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Take it from a patient who knows: Learning healthy habits in the classroom of life

MIKE NOLAND has been through the school of hard knocks. He has survived heart disease, cancer, and alcoholism. At 77, he’s a survivor who’s learned — sometimes the hard way — how to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Pediatric unit opens at Winter Haven Women’s Hospital

WINTER HAVEN WOMEN’S HOSPITAL announces the opening of its new pediatric unit. The new pediatric unit is now extending care and accepting patients as an added benefit to the community — providing the same quality of care to children that residents have always relied on at Winter Haven Hospital.
Q&A on stopping dental problems before they start

Doug Harvey, dental program manager at FDOH-Polk, talks preventive care to help you remain the picture of oral health FIRST IMPRESSIONS are the currency of our culture, and you want yours to be worth a million bucks, right? But we all need a little help sometimes keeping our pearly whites in tip-top condition. Central Florida…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…