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Prevention Program Helps Those at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by TERESA SCHIFFER Diabetes is a public health problem that many Americans struggle with. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 30 million Americans have diabetes, or 9.4 percent of the population. About 7.2 million of those individuals have not even been diagnosed. It…
Pop Quiz: Test Your Knowledge About the Flu Shot

It’s that time of the year when the flu starts to rear its ugly head, and it’s time to get a flu shot to keep the virus at bay. The typical flu season starts around October and can last into May. You may have a lot of questions concerning the flu vaccination, especially if you’ve…
Lost and Found

Winter Haven’s Chris Lonton Describes Her Journey With Breast Cancer and the People Who Keep Her Going by TIM CRAIG photos by JOE DELUC When Chris Lonton checked into Gessler Clinic in Winter Haven for her regular mammogram in December 2015, she didn’t think twice. She would go in, get the exam, then leave. Little…

Kidneys and Your Vascular Health

Your kidneys remove excess water and waste products from your body. When the kidneys start to lose function, it is most commonly due to advancing age, long-term effects of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart issues, or a combination of these factors. Sometimes, infections and diseases that are present from birth can affect kidney function. Because…
Reducing the Need for Glasses at the Time of Cataract Surgery

by Damon Welch M.D. & Daniel Welch M.D. Cataract surgery is an extremely successful surgery. With cataract surgery, we have the ability to restore vision lost over time from the natural clouding of the lens, which occurs with age. In addition, special instruments allow us to measure the eye and lessen the dependence on…
Are You Suffering From Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a skin condition in which hair follicles become inflamed. However, it has a number of different causes. Sometimes it requires antibiotics to heal, as these bumps can spread and turn into non-healing crusty sores if left untreated. The condition isn’t life-threatening, but it can be irritating, itchy, and unsightly. Who gets folliculitis?…