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A Survivor’s Tale

Hap Hazelwood on Early Detection and Unwavering Faith in the Face of Prostate Cancer by REBEKAH PIERCEphotos by JESS McDONALD In a world where health often comes into focus only after it starts to fade, stories like that of Hap Hazelwood are worth paying attention to. Hazelwood, along with his wife, Chris, have both navigated…
Podiatrist Explains Why Foot Care Should Be Top of Mind for Diabetics

by RYAN MILEJCZAK Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care Here in the U.S., diabetes is a major health issue, with approximately 11.6% of Americans suffering from type 1 or 2 diabetes and another 38% falling in the pre-diabetes range. Diabetes can have major, wide-ranging effects on various parts of the body, including the feet. We…
Pop Quiz! There’s No Such Thing as TMI on TBIs

One of the most common causes of disability and death in adults — and the leading cause of disability and death in children — is Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. A TBI can be caused by everything from a simple blow to the head to a penetrating injury to the brain. Approximately 2.5 million Americans…

Signs & symptoms: When your skin needs medical attention

As a surgeon who often treats and cares for patients whose ailments of the skin have gone too long without medical attention, I’d like to talk about the importance of seeing a doctor right away if you find abnormalities on the skin. I hope people can be aware that it is not only important…
Body, mind & spirit: Integrating primary and behavioral care

When you go to the doctor complaining of stomach pain, you probably don’t expect your problem to be depression. But it just may be. When you complain of headache, clumsiness, dizziness, shakiness, blurred vision, tingling around the mouth and seizures, you might expect an anxiety or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. You may be surprised if…
Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health

Dr. Sean P. O’Rourke is a board-certified cardiologist at Watson Clinic. With a subspecialty in cardiovascular disease, Dr. O’Rourke often sees patients suffering from heart disease. He took the time to answer some questions about heart disease, which has a higher death rate in Polk County than in the rest of Florida. Health…