Health & Fitness

Published June 7, 2016

Warren declares war on Zika, other mosquito-borne illnesses

WARREN — An army of city employees equipped with larvicide to treat standing water and citations for those who don’t comply with the code of ordinances has been deployed against the onset of mosquitoes and any illnesses they may carry into Warren this year.

Published June 6, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

County Mental Health offers peer-to-peer support for young clients

OAKLAND COUNTY — Sometimes in life, the best advice comes not from professionals or leaders, but from regular folks who have walked the same path you’re on.

Published June 6, 2016

Sterling Heights Sentry

Yanez proposes state e-cigarette regulations

A Sterling Heights state representative is hoping that a set of recently proposed bills in the state House of Representatives that would prevent minors from buying e-cigarettes will eventually become law and not vanish like a vapor.

State Rep. Henry Yanez, D-Sterling Heights, is the primary sponsor of a three-bill package of proposals, House Bills 5686-5688, introduced May 24. The bills, which have attracted co-sponsors, aim to regulate e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices.

Published May 25, 2016

Southfield Sun

Elevated lead levels found in school drinking fountains, sinks

SOUTHFIELD/LATHRUP VILLAGE — Several drinking fountains and sinks were found to contain high numbers of lead during recent testing at Southfield Public Schools.

According to a letter sent out May 11 to SPS parents, staff and community members by Superintendent Lynda Wood, the district participated in voluntary water screenings April 23. District water sources were tested for lead and copper.

Published April 20, 2016

Fraser - Clinton Township Chronicle

Local child with cancer granted chance to meet pope

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — “He’s afraid of dying.”

That’s what Daniela Richard said of her 6-year-son, Gabriel, who was diagnosed at age 5 with pilomyxoid astrocytoma — or brain cancer — in March 2015.

Gabriel has a tumor in the front of his brain. He has undergone 12 months of chemotherapy and has another nine months ahead of him. His body is so fragile that he has no immune system. He could have a heart attack from something as simple as a slight bone break.

Published April 13, 2016

Troy Times

Hiker will talk about going the distance

While Christopher Hillier has hiked over 10,000 miles since 2011, he knows he has to be careful when he talks about his passion and experiences on the trail.

Hillier will present “Taking the Walk: Long Distance Hiking with Christopher Hillier” at 7 p.m. April 26 at the Troy Public Library.

“He’s spoken at other libraries, and we thought this would be a good opening to our summer reading, of which the focus is wellness,” said Lauren Bartell, adult information librarian, who is also a hiker.

Published March 30, 2016

Farmington Press

Local company discusses sleeping right on ‘Dr. Oz’

FARMINGTON — Getting a good night’s sleep is creating a lot of buzz in Farmington and beyond.

Representatives from the local nonprofit organization Sweet Dreamzzz Inc. recently met up with Mehmet Oz from the “Dr. Oz” show to discuss the fundamentals of getting enough zzz’s for students to maintain their As and Bs.

Sweet Dreamzzz Inc. Executive Director Nancy Maxwell said recently that she is looking forward to the show airing soon.

Published March 23, 2016

Southfield Sun

Providence joins study on oxygen treatment for heart attacks

SOUTHFIELD — A local hospital is one of the first institutions in the country to test a new technique of treating heart attacks.

Providence-Providence Park Hospital, 16001 W. Nine Mile Road, announced recently that it is the first hospital in the U.S. to enroll a patient in a study of a system that uses oxygen to reduce the damage caused by heart attacks.

Called the Evaluation of Intracoronary Hyperoxemic Oxygen Therapy study, it will involve 100 patients at up to 15 centers across the country.

Published March 23, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Fitness experts help you spring into a new routine

METRO DETROIT — Confucius once said that the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step.

But taking that first step is easier said than done when you’re a person who just plain doesn’t like walking. Or jogging. Or lifting weights.

Published March 18, 2016

West Bloomfield Beacon

Dietitians: Cut back on sugar, salt during National Nutrition Month

METRO DETROIT — March is National Nutrition Month, and dietitians are urging people to review their food habits and get back to the basics of eating healthy.

