Health News

Features

Sweets and sour news for kids

Certain Candies Are as Acidic as Battery Acid on Kids’ Teeth Peering into kids’ mouths every day, pediatric dentists have noticed an alarmingly widespread problem of late. Something is eating away at the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth. Turns out, its worms – gummy worms, that is – along with assorted other sweet-and-sour candies,…
Kristi Yamaguchi speaks out on influenza

Should you get a flu vaccine? Less than half of the U.S. population actually gets the annual flu vaccine. While vaccinations are recommended in late summer or early fall, it’s still beneficial even in the middle of winter. During many flu seasons, influenza activity doesn’t peak until winter or early spring. In fact, virus activity…
Making choices that lower your risk

How African-Americans Can Avoid High Blood Pressure Hypertension (or high blood pressure) is a heavy weight that the African-American community has been destined to cope with. While no one is immune from high blood pressure, it is a proven fact that the African-American population has a 40 percent higher rate over any other ethnic group…

Editor’s Dose: Something a summer vacation should never be without

With four young, very excitable (and sometimes accident-prone) children, there is one thing that we never leave home without, especially when going on vacation: the first aid kit! Last year, we enjoyed having a “staycation” and decided to visit some of the theme parks in Central Florida. And by the way, Legoland is a blast…
Healthy Cook: Dad’s special dinner, made healthier

Here we go again. It’s Father’s day. A tie he won’t wear? A fishing lure he probably won’t have time to use? A 6-pack of imported beer? Getting something for Dad is tough enough, but the more Father’s days under his belt combined with the number of children for which he is father too (who…
PCMA Letter: Part of the responsibility of being a father

As doctors and parents, this edition of Central Florida Health News hits very close to home for many of us at the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA). One of the features in this edition talks about how regular health screenings for men are an essential part of living a longer, healthier life. I was honored…