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Game On!

Polk Senior Games Return This Year With Outdoor Activities by CATHERINE CERVONE This year marks the 29th year of the annual Polk Senior Games, the largest of the 20 local senior games held in Florida. Participants who are turning at least 50 years old in 2022 can participate in a variety of…
Pop Quiz: Heart attack or Panic Attack: Which Is It?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., so it’s no wonder that a heart attack—a result of coronary artery disease, which is one of the forms of heart disease—is a concern. While the most common symptoms of a heart attack are often recognizable, the symptoms of another common health condition—a panic…
Are You Talking to Me?

Recognizing and Neutralizing Negative Self-Talk by TERESA SCHIFFER As the new year gets underway, there’s always a lot of talk about resolutions. Healthy lifestyles, fewer expletives, diets and procrastination rank up there with the most common goals. This year, how about a different kind of resolution? One that could have a lasting effect on…

Doc, I Have Type II Diabetes. Will I Go Blind?

Patients who present with a diabetes history are worried about their vision. If the patient has type II Diabetes Mellitus, the following is the discussion I have with the patient to simplify the pathophysiological process that occurs in a person with diabetes. When the patient with type II diabetes presents for an eye exam, I…
Itchy Skin? It Could Be Psoriasis or Eczema

Experiencing a skin condition can be a little unnerving, especially if you’re not sure what it is. Psoriasis and eczema are two common skin conditions that can even be seen in children. While these diseases may present in similar ways, they’re actually quite different and have different triggers and causes. Eczema This inflammatory skin…
Is It Melanoma? Learn the Warning Signs

Melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer that comes from cells known as melanocytes. While it’s less common than basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, two types of skin cancer that form in other types of skin cells, it is more dangerous. Melanoma can quickly spread to other organs if not treated at…