Sarasota Edition

By Michelle Haessler, M.D., Board Certified Radiation Oncologist As an oncologist, I have treated breast cancer patients from as young as 15 years of age to patients in their nineties. Breast cancer can affect anyone but is more common in women in their 50’s and older. Yes, I have treated men with breast cancer but it only accounts for about …

By Erick E. Calderon, M.D., FACC, FSCAI Several health conditions, your lifestyle, and your age and family history can increase your risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors. About three quarters of all Americans (73%) have at least one of the seven key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol,  smoking, obesity, family history, diabetes …

As technology advances, understanding medical exams and procedures becomes more complex. The quality of services provided is an important consideration. The American Cancer Society endorses mammography, along with yearly physical examinations and monthly self-examinations, as the most effective means of detecting breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. Generally, mammography can reveal benign and cancerous growths before you …

By Bo Martinsen, MD More than 76 million Americans live with pain every day. That’s more than the number of people who have heart disease, diabetes, and cancers combined, according to a survey by the American Osteopathic Association. But what’s worse is that one-third of these people believe that medical treatment will not help, or feel that the treatment will create …

By Alyssa Parker – Many people may experience complications after an operation due to the significant amount of trauma your body endures. Whether it’s cancer related, non-cancer related, or a minor surgery, patients may develop post-operative symptoms such as swelling in a limb or a particular area of the body. Swelling in the limb which may appear to be temporary …

An unfortunate fact of later life for many women who have experienced childbirth is “pelvic prolapse,” or a hernia of the vagina. The number one cause is childbearing with vaginal delivery. “Vaginal delivery can traumatize the connective tissues that hold the vagina in place, and these tissues can weaken over time. Eventually, that damage can result in pelvic pressure or …

The CDC reports that nearly half of all opioid related deaths are due to the narcotic being prescribed for pain related circumstances such as lower back pain, nerve and joint disorders, arthritis and spinal injury.  *15,000 deaths are equivalent to 75 commercial airline passenger planes crashing in one year.  The number of casualties from prescription opioids in the United States is …

By Dr. Efrem Castillo, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement As a family practitioner for nearly 20 years, I know firsthand every senior’s medical needs are as unique as they are as individuals. The Medicare coverage plan that works best for you may not be the one that is right for your neighbor. So why do 60 percent of seniors …

Ovarian Cancer is one of the most deadly of women’s cancers. Each year, approximately 21,980 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2014, approximately 14,270 women will die in the United States from this disease. It is estimated by the World Health Organization IARC department that there are over 238,000 new cases diagnosed annually and nearly 152,000 deaths worldwide. …

Located at the front of the neck, on both sides of the windpipe and just below the Adam’s apple, the thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that affects your body a lot more than most people think. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate, as well as some heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development …