Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea. Like Crohn’s disease, another common IBD, ulcerative colitis can be debilitating and sometimes can lead to life-threatening complications.

Ulcerative colitis usually affects only the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. It occurs only through continuous stretches of your colon, unlike Crohn’s disease, which occurs in patches anywhere in the digestive tract and often spreads deep into the layers of affected tissues.

There’s no known cure for ulcerative colitis, but therapies are available that may dramatically reduce the signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis and even bring about a long-term remission.

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sleepwalking — also known as somnambulism — usually involves getting up and walking around while asleep. Most common in children between the ages of 8 and 12, sleepwalking often is a random event that doesn’t signal any serious problems or require treatment.

However, sleepwalking can occur at any age and may involve unusual, even dangerous behaviors, such as climbing out a window or urinating in closets or trash cans.

If anyone in your household sleepwalks, it’s important to protect him or her from sleepwalking injuries.

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• With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
  

  Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

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  Biography of

  Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

  As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.

  A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.

  She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.

  Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.

  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.

• Nutrition basics (19)

• Grape juice: Same heart benefits as wine?
• Water softeners: How much sodium do they add?
• Olive oil: What are the health benefits?
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• Healthy diets (9)

• Diverticulitis diet: Can certain foods trigger an attack?
• Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
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• Food poisoning: How long can you safely keep leftovers?
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• Healthy menus and shopping strategies (6)

• White whole-wheat bread: Is it nutritious?
• What is BPA? Should I be worried about it?
• Buying beef? A guide to choosing the leanest cuts
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• Prenatal vitamins: OK for women who aren’t pregnant?
• Fiber supplements: Are they safe to take every day?
• Vitamin D: How much is too much?
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Question

Prenatal vitamins: OK for women who aren’t pregnant?

Is it OK to take prenatal vitamins if I’m not pregnant and don’t plan to become pregnant?

Answer

from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

You may be tempted to take prenatal vitamins because of unproven claims that they promote thicker hair and stronger nails. While prenatal vitamins are generally safe for healthy adults, they may not be suitable if you’re not pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Prenatal vitamins are formulated specifically for a mother-to-be, her developing fetus and women who are breast-feeding, with particular emphasis on:

• Folic acid. The Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement recommends that women get 800 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid a day before conception through diet or supplements and then increase that to 1,000 mcg a day during pregnancy. Other healthy adults — both men and women — need only 400 mcg a day. While uncommon, getting too much folic acid by taking supplements can mask the symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency and delay diagnosis and treatment.
• Iron. During pregnancy, the recommended intake of iron is 27 milligrams (mg) a day. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 who aren’t pregnant need only 18 mg a day, and women age 51 or older and all adult men need only 8 mg a day. Getting too much iron can be toxic because it can build up in your body, causing constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and in severe cases, possibly death.
• Calcium. Pregnant adult women and healthy men and women ages 19 to 50 all need 1,000 mg a day. Men and women age 51 and older need 1,200 mg a day. Because prenatal vitamins are intended to supplement calcium you get in your diet, they generally contain only 200 to 300 mg of calcium. If you rely on prenatal vitamins to meet your calcium needs, you likely won’t get enough, raising your risk of osteoporosis and other health problems.

It’s best to take a multivitamin tailored to your sex, age and specific medical needs.

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  Alan Carr, D.M.D.

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  Biography of

  Alan Carr, D.M.D.

  Dr. Alan B. Carr, Department of Dental Specialties at Mayo Clinic, is a consultant in the Division of Prosthodontics and a professor of dentistry at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

  Dr. Carr, a native of Hattiesburg, MS., received his prosthodontics training at Mayo. Following his training he has was an assistant professor at Marquette University and then became a full professor at Ohio State University where his clinical duties included Director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics at the James Cancer Hospital. He returned to Mayo in 2000.

  Dr. Carr is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics. He served in the Air Force and has degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He also is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Dental Association. He has made dozens of international and national presentations, and is author of a dental textbook.

  His clinical practice focuses on combined prosthodontics and reconstruction of patients with disabling oral conditions. His research interests include oral and craniofacial endosseous implants, tobacco cessation, and the impact of oral health on general health, especially for patients with chronic illness and the elderly.

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Question

OraVerse: Reversing dental numbness

I need a new dental crown but dislike having my mouth numb for hours afterward. Is there anything that can speed my recovery?

Answer

from Alan Carr, D.M.D.

Dental work — including fillings, crowns and root canals — often includes a local anesthetic that numbs the lips and tongue. The numbness can last two or more hours after the procedure. When your mouth and lips are numb, smiling, talking and drinking can be difficult.

Phentolamine mesylate (OraVerse) speeds up the return of normal sensation to your lips and mouth following dental work. Studies show that OraVerse — given as an injection after dental work is done — returns normal sensations in the lip, cheek and tongue 75 to 85 minutes faster than without the drug.

How OraVerse works isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to increase blood flow to the soft tissue area. OraVerse only works if the original anesthetic contains a medication that narrows your blood vessels (vasoconstrictor), such as epinephrine.

Phentolamine mesylate belongs to a class of drugs that can cause rapid heartbeats and irregular heart rhythms. Though such events are uncommon with OraVerse, tell your dentist if you have a history of cardiovascular disease.

OraVerse is not recommended for children under age 6 or for children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms). OraVerse isn’t covered by dental insurance.

• Dental fillings: Should metal fillings be replaced with composite?
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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Nightmares are disturbing dreams associated with anxiety, fear or terror. Nightmares are common. They begin in childhood and tend to decrease after about age 10. However, some people have them as teens or adults, or throughout their lives.

Until age 13, boys and girls have nightmares in equal numbers. At age 13, nightmares become more prevalent in girls than boys.

Nightmares seem real, often becoming more disturbing as the dream unfolds. But nightmares usually are nothing to worry about. They may become a problem if you have them frequently and they cause you to fear going to sleep or keep you from sleeping well.