Check out a few of the most popular News Network stories on @mayoclinic social media this past week.
In the U.S., almost 90,000 people are awaiting kidney transplants. Matching the right blood and tissue types to find a compatible donor kidney can be challenging, particularly when the donor pool is smaller than the number of people in need of a transplant.
According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancers make up nearly 4% of all cancers in the U.S. These types of cancers are over twice as prevalent in men compared to women and are typically diagnosed more frequently in people over the age of 50.
Many people adopt a plant-based diet for its health benefits, cultural and religious significance, or simply because they enjoy the flavors of fruits and vegetables. Despite these reasons, some are hesitant to embrace a plant-based diet due to misconceptions.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Even though the digestive tract looks normal, it doesn’t function as it should. Research suggests that about 12% of people in the U.S. have IBS, and it’s more common among women than men and in people younger than 50.
A rise in invasive serogroup Y meningococcal disease has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory for healthcare providers. Anyone can become infected with the bacteria; however, young children, teenagers, people over 65, and anyone with HIV or immune deficiencies tend to have the highest rates of meningococcal disease.
