Your summer vacations have finally come to an end, but holiday travel is just around the corner and sometimes flying can be even more stressful than spending time with your in-laws. Flying can have an effect on your health in numerous ways, one of which is “airplane ear,” a condition caused by air pressure in your ear and environment being off balance. Fortunately, simple steps like taking a decongestant or chewing gum while in-flight can help prevent or reduce airplane ear. Home remedies for airplane ear with Mayo Clinic.

Thud! That was the sound Shirley Gessner heard as she woke up startled at 3:30 a.m. Her husband Bob had fallen out of bed and couldn’t move or talk. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed he had a stroke, but were unable to determine its cause, so he was transferred to the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Mayo Clinic. While doctors removed the blood clot that was blocking Bob’s artery, his recovery remained uncertain. Bob’s hand remained paralyzed, affecting his ability to continue his passion of painting. With his wife’s encouragement, Bob continued exercising his hand to restore feeling and muscles – and he was able to start painting again within four months! To celebrate his recovery, Bob threw himself the 21st birthday party he never had. Read more about his story. Cheers, Bob!

Did you know September is Whole Grains Month? It may seem strange that there’s an entire month devoted to whole grains, but it’s because these little grains pack a big punch and can do wonders for your health! They've been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and other health problems. So go ahead, stress a little less about carbs and just make sure you’re incorporating whole grains into your diet.

At age 30, Travis McGinnis was told he had a tumor the size of a fist in his brain. Located in the left cortex of his brain, the tumor had potential to have a major impact on his speech and movement. Travis turned to Mayo Clinic, where his Travis’s surgeons removed most of his tumor, but  not all of the cancer could be removed due to the advanced-stage oligoastrocytoma. Today, Travis gets radiation in intervals to keep his cancer from growing, and is maintaining a positive outlook on life. “In 20 years, I want people to say that Travis didn’t give up. That he didn’t let cancer get the best of him. That he fought and was happy and joyful and not down in the dumps and depressed because he has cancer,” he says.

Did you know that every 13 seconds an older adult is in an ER for a fall-related injury? Suffering from a severe fall can leave you with bruises, sore muscles or worse – broken bones. As part of Falls Prevention Awareness Day, take the time to get smart on tips to prevent a fall: make an appointment with your doctor, keep moving and wear sensible shoes.

You may have heard that weight gain is sometimes a result of quitting smoking, which can make your battle harder if you’re already struggling with your weight. Luckily, Mayo Clinic has found ways to take care of two bird with one stone. Getting more exercise for example can release endorphin's and help with nicotine withdrawal while improving your lung capacity. So don’t wait any longer to end your battle - find out which tips may be right for you and your health.

Running to your next meeting? Maybe it’s time to walk and talk instead (without your computer, if possible). Studies show that the more employees engage in moderate physical activity at work, the less likely they were to miss work for health-related reasons. Sitting for long periods of time without movement is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and a many other conditions. James Levine, co-director of obesity solutions at Mayo Clinic, says “if corporations were to adopt this ubiquitously, you just start to think of those health benefits adding you.” So grab your walking shoes and a co-worker, and head outside for your next meeting! Trust us, all of the walking with have great benefits to your health.

Awareness and early detection can be a lifesaver. As part of Ovarian Cancer and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, join your family, friends and loved ones to be proactive about protecting each other. Working together to get checked regularly could save your life.

After months of being sick with weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and vision problems, Jessie Brenholt found out she had a tumor on her pituitary gland that was wrapped around her optic nerve, known as pituitary adenoma. Treatment could have impacted her sense of smell and sight, which was more than vital to Jessie’s career and passion as a pastry chef. Due to the complexity of her situation, her doctor referred her to Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campus, where she was treated with multiple surgeries and proton beam therapy. “My doctors at Mayo Clinic understood my concerns and have been great about preserving my quality of life,” said Jessie. Today, Jessie is healing at home and working towards a normal life again. Read more of her story. 

Do you find trips to the bathroom are impacting your daily schedule or becoming more frequent? More than 33 million Americans suffer from having an overactive bladder and may feel embarrassed, isolate themselves, or limit their work and social life as a result. But there are treatments that can help reduce your time on the toilet such as pelvic floor exercises, absorbent pads and bladder training. Read more on the treatments for an overactive bladder.

