Health News
Features
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Long-term health: Considering your BMI
The importance of discussing your Body Mass Index with your physician Since 2003, Polk Vision has been bringing together community partners to work toward Polk County’s collective vision. Going a step further, several Polk Vision members are working towards reducing the obesity rate in our communities with our Building a Healthier Polk Initiative. Of course,…
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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…
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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…
Columns
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Word of Mouth: Guard your mouth this sports season
NO MATTER the season, there’s always a variety of sports for kids and adults to participate in and enjoy. While the safety equipment requirements for many sports have increased over the years to prevent risk and injury, there’s one area that could use a bit more attention from the cheering section: the mouth guard.
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Healthy Smiles: Preventive care can save your money and your health
PREVENTIVE CARE care can save you thousands! It sounds incredible, but it’s true! Brushing your teeth for two full minutes and taking another minute flossing, twice a day, can help you prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Anything you do to protect your teeth and gums is time well spent. You can stop minor problems…
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Don’t sleep on it! Tips for making the morning routine more stress-free
AS A MOTHER of four, I’m constantly looking for ways to make more efficient use of my time, especially when it comes to the morning routine. With all four kids in school this year and all of them under eight years old, we have a lot of little hands and feet to manage, and that…
