We at the Polk County Medical Association aim to do our part to raise awareness for a variety of timely health-related topics, so we’ve highlighted some local uses of animal-assisted therapy in this edition of Central Florida Health News.
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Skin Cancer Screening a Necessity For Floridians
HEALTHY SKIN - It should come as no big surprise that simply living in Florida puts you at an increased risk for skin cancer. The reason for this is simple: The biggest cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV light) from the sun.
Youths and Suicide: Spot the Warning Signs
Many health experts have noted that the pandemic has wreaked havoc on mental health as of late. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to focus on how to help those who are suffering.
The Age of Entitlement
BODY, MIND & SPIRIT - Every generation has voiced some form of critical opinions of youth. The old term “whippersnapper” labeled an overconfident or defiant adolescent. Today’s buzzword is “entitled,” and while blaming this on social media is convenient, it is not realistic.
Robotics Help Refine Hip, Knee Replacement
ORTHOPAEDIC HEALTH - As we move further into the 21st century, more and more of the amazing things that science fiction promised us are becoming reality. One fascinating technological development is the use of robots in a variety of applications – including orthopaedic surgery. There are many reasons to utilize robots in various medical procedures, and the evidence is growing that the advantages of doing so are numerous.
Packing a Nutritious School Lunch May Call for Some Stealth
We want our families to have a healthy diet, especially the youngsters going back to school. We give them a good breakfast and plan a nutritious dinner, but what about lunch? We can pack a healthy lunch for our children, but will they eat it?
Protect Yourself, Your Family From The Flu
Polk County schools are back in session which means your child is likely encountering many viruses every day. To protect their health and that of your family, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County encourages people 6 months of age and older to seek a flu shot on a yearly basis. The flu shot is the best way to protect families and communities against the spread of influenza.
NEW DOCTORS IN A NEW ERA
Pandemic Offers Unique Education for Medical Residents Starting Their Careers
DETERMINATION & DREAMS
Polk State Respiratory Care Student Works Hard To Reach Her Goals
Happiness Happens… In the Sun!
HEALTHY AGING
DEEP DIVE INTO THE DELTA VARIANT
Lakeland Regional Health’s Dr. Haight Talks About the Latest Threat
Pet Besties
Meet the winners of our first America’s Best Pet Pals contest. Warm fuzzies guaranteed!
TIPS TO HELP Pets WITH Separation Anxiety
After more than a year of quarantining and bonding with their pet parents during the pandemic, many pets are now experiencing separation anxiety as Americans spend less time at home. Whether pet parents are planning to return to the office or go on a summer vacation, Crista Coppola, Ph.D., PetSmart’s consulting Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), says that identifying and managing separation anxiety in pets can go a long way to easing the transition back to regular activities for pets and pet parents alike.
Camping With Your Dog
Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.
Notes for new breeders
Experienced breeders will tell you that there are a number of things they wish someone had told them before they had their first litter. This article will share a few of those items with you in the hope that it will encourage you to read more and ask more questions.
My Special Cat
Most of us have had that special cat—a heart cat with whom we had a deep connection. It may have been the cat we had as a child, or the one that saw us through a troubled time, or one with whom we bonded as we exhibited at cat shows. Whether the cat found us or we sought it out, those connections cannot be denied. These are the stories of some of those special cats and what they mean or meant to us.
WHO'S a good business model? It's YOU! Yes it is! You're SUCH a good business model! Yes you are!
Locked-down Americans are pampering their pets like never before, and Chewy is reaping the benefits
Click - Getting Great Shots of your Cat with a Smartphone
So you want to enter one of the many virtual competitions popping up around the internet but don’t have professional photos or video of your cat. Fear not! If you have a smartphone, you have a camera and can get what you need. Here are a few tips to help.
Choosing the Right Cat Tree
Whether you have your first cat or your tenth, keeping your cat healthy and your furniture undamaged means you will need to get a scratching post (or cat “tree”). These come in many shapes and sizes and they’re built using a variety of materials. Different construction techniques are also used, some being better than others. This gives you lots to choose from. So, choosing the right tree for your cat can take some thought.
A Fish Named Dog
I locked eyes with the fish as I tapped flakes of food into his tank. He stared blankly at me through the glass. Not exactly my idea of a perfect pet.
Welcome to the world that is Life With Patrick
For those of you who do not know them, let me introduce you to the cast of characters: