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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…

Healthy Cook: Real men CAN eat quiche

Real men shouldn’t eat quiche! Quiche has eggs, bacon, and cheese in the filling and butter in the crust. That’s a lot of high-calorie foods in one dish. Men need energy to keep them going without adding inches to their waistlines. “Energy density” is the key to feeling full and having plenty of get-up-and-go without…
Editor’s Dose: Take a little personal time

As moms, we often find ourselves putting our needs on the backburner in order to take care of the people that matter most to us. I find this fact to also be true in dads, especially my husband. He doesn’t like to draw attention to himself or things that might be bothering him. He just…
Word of Mouth: Oral cancer: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Cancer can affect any part of your body, and the mouth is no exception. While oral cancer can be caused by damaging behaviors such as the use of tobacco or alcohol, it can still occur without explanation. Oral cancer is much more prevalent than believed, and this unfortunately means that it’s often not diagnosed until…