Health News

Features

Making African-American history in Polk

Alice Manley: A lifetime of service (above) Alice Manley stands with four generations of directors for the health department. From left to right: Dr. Ulyee Choe (November 2012-Present); Dr. Daniel Haight (July 1996-November 2012); Dr. William F. Hill (January 1967-June 1985); and Dr. Kevin Sherin (July 1988-October 1993). Photo courtesy of the Florida Department of…
Painting the town red with heart disease prevention

How Polk is taking steps to increase awareness and lower your risk Bill Mutz thought he was just going to help with a demonstration when he volunteered for an ultrasound at a Lakeland Leadership Cardiology group. But what he learned actually helped him: The ultrasound showed blood was not flowing properly through his heart’s mitral…
New year, New you!

How Polk County is Tackling Obesity and Residents are Making Healthier Lifestyle Choices Fifty-one year-old Ann Good topped 200 pounds last May. She lacked energy and was short of breath. Concerned about a family history of heart disease and diabetes, she decided to act. Today Good is 50 pounds lighter and breathing easier, in more…

Diverticulosis or Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a disease that affects the GI tract, primarily the colon. It increases with age, especially after age 40. There are many misnomers and misconceptions regarding this spectrum of disease and hopefully this helps to shed some light on them. Little pouches spring out from the walls of the colon due to high pressure…
Common Myths Regarding Oral Health

Oral health is of the utmost importance, but unfortunately, many people don’t understand the link between oral health and overall health. Our mouths are the gateway to our bodies, and the mouth can serve as a window into a person’s overall health. Make sure you understand the truth behind these common myths about oral health…
Annual Wellness Visit Provides Comprehensive Screening

Your yearly physical is an important part of your health care regimen, but that’s not the end of your responsibility to yourself. It’s not a comprehensive evaluation. That’s where we come in. When you visit our office for an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), you receive a 41-point detailed written report that you can use to…