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Curtailing diabetes

Essential Tips for Better Disease Management Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. It is a major cause of heart disease and stroke as well as the leading cause of kidney failure, non-traumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults. In Polk County, the incidence of diabetes is…
Warning signs of bullying

Putting a Stop to It Before It Causes the Most Damage When children complain about a headache or stomachache, parents may seek immediate relief with over-the-counter painkillers or antacids. But when the symptoms recur, over and over again, a trip to the family doctor may reveal a sinister reason: Bullying. “They don’t want to necessarily…
Replacing candy with better-for-you snacks

Healthy Options Headed for Local School Vending Machines Fat-free and soy yogurts, granola bars, fruit and grain bars, and soy crisps may become standard fare at some Polk County public schools this upcoming school year. The snacks will be offered under a new contract with Central Florida Healthy Vending in Orlando. Some 200+ healthy snacks…

Understanding the Risks of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Deep venous thrombosis is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people. This is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein of the body, usually in the thigh, leg, and — rarely — the arm. The blood clot can break off and travel inside the vein to the lung,…
The Eye Condition You’ve Probably Never Heard of: Keratoconus

by GISELLE SANKAR, O.D. Picture looking through a clear glass window that has slowly started to bend or warp. That once clear view has now become blurry and extremely distorted. In simple terms, this describes what individuals diagnosed with keratoconus experience. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes thinning of the cornea. The cornea…
Surgical Management of Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis

DVT, or blood clots in your leg, can be a life-threatening condition. It can be treated by taking oral anticoagulation medication, wearing compression stockings, elevating the leg to reduce swelling, and continuing to walk and keep yourself hydrated. Your vascular doctor can tell you more about your treatment options. The blood clot is dissolved by…