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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…

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Diagnosis and Treatment

Last month, we learned what an aortic aneurysm is, how it can be detected, its presentation, and risk factors. This month, we’ll discuss diagnosis and treatment. How Can It Be Diagnosed This can be done with the help of an ultrasound, a painless, safe test that does not involve any radiation. If confirmed and found…
Eye Damage From Your Halloween Costume? Now That’s Scary!

by DAVID LOEWY, MD While October is well known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month it is also known as “Halloween Eye Safety Month” as observed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Since we specialize in eyes, we felt it was best to discuss this important issue involving eye health this month. It is vital to…
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a weakening or dilatation in a part of an artery. About 15,000 people die of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) every year in the U.S. About 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed every year. Most of these are diagnosed by tests that are done for unrelated reasons. The aorta is the…