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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…

What Is wisdom? Take this wisdom test and find out how wise you are!

A recent article by Phyllis Korkki of The New York Times illuminates a topic that has preoccupied scientists, philosophers, and people in general for centuries: What is wisdom, and how does it relate to aging? As one of the four cardinal virtues first introduced by Plato in the 3rd century B.C., wisdom remains a fascinating…
Editor’s Dose: Your local health connection

If you’d like to find more ways to stay plugged-in to your health community, then here’s your local health connection! Facebook Like us on Facebook for regular local health updates in addition to exclusive features, photographic coverage of events, and much more! Go to Facebook.com/CentralFloridaHealthNews. Free E-News Sign-up for our free e-newsletter and get health…
Then & Now: How modern dentistry makes oral health easier than ever

We are certainly well past the ancient Sumerians’ belief in tooth worms or the days when fillings were made from beeswax. When it comes to oral health, we’ve never had it so good. On the frontline of oral health is daily cleaning. Tube toothpaste came along in the 1880s; prior to that you would’ve gotten…