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The Hope of Hospice

Care When a Cure Is Not an Option by BRENDA EGGERT BRADER photos courtesy of VITAS Healthcare While many people are familiar with the term hospice, most don’t fully understand the broad range of care it includes. End-of-life decisions can be wrought with emotion and trepidation, and while hospice is there to tend to the…
Acknowledging Disparities in Health Care Is a Crucial First Step

Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care by TERESA SCHIFFER April is National Minority Health Month, a time to recognize the disparities in health care received too often by minority populations in the U.S. and to work together toward solutions for these issues. Established in 1915 by Dr. Booker T. Washington, Minority Health Month reminds…
Word to the Wise

Lakeland Octogenarian Shares How Structure, Fitness Have Factored Into His Golden Years story by TERESA SCHIFFER photos by MICHAEL WILSON Who doesn’t want to live a long, healthy, and happy life? There’s no one formula that fits every lifestyle, so Central Florida Health News asked Lakeland octogenarian athlete Gordon “Cork” Wilson to spill the beans…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…