Sarasota Edition

Can Laser Spine Surgery Fix Your Back Pain?

By Lam Nguyen, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon As a spine surgeon, my patients often ask me if their spine surgery can be done with a laser. There is a perception by the general population that laser technology is modern and futuristic, and therefore offers cutting edge treatment and better outcomes. However, the reality is that lasers have been around for decades …

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Cholesterol and Your Heart

Many Americans do not understand the role that cholesterol—a fat-like substance found in all cells of the body—plays in heart health and heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, cholesterol can build up on artery walls and slow or stop blood flow to the heart. Here’s what you need to know . . . To understand …

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Current Algae Blooms Bring Risk to Asthma Sufferers

Red tide algae in coastal waters has sent asthma sufferers in droves to Venice area medical clinics. Hot weather and blooming plants are environmental triggers for people with chronic lung conditions. “We are seeing people who told us they had been to the beach and had difficulty breathing, a common symptom of red tide, especially in asthma sufferers,” said Tammy …

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Pain Management Leads the Way

By Jordan Churchill, Director of Operations Like many specialties over the past few decades, pain management has undergone a metamorphosis that continues to this day. Unlike most of these specialties; Orthopedics, Spine Surgery, and others, Pain Management is little understood by the public and to a degree, among our medical peers as well. This transformation has seen pain management transition …

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Making Holistic Living Approachable

By Matthew Solomon Across the country health providers have been steadily incorporating the concept of a holistic lifestyle into their care. It seems everywhere we turn as consumers we are encouraged to pursue this concept of holistic living. But, what does holistic living really mean and how can you introduce such an unusual concept to the population of American seniors? …

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Understanding Veterans Benefits with CarePatrol

Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay, Owner-Certified Senior Advisor It can be frustrating to try to understand all the benefits that our area veterans can receive. Frustration can sometimes lead to the veteran or their family giving up during the process of application. Do not give up! This benefit can truly provide a quality of life to our area senior veterans and their spouses. …

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Prostate Cancer Update

Although some younger men do get prostate cancer, the risk increases with age. More than 70% of all prostate cancer patients are over the age of 65 and about 75% of all men over the age of 80 will have some form of prostate cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. In addition to age, other risk factors include ethnicity, …

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What Causes Ankle Pain When Walking?

The ankle is the most commonly injured joint, according to a 2009 “American Family Physician” article. The repetitive flexion and extension of your ankle during walking can lead to pain and injury — or it can aggravate an existing condition. Ankle pain can be a symptom of an ankle sprain, a stress facture, underlying osteoarthritis, and tendinitis. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory …

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Debunking Your Diet: Coffee

National Coffee Day is coming up on Sept. 29 and enthusiasts are likely to be all a buzz. Before you pour that next cup, have you heard all the health news on your beverage of choice? Some studies give java high marks, while others recommend cutting back. With all that back-and-forth, it can be hard to track the mixed buzz …

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Medical Grade Skin Care vs. Over the Counter

MICHELLE PENNIE, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist September is National Skin Care Awareness Month, and what better time to differentiate between medical grade and over the counter skin care to get you the most out of your investment. Many people are unaware that there are actually any differences in skin care options. Marketing companies, commercials, highly paid celebrity endorsers are all …

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