McLaren Macomb Health Care Blog

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,...

While it’s the study and treatment of obesity, bariatrics is not simply for patients who are “extremely overweight.” When considering height and gender, patients can be 100 pounds overweight–not considered “extreme”–with a body mass index of 35 to 39 and present with a range of weight-related conditions and be considered a candidate for a bariatric procedure. (Patients can also present with a BMI of 40 or more and qualify.) These conditions can include high blood pressure, diabetes, obstructive sleep ap...

A large study concludes that a full night’s sleep can contribute to good heart health. Anyone who rises out of bed in the morning and doesn’t walk to the kitchen – still half asleep – to groggily wait for their first strong cup of coffee can attest to the importance and positive effect a solid night’s sleep can have. Now, though, researchers have confirmed the impact and extent it can have on one’s health. Researchers at Tulane University in New Orleans analyzed data collected from more than 400,000 men...

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...

Clearing up some misconceptions about lung cancer. Only life-long smokers are at risk for lung cancer, right? Wrong. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Every year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up almost 25 percent of all cancer deaths. About 80 percent of lung cancer deaths are thought to resul...

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...