McLaren Macomb

Know your stroke risk factors and start addressing them to lower your chances now. When determining one’s risk for stroke, there are many factors that physicians will consider. There are two kinds of stroke, both equally serious. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the flow of blood in the brain. And a hemorrhagic stroke results from a break or bleed in a blood vessel in the brain. Some risk factors are pre-determined with the patient not able to do anything about them, such as gender,...

A misconception about vaping is that it’s a “safer” alternative to smoking. The perception of e-cigarette use – or vaping – is that it is a safer alternative to smoking, one that saves the users from the nasty consequences that come with tobacco use. Companies even promote e-cigarettes as a way to help smokers quit. In the largest study ever conducted on the health effects of e-cigarettes, the American Heart Association has concluded this is overwhelmingly not the case. When compared to non-users, e-cig...

The only way to catch lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable form. Of the many forms of cancer and the endless devastation they cause, lung cancer could be considered the most devastating, accounting for approximately one out of every four cancer deaths. And yet, according to the American Lung Association, just 16 percent of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in an early, more treatable stage. Early signs of lung cancer can appear as common, innocuous symptoms often written off as a passing inconvenie...

The end of the summer is a great time to self-check for signs of skin cancer. There was plenty of sun over this Michigan summer. Spending time in that sun exposes everyone — and their skin — to a potentially harmful amount of UV (ultraviolet) rays. Even though skin may be layered with sunscreen, there’s still a chance for skin damage. Self-exams Knowing the signs and symptoms of skin cancer is critical to catching the disease early and receiving treatment while it’s in its earliest stage. When performin...

It’s never too early for women to consider their breast health. Nichole was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in April of 2021. She was just 32 years old, a full eight years before the American Cancer Society recommends beginning regular mammogram screenings at age 40. “You can choose to let it destroy you,” she said, “or you can take it head on.” During a self-examination, she found a small, “pea-sized” lump in her breast. Visiting with her doctor, it was recommended that they monitor ...

Screenings and vaccination could prevent 93% of cases. Every year,  more than 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer , and, sadly, it claims the lives of more than 4,000. The disease, though, is one that can be prevented . Dr. Garret Holcomb, an OB/GYN with McLaren Macomb, stresses the importance of preventive measures, specifically regular screenings and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine . “The HPV vaccine is now recommended for children starting at the age of 9 up to adults through ...

An innovative heart procedure helps a man regain his energy. Had it not been for an old racquetball injury and eventual foot procedure, Ken might not have known the extent of his atrial fibrillation. It was during the routine, pre-op tests that his doctor first told him he was, at that very moment, in AFib. “There was none of that classic fluttering of the heart,” Ken said, “but I always thought there was something there.” “I was told you could stroke out, and I had some friends who had had strokes,” Ke...

‘We had to rethink the way we provide care.’ The COVID-19 pandemic and the staffing challenges across nearly every sector of the economy has brought enormous change to every industry and prompted organizations to fundamentally change how they provide services. Some of the more innovative changes can be found in health care, especially in how hospitals deliver emergency care. One major trend patients have noticed is that emergency care is being delivered in many locations, settings and by different types...

Going home the same day as your surgery has its benefits. How safe is it? The toughest part of a undergoing a joint replacement procedure with an orthopedic surgeon is often the first step: making the decision to have the procedure. Many who suffer from debilitating, quality-of-life-limiting joint pain may still choose to forgo surgery out of fear of the stigma that they would have to spend a few nights in the hospital followed by several weeks of prolonged immobilization and painful physical therapy. T...

A chronic migraine sufferer shares her experience starting Botox treatments. Migraines had been a part of Jenna’s life since the time she was in third grade. While a headache is annoying, migraines are debilitating, leaving sufferers with intense pain and symptoms of dizziness, nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, tastes and smells. And for Jenna, now a full-time working mother, migraine pain can leave her debilitated when she can’t afford the time to be down for any extended period. And with her mig...