Cycling down the White Pine Trail north of Cedar Springs, Michigan, on a chilly afternoon in April 2022, Dave Medema didn’t notice the large branch sagging over the asphalt path. “Maybe the tree had just blended into the wooded background along the trail,” he said. “I didn’t see it until the very last moment.” With no time to swerve, Medema hit the brakes—hard. He flew over his handlebars and landed on the pavement, head first. The next thing he remembers is a man kneeling beside him, assessing his condition. “I said, ‘Just give me a couple minutes. I’ll be fine. I’ll be able to get on my bike ..read more

“Oh my gosh, you look amazing,” said Kimberly Texley-Quigg, NP, certified obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner at Corewell Health’s Spectrum Health Cancer Center at Lemmon-Holton Cancer Pavilion. She was meeting with a patient who had just undergone gender-affirming top surgery. Top surgery is a procedure that removes or augments breast tissue and reshapes the chest to create a more masculine or feminine appearance for transgender and nonbinary people. “I heal very well,” said 24-year-old River Raine, who received a double mastectomy a few weeks prior. Raine uses he/they pronouns and h ..read more

Consider non-meat sources of protein, such as tofu or edamame, to boost protein intake. (For Corewell Health Beat) Some foods are well known for being great protein sources: eggs, chicken, beef, fish, peanut butter, Greek yogurt and even almonds. But there are many lesser-known protein-packing foods to consider, like lentils, quinoa, peas, spinach, black beans, chickpeas and edamame. There’s a lot to learn about powering up with protein, which is a nutrient we need every day and one of the main building blocks of a healthy diet. Corewell Health dietitian Kristi Veltkamp offers protein tips–inc ..read more

Prep questions regarding growth, immunizations and even screen time ahead of your child’s pediatrician visit. (For Corewell Health Beat) It is time for your child to see the pediatrician again, perhaps for an annual visit. How can you make the most of your visit? “I want parents to ask me questions, lots of questions,” Richard Weiermiller, MD, internal medicine and pediatrics at Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan. “I love a parent who has done their homework and is prepared.” What those questions might be, Dr. Weiermiller said, vary with your child’s age and development stage. “Each physica ..read more

Symptoms of FAI can include pain, clicking, popping or catching. (For Corewell Health Beat) Is your teenager complaining about hip pain? It could be an ailment called femoral acetabular impingement. Unless you’ve had a child suffer from it, you probably haven’t heard of it, let alone know what it is. With femoral acetabular impingement, also known as hip impingement or FAI, the hip forms extra bone, either on the cup side or ball and socket, or both, Travis Menge, MD, a Corewell Health orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, said. “It’s very common,” Dr. Menge said. “It’s more commo ..read more

The Mediterranean diet boosts vegetable intake and incorporates healthy fats. (For Corewell Health Beat) Your doctor says your blood pressure reading is too high. So, what can you do to improve your numbers? Diet can be a powerful tool. What the numbers mean For most adults, an ideal systolic number is below 120 and the diastolic number should be below 80. The systolic number is the top number. It measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries each time it beats. The diastolic number, the bottom number, measures the force the heart exerts on the walls of the arteries between ..read more

Annika (Anni) Meier rang a shiny gold bell to celebrate a momentous occasion: She was finally cancer free. A huge smile came across her face, quickly echoed by applause and hugs. Family, friends, doctors, nurses and others stopped by to celebrate. Anni had been diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor in June 2021 at Corewell Health’s Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and had been going through in and outpatient treatment for almost two years. While she still faces ongoing long-term physical, cognitive and neurological challenges, her family sees a bright future on the horizon. And ringing t ..read more

When experiencing gallstones, consuming fatty foods can cause pain and diarrhea. (For Corewell Health Beat) They can be as small as a grain of sand, or as large as a golf ball. And they can cause a great deal of pain. Gallstones affect millions of people of all ages every year. Certain factors can increase your risk. If you’re a woman—and if you’ve had children—or if you’re over the age 40, the risk of developing gallstones is higher. Other contributing factors include excess weight, having diabetes or having a family history of gallstones. Gallstones can lead to a gallbladder attack, which ca ..read more

All young athletes should get an annual sports physical. (For Corewell Health Beat) Young athletes collapsing on the field from previously unknown heart conditions, drawn news attention and worry. The events naturally concern parents. It’s frightening that these incidents happen without warning. Many parents wonder if all young sports players should get cardiovascular screening. The answer, according Thomas Boyden, MD, with Cardiovascular Medicine at Corewell Health in West Michigan, is no. He said such cases, which naturally gain public attention, are rare. “Generally, young athletes in good ..read more

Shakshuka, a Middle Eastern breakfast, features eggs poached in a tomato and pepper base with feta cheese and an herb garnish. (For Corewell Health Beat) Is your morning meal feeling “blah” lately? If you feel stuck in a rut with your breakfast options, try looking to other countries for inspiration. Many international breakfast staples can help you incorporate more fiber and less sugar and processed carbs to better sustain you throughout the day. Here are a few options from around the world. Mexico In part of the Yucatan region, one traditional breakfast option includes huevos motuleños. This ..read more