Polk/Brandon

Two years ago this very month I found myself in what was seemingly a perpetual series of events that turned our world upside down. It was one of the most difficult times of my life. In a very short span of a couple of weeks I found myself having been …

The Innovation Senior Living family of senior living communities offers an exceptional array of options for Florida residents and their loved ones. Our unique communities stretch across the state. When we envision getting older, many times we picture it in our current homes. While this may work for some, many …

Nursing shortages are at an all-time high across the country. In Polk County, a region that has seen some of the fastest growth in Florida, BayCare hospitals – Bartow Regional Medical Center, Winter Haven Hospital and Winter Haven Women’s Hospital – have strengthened their partnerships with local institutions of higher …

Why do we produce earwax? Why do some people develop more than others? Why? Let’s try to answer some questions. What is earwax? Earwax, known medically as cerumen, is a naturally occurring sticky substance made up of oil and sweat, mixed with dirt and dead skin cells. Earwax is natural …

Brent Myers Have you noticed that Summer has arrived? If you haven’t, just wait, you will. This is how I can usually tell that our wonderful south Florida Summer has come: when I bathe, get dressed, walk outside the house thirty feet to my car and when I get in …

Losing hair presents a dilemma for lots of men. Ignore what’s happening and “live with it” or flounder around for a solution and be constantly on the march to adapt to their head’s ever-shifting geography. Maybe you’ve tried some of these remedies? Shaved your head Got a buzz cut Perfected …

Urinary issues are a common problem among women of all ages. It can be an embarrassing and frustrating issue to deal with, but it is important to know that you are not alone. We spoke with Dr. Kenneth Essig, a urologist with BayCare Medical Group, to better understand the urinary …

by Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS I was looking at some Father’s Day cards the other day in a gift shop when I found myself intrigued by several humorous (corny, really) ones that playfully addressed the topic of hair loss. Here were a few of the messages (I snapped pictures …

The liver is the largest solid internal organ of the body. It cleanses and removes toxins from our blood. The liver performs hundreds of functions in the body. Like any other part of the body, the liver also needs to be taken care of. A healthy liver means a healthy …

I know it’s ironic to quote a famous fast-food chain advertisement in a health and wellness magazine, but on this one – they got it right! They understood one of the most overlooked principles of our health: the need for rest. (How they recommend fulfilling that need, and what many …