Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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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 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...
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...
Dear Editor, As a medical professional, I can vouch that the priority for all of us in the field is the quality, accessibility, and affordability of the care available to our patients. In Florida, all that is being threatened by a wave of meritless and expensive medical malpractice lawsuits. Right now, there are ill-intentioned lawyers across the state that file vague and unclear claims in an attempt use our state’s loose malpractice standards to win overblown legal fees in court or through settlements. All these lawsuits m...
November is designated a time when American's recognize our nation's veterans for their service. Throughout the month, communities schedule special ceremonies to honor the men and women who have served in the military. While these honors are important, many may not realize that veterans could have emotional and physical service-related conditions that require consideration beyond expressions of gratitude. For example, veterans who served in World War II experienced different...
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...
Leaving treatment without a plan is like going on a road trip without a map. It is very important to have a set plan before leaving treatment. The plan should be realistic and the recovering person should be able to follow it without getting discouraged. This plan should include both structure and accountability. It should also have goals that are reachable and reasonable. This helps the recovering person feel accomplished and productive. The plan does not have to be filled...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
With 2020 beginning we have come to the end of a decade where nearly half a million people have lost their lives to overdose. The opioid epidemic started in 2010 with pain killer dependence rising and doctor shopping being the newest thing to do. Now heroin is on the rise with the newest deadly killer fentanyl. The solution the government has come up with is to put people on the MAT program. MAT stands for medication assisted therapy. This puts people on a medication that the...
As the holidays approach, keep in mind you will be spending time around family and friends that you might not typically see all year round. Some families will have an amazing time and make tons of new memories. Yet some families will become newly aware that a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, while other families are preparing for yet another holiday that might be ruined by one already in the family. You should be familiar with the signs that your loved could be...
Lakeland Regional Health, with support from the City of Lakeland, is planning to construct a three-building, 96-bed center to better serve the behavioral health inpatient and outpatient needs of the Polk County community. The $46 million Center for Behavioral Health & Wellness will be built near Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and will treat adults and adolescents for mental health problems, substance abuse, memory disorders and more. Outgoing LRH President Elaine...
Whether your loved one passed away recently or years ago, the holidays can stir up a sense of loss that overshadow any celebrations. Reminiscing about holiday traditions, knowing your loved one will not be present, can cause sadness and anxiety. While everyone grieves differently, it's important to know that intensified feelings associated with loss is common this time of year. Some may feel the need to hide their feelings from friends and family. They may be embarrassed or...
Nowadays, the drug world is far more dangerous. Addicts now have to be cautious about buying fake pills that look exactly like the ones you get at your local pharmacy. They might think they are buying a Xanax, Oxycodone, or maybe an Adderall even. But in reality, they are buying something that is deadly. Dealers are mixing concoctions and pressing them with a little machine to make something that they think will be way more addicting and less costly. They are putting fentanyl...
Adverse childhood experiences often have a lasting impact, resulting in negative health and economic outcomes throughout adulthood, according to Dr. Lyn Jones, who has worked with hurting people for many years. A Babson Park chiropractor and longtime psychiatric nurse, Jones shared her expertise in domestic violence, other abuse and neglect at the recent annual meeting of the GFWC Lake Wales Woman's Club. The Woman's Club has adopted domestic violence abuse and prevention as...
Cornerstone Hospice is already putting to good use two grants from the GiveWell Community Foundation. Last spring, Cornerstone received a $5,000 Empower Polk grant from the GiveWell Community Foundation to purchase two CADD® pumps to be used to train Cornerstone nurses to assist with the care of patients experiencing pain. The device provides safe and accurate medication delivery. Previously, Cornerstone Hospice would lease the pumps during the training of new nurses....
Two new primary care providers have joined the Heart of Florida Physician Group and will be practicing together in Lake Wales. Rodolfo S. Fernandez, M.D., an internal medicine physician and Amber Y. Shepard, M.D., a family medicine physician will be seeing patients at their office located at 1255 SR 60 E., Suite 500 in Lake Wales. "We are very excited to welcome these two physicians to our group,'' said Sabrina Robinson, director for the physician group. "Dr. Fernandez had...
Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center has been recognized as a Best Hospital for 2019-20 by U.S. News & World Report. Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center is ranked #1 (tied) in the Lakeland Metro area and ranked #21 (tied) in the State of Florida. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 30th year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for...
Many doctors in their eighth decade would be golfing, traveling or just enjoying retirement. But Dr. Eusebio "Jon" Salud Jr. is spending his later years treating patients with a new procedure that he says is helping to restore their vision. According to Salud, dry macular degeneration is a leading cause of permanent blindness and for 56 years there has been no treatment available for it. He started a noninvasive, safe, simple and painless protocol about five years ago. He...
The Central Florida Media Group will host the Central Florida Family Fun Day and Health Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 19. The event will be held at the International Market World Flea and Farmers Market at 1052 US Hwy 92 W in Auburndale. The Family Fun Day and Health Expo Day is a day of fun-filled activities including games, prizes, dancing, face painting, back-to-school supplies, live entertainment, health info, and screenings. Admission to Family Fun Day is free...
At age 32, Dr Carolyn Pass had the scare of her life. The hard-working physician was hospitalized with congestive heart failure and found herself wondering if she would live to see her three children grow up. After a lengthy recuperation period she got back into practicing medicine but with a greater appreciation for life and helping her patients focus on their own good health. Now 20 years after her own health scare Pass says she tells her patients: "You matter. You have to t...
