Features

Rights, Best Practices, and Etiquette by CELÉSTE JO WALLS You have heard of them: guide dogs for the blind, PTSD support dogs for veterans, seizure response dogs, alert dogs for the hearing impaired, diabetic alert dogs, wheelchair assistant dogs, and more.  You may have seen them in department stores, at theme parks, in restaurants, and […]

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care   Sleep is often an underrated aspect of our self-care routine, but lack of sleep can have a negative impact on our health, especially our mental and behavioral health.    There are two broad categories of sleep: REM and non-REM. REM stands for “rapid eye movement.

by TERESA SCHIFFER   Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care   Good oral health begins early, with proper pediatric dental care. Although the importance of healthy baby teeth isn’t often talked about, the fact of the matter is that cavities and oral infections in children can lead to serious problems. Poor oral health may cause

Man’s Experience Underscores Importance of Advocating for Yourself as a Patient   by TERESA SCHIFFER   No one knows your body better than you. There may be times when something just doesn’t feel right, and even though you voiced your concern to your physician, you weren’t able to get the answers that put your mind

Don’t Underestimate the Effects of Stress on Heart Health   by TERESA SCHIFFER   Heart disease accounts for one in every four deaths in the United States. With odds like that, it’s good to know that some contributing factors are within your control. Stress is one of those factors.    Everyone experiences stress at some

Polk Senior Games Return This Year With Outdoor Activities   by CATHERINE CERVONE   This year marks the 29th year of the annual Polk Senior Games, the largest of the 20 local senior games held in Florida.    Participants who are turning at least 50 years old in 2022 can participate in a variety of

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it’s no wonder that a heart attack—a result of coronary artery disease, which is one of the forms of heart disease—is a concern. While the most common symptoms of a heart attack are often recognizable, the symptoms of another common health condition—a panic

Recognizing and Neutralizing Negative Self-Talk  by TERESA SCHIFFER   As the new year gets underway, there’s always a lot of talk about resolutions. Healthy lifestyles, fewer expletives, diets and procrastination rank up there with the most common goals. This year, how about a different kind of resolution? One that could have a lasting effect on

by TIM CRAIG Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care   January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and Central Florida Health Care is spending the month reminding women (and men!) that there are two key factors in fighting this disease: vaccination and early detection.    According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 14,480 new cases

Weight gain and weight loss are common occurrences in any adult’s lifetime, but unexplained weight fluctuations can be the result of a thyroid problem. Issues with your thyroid can have long-lasting side effects for your health beyond just weight loss or weight gain, so it’s not an issue that you want to ignore. January is