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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…
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…
To smile or not to smile

Dr. Karen Teston and other local experts on oral hygiene and your overall health Some folks are afraid of pain. Some know they haven’t done a good job of taking care of their teeth, and don’t want to be lectured. Still others lack cash. Whatever the reason, many avoid the dentist until an emergency arises.…

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…
New to Contact Lenses? Here Are Some Healthy Habits

by Ryan Peardon, O.D. Contact lenses, when used properly, are a safe and effective method to provide good vision for those who require vision correction. However, poor compliance can wreak havoc on your eyes and vision. Here are some tips to protect your eyes and maximize your vision with contact lenses: All contact lenses are…
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…