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Aging gracefully

What will your health look like in 40 years? Medical science has made inroads against major diseases that snuff short our lives. But by the time we reach 45, disease beats out accidents as the leading cause of death. The National Vital Statistics System shows cancer is the leading cause of death for 45 to…
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…

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.