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  • Cancer Patients Benefit From "Cleaning for a Reason"

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 4, 2022

    As Breast Cancer Awareness month is observed in October it draws attention to a treatable disease that remains one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. Facing a diagnosis of cancer and the effects of treatment is a challenge for thousands of Florida residents, including many in the Lake Wales area. The challenge of maintaining a home while undergoing treatment is overwhelming for many, especially for those who live alone, but there is n affordable source...

  • Answering Parents' Most Common Questions About COVID Vaccines For Kids

    Special to the News|Updated May 25, 2022

    (NAPSI)-A dedicated group of moms has deployed across the country to help families with children of all ages figure out how to make important decisions around mitigating the risk of COVID and help answer questions that parents have on vaccination. City Mom Collective, a partner of the We Can Do This Campaign, is working with moms to collect questions from parents in their communities and then set up video interviews that aired on social media with local pediatricians and...

  • AdventHealth Lake Wales Achieves Leapfrog Grade "B" in Patient Safety

    Amber Smith, Senior Specialist of Media Communications|Updated May 15, 2022

    AdventHealth Lake Wales has achieved a "B" patient safety grade by the prestigious Leapfrog Group. The safety grade is awarded based on a hospital's performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections, and other harms to patients in their care. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an "A," "B," "C," "D," or "F" grade to general hospitals across the country. AdventHealth implemented and enhanced several division-wide pr...

  • Lake Wales Podiatrist Offers Focused Diabetes Care

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Apr 14, 2022

    Lake Wales area residents dealing with foot ailments due to the effects of diabetes should know that it is a serious health problem that demands treatment, according to Dr. Prerna Mall, a podiatrist who specializes in diabetic foot care along with her regular practice. “Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the most common complications in patients who have diabetes which is not well controlled. These ulcers are usually caused by poor sugar control, underlying peripheral n...

  • Bone Marrow Gives the Gift of Life

    NAPS, Special to the News|Updated Mar 23, 2022

    Being a hero and helping repair the world may be easier than many people realize. How? Become a blood stem cell or marrow donor, volunteer or a supporter. Every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates that 186,400 people will experience this frightening news just this year. While a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant can serve as a cure for leukemia...

  • Polk Healthcare Plan Now Includes Behavioral Health Coverage

    Joy Johnson, Polk Communications Division|Updated Mar 10, 2022

    Behavioral health services are easier to access for Polk HealthCare Plan members seeking treatment now that it is a covered benefit. The addition, which was approved by the Citizens HealthCare Oversight Committee, began this month and is one of many enhancements that targets Polk's growing vulnerable population. The committee also has revised the plan's eligibility criteria twice in the last year to mirror the growing minimum wage and make the program more accessible to those...

  • Paralysis Research Shows Promise

    Affiliated News Services, NAPSI|Updated Dec 23, 2021

    For decades, medical researchers struggled to solve the mystery of how to reverse paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries. Finally, hope appears to be at hand. Five years ago, Codi Darnell, the daughter-in-law of Dr. Harold Punnett, a co-founder of NervGen, fell and became a complete T-11 paraplegic. Dr. Punnett discovered a revolutionary nerve regeneration technology in Dr. Jerry Silver's work at Case Western Reserve University which resulted in the formation of...

  • A Change of Heart on Vaccines

    Updated Oct 27, 2021

    Stephanie Bramlett of Winder, Georgia, is one of many in the Southeast region who has experienced the effects of COVID-19 firsthand. Earlier this year, when the entrepreneur and mother of three was told she could get vaccinated, she was hesitant. She eats well, exercises regularly and never gets sick with the flu, so she assumed she'd be fine even if she was exposed to the virus. "I didn't want to be first," Bramlett said. "It felt too new." Then her son attended church camp,...

  • Healthcare Heroes Receive Complimentary Admission During October at Bok Tower Gardens

    Erica Smith, Bok Tower Gardens|Updated Sep 30, 2021

    Fueled by the generosity of Wawa, Healthcare Heroes can enjoy the healing power of nature with complimentary admission for themselves and a guest at Bok Tower Gardens from October 1-31. This offer is being extended in gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices Healthcare Heroes have made to keep our communities safe and healthy. The complimentary admission offer is open to all employees of healthcare providers in the US with an employer-issued photo identification badge. To redeem the offer, healthcare heroes must present...

  • Dental Sealants Can Cut Kids' Cavity Risk 80 Percent

    Updated Sep 24, 2021

    (NAPSI)-Parents can help their children practically eliminate their chance of getting cavities, often at no cost-yet they don't. Here's a closer look at this conundrum: Be Smart About Sealants Beyond daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities in kids-yet the clear protective coatings, which work by filling the deep grooves where bacteria can accumulate-remain largely underused. The thin, slippery coating applied...

  • Smiling couple sitting on exercise mat

    Thinking of Retiring? Think About Your Health Care Options

    Updated Sep 16, 2021

    (NAPSI)-More Americans may be looking to retire before age 65, according to several studies. However, they need to understand their financial needs, both long term and before age 65. This includes enrolling in health insurance to cover the gap before they are Medicare-eligible at age 65. "Choosing the right health coverage may seem difficult as many people have never shopped for their own health insurance or worry that they cannot afford it," said Mark Smith, president of...

  • Polk County Fire Rescue Earns National Recognition Improved Responses to STEMI Heart Attacks

    Courtesy Polk PIO|Updated Sep 12, 2021

    Polk County Fire Rescue has received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore...

