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Forever Smiles: Learn How Aging Can Affect Dental Health A large part of the focus on dental health is aimed at dental health in our early years—getting the basics down, creating good oral hygiene habits, braces, and so on. No doubt, it’s important to start kids on the right foot with dental health so those…
Dogtor On Call

It’s Official: Pets Can Boost Mental and Physical Health by TERESA SCHIFFER Animals have been a part of humanity’s story for as long as humans have had a story, and for much of history humans have incorporated animals into their lives as pets. Many people attest to the ways their pets bring value to their…
A New Leash on Life

Service Dog Gives Florida Southern Graduate New Independance by K. MICHELE TRICE photos by MOLLYE MILLER In our society, individuals with disabilities are presented with challenges in their routines that people without disabilities never consider. Service animals can help overcome some of those challenges. Mackenzie Carlson of Winter Garden and her 3-year-old service dog, Atlas,…

Healthy Cook: The truth about ‘negative calorie’ foods

Some things just sound too good to be true. You lose more calories eating a food than the food has in it. That’s called “negative calories” and it sounds like digestive snake oil to me. It would be died-and-gone-to-heaven for dieters. But there is a modicum of truth in it. Some cold foods that are…
Ask a Nurse: Popping pain pills?

Americans make up ~4.6 percent of the world’s population, yet have been consuming 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply1! According to the CDC in 2008, 14,800 died of an opioid overdose… more than heroin and cocaine COMBINED2. Opioids like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl…
PCMA Letter: Don’t let an active lifestyle be a chore this summer

It’s fairly common amongst the general population to want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Remaining physically fit is imperative to this way of life. Staying in shape helps you live longer and prevents illnesses. This is why the doctors of the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) bring you the fitness edition this…