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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…

Publisher’s Note: Putting our ‘safety’ cap on

BESIDES JUNE being Men’s Health Month, it’s also National Safety Month. How we hope to help make a difference in the community by bringing to light some safety topics that hit close to home, such as swimming and fishing. With all the access to water in and around Central Florida, these are two activities that…
Fishing safety tips to cast by

OUR SON has just turned four years old, and Daddy recently bought him a fishing pole. Our first mistake was that we only bought one for him, and not one for each of his three older sisters (we should have known that the hobby would catch on like wildfire). Fishing is a pastime that can…
Healthy Smiles: How well do you and your partner sleep?

SNORING IS NO is no laughing matter. We all know someone who snores. Snoring can affect the quality of your sleep, which can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, poor behavior, trouble with relationships, and increased health problems. With four hours or less of quality sleep, daytime fatigue can mimic legal alcohol intoxication. It may be…