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A healthier mouth means a healthier life

Why one patient has a lot to smile about “Dr. Hewett is the best dentist I’ve ever had!” Mrs. Dorothy went to Dr. Steven Hewett because her lower denture did not fit properly with her upper denture. She couldn’t eat and was losing weight, only able to manage soups and noodles. She had seen his…
Skip 5 common back-to-school sicknesses

Teach your child early to avoid spreading germs Educating – and immunizing – your children now can help them stay healthy when they return to school. One of the most basic common sense remedies is hand washing, but it’s got to be done right. “They should sing in their head the happy birthday song. As…
A new option for patients with no insurance

Lakeland Regional Family Health Center aims to save ER visits by offering medical care to patients with non-emergencies After a year of intense and strategic planning the Family Health Center opened on Wednesday, July 10. Cindy Sternlicht, director of public relations and marketing communications for Lakeland Regional Medical Center explains, “As of now, the Center…

Signs & symptoms: When your skin needs medical attention

As a surgeon who often treats and cares for patients whose ailments of the skin have gone too long without medical attention, I’d like to talk about the importance of seeing a doctor right away if you find abnormalities on the skin. I hope people can be aware that it is not only important…
Body, mind & spirit: Integrating primary and behavioral care

When you go to the doctor complaining of stomach pain, you probably don’t expect your problem to be depression. But it just may be. When you complain of headache, clumsiness, dizziness, shakiness, blurred vision, tingling around the mouth and seizures, you might expect an anxiety or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. You may be surprised if…
Mediterranean diet for cardiovascular health

Dr. Sean P. O’Rourke is a board-certified cardiologist at Watson Clinic. With a subspecialty in cardiovascular disease, Dr. O’Rourke often sees patients suffering from heart disease. He took the time to answer some questions about heart disease, which has a higher death rate in Polk County than in the rest of Florida. Health…