Sarasota Edition

By Saligrama Bhat, MD, FACP, FCCP, Member AASM – What is COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that can limit your airflow. When some people hear “COPD,” they are not sure what to think. It may be confusing because Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is only one of a group of closely related chronic lung diseases. COPD …

By Frank D. DeMarco – In my last article published  in December 2013, I wrote of the new healthcare law which has been implemented and is now effective as of January 1, 2014. As the result of that article I received a great deal of negative comments from  readers.  The negative comments included we are becoming a socialistic nation, it …

February 23-March 1 is designated as National Eating Disorder Week to shed light on the seriousness of eating disorders and improve education about the warning signs and how to help those struggling.  Education and direction to resources can lead to earlier detection, intervention, and help. Anorexia and Bulimia are two of the most common eating disorders and have been researched …

By Pamela Rose Williams – Valentine’s Day is all about love. I remember it was something that we celebrated as young children. We would get “valentines” (little love note cards) and sign our name to the back and then distribute them to all of our classmates. It was at times special and awkward to receive a valentine from a secret …

By Jessica Babare, DO, CardioVascular Solutions Institute – It’s a New Year and with it comes, what else, New Year’s resolutions!  As a cardiologist, my patients often want to know what they can do to help live better lives and have healthier bodies.  From my perspective, leading a healthy life, and staying out of the cardiologist’s office, for that matter, …

By Dwight Fitch, MD – While many questions in life are debatable, some things, like the link between nutrition and cancer or the pure awesomeness of The Incredible Hulk (who is reportedly a HUGE broccoli fan) can’t be argued. To understand the link, one must first understand what cancer is. It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the …

By Eric M. Folkens, M.D., Family Medicine, Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch/Sarasota Urgent Care Walk-In Clinics When it’s after November and you see signs and banners in your community that advertise, “Get Your Flu Vaccine Here,” you might think, “Isn’t it too late for that?” The answer is no! Flu season typically peaks in February and can last as late as May. The …

By Virginia L. Phillips – With approximately 210,000 Americans dying annually of this disease, diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in this country. And with almost 21 million Americans suffering from diabetes, chances are you know someone with this debilitating disease. We do. It’s our stepson, Jeff. He was diagnosed on his 21st birthday (not much …

By Kendra Cherry  – The start of a New Year is the perfect time to turn a new page, which is probably why so many people create New Year’s Resolutions. A new year often feels like a fresh start, a great opportunity to eliminate bad habits and establish new routines that will help you grow psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically or …

Common destructive behaviors that sabotage your efforts to feel better By Lizz Pugh, LMT – Patients invest deeply in themselves, both in time and finances, by seeing a supportive and knowledgeable bodywork team. Whether it’s a neuromuscular therapist and rehab specialist, chiropractor, or physical therapist, there’s a significant portion of time they are not under direct supervision. Often this is …