Doug Brooks has struggled with his weight since high school, and it continued to climb through adulthood. Four years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Howell resident to work from home, his weight spiked from 220 pounds to 300 pounds. Easily fatigued and experiencing excruciating hip and knee pain, [...]
Many patients and their families are hesitant to seek palliative care services because it’s often confused with hospice. While both types of care focus on patient comfort, there are distinct differences. Vikranta Sharma, MD, a hospice and palliative medicine specialist at CentraState, provides her perspectives. What is palliative care? Palliative [...]
Gary Triolo’s workday started like any other – going through paperwork, checking email and answering calls – until his world suddenly started spinning out of control. “I looked up and the room started to spin to the left in slow motion,” explains Gary, who serves as the director of Food [...]
When Cynthia James was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) – a chronic, debilitating disease of the central nervous system – she could’ve scaled back her commitments while processing her new reality. Instead, she found ways to help others with the disease. Six years ago, with a career she loved, a [...]
Leading thoracic surgeon Igor Brichkov, MD, has joined CentraState Healthcare System, expanding access to the latest procedures for lung and esophageal cancers and benign conditions. Dr. Brichkov is board-certified in thoracic surgery and fellowship-trained in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. “New procedures are available to treat many thoracic conditions, and I’m [...]
Some women may think pelvic floor issues are a normal part of the pregnancy journey and postpartum healing process – or they may be too embarrassed to speak up. But when you share any concerns with your doctor, you can return to normal function more quickly while also preventing long-term [...]
When you hear the term “zero gravity,” you may think of astronauts and space travel. Now, a similar environment is helping CentraState patients improve their balance. The ZeroG® Gait and Balance System, a new treatment option available at CentraState’s OceanFirst Rehabilitation Center, helps patients more safely and confidently practice walking [...]
Chances are, you probably know someone who’s had a knee or hip replacement surgery. These procedures are the most common joint replacements performed in the U.S. In each case, a joint that is diseased or damaged – usually due to arthritis, an injury or a fall – is replaced [...]
Spring cleaning is not only good for your home – it’s good for your health and well-being. “The chaos in your home often reflects the chaos in your mind,” says CentraState behavioral health consultant Amy Metzger, LCSW. “Decluttering, cleaning and organizing can give you a sense of agency over [...]
Want to make your walking routine more challenging and fun? Follow these tips from CentraState physical therapist Patti Guttormsen, PT, DPT. Turn up the tunes Turn up the tunes and keep up with the beat of the music. It’ll help you pick up the pace and maintain it. A [...]
