- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
Latest entries
- Coping with life's hard knocks
May 8, 2013
- Be open to solutions and silver linings
April 17, 2013
- Learned optimism
April 3, 2013
- Recognizing that life is unfair
March 20, 2013
- Your attitude affects your reality
March 6, 2013
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Stress blog
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Aug. 1, 2012
Take steps to protect your health
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Medical ailments are magnified by stress, by lack of access to health care, and by economic pressures and insurance realities. And all the technology and all the medications can't solve every problem. So what can you do?
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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.
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A best-selling book several years ago started with the statement that went something like this, "Life is hard. Once we accept this fact, it is easier to move forward." Likewise, there are some difficult and challenging medical problems for which there are no good solutions. Some people suffer with chronic pain, and despite multiple injections, patches and medications, the pain continues. This reflects the bewildering complexity of the human condition.
But you aren't powerless. Ask yourself what you can do to protect your health. Some reasonable suggestions for taking care of yourself include:
- Follow a plant-based diet with an emphasis on green, leafy vegetables and whole grains.
- Acknowledge the importance of a support group, whether it's family, friends or a faith community.
- Make it a priority to get a decent night's sleep.
- Have realistic goals.
Also realize that you are your own best advocate. When you seek health care, know the medications that you are taking, what they're for and when they were started. And equally important, have a very specific and targeted discussion with your provider. Don't become distracted by family issues, the economy or political problems that don't impact your care.
Simple guidelines? No, but they are at least a step in the right direction.
Follow me on Twitter at @EdwardCreagan. Join the discussion at #Stress.
6 comments posted
March 27, 2013 12:14 p.m.
I have been dealing with Chronic pain for 34 years, literally all of my adult life. Sometimes it takes just a blog like this to put things in perspective. I am a patient of the Mayo clinic for 39 years and just now found Dr. Creagan's blogs. I will continue to enjoy his blogs, only wish I had twitter. Thank you!
- Denise
October 15, 2012 5:08 p.m.
After visiting an emrenegcy room at a major Southern California hospital, with my 94 year old mother who was experiencing symptoms of a blood clot in her leg, and waiting about 7 hours, I became aware of the truly serious crisis in the health care delivery system in this nation. Had I known that this long wait was customary I would have searched for an urgent care facility first. Americans have become confused about where to go for care when their doctor is not available. It's a problem of the insured bumping up against the uninsured who flock to emrenegcy rooms for their medical needs. Obviously our nation's leaders need to stop bickering and settle on comprehensive health care reform. Confusion anid uncertainty does not breed confidence.
- Rockson
September 13, 2012 9:07 a.m.
A very positive article to say the least. As one person who has tried to live that healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising and working with support systems when times were tough has helped tremendously. In addition, I recently read a newly published book by Dr. Allen Orehek called Prevention is Difficult-But Possible. It was an eye opener and a wake up call for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has and will always take the necessary steps to doing all that they can to live a long and healthy life.
- amanda
August 29, 2012 3:01 a.m.
I went to London when I realized that I could see the Men's Marathon and Open-water for free outside. And the weather was spectacular for those events and the purple and pink dressed guides in parks, on street corners and at transportation sites added to the joyous occasion. I sought out my local parks when I got home to savor the feeling.
- Margaret
August 7, 2012 10:57 p.m.
"The Road Less Traveled" ~Scott M. Peck.
- Elizabeth
August 2, 2012 2:05 a.m.
I've never posted a comment before but after reading this and several previous stress blogs by Dr.Creagan I just had to say how uplifting and inspirational they all are-thankyou. Talking of uplifting.The power of positivity as a result of the olympics here in the UK has replaced the negativity of the doom and gloom on the economic front and also the wet weather (which we Brits like to moan about!!)Thanks again
- stephen
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6 comments posted