National Nutrition Week began in 1973, but as the number of people interested in promoting nutrition increased, the program expanded and became National Nutrition Month in 1980. National Nutrition Month is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Published March 3, 2016

West Bloomfield Beacon

Doctors say RSV is in season

METRO DETROIT — During the winter months, the average child contracts about six colds, according to Dr. Irvin Kappy, service chief of pediatrics for Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.

And oftentimes, the cause of the cold is the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, Kappy added.

Published February 25, 2016

West Bloomfield Beacon

Experts weigh in on how nutrition keeps kids unleaded

METRO DETROIT — Lead, a naturally occurring element, can be found in the environment and throughout the home.

Historians have even debated the probability of lead poisoning causing the fall of the Roman Empire.

Published February 22, 2016

C&G Newspapers

Oakland County IDs strategies to prevent Zika virus

Although there have been no confirmed cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus locally, the Oakland County Health Department said it has a plan in place to help prevent an outbreak, should the mosquito make its way to Michigan.

According to Dr. Christopher Carpenter, chief of infectious disease for Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, mosquitoes carrying the virus are expected to reach the U.S. sometime this year or early next year, and pregnant women and those trying to become pregnant are at greatest risk for the adverse effects of the Zika virus.

Published February 3, 2016

Farmington Press

Knowing infant CPR could be difference between life and death

FARMINGTON HILLS — While living in Redford in 1990, Tim Tutak held in his arms a neighbor’s baby who had a seizure while he and the parents drove to the hospital.

What raced through his mind was the possibility of performing infant CPR on the less than 1-year-old girl. Luckily, he didn’t have to.

Published February 3, 2016

Troy Times

Boxing and yoga program takes a jab at Parkinson’s

A new exercise program offered in Troy uses boxing moves and yoga stretches to ease the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and often includes tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity in the limbs and trunk, and impaired balance and coordination.

Published February 3, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Documentary screening to explore health effects of plant-based diet

BEVERLY HILLS — The Birmingham Groves High School auditorium will play host to a special film presentation and talk with the people behind the documentary “PlantPure Nation.”

The talk and screening takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, in the auditorium of the school, 20500 W. 13 Mile Road.

The film features Dr. T. Colin Campbell, PhD., professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University; his son, Nelson Campbell; and Kentucky state Rep. Tom Riner as they try to spread the message of the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Published February 1, 2016

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Health department reports drop in vaccine waivers

SOUTHFIELD — It’s been a year since the state of Michigan enacted reforms that now require parents to meet with a health professional before they can receive a nonmedical immunization waiver for their child.

Published January 26, 2016

Farmington Press

Staying fit after January

FARMINGTON HILLS — Brighton resident Laurie Kuivanen, 44, has a wedding to attend this spring.

She wants to lose weight in time for her niece’s nuptials, but shedding the pounds has become a lifestyle for her.

“I want to lose about another 15 pounds,” the Northville MB Financial employee said. “My niece is getting married in May — that is my ultimate goal, to have it done by then.”

Published January 25, 2016

Troy Times

DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan – Troy set to open

Construction that began in September 2014 on what looks like a Lego house across from Troy City Hall, on Big Beaver, is finished and awaiting young patients.

Doctors, nurses, administrators, therapy dogs and volunteers were on hand to show the new Detroit Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Michigan–Troy to about 3,000 visitors Jan. 23.

The center is set to open its 24/7 emergency room facilities Feb. 1. The subspeciality facilities on the second floor will open the following week, and the third-floor surgical center will open the week after that.

Published January 19, 2016

Troy Times

New USDA food guidelines say eat eggs, restrict added sugars

Newly released guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture are lengthy and may be hard to digest for those who are not health professionals.

However, Beaumont health experts helped to boil things down to basics — and eggs are OK.

Consumer-based 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines can be found online at www.choosemyplate.gov. USDA information more geared toward health care professionals is available online at www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015.