Sarasota Edition

By Matthew Solomon With cognitive health being such a major epidemic facing Americans, many have begun to wonder how to keep a healthy mind? According to the latest report from the Alzheimer’s Association roughly 5.7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s disease and by the year 2050 that number is expected to rise to 14 million. Even more pressing for millions …

By Joylin Isaacs Shirley – Guest Writer When local women gather this month at the Ninth Annual Women’s Health & Breast Cancer Awareness Open House hosted by Venice Regional Bayfront Health, many will be breast cancer survivors. Survival rates are increasing as early detection and treatment are on the rise. Today, new 3D mammography, also known as digital tomosynthesis, can detect …

Regardless of age, race or family history, all women – and about 1 percent of men – have some level of risk for breast cancer. Primary risk factors include age and gender, along with a number of other factors such as obesity and alcohol use, which can be moderated through healthy lifestyle choices. Can Breast Cancer Be Inherited? Certain types …

Cathleen Yun Ehrlich, ARNP-C We’ve all heard about the damaging effects of the sun’s harmful UV rays, but are we actually paying attention to the details? Here’s what the World Health Organization (WHO) wants the public to know, “Prolonged human exposure to solar UV radiation may result in acute and chronic health effects on the skin, eye and immune system. Sunburn …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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? …

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. …