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Pop Quiz! Test Your Ticker Knowledge on Heart Disease Risks

A popular proverb goes, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The proverb is speaking metaphorically about one’s spiritual heart, but when it comes to your literal, physical heart, it’s still pretty good advice. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., according to the…
Breaking Ground for a Brighter Future

Polk State’s Simulation Hospital to Build Healthcare Workforce Pipeline by REBEKAH PIERCE November 21 marked a historic milestone for Polk State College as community leaders, officials, and educators gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the College’s newest location—the Haines City-Davenport campus. This 75,000-square-foot facility will house, among other things, Central Florida’s first public higher education…
Less of a Shortcut, More of a Strategy

Doctor Explains Why Baby Steps, Personalized Care Are Key When Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss by REBEKAH PIERCE Weight-loss medications are all the rage in the fight against obesity, but that doesn’t mean they are the answer for everyone. Amid the novelty and excitement, it can be easy to forget that the basics of a…

Signs and symptoms: Q&A on preventing and reversing acne

Acne. By definition it is a condition, but by experience it is one of the most frustrating skin problems to those afflicted. Dr. William Roth is a board-certified dermatologist and spokesperson for Watson Clinic in Lakeland and a Polk County Medical Association member. Central Florida Health News asks him about acne, its causes, and what…
PCMA Letter: Covering more than just the surface of health

Do you know what the largest organ of the human body is? If you answered, “the skin,” then you’re correct. Our skin plays a vital role in protecting us from pathogens. Other functions of this organ include insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, and the production of vitamin D folates. Despite its many important roles in the…
A time to change for the better

Another year has passed. It is once again time to reflect on the 12 months and look forward to the New Year. During the holidays, we enjoy celebrating with friends and family. We overeat and drink more than we should. Excuses for overindulgence are as easy to find as holiday cheer. Following the holidays, either…