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Early Detection Plays a Big Role in Colon Cancer Prognosis

by TERESA SCHIFFER Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care March is recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and while it may not be a topic that many people find appealing, it’s essential to be aware of the importance of early detection in treating this cancer. Geoffry Hall, RN, APRN, FNP-C, is one of the many…
Pop Quiz: Test and Share Your Smarts for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to explore this common disabling neurological disease. Take our quiz to learn the signs and symptoms, treatments, and other information about multiple sclerosis, also known as MS. 1. True or false? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease of young adults.…
A Hands-On Approach

University Students Learn to Use Puppetry for Occupational Therapy by KRISTEN GUEVARA “Everyone loves puppets!” exclaims Angela Sampson. She should know. Sampson uses them not only in her job as a pediatric occupational therapist but also as she and other professors equip the next generation of occupational therapy assistants at AdventHealth University in Orlando. Each…

Smoking Hurts More Than Your Lungs

I cannot really believe that the holidays are upon us already. This year has been like no other with its usual mix of pain and pleasure. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the role of lifestyle in the management of vascular disease that can lend a sense of control in its otherwise…
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…