Charlotte Edition

A cancer diagnosis of any type is frightening, but for women, breast cancer is especially scary. Increasingly, there is good news when it comes to breast cancer. Breast cancer death rates have decreased steadily in the past 20 years, thanks to better screening and early detection, increased awareness, and continuous advancements in treatment options. In fact, there are over 3.8 …

By Heidi Smith, Contributor For people with chronic, severe knee pain, technological advances make robotic-assisted knee replacement a viable option for many patients with arthritic joint conditions. Jacob Pennington, D.O., is an orthopedic surgeon with specialized training in robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery, which he performs at ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte. He also performs surgery at ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda. Q. …

By Dr. David Rice Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States and worldwide. With approximately 9 out of 10 lung cancer diagnoses linked to cigarette smoking, the best way to prevent the disease is to never smoke or quit. Even if you have smoked for years, quitting at any time …

By Dr. Aneley Yegezu Hundae, M.D., FACC Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America in both men and women. For those who suffer from diabetes, the risk of heart disease DOUBLES and is likely to occur at a younger age. Additionally, the risk increases the longer you have diabetes. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to …

On November 17th of this year Gulfcoast South Area Health Education Center (GSAHEC) will celebrate the Great American Smokeout® (GASO), a national holiday hosted by the American Cancer Society that provides an opportunity for people who smoke to commit to healthy, smoke-free lives: not just for a day, but year-round. The Great American Smokeout® also provides an opportunity for individuals, …

By Jessica Guerra, L. Ac, AP Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points on the body. The technique is believed to balance the flow of energy, known as chi. Most Western practitioners view acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. It is believed …

By Amanda Tezyk, APRN, BSN, RN What is blood sugar? Blood sugar, or glucose, is your body’s main energy source. We get glucose from the food we eat, and our blood carries it around to all the cells in the body to give them the energy to function. Glucose mainly comes from the carbohydrates we eat, though our bodies can …

By Afton Patterson Do you suffer from frequent shortness of breath? Do simple things like climbing stairs or grocery shopping leave you wheezing and coughing? If so, you may be one of millions of Americans who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to the CDC, 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, but there are millions more …

By Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D. The Diabetes and Hearing Loss Connection Diabetes can lead to nerve damage that affects many parts of the body, including your hands, feet, eyes, and kidneys. Diabetes can also cause nerve damage in your ears. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Low blood sugar …

Managing diabetes is hard! You are constantly reminded to reduce your sugar intake, monitor your carbs, and prioritize complex carbohydrates over sugary, processed foods. The instructions and guidelines are never ending! You can also experiment with a low glycemic diet, which involves using the glycemic index to create a meal plan using foods that take longer to break down into …