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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.…

Advice for Aging Eyes

While aging is a fact of life that one cannot escape, there are certain measures that can be taken to ensure the best possible vision as you age. The following lifestyle modifications can help delay or prevent certain eye diseases. Regular Eye Examinations One of the most important things you can do is schedule yearly…
Love Your Oral Hygiene This Valentine’s Day

Investing in your personal health should always be one of your top priorities. For this reason alone, you should always maintain healthy oral hygiene routines to help maintain your physical and mental health. If that isn’t motivation enough, consider your significant other this Valentine’s Day when you’re out on the town enjoying your evening. No…
Persistent Stomach Aches? You May Have Gallstones

In previous columns we explored the gallbladder and its role in digestion. What we have not yet talked about are the symptoms that gallstones can cause and the management options available. Gallbladder disease affects roughly 20% of people at some point in their lives and over 700,000 gallbladders are removed annually in the U.S. Gallstones…