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Q&A on the most lethal form of dementia

Dr. Gordon J. Rafool shares the symptoms and treatment options of Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in America. In Polk, 11.8 percent of Medicare beneficiaries were treated for Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in 2013, according to Healthy Tampa Bay. We interviewed Dr. Gordon J. Rafool, a geriatrician…
Pop Quiz: Establishing a solid oral care foundation

Will your child have a future Filled with healthy smiles? Teeth add to your smile, allow you to enjoy delicious foods, and rip apart that plastic wrap off your new DVD. However, as a parent, you might be wondering whether you’re setting up proper oral hygiene habits for your child, or if the little tike…
To smile or not to smile

Dr. Karen Teston and other local experts on oral hygiene and your overall health Some folks are afraid of pain. Some know they haven’t done a good job of taking care of their teeth, and don’t want to be lectured. Still others lack cash. Whatever the reason, many avoid the dentist until an emergency arises.…

August Is Children’s Eye Health/Safety Month

Children require clear and comfortable vision to be successful in school and extracurricular activities.
Kidneys and Your Vascular Health

Your kidneys remove excess water and waste products from your body. When the kidneys start to lose function, it is most commonly due to advancing age, long-term effects of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues, or a combination of these factors. Sometimes, infections and diseases that are present from birth can affect kidney function. Because…
Reducing the Need for Glasses at the Time of Cataract Surgery

by Damon Welch M.D. & Daniel Welch M.D. Cataract surgery is an extremely successful surgery. With cataract surgery, we have the ability to restore vision lost over time from the natural clouding of the lens, which occurs with age. In addition, special instruments allow us to measure the eye and lessen the dependence on…