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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…
Pop Quiz: Could it be premature menopause?

Is it just the after-effects of the holiday rush getting to you, or are you encountering possible symptoms of premature menopause? It’s definitely not easy to be a woman, especially as you age. Yet, could the unusual hot flashes, mood swings and feminine “discomfort” you are feeling be the precursor for premature menopause? Find out…

The “Ripe” Time for Cataract Surgery

by William Corkins, O.D. Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida Whenever I tell a patient that he or she has cataracts they immediately ask if they need to have surgery. We start thinking about cataract surgery whenever the patient’s quality of life is affected. Common complaints include, “I can’t read road signs,” or “I can’t read the…
Recipe Spotlight: Lamb and Barley Soup & Easter Ham

by Trent Rowe, Food Editor This month’s Recipe Spotlight is focused on the Easter Holiday. Like I mentioned in the April edition of Central Florida Health News, holidays always have a large buildup, then it’s over in the blink-of-an-eye and all you’re left with is leftovers. These recipes are great ways to keep that Easter…
Risk Factors for Cavities that May Surprise You

Everyone knows that cavities are caused by too much sugar and poor oral care like neglecting daily brushing and flossing, but are those the only causes? There are actually many other behaviors that can put you at a greater risk of developing cavities. Just like brushing and flossing, the majority of additional risk factors for…