Health News

Features

Don’t Underestimate the Dangers of Heat-Related Illnesses

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care It’s summertime, and that means it’s time to get out and have some fun! It’s important to keep in mind that soaring temperatures here in Florida can lead to dangerous heat-related illnesses. Thankfully, if you know the symptoms to watch for, you can keep yourself and…
Pop Quiz! Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Test Your Knowledge to Get to the Root of Your Hair Loss They say your hair is the crown you never take off, but what if that crown has been tarnished by hair loss? There are many reasons why your hair may be thinning, and you need to figure out those reasons before turning to…
Getting You On the Right Path

Behavioral Health Navigators Steer Polk Residents to the Right Resources by TERESA SCHIFFER The first step toward overcoming a mental health or behavioral problem is acknowledging the problem and seeking treatment. Unfortunately, finding the right resources that can provide that help can be challenging. Peace River Center has introduced a new program providing guidance for…

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD?

by NADER MOINFAR, M.D., M.P.H. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In general, AMD is a disease that progresses in stages. Patients with advanced AMD experience vision loss from either excess ﬂuid and blood (wet AMD) or the death of cells (GA). It is estimated that 1.5 million…
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a “weakening” or “dilatation” in a part of an artery. An estimated 15,000 people die of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) every year in the US. About 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed every year. Most of these are diagnosed by tests that are done for unrelated reasons. The aorta is…
The Future Is Clear: The Shift to Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

by DANIEL SMITH, O.D. Contact lenses offer a wonderful alternative to traditional eyeglasses, providing wearers with a range of unique benefits that suit various lifestyles. They offer a natural, unobstructed field of vision, and the absence of frames on the face may be highly beneficial, especially during physical activities where glasses may pose a risk…