Sarasota Edition

By Dr. Amanda Rizner Oral cancer is a general term for a group of malignant growths that can occur in the mouth or oral cavity and is the most common form of head and neck cancers. It is responsible for about 10,000 deaths each year. Typically, it can affect various parts of the mouth including the lips, tongue, gums, inner …

By Dr. Noël Crosby, Au.D. In a world filled with constant noise and distractions, the significance of maintaining our sensory health often takes a back seat. While hearing loss is commonly associated with aging or exposure to loud environments, recent research has unveiled a surprising connection between hearing loss and heart health. This intricate relationship sheds light on the importance …

By Steven Stein, MD – Board-certified Psychiatrist Depression affects millions of people world-wide, with a significant number experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD) that doesn’t respond to traditional therapies. However, an exciting breakthrough treatment modality known as intranasal esketamine, marketed as Spravato®, has emerged as a promising option for patients battling TRD. This article explores the concept of treatment-resistant depression, its impact …

By Dr. Aneley Yegezu Hundae, M.D., FACC Screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) is crucial for early detection and prevention of heart-related issues. During American Heart Awareness month, it becomes even more significant to shed light on the importance of identifying individuals who should undergo CAD screening and the methods employed in the process. Individuals with risk factors such as …

Love is in the air and if you are looking for a special gift for your sweetheart consider CBD. For couples it should be valentines every day, not just one day of the year. We all get so busy with work and life stresses that we do not often consider what it is doing not only to our relationships but …

By Anne-Marie Chalmers, MD Think fish oil. If your gut reaction is “yuck,” you are in good company. Whether it’s from remembering Grandma’s cod liver oil or taking today’s capsules, many people believe fish oil ought to taste bad. But the truth is that omega-3 supplements shouldn’t taste like yesteryear’s salmon. If your fish oil does, it’s likely rancid. What …

The bariatric surgery journey can be a life changing, rewarding experience. What if a year from today you could look and feel like a new person? Sometimes the hardest part of this journey is the first phone call. Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is the physician and director for Manatee Memorial Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center. His bariatric coordinator, Cate …

By Dr. Steven Bovio Contact lenses have advanced to give patients not only freedom from glasses but in some cases even better vision than glasses. Contact lenses can now correct most astigmatisms, correct presbyopia with multifocal contacts, offer myopic control, improve contrast sensitivity for sports vision, and treat dry eyes and keratoconus with scleral contact lenses. Ocular health always comes …

Howard Young Jr., 36 years old, was born and raised in Sarasota, FL. He recently underwent bariatric surgery with Stelios Rekkas, MD, FACS, FASMBS at Manatee Memorial Hospital. We had the opportunity to sit down with Howard and discuss his experience. A few years ago, I started to gain a lot of weight. I was working all day and creating …

By Dr. Pamela Chapman, The Beauty and Wellness Institute In today’s world, the quest for a healthy weight and reversing metabolic syndrome has become a journey of multifaceted approaches. Combining dietary adjustments, regular exercise, personal accountability, and, when necessary, medical interventions such as GLP-1 medications, individuals are discovering a path towards reclaiming their metabolic health and vitality. Understanding the Metabolic …