Sarasota Edition

By Heidi Smith – Contributor When North Port resident Teresa Caracciolo takes the stage to compete in the Women’s Figure competition in Tampa this month, the judges will see a 110-pound science teacher who poses with confidence, her bronze, bikini-clad figure displaying the strenuous weight training and healthy diet required to win. Looking for the slightest flaw in fitness, figure …

Bladder cancer affects nearly 75,000 people in the United States each year. In fact, it is the 5th most prevalent cancer, and it’s unfortunately on the rise. There are several risk factors associated with bladder cancer, although anyone can be affected by its devastating diagnosis. Bladder Cancer Risk Factors • History of smoking (smoking causes a 4-7 time increase in …

Over the past ten years, Ketamine has been studied in patients with severe depression. A rapid instantaneous effect takes place immediately upon the drug being dispensed intravenously. Due to the outcomes, there has been a lot of buzz in the news lately about IV Ketamine therapy for treating treatment-resistant depression as well other mental health disorders such as PTSD, OCD, …

By Federico M. Richter, MD Varicose veins affect millions of people, in fact, one out of two people over the age of 50 have varicose veins, but that’s not to say that younger people can’t develop them. This is especially true for those that are on their feet for long periods. So, how do you prevent varicose veins? Well, let’s …

Did you know that one in four Americans over the age of 65 years old fall each year, and that every 11 seconds a senior is treated in the emergency room for falls? From balance issues, diminished eyesight, arthritis, immobility, to cognitive decline, some conditions make it high-risk and unsafe for seniors living on their own. Trips, slips, and falls …

By Crystal Rothhaar “Love” has wide black eyes, white furry paws, and meows and purrs gently while she is held. The black and white feline brings comfort to older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia related diseases at The Caregiving Place at Senior Friendship Centers. But “Love” is not a real cat, and her name will likely change tomorrow. The robotic …

By Al Roach Until a few years ago (well, more like 30), I never really worried about what I ate. I’m from the south (meat, potatoes, gravy), and I ate food that tasted good. That was the only criteria. Words like “nutritious food” never really entered my mind or my mouth. But once I crossed that half century mark – …

Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy is more than just a pharmacy, it’s your gateway to multiple routes to wellness. The expert staff and owners understand that optimal health begins with the way we treat our bodies and the things we put in it and on it. That is why they are offering a special seminar to discuss the latest beauty trends and …

By Angela Mynatt Monthly pelvic pain, lower back tenderness, and painful intercourse; these are just a few of the symptoms a woman gets when she has Endometriosis. These symptoms come from endometrial tissue that have grown in locations outside of the uterus. Endometriosis affects between 6%-10% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is a very common debilitating disease, and …

By Lisa Johnson, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS, CSCS Endometriosis causes significant pelvic discomfort, incessant cramping, and painful periods. The endometrium is a mucous membrane that lines the uterus. Each month the endometrial tissues and cells normally grow and shed within the uterus during the female reproductive years. When there is an overgrowth of the endometrial tissue, it begins to grow …