Football is the sport we all think of when it comes to concussion. With the emphasis on recognition of the signs of head injury and the NFL’s attention to current and former players who have sustained repeated injury, concussion has been in the news. And that’s a good thing. What is a little surprising and … Continue Reading →
Every year this story is in the news. Nicholas Collins, a 19-year-old Central Michigan University freshman from Livonia who tested positive for bacterial meningitis, died May 10 at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia. College students are at particular risk for a very deadly form of meningitis because they live in close quarters and as … Continue Reading →
I bet most of you have never heard of Day of Silence. This Friday is the one day set aside each year to remember those children, teenagers, and adults who have been bullied into silence or have taken their own lives because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. In observing this day without talking, … Continue Reading →
A really interesting study revealed something most of us intuitively thought was true: if you drink your milk, your bones are stronger and the less likely you’ll be to break a bone. Milk consumption in the US has declined a lot over the last few decades at the same time girls’ participation in sports has … Continue Reading →
K2, Spice, Mr Smiley and Eclipse (among others) are the slang names for a growing drug of choice among teenagers. The drug is pretty readily available as it’s found in some types of potpourri sold at convenience stores. I am not sure who first thought to smoke potpourri; but when burned and inhaled, it liberates … Continue Reading →
Tomorrow, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome day. It’s a perfect choice of days, as it is the 21st day of the third month symbolizing the third copy of the 21st chromosome that defines Down Syndrome. I love my Down Syndrome patients. They are delightful, funny, kind, and never cease to amaze me. Down Syndrome is … Continue Reading →
There seems to be an epidemic of sorts in my practice. I have had several boys undergo the “Tommy John” surgery to repair a torn ligament in the elbow over the last few years. All of these athletes are great pitchers and all now in high school. All of them had to undergo a long … Continue Reading →
A college student at Michigan State died this month from the illness that causes bacterial meningitis. College students aren’t the only ones at risk. This bacteria infects infants, younger children and adults alike, but young adults who live packed into dorms are particularly at risk due to their close quarters. Summer camp goers and military … Continue Reading →
Bosco cheese breadsticks. Corn dogs. Nacho chips with cheese. These are some of the main dish offerings in my kids’ school district and I have to believe that none of these is healthy, nor likely to help win the war on obesity. Of course there are salads and fruit and turkey sandwiches too, but I … Continue Reading →
Mono. We’ve all heard of it and almost everyone knows that the illness is associated with tremendous fatigue. What many don’t understand is that the fatigue is virtually never the only symptom. Sometimes parents of groggy teenagers who lack the energy to do their school work or chores and who sleep until noon on the … Continue Reading →