McLaren Macomb Health Care Blog

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...

Know the latest information about the virus the WHO calls “a concern.” The first ever case of monkeypox was reported in 1970, and the virus had previously grabbed headlines prior to 2022 and this current worldwide outbreak. Classified as a poxvirus (a virus characterized as causing skin lesions and rashes), monkeypox outbreaks are occurring throughout the world, prompting the World Health Organization director to be “concerned” about the current outbreak, specifically its “scale and spread.” Highly cont...

Online scheduling and same-day appointments available. Being active and playing sports offers countless health benefits — exercise builds muscle, makes bones stronger and keeps our heart and lungs healthy. With the fall school sports season right around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about sports physicals. McLaren Macomb is ramping up to ensure your athletes are ready and healthy to get into the game with its team of primary care physicians and pediatricians providing high-quality, perso...

The condition is often the result — not the cause — of an underlying condition. It’s a subject of embarrassment for many, but it’s also much more common than most might think. And in the vast majority of cases, it’s beyond their control. When people begin making accommodations for their urinary and fecal incontinence, to the point it begins dictating daily life decisions, says Dr. Andrew Agosta, the point has arrived to seek medical help. “It’s very tough speaking with some of my patients who felt they ...

Choosing a trauma center with even a “minor” injury benefits all ages. Not all hospital and free-standing emergency departments are created equal. Patients with injuries — ranging from the “major” catastrophic broken bones to seemingly everyday sprains, strains and twists that cause a prolonged limp — will benefit in the long run from an evaluation and treatment in a trauma center. What is a trauma center? A trauma center is a designation obtained by an emergency department that is specially staffed, tr...

ER physicians discuss the top summer conditions. During the sunny summer months, emergency departments are flooded with traumatic and other injuries sustained during outdoor activities. But McLaren Macomb emergency physicians also see a spike in other seasonal ailments that patients and parents should be on the lookout for during the warm months. Top ER summer conditions Injuries Environmental irritants Burns Dehydration Foodborne illnesses “As the seasons change, so do the chief complaints of patients ...