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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…
Protecting your private information

The catch behind a ‘free’ pharmacy discount card If you have a mailbox, chances are you’ve received a Pharmacy Discount Card in the mail. The offer sounds great: up to 75 percent off your medications, no paperwork, it’s accepted all over, and it never expires. Don’t forget the kicker—it costs absolutely nothing. Hopefully by now…

The Heart of the Matter: The little-known fact of high blood pressure

IN MY FIRST column for Central Florida Health News, I wanted to get down to the heart of the matter on a topic that’s often left unaddressed for men: erectile dysfunction (ED). You may be asking yourself why a cardiology specialist would want to talk about this problem.
Healthy Cook: Springtime treats with a tropic guava twist

What would a Cuban turnover be without guava paste? Bland! Guava is a New World fruit that has spread over much of the warm parts of the globe. Guavas come in a few colors inside and a few flavors. The ones you buy or pick can be from 140 species. They are pear-shaped, oval or…
Hospice Help: Aging gracefully — it’s not just about your looks

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH wherever you look — driving on the highway, watching television, or surfing the Internet — there is an advertisement for a cream, potion, or injection that will restore looks to one’s younger days. Granted, these touted options might work, but they only address a concern for health on the surface. What…