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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…

Ask a Nurse: Andropause → Male Menopause

Yes guys, you too have hormones and will eventually go through “the change” unless you are proactive. Beginning as early as 30 years old testosterone levels steadily decline at a rate of about one to two percent per year (1)(3). Some studies have shown this decline to begin even earlier! Symptoms of Andropause include loss…
PCMA Letter: Men’s health reminders and your save-the-date

Every June, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs, educational, and outreach events. Why, you ask? Well, first off, I think we all know that men are usually the last ones to admit when they need a checkup, or when they should go see a doctor for a routine screening. But,…
Does having a sense of purpose help you live longer?

Published in the journal Psychological Science, the research from Patrick Hill of Carleton University in Canada and Nicholas Turiano of the University of Rochester Medical Center is reinforcing the idea that a sense of purpose reduces mortality risks. From PsychologicalScience.org: “Our findings point to the fact that finding a direction for life, and setting overarching…