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Lakeland Regional Health Works to Make Sure People Don’t Delay Care Over COVID-19 Fears By PAUL CATALA As coronavirus fears have grown throughout the nation, it has become clear there is a different trend starting, and it brings with it some dangers of its own. By late March, physicians and nurses in hospital rooms and…
Skin Smarts

Protect Your Skin From the Brutal Summer Sun by TERESA SCHIFFER Living in Central Florida, we are acutely aware of the effects of the sun. They don’t call us the “Sunshine State” for nothing! As wonderful as it is to bask in the warm glow of the sun day after day, too much sun exposure…
Pop Quiz: Prepare for Summer With Facts on Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion

Florida’s brutal summer is upon us, and that means heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real and present dangers every day. Florida’s high temperatures, intense sunshine, and ever-present humidity are a recipe for heat-related illnesses. Take our quiz on heat exhaustion and heat stroke and arm yourself with knowledge to prevent these life-threatening emergencies. 1.)…

Healthy Cook: The truth about ‘negative calorie’ foods

Some things just sound too good to be true. You lose more calories eating a food than the food has in it. That’s called “negative calories” and it sounds like digestive snake oil to me. It would be died-and-gone-to-heaven for dieters. But there is a modicum of truth in it. Some cold foods that are…
Ask a Nurse: Popping pain pills?

Americans make up ~4.6 percent of the world’s population, yet have been consuming 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply1! According to the CDC in 2008, 14,800 died of an opioid overdose… more than heroin and cocaine COMBINED2. Opioids like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl…
PCMA Letter: Don’t let an active lifestyle be a chore this summer

It’s fairly common amongst the general population to want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Remaining physically fit is imperative to this way of life. Staying in shape helps you live longer and prevents illnesses. This is why the doctors of the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) bring you the fitness edition this…