Most teenagers can’t wait to start college and live on their own, but while it may seem like they’re sprinting for the door, it’s important to know that their demeanor may change over time. Your teen could be susceptible to college depression, a mood disorder that hits when they begin college and have new pressures and begin to feel overwhelmed. If you think your child may be showing symptoms of college depression, learn how you can help them cope.

A transplant journey doesn’t end when the surgery is over. A patient’s aftercare and choosing a transplant recovery center is also important. Stella Garcia shares her experience with Help in Healing Home, and the incredible team who made her transplant journey successful. See more of her story.

Everyone’s been told that exercise is a great way to lose weight, but even if you’re not trying to slim down, the benefits go far beyond just trimming your waistline. Certain exercises can help with diseases like COPD and type 2 diabetes. Mayo Clinic found that even strengthening your muscles help take pressure off the joints and improve stability, which can help with arthritis and preventing falls. Read more about the exercises that help with these diseases.

September is National Food Safety Month and with the kids going back to school, there’s no better time to review safe food practices. It’s not only important to make smart grocery choices, but understanding safe eating environments is also a must. Listen, we know you’re all busy, so we’ll keep it simple. Just remember the 4 basics of fighting food bacteria: clean, separate, cook and chill.

Whether you’re a high school athlete or a professional, being sidelined is never the goal. But for Brooke Johnson, this was reality - until she visited the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center. Brooke began having sharp pain in her hips, including a hip impingement, that became so severe that she was unable to walk - and doctors told her that surgery was required. Following the extension procedure, Brooke was determined to make it back on to the volleyball court for her senior season, and she did! Learn more about Brooke’s recovery from Sharing Mayo Clinic.

We get it… chronic pain sucks. It can affect every part of your life and finding relief can feel like a full-time job. As part of National Pain Awareness Month, learn more about pain management from Mayo Clinic.

If you have sensitive skin or allergies, you know the struggle of finding products that work for you. Whether it’s the hours of researching ingredients online, or turning yourself into a human guinea pig testing out what works for you - the process can get exhausting. Luckily, EmpoweHER joined Mayo Clinic for a Facebook LIve broadcast to discuss SkinSAFE, which filter’s millions of products free of allergens and discover products right for your skin and lifestyle. SkinSAFE also shows the ingredients in products so you can more easily identify which ingredients are harmful to your skin. To check out SkinSAFE for yourself, click here.

Weather can change in an instant, and if you live somewhere where it’s 40 degrees one day and 80 the next, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. But did you know that fluctuating temperatures also affect your blood sugar levels? Both hot and cold weather extremes have a negative impact on your body’s ability to produce and use insulin. Dr. Lori Roust, endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, explains that “when you’re dehydrated, you have higher concentrations of blood sugar because less blood flows through your kidneys.” Dr. Roust also says that it’s important for people with type 2 diabetes to try and avoid holiday treats as they tend to be loaded with carbs that cause your blood sugar to rise. Read more about Dr. Roust’s tips here.

Suffering from a major injury is no easy feat, but when it happens twice – ouch! That was reality for Stuart Baker. Stuart began his career as a flight attendant and eventually became a pilot for a major airline. But at age 40, Stuart had torn his rotator cuff twice, grounding his ability to fly. His first injury came in the early 1990s and required immediate surgery. Two years later, he suffered the second rotator cuff tear after dealing with an unruly passenger on his flight. Given the extent of his injuries, Stuart needed to see a doctor and consulted Mayo Clinic. He needed another surgery, but thanks to the team at Mayo, as well as Stuart’s persistence, determination and physical therapy, he was able to regain 100% mobility and function in his left arm. Read more about Stuart and his life now from Sharing Mayo Clinic.

The second you become a parent, you probably feel like you have to coat your entire world in hand sanitizer – and depending on what your child likes to get into when your back is turned, washing away germs can be a tricky task. Fortunately, you don't have to worry; Dr. Mattke of Mayo Clinic Children's Center says that "early exposure to their environment full of germs, bacteria and viruses is not a bad thing." It can actually help strengthen their immune system and may help prevent noninfectious conditions like asthma and allergies. So the next time you catch your child playing in the mud or licking their dirty hands, know that it's not the end of the world. Just make sure you know how to manage good vs. bad bacteria.