geography, we share a common mission — ensuring the dignity, human rights and needs of persons living with impairment. The cure for disparity is not only about hope; it's identifying how to change something we care passionately about. Inspired by Berrie and so many of you who have shared your journey with me, my voice toward action is a humble tribute to you. blog index Cancer survivors struggle with fear of frequent scans Feb 16th 2013, 16:51 With Mayo Clinic nurse educator Sheryl M. Ness, R.N. read biography Latest entries Cancer survivors struggle with fear of frequent scans Feb. 16, 2013 Sleep essential for healthy living: Get your 7 hours a night Feb. 9, 2013 Try, do or see 13 new things in 2013 Feb. 2, 2013 Check out these favorite books on cancer survivorship Jan. 12, 2013 Reflections on 2012 trends from cancer survivors Jan. 4, 2013 Free E-newsletter Subscribe to Housecall Our weekly general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Sign up now Living with cancer blog Feb. 16, 2013 Cancer survivors struggle with fear of frequent scans By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N. Living With Cancer Subscribe to our Living With Cancer e-newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics. Sign up now How do you feel when it's time for the next scan? If you're a cancer survivor, you've probably experienced the worry and anxiety that comes along with having a follow-up scan after your treatment is complete. Many of you have mentioned this in our discussions. Every little symptom may bring thoughts of worry and fear — has the cancer returned? Researchers at Mayo Clinic have studied this aspect of survivorship and found that it can be an issue for most people. The researchers from Mayo Clinic and other cancer centers studied how people react emotionally during the time just prior to a surveillance scan after treatment has completed. They found that most survivors report worry and anxiety most intensely during the period just prior to their scan, peak leading up to the scan and then drop off just after the results are known. Some survivors have coined the term "scanitis" related to this worry ... a real concern. Knowing that this feeling is normal, there are a few things you can try to help yourself through these periods of anxiety. Here are a few ideas I've collected from survivors: Keep busy during this time — surround yourself with family and friends doing the things you enjoy most. When you notice intense feelings of anxiousness — use relaxation or imagery to work through the sensation (picture your happy place; take slow, deep breaths with eyes closed for a period). Get physical — yoga, walking, or your favorite form of physical activity will help your mind crowd out the thoughts of worry. Educate yourself about signs and symptoms of recurrence for your cancer type — this way you'll have a better sense of what's normal and what's not related to the everyday sensations you might notice. Make a plan with your cancer team to communicate the results back to you in a timely manner so you don't spend days waiting, wondering and worrying — ask about this as soon as your scan is scheduled. Fear of recurrence, anxiety and depression can be made worse because of frequent scans. Cancer specialists are beginning to look at this and decide if frequent scanning is really the best option for patients who aren't experiencing new or worrisome symptoms. You may see changes in your follow-up scan schedule because of this — especially if you're doing well and have no symptoms of concern. I'd love to hear your thoughts on scanitis. What helps you get through this time? Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer. blog index

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions