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Area Doctors Help Us Clear Up Common Summer Skin Care Myths by TERESA SCHIFFER Summer is officially here and it’s time to catch some rays! Here in Central Florida, we don’t really need to do much in order to get our daily dose of vitamin D from the sun, but many folks still enjoy heading…
Why Detection Is Key

Prostate Cancer Very Treatable If Diagnosed Early by TERESA SCHIFFER Prostate cancer is among the most common types of cancer found in men (second only to non-melanoma skin cancer), and the second-leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., claiming over 34,000 lives each year nationwide. Though this may seem grim, it’s not…
More Than Just a Headache

Do You Know What Migraine Really Is? by TIM CRAIG “It kind of feels like a vice grip on my head, almost similar to feeling like your head’s being stabbed.” Amy Beatty is describing what her typical migraine feels like. Beatty, from Winter Haven, has been getting migraines since she was 16. Now, the…

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…