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Lymph nodes are tiny filters in our bodies, filled with immune cells that help fight infection. When they are doing their job, lymph nodes often get swollen. That’s why you can sometimes feel them in your neck when you get a cold or sore throat. Swollen lymph nodes can also be a sign of cancer.  “It’s not unusual that the first sign of cancer will be an enlarged lymph node. So, for example, when people get throat cancer, one of the first signs is an enlarging lymph node in the neck,” said Dr. Chris...

Family of heart attack patient thankful for the care he received: “Words cannot express my gratitude.” The family of a patient recently cared for at McLaren Northern Michigan share their gratitude. On Jan. 10, our family’s world was turned upside down. I received a call from my brother at 12:30 a.m. that my dad had a massive heart attack. He and my mom were driving up to McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey to be with my dad. I quickly gathered a duffle bag, stuffed it with essentials, and was on my wa...

McLaren Flint is pleased to announce March's Outstanding Employee of the Month, safety and security manager Ian Thomas. Leadership honored Ian on March 24 Ian has been keeping watch as a member of McLaren Flint's security team for two years. Ian's colleagues are impressed by his professionalism. Emergency room nurse Andrew White, Ian's nominator, said, "Ian is always there at a moment's notice for any scenario. His bedside manner is always present, and he goes above and beyond daily." Ian is honored by ...

Pain is a natural component of the healing process following illness, injury, or surgery. However, if pain persists, is more intense than normally expected, or lacks a discernable cause, it becomes its own “condition” and merits treatment. The Pain Management Center at McLaren Greater Lansing consists of pain specialists who believe that, with an accurate diagnosis, pain can be eliminated or effectively managed. “Patients experiencing pain, whether from an illness or injury, can be life-changing and can...

A colonoscopy is the only way to screen and prevent colorectal cancer . Patients often say the most challenging responsibility of getting a colonoscopy is ensuring their colon is prepared for the procedure. It’s best to have a clean colon so the gastroenterologist can clearly view abnormalities and polyps, should there be any. Having a clean colon also makes the removal of polyps easier. When you go to your colonoscopy consultation, you will receive instructions on how to prepare. Here are some general ...

Providing the best cancer care for patients requires receiving support from your colleagues and giving the same level of support. For Brittany Campeau, RN, OCN, the countless employees she works with daily, plus their support, make her proud to be part of Team Karmanos. Campeau has worked at Karmanos Cancer Institute for about 4.5 years and has always wanted to become an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN). “My manager has been encouraging me to become certified, but I also knew completing this certification...

Food nourishes the body and feeds the soul. It plays a significant role in our lives because what we eat is closely intertwined with our culture and entertainment, and it impacts our health.  A healthy diet of whole foods and plant-based foods can provide the nutrition needed for your body to function at its best, and it can also lower your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and risk of developing chronic diseases. “Food is medicine, so just as with any medication, it's important to consider not o...

80 percent of strokes are preventable. There are more than 795,000 strokes every year in the United States , and 1 out of every 4 is preventable. And with a stroke responsible for 150,005 annual deaths in the country, that means up to 120,004 deaths every year have the potential to be avoided. “It’s imperative that everyone know their risk factors and to know the signs and symptoms of stroke,” said Dr. Aniel Majjhoo, interventional neurologist and medical director of the McLaren Stroke Network, who also...

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.— McLaren Central Michigan, the 118-bed hospital serving the entire central region, having earned nine consecutive Leapfrog ‘A’ grades for patient safety and five stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is an organization built upon a culture of quality. Patients are now focusing on safe and quality care more than ever before. And McLaren Central Michigan aims to grow its team of quality-focus professionals. “The landscape of healthcare staffing has changed drasti...

Currently trending on TikTok is #guttok , which includes a variety of videos people across the world have made on how to heal your gut. The videos claim the supplements they use or tricks they do will lead to clearer skin, less bloating, and a variety of other benefits. While this topic isn’t new to social media, gut health has quickly become a fad. We met with Allison Wood , DO, a gastroenterologist who works with McLaren Greater Lansing, to find out if there is any truth to the suggestions shared on s...