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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…

Learn How to Spot, Treat Rosacea

Rosacea is a fairly common dermatological condition that can affect anyone of any age. It is a chronic condition with no known cure, but advances in medical technology have made it possible to treat and control the symptoms. You can recognize rosacea primarily by the presence of a facial redness that resembles a sunburn or…
Herniated Disks in the Lower Back

This is the last of our three-part back pain series. So far, we have talked about sciatica pain and pelvic and tailbone pain. We saved what is probably the most debilitating lower back pain of all for last — the herniated disk. This injury usually requires medical care, X-rays, MRIs, time off from work, pain…
July is UV Safety Month

When we think of summer, images of beaches, theme parks, and outdoor sports and activities come to mind. While getting out of the house and doing things outside is generally considered healthy, there are risks involved, one of which is exposure to the dreaded UV light. Ultraviolet (UV) light refers to the region of…