  • A photo of nurses in protective clothing

    A Light For Those Still In The Covid Darkness

    Updated Sep 12, 2021

    (NAPSI)-Whatever happens with the new phase of the pandemic, and the glimmers of normalcy that bring joy and hope to many, the light at the end of the tunnel is difficult to see for many. This is particularly true of the loved ones of the nearly 4,000 U.S. healthcare workers who have died from COVID-related illness. Not only are these people coping with the death of their loved one, they may have lost the main breadwinner and be overwhelmed with the stress of paying for a...

  • What To Do When Someone Dies

    Mary Walkup, Contributing Writer|Updated Sep 11, 2021

    Sometimes death comes without warning. The most common causes are heart attacks, and accidents. But sometimes, people just die without warning-in their sleep. We are going about our lives and suddenly, with the unexpected loss of a loved one, everything has changed for us. It changes you forever. The news arrives, and time stops. There are few things in life as devastating as the sudden death of a beloved friend or family member. As your world changes forever and you're...

  • AdventHealth and Chip Ganassi Racing to Support Mental Health

    Updated May 29, 2021

    AdventHealth is teaming up with partner Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) and their NASCAR Cup Series drivers Ross Chastain and Kurt Busch to raise money and awareness for mental health and provide fans with a chance to compete against Chastain and Busch on iRacing, the premier online simulation for motorsports. With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 race just around the corner on May 30, the two drivers are taking some time to Play It Forward and en...

  • Maintaining Positive Mental Health During A Pandemic

    Kris Fitzgerald LMHC MA MBA, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 29, 2021

    Think back to January 2020, what were your top concerns upon leaving home to start your day? I can tell you my top two: Did I unplug the iron and did I close the garage. January 2021, those concerns look more like: Do I have my mask, and do I have enough hand sanitizer? The mental health crisis in America we are now faced with has staggering numbers showing 1 out of every 4 adults and 1 out of every 5 adolescents suffer with a diagnosable mental health illness. Six out of...

  • Addicts Consider Short-Term Detox

    Shauna Krout, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 8, 2021

    Addicts and alcoholics will be quick to jump into a detox program in hopes to solve their addiction in 3-7 days. One of the reasons they get stuck on drugs and alcohol is because when they try and stop they go into withdrawal and it is very uncomfortable. Short term medical detox programs will get you through the physical withdrawal as comfortably as possible with the use of drugs, and that's really it. Let's not forget that they still need to deal with why they got addicted...

  • Addicts Also Fall into High Risk for COVID-19

    Shauna Krout, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    As the government puts orders in considering this new named Pandemic with the Coronavirus, we have things to keep in mind regarding who is at risk and how to prevent it. The elderly and those who are unhealthy or have a compromised immune system are at risk of this becoming fatal for them. People who fall under this category should take precaution immediately. Addicts and alcoholics most definitely fall under this category due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lack of...

  • Resolve to Get Clean - There's Help

    Shauna Krout, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    As a New Year approaches a common theme is setting New Year's resolutions for yourself. As an addict I can remember setting goals of trying to do better in life. The one I would tell everyone was that I would quit smoking cigarettes. In reality I was setting a resolution of being clean going into the New Year. Year after year I failed at this, but deep down I wanted it to be true. I wanted a better life. I was tired of living day to day under the influence of drugs and...

  • Tips for a Healthy Brain

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 29, 2020

    EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was first produced for a presentation to a retired teachers' organization. We thought the content might be helpful to share. Not quite a year and a half ago I retired. After working close to 50 years, I figured I deserved a break. But after a few months of reading books and sitting around - a lot - I realized my memory was getting worse and my brain was becoming a lot less sharp. I called it mushy brain. I'm no expert, but for years I've been...

  • AdventHealth Seeking Plasma Donations from Those Who Recovered from COVID-19

    Updated Apr 15, 2020

    Patients with severe cases of COVID-19 may find help in an unlikely source – the blood plasma of patients who've recovered from the disease. It's called convalescent plasma, and the idea is that antibodies in the donated plasma will help fight the disease in patients who are suffering through it. "This is an extremely exciting development that shows promise in helping our sickest patients," said Dr. Juliana Gaitan, who is leading the project. "We're among the first h...

  • Detox Programs Take Time, Commitment

    Shauna Krout, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 2, 2020

    Addicts and alcoholics will be quick to jump into a detox program in hopes to solve their addiction in 3-7 days. One of the reasons they get stuck on drugs and alcohol is because when they try and stop they go into withdrawal and it is very uncomfortable. Short-term medical detox programs will get you through the physical withdrawal as comfortably as possible with the use of drugs, and that's really it. Let's not forget that they still need to deal with why they got addicted...

  • Treatment Center Warns of Soma Abuse

    Shauna Krout, Contributing Writer|Updated Mar 25, 2020

    Many people would find this very surprising but Soma abuse is actually very common and being prescribed by tons of pain management clinics. Be cautious of the effects this medication could have on you or someone else. Soma is a muscle relaxant that acts as a sedative of the central nervous system putting it in the drug class of a tranquilizer. It has been known to be mixed with other narcotics to form different kinds of "cocktails" which can be deadly. A person abusing Soma...

  • Publix Fills 100 Millionth Free Prescription

    Updated Jan 10, 2020

    Publix Pharmacy recently filled its 100 millionth free prescription as part of its free medication program. "We are proud to provide a service that helps our customers afford their medications," said Publix Vice President of Pharmacy Dain Rusk. "As the cost of health care continues to rise, this program has become even more important to our customers and our communities. Too often, high prescription costs prevent people from taking medication as prescribed. When medications...

  • Video PSA Explores Dangers of Vaping

    Updated Jan 8, 2020

    Polk County Public Schools has teamed up with the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County to warn students and families about the dangers of vaping. The school district produced a public service video featuring PCPS Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk. The video also features students from George Jenkins, Ridge Community and Winter...

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