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Word of Mouth: Myths About Implants Debunked, Part III: Are they Affordable?

In my last two columns (part 1 | part 2), we debunked some common myths about the practicality and effectiveness of dental implants. Now let’s talk affordability. Nearly 70 percent of adults have lost a tooth, and the solutions are pretty straightforward: dental implants, bridges, or dentures. For most, dental implants are the best option,…
Meet the father of Family Fun and Fitness at the Fountain

Nat West: A man with plans for a better tomorrow A statue of a little boy reading sits in Winter Haven’s Central Park, a testimony to a man dedicated to improving the city’s quality of life: Nat West. At 69, the former vice president of Winter Haven Hospital (WHH) is retired, but still active in…
What you should know about lesser-known cancers

Understanding the signs and symptoms for males of all ages Although breast cancer is usually a women’s disease, men get it too. A bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma,usually peaks in teens during a growth spurt, but men can get it too. Like all cancers, the more rare forms of the disease are best caught early 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…