Many of us have seen a dermatologist for various reasons, whether it was acne, psoriasis, eczema, warts or a mole check. A dermatology appointment can be a very satisfying experience and help you tackle multiple problems. There are several tips that I, as a dermatologist, would like to share with you so that you can optimize your visit. I have treated thousands of patients and seen the spectrum of outcomes. Here are some pointers to help you have the most positive patient experience:

  For the Miller family of New Lothrop, their son’s slowly worsening “lazy eye” was the only hint of a life-threatening condition. At seven years old, Braden Patrick Miller – affectionately called “Buddy” by his family – was playing basketball with his friends at school, when he fell and hit his head on the cement. What would have resulted in no more than a nasty bump on the head for a healthy child, instead, rendered Buddy hardly able to walk. Jeni Miller, his mother, recalls that day. “I had never been so scared, when the school called and said he was drooling, his eyes were dilated, he couldn’t stand up on his own and that he might need an ambulance. His dad (Brad) and I both showed up, and at first, I was relieved.” Buddy had bounced back a bit after the fall by the time they arrived and kept reassuring his very upset mother that he was fine. “We thought maybe he just had a mild concussion, but then, I asked him to walk over to his dad. His leg was dragging and there was a definite balance issue. He kept saying that he was okay, but I knew something was wrong.” Not wanting to alarm Buddy, and also afraid of what it could be, they took him home and made a few phone calls. “He kept saying his foot was just numb, and that he was okay,” she explains.

Obesity is a complex health issue to address. It results from a combination of causes and contributing factors, including genetics and behaviors such as dietary patterns, physical activity, inactivity, medication use, and other exposures. Additional contributing factors in our society include the food and physical activity environment, education and skills, and food marketing and promotion.

Upset stomach, twisted ankle or pain that needs urgent attention? Hurley Medical Center is making it more convenient for patients to get top notch care, quickly and conveniently at locations throughout Mid-Michigan.

Ascension Michigan is making two key additions to its executive team as the organization continues to enhance and align its leadership and clinical structures across the state.

Losing weight and keeping it off can be a difficult, lifelong journey. Statistics tell part of the story: if you put ten average Michigan residents in a room, four will be overweight (BMI 25-30) and another three will be obese (BMI >30).

The vision of the Genesee County Prevention Coalition (GCPC) is to impact substance use and mental health concerns in the community in hope of changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, states Lisa Fockler, Program Director. According to its website, GCPC is a diverse group of people working within the community to develop new and different methods to prevent and reduce substance use and mental health disorders. Their mission is, “improving behavioral health through innovative strategies and community partnerships to prevent mental health and substance abuse disorders impacting Genesee County youth and adults.”

What a stress reliever – snuggling with an adorable puppy or holding a cuddly kitten in your lap as it purrs away!

With five sons, and two on the autism spectrum, Brian Aubuchon and his wife, Tina, were looking for a way to connect with and support other families facing the challenges of autism. But, local resources for autism can be difficult to find. “There is a little bit of money out there, but it is really hard to get,” Aubuchon says. “It is almost impossible.” And, having a child with autism comes with its own set of individual needs and expenses that can add up quickly. Aubuchon, who owns and operates Holly Lanes Bowling Center, explains that, when attempting to help the community, they found it difficult to even find places to which they could entrust their donations. “We donated to a school that was supposed to build a resource center and they didn’t,” he shares. “I was very upset, but rather than taking it out on them, I decided to start a foundation.”

Can you swear your way to sanity? Ask that question of Dr. Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt PhD, ABPP, a psychologist with a private practice in Fenton, and her answer is a resounding “Yes!” And, you can find out how to do it by reading her recently-published book, Swear Your Way to Sanity, which includes a companion journal. “After many years of counseling people, I decided to write about an approach that combines cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques with profanity, helping one to let go and move on from self-defeating thoughts and pain,” she explains. This approach is what she calls MOMF (“Move on, motherf**ker”), which can help change patterns of self-defeating behavior. “You need to tell yourself to just let it go,” says the psychologist. “I discovered that if you can call yourself out as the Motherfu**ker, it will help you to laugh and let go. Vulgarity isn’t the point.”