Health News

Features

Something to Smile About

Annual No-Cost Dental Clinic Coming to Lakeland in May by JULIE BUTTERFIELD Although all three of her stepdaughters have beautiful smiles, Skylar Fuller noticed they were smiling with their mouths closed in family photos. That’s not how someone with a great smile like theirs should pose for photos, she remembers thinking. They were using Mom…
Unlock Your Golden Years

The Secret to Healthy Aging Is Hidden in the Basics Everybody wants the scoop on how to live a long and healthy life. In light-hearted tales, we often hear seniors swear that it was their love of chocolate or daily glass of wine that was the key. We wanted advice that was a bit more…
Delivering Hope

For Many Seniors, Meals on Wheels Is More Than a Meal — It’s a Lifeline by REBEKAH PIERCE Meals on Wheels of Polk County offers locals more than just a meal. It offers a lifeline, and not just to the people receiving the meals. Established as a support network for our Polk County communities, the…

Doc, I Have Type II Diabetes. Will I Go Blind?

Patients who present with a diabetes history are worried about their vision. If the patient has type II Diabetes Mellitus, the following is the discussion I have with the patient to simplify the pathophysiological process that occurs in a person with diabetes. When the patient with type II diabetes presents for an eye exam, I…
Itchy Skin? It Could Be Psoriasis or Eczema

Experiencing a skin condition can be a little unnerving, especially if you’re not sure what it is. Psoriasis and eczema are two common skin conditions that can even be seen in children. While these diseases may present in similar ways, they’re actually quite different and have different triggers and causes. Eczema This inflammatory skin…
Is It Melanoma? Learn the Warning Signs

Melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer that comes from cells known as melanocytes. While it’s less common than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, two types of skin cancer that form in other types of skin cells, it is more dangerous. Melanoma can quickly spread to other organs if not treated at…