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Painting the town red with heart disease prevention

How Polk is taking steps to increase awareness and lower your risk Bill Mutz thought he was just going to help with a demonstration when he volunteered for an ultrasound at a Lakeland Leadership Cardiology group. But what he learned actually helped him: The ultrasound showed blood was not flowing properly through his heart’s mitral…
New year, New you!

How Polk County is Tackling Obesity and Residents are Making Healthier Lifestyle Choices Fifty-one year-old Ann Good topped 200 pounds last May. She lacked energy and was short of breath. Concerned about a family history of heart disease and diabetes, she decided to act. Today Good is 50 pounds lighter and breathing easier, in more…
Pop Quiz: Could it be premature menopause?

Is it just the after-effects of the holiday rush getting to you, or are you encountering possible symptoms of premature menopause? It’s definitely not easy to be a woman, especially as you age. Yet, could the unusual hot flashes, mood swings and feminine “discomfort” you are feeling be the precursor for premature menopause? Find out…

Word of Mouth: Life impacts of dental implants

THE RESULTS are in: seniors who lead an active lifestyle are healthier, live longer, and have a better quality of life than seniors who don’t. A winning smile is a first step for any senior in creating confidence, but not all seniors are confident in their smiles. Missing teeth or loose dentures may cause some…
Senior Health: Exercise to ease arthritis pain

MORE THAN 50 MILLION adults suffer from arthritis, and there are 100 different types and related conditions. Arthritis is not actually a single disease; rather, it refers to joint pain and joint disease. Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, and these symptoms may come and go or become progressively worse over…
Editor’s Dose: This is diabetes

NOVEMBER is American Diabetes Month. It’s a time when the American Diabetes Association (ADA) works to turn the nation’s attention to a disease that affects tens of millions of people — and their families.