HEART HEALTH IS something that we don’t often think about. Especially when we’re young. For Lakeland resident DeWayne Wilson, this all changed in 1999 when he received a life-changing diagnosis. That moment started him on a journey toward something bigger than most people will ever experience.
In 1999, Wilson was a 37-year-old man with no known medical problems and didn’t think much about his health. If asked, he would have said he was in excellent health. What he hadn’t noticed then, was that he had gradually begun to have a little trouble breathing. Nothing major, it was just that tasks that would normally have been easy for him became a little more difficult. He also noticed that he became tired more easily. This continued to build until he finally decided to go to the doctor.
When Wilson visited that Urgent Care doctor, all he knew was he didn’t feel well. He was having a little shortness of breath and had a cough that wouldn’t stop. Thinking it was just a cold, he tried all of the usual, over the counter remedies with very little relief. Prior to going to the doctor, he had become convinced that he had bronchitis. His shortness of breath and cough certainly seem to point in that direction. Not to mention that he was still a young man and, as such, it couldn’t possibly be anything worse than that. With this in mind, Wilson went to the doctor. After the usual examinations and tests, including a chest X-ray, the doctor came to Wilson with a diagnosis that knocked him off his feet. The doctor told Wilson that he had cardiomyopathy.
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When Man's Best Friend Is Also the Best Medicine
The powerful bond between humans and their pets has always been easily recognizable. Still, every year when we put together the Pets & Your Health edition of Central Florida Health News, we find stories of courage and understanding so strong we can’t help but be inspired.
POP QUIZ!
Pet Allergies? Get the Facts on the Best Way to Cope
HEALING PAWS
A Service Canine, A Veteran, and the Journey Back From the Edge
On Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals and Freelancers
If you watch a service animal with their human, there is a higher level of nonverbal communication taking place. The training that enables and facilitates that level of connection often takes years of training.
Cook Up the Good Stuff for Your Pup
You look down at the floor, and the little guy looks back at you, expectantly. The unspoken message transferred from his eyes to yours: “It’s dinnertime, right?”
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and the Eye
Sleep apnea is a common but often undiagnosed disorder that has potentially serious general and eye health consequences. Approximately 25% of men and 10% of women are affected, but unfortunately, 80% of these are undiagnosed. High rates of undiagnosed patients may be due to the fact that the best test, a polysomnography sleep study, is inconvenient for the patients and can be very costly as it requires overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions during sleep while at a sleep center.
SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
Dr. Haight Dispels COVID-19 Myths and Explains Why He Trusts Vaccine
How We ‘Talk' to Our Pets
Did you ever wonder how you can look in your pet’s eyes and know if he or she is sad, mad or glad or wants attention and they can do the same for you? How can that be when there are no spoken words between you? The answer is neuroscience, and you don’t have to be Dr. Doolittle to “talk” with the animals. We sometimes forget humans are part of the animal kingdom, too, with much the same physical organs and emotions.
March Is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County is bringing awareness to the importance of a nutritious, healthy lifestyle.
BATTLING OBESITY
Lakeland Regional Health Unveils New Weight Loss Institute
The Time Is Now
Ethan Wilson looks to lead a talented South Alabama club back to a regional
THE COMPETITION CONTINUES
Every spring, Frank Tiano’s Top Gun Scale Invitational has heralded the beginning of the flying season, offering builders an opportunity to show off their projects in Lakeland, Florida after a winter spent finishing them in their workshops.
ON THE PULSE
Healthcare professionals across the area finish 2020 on a strong note with accomplishments and awards
Giants head West for toughest opponent so far
The Giants will be faced with one of their biggest challenges of the season when they travel to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Although the infamous “12th Man” will be absent in this matchup due to Coronavirus-related restrictions, pulling off a road win in Seattle is still going to be a very tough task for Joe Judge’s team. Now in his ninth season, Wilson is having a spectacular year and is well on his way to winning his first NFL MVP Award. Patrick Graham has the nearly impossible job of figuring out how to contain the Seahawks’ dynamic quarterback. The Giants’ front seven must continue to get in Wilson’s face and not let him escape and make big plays with his legs. They clearly have one of the league’s best offenses, but Seattle’s defense has struggled tremendously this season. Daniel Jones needs to continue to methodically move the ball down the field against this vulnerable Seahawks’ secondary and keep Wilson on the sideline. In order to slow down Wilson, the Giants’ secondary must figure out how to take away his two favorite targets, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Here are TGI’s keys to victory against Seattle:
SMOKE AND SPICE
Making Your Own Smoke Grenades
On the pulse
Our Healthcare Specialists Are Working Harder Than Ever! Don’t Miss Out on All the Exciting Awards and Recognition
PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE
Benjamin Franklin coined the axiom, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Pittsburgh's August Wilson African American Cultural Center
LOCATED IN THE HEART of downtown Pittsburgh, on Liberty Avenue close to Union Station and the David Lawrence Convention Center, the sleek and elegant but unpretentious August Wilson African American Cultural Center (awaacc) cannot fail to capture the eye and the imagination of anybody who is visiting Pittsburgh or, for that matter, of anybody who lives in the city.
Mission accomplished
Skye Halliday Wilson moves ahead full steam as she realizes her dream of becoming a fitness trainer.
REBEL: SHE'S GOT GOALS!
FROM 233 TO 183 LBS!