McLaren Macomb Health Care Blog

Countless mishaps have quickly led to a trip to the ER. This time of year can get tricky (or treat?), and the last thing you need is blood on your hands. In the weeks and days leading up to Halloween, local ERs often see a significant spike in deep cuts and lacerations resulting from a slip and slice of a pumpkin carving mishap. A few simple pumpkin carving tips can save anyone from a trip to the ER and some potential stitches. Leave it to the grown ups You have to walk before you can run, and you have ...

A few simple preparations can make a mammogram appointment more comfortable. It’s time for another mammogram. The appointment is made and there’s no question that this screening has been proven to save lives through its ability to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. That fact aside, the screening itself can leave women feeling slightly vulnerable and perhaps a little bit uncomfortable. But a few simple preparations can make the process go smoother and easier for the patient. OK ...

Many months into the pandemic, more is now known about long-term “long haul” COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, patients and physicians alike have been dealing with the lingering effects and symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. These are patients who, after recovering from a coronavirus infection and have tested negative, are continuing to experience COVID-19 symptoms. Dubbed long haulers, this condition can potentially affect multiple organs. More than a year and a half into the pandemic, medi...

This year, breast cancer became the most common form of cancer worldwide. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, learn more about the impact and toll the disease has on the life of so many. Early detection is key to a favorable outcome. Don’t avoid regular screenings and don’t ignore potential symptoms. 1 in 8 Approximately 13 percent of women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. 281,550 Estimated new cases of noninvasive breast cancer among women in 2021. ...

Natural immunity doesn’t protect as well or as long as vaccine immunity. The results of a recent study showed that natural immunity against COVID-19 begins to wane soon after recovery and does not offer very strong protection against the virus (especially its variants) when compared to immunity obtained through vaccination. There has been much discussion concerning the need for one of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines after a COVID-19 infection and recovery, knowing the body’s immune system had n...

Early detection is key to favorable outcomes. Women under 40 years old, generally, have a very low risk of developing breast cancer. The most common form of cancer among all women, more than 325,000 breast cancer diagnosis were expected this year alone. Breast cancer can develop at any age, and even though only 5 percent of those cases are expected in women under 40 years of age, it’s never too early for women to consider their risk for breast cancer. It’s never too early to begin regular self-exams. Kn...

Significantly lower health risks for people over 50 linked to flu shot With the typical risk associated with the ordinary flu season complicated by the pandemic, medical professionals and public health experts urge everyone everywhere to start the season with a flu shot. The flu shot can aid greatly in protecting people against the potentially devastating effects of a co-infection of the flu and COVID-19. However, the results of a recently published study virtually presented at the American Heart Associ...

How can you best protect yourself this flu season? Flu season 2020-2021 was far from a “traditional” flu season. Experts credit last year’s unseasonably low flu activity to the on-going pandemic and the mitigation strategies aimed at slowing the spread amidst COVID-19 surges — mask wearing, social distancing and limiting gatherings. With the passage of a year, hundreds of millions of people protected by a COVID-19 vaccine and the relaxation of many pandemic protocols, experts are not expecting a repeat ...

With vaccines (and for some, boosters), protection against both illnesses are available and advised. Fall of 2020, in the midst of a COVID-19 surge, the traditional flu season was virtually non-existent by conventional standards. A combination of mitigation strategies to slow the spread of the coronavirus and an increased flu vaccination rate contributed to a very mild flu season. However, with the relaxing of many COVID-19 mitigation measures after the vaccine rollout, more flu is expected this year. V...

The second most common form of cancer among US men, early detection can save lives September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. This disease is most responsive to treatments in its earliest stages. Routine screenings can help detect prostate cancer early. Experts recommend having a discussion with your primary care provider to understand if prostate cancer screening is right for you. What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the growth...