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Pop Quiz: Learn the Facts About Alzheimer’s

June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. As the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that starts off with mild memory loss and eventually becomes debilitating. It affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language, and it takes a huge toll on both the sufferer and the family and…
So Much More …

Central Florida Health Care’s Efforts Go Above, Beyond by TIM CRAIG As the region continues to navigate its way through the country’s health crisis, stories are emerging of people working together to go above and beyond the normal in order to meet the extreme. Central Florida Health Care prides itself in coming up with creative…
Thoughts From the Front Line

BayCare Health System Heroes Open Up About Challenges, Change, and Keeping the Faith Carlos Felix Facilities Manager, Bartow Regional Medical Center Felix is in 15th year as facilities manager at Bartow Regional Medical Center. He’s responsible for conducting fire drills, meaning he has had to find new ways to comply with regulations while keeping…

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…