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Setting the dental record straight

Avoiding multiple health and social problems caused by unsightly teeth at all ages THERE ARE MANY reasons to take care of those pearly whites — at any age. Maybe an elementary student is picked on for her crooked teeth. Maybe a young athlete is in a sporting accident and needs emergency dental care. Maybe grandma…
Getting in the fitness ring

Amanda Miller knocks out 222 pounds on her weight-loss journey and keeps going for another round CHANGE IS HARD. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or your daily routine, making a change, small or large, can be one of the most difficult challenges we take on. Twenty-six-year-old Winter Haven resident Amanda Miller wanted to lose…
Charity Challenge aims to break world record

Help raise funds for your charity while participating in the largest human ribbon MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, you will have the chance to not only help raise funds for your charity organization, but also join other charity volunteers for a fun day at the Winter Haven Charity Challenge, where participants attempt to…

Brain Attack (Stroke or Mini-stroke): Are You at Risk?

Approximately 700,000 strokes occur in the United States annually. Stroke or brain attack is a disease that involves the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that brings oxygen to the brain gets blocked by a blood clot most commonly. With the oxygen supply to the brain…
Punctal Plugs

Many patients suffer from dry eye, and eye care professionals have many tools at their disposal to help with symptoms. For many patients, over-the-counter lubricating drops such as Blink or Systane can be helpful. It is important to avoid redness relieving drops, as these tend to cause more problems over time. When over-the-counter drops are…
Understanding Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Last year, I wrote about heart failure. At that time, I had said that about half the patients admitted with congestive heart failure have normal systolic function. This is true. The most common way to express heart function is by measuring ejection fraction (EF). This is the proportion of the amount of blood in the…