Primary Care
The older you get, the more likely you are to be injured in a fall that could rob you of your independence. Each year, an estimated 1 in 4 seniors falls, often with serious consequences, like fractured bones. With that in mind, you might want to take steps to reduce your risk of falling. These tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts can help. Make your home safer Since many falls happen at home, start your prevention efforts there. For example, you can: •...
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4/21/2025 1:03:00 PM
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Exercise is something you should keep on doing as you get older for its many rewards. Among them: Exercising helps thwart some chronic diseases and cancers while helping you stay active and independent longer. While it's great to exercise outdoors, there may be days when the weather's gloomy or you prefer to stay indoors. That's when you might want to give these ideas a try: Take some laps indoors. Walking is aerobic exercise, the type that improves stamina, heart health and more. If you have ac...
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12/26/2024 2:47:00 PM
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If you have a sore throat, you may decide to see your health care provider to determine whether you have strep throat, a condition that can be very uncomfortable. Strep throat is caused by the bacteria group A streptococcus. It's a generally mild disease that infects the throat and tonsils. When an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, they spread strep-containing droplets into the air. You may breathe them in or touch your mouth or nose after touching an infected surface or object. If you'r...
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6/24/2024 10:20:00 AM
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Watson Clinic is pleased to welcome three recent additions to our team of expert primary care specialists. These physicians currently offer open appointment availability. Kristina Hair, DO is a board-certified Family Medicine specialist at the Watson Clinic Bartow Building A location at 2250 Osprey Blvd., Suite 100 in Bartow. Dr. Hair earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, TN, and completed her Family Medicine r...
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11/21/2023 12:46:00 PM
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For many of us, having a bad case of the flu can be a miserable experience. But sometimes the flu can be more than just an annoying sickness. It can be downright dangerous. How the flu can be severe Although it takes a few days to a week or two, most people recover from the flu, which is a viral respiratory infection. But some people develop severe and potentially life-threatening complications, like pneumonia. The flu can also lead to dehydration. And it can make other health problems a person ...
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8/25/2023 1:26:00 PM
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Salt gives many foods a boost of flavor, but there's a catch. Salt has sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure—a major cause of heart disease and stroke. You can take steps to help keep your blood pressure down. The first step is to avoid salting foods when preparing or eating them. You'll also want to reduce your intake of sodium overall, most of which comes from other foods besides table salt. That doesn't mean settling for bland foods. Check out these tips: Add zing with her...
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2/27/2023 10:43:00 AM
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A new year brings new opportunities. For many, it's a chance to improve some aspect of our daily lives and perhaps discover a little more joy. Maybe starting fresh appeals to you. If so, here are some ideas you may be inspired to try. Declutter your space and your mind Like most people, you've accumulated stuff that no longer serves you or brings you joy. From unworn clothes to stacks of magazines, letting go of excess things does more than just tidy up your space. It may boost your mental well-...
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1/25/2023 3:03:00 PM
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Stopping your blood pressure from climbing too high is one of the healthiest things you can do for many reasons—including that it may help lower your risk for having a stroke or developing dementia. Over time, untreated high blood pressure can damage blood vessels in the brain, making it more likely that they will: • Become narrowed and clogged, which reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. • Rupture or burst. Both of these changes to the blood vessels can lead to s...
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6/25/2021 1:34:00 PM
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Do you typically only schedule an appointment with a primary care provider when you're sick? If so, you're missing out. That's because seeing your provider when you feel healthy is one of the best ways to actually stay healthy. Why? Because these visits are a chance for your provider to make sure you're up-to-date on your screening tests and vaccines. That matters because screening tests can help find diseases early —from diabetes to certain cancers— when they're often easier to tr...
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11/18/2020 3:22:00 PM
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When it comes to setting your healthcare priorities, these screenings should be at the top of your list. That's because these tests can detect potential issues at their earliest stages when they are most treatable. You should ask your primary care provider about these screenings, and scheduling a regimen that works for you particular needs. Women Breast cancer. An annual mammogram should begin at age 40, or maybe even earlier depending upon individual risks and family history. Cervical cancer. P...
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7/26/2019 1:03:00 PM
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Georgette D. Farmer, ARNP-C assists patients of internal medicine specialist Dr. Stephen Swengros from Watson Clinic Highlands at 2300 E. County Road 540A in south Lakeland. Working together, these highly experienced medical providers offer a range of general primary care services, preventative screenings, and fast and comforting treatments for sick visits. They also honor same day appointments for established patients when a minor illness or injury demands more immediate attention. This service...
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5/22/2018 11:04:00 AM
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Soon it will be the time of year when kids are heading off to college. Even before they hit the books, though, there are lessons to be learned. Here are five things to teach your college student before he or she leaves home: 1 . Get help for depression . Starting college is exciting, but some kids may get homesick, struggle to make friends and face difficult classwork. Remind your son or daughter that it's common to feel down occasionally. But if those feelings are ongoing or make it hard to fun...
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7/20/2015 3:41:00 PM
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Every good reason to work—pride, passion, camaraderie, money, personal
growth—also is a great reason to keep yourself healthy and safe on the job.
Here are 5 tried-and-true ways to reduce your risk of common workplace
injuries and illnesses:
1. Fight colds and the flu. To help stop the spread of germs at work:
• Sneeze and cough into a tissue; then throw the tissue away.
• Wash your hands often, or use gel or disposable wipes that sanitize
the hands.
• ...
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4/15/2015 5:13:00 PM
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Did you hear the story about the fake noodles?
Apparently, they were im-pastas.
Hopefully, you just chuckled a bit—even if you did roll your eyes! If so, you may have done your health a favor. Research suggests that laughter is good for you. It may improve blood flow to the heart, boost your immune system and trigger the release of feel-good chemicals that can temporarily relieve pain. A hearty laugh can lessen physical tension and stress, and gentle humor can often help defuse a ten...
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4/15/2015 11:09:00 AM
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