The dog days are officially here, and that means spending lots of time outside for cookouts, pool parties, lake fun and more. When taking advantage of all this Pure Michigan season offers, remember that hotter weather also increases the potential for injury and illness.
Some common reasons people seek urgent or emergency care during summer include:
When the temperature rises, so does your risk of heat stroke. Heat stroke can happen with prolonged exposure to or strenuous activity in hot temperatures. A less serious (but still concerning) condition called heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
Michigan winters are beautiful, but can also pose danger—especially for older individuals or those at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. The combination of colder temperatures and physical exertion can place an increased workload on the heart.
Headaches are one of the most common reasons patients go to see their physician or seek help at an urgent care or emergency department. There are numerous causes for headaches, too many to cover in a short blog. Our focus here is to learn how to recognize when a severe headache might indicate something more serious—something that deserves or requires prompt attention.
Identifying characteristics that we refer to as “Red Flags” can help distinguish routine headaches from more serious ones, such as:
A sinus infection (sinusitis) occurs when viruses or bacteria infect or inflame the sinuses (often during a cold). Our body’s response causes the sinus lining to swell, trapping fluids in the sinuses and allowing germs to grow. Mucus and pus fill up the nose and sinus cavities causing significant congestion, pain and pressure in the face, head or around the eyes.
The cdc.gov provides a nice illustration of healthy sinuses and the blocked regions here.
Living along the lakeshore brings a myriad of benefits – spectacular sunsets, boating, fishing, naps on the beach and cooling off in the lake on a hot summer’s day, just to name a few.
Thousands of residents and tourists flock to Holland every summer attracted by our pristine waterways and alluring beaches.
Walking pneumonia, (also referred to as atypical pneumonia) results from an infection in the lungs with signs and symptoms that often resemble other respiratory infections, quite similar to a cold. It is fairly common throughout the United States and is caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumonia. There are different kinds of pneumonia representing varying degrees of severity, but walking pneumonia falls into the least serious kind. Many people may think they just have a viral respiratory infection and don’t realize they have it.
February is American Heart Month, and much of this month will be spent talking of heart wellness and prevention of heart disease. Heart attacks remain a leading cause of mortality in both men and women. Because heart disease is so prevalent, knowing what to do and being prepared to act could save a life.