Sarasota Edition

What is Epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes people to have recurrent seizures.  A seizure is a brief disruption of electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy is not contagious, not a mental illness and not mental retardation. What Causes Epilepsy? More than half the time, the cause is unknown.  Where a cause can be determined, it is most …

Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to give gratitude to the things that matter most – good health, friends, family & faith. The Thanksgiving table symbolizes all of this, as we show our love through what else, but food.  A vast collection of dishes makes up this anticipated feast: green bean casserole, turkey smothered in gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes to …

By Dr John Rand, D.V.M. Based on various population surveys, somewhere between 1 in 100 and 1 in 500 dogs will develop diabetes mellitus. Dogs most commonly develop diabetes due to an auto-immune destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, the cells responsible for insulin production. After >90% of these cells are gone, the dog will start to show …

By Alex Anderson – Senior Associate Pastor at Bayside Community Church – Henry killed people…for a living. Oh, it was perfectly legal. He worked for the government. His specially trained unit could get in and out almost without a sound. No weapons fired and no sensational acrobatics or choreographed Kung Fu moves, just the silent taking of another human being’s …

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an estimated 12 million adults have been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and many more may be living with the disease without knowing it. While there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments that can effectively ease symptoms, cut the risk of complications, and improve a patient’s quality …

By Lynn Schneider, Park Royal Hospital The development of a drinking problem is rarely an intended goal for a person; nor is it something that creeps up on an individual overnight. Many people will have a glass of wine with a meal or enjoy a cocktail or two in social situations. However, some people take the consumption of alcohol to …

By Steven J. Gibbs, Esq. Hello Friends & Colleagues! I was recently chatting with a colleague who is an outstanding divorce attorney about the “revocation” of a revocable living trust following a divorce.  This reminded me of the different life changes that occur and and how they require changes to your estate plan? By “estate plan” I am talking about …

By Jessica Babare D.O. CardioVascular Solutions Institute – As a doctor who specializes in the treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases, I am often surprised by the number of women I encounter who do not know about the dangers of heart related illnesses or that most American women will die as a consequence of heart disease.  Despite the wealth …

By Eric M. Folkens, M.D., Family Medicine, Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics Have you wondered or possibly been told that you are at risk for developing diabetes or that you have prediabetes? The latest diabetes statistics show that one in three American adults are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  79 million American adults have prediabetes, which …

By Patrick R. Handley, EMS Clinical Coordinator, Florida SouthWestern State College, Charlotte Campus Ebola has been an extremely hot topic in the news during the last month.  The media loves to sensationalize just about every hot topic that enters the forefront of our minds.  Is Ebola another over-sensationalized topic?  Or is there merit to the perceived concerns to this “emerging” …