December 2021 Central Florida Health News

tude of excited Jollibee patrons waiting to get their hands on their Jollibee favorites, but also first-timers waiting to have their own Jollibee experience," said Jose Miñana, Jollibee Foods Corporation's Group President for North America.

volume 11 | issue 9 |december 2021 FREE

"There's no greater joy for us than serving the needs and tastes of Jollibee fans in the community. At Jollibee, we aim to bring families together for happy moments over great tasting food with superior value, served with warm and friendly service –our own brand of joy." The brand has become a symbol of nostalgia and warm childhood memories for many overseas Filipinos in the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the go-to restaurant of Filipinos for both special

Health BEAUTY

get to try Jollibee's signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menufavorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which is made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and a flaky golden brown crust.

largest Asian restaurant company, is now open in Jacksonville. This is the 36th store in the US, as well as the first in the state and Southeast US. It opened to the public on March 18, 2017. Jacksonville is the most populous city in the Sunshine State, as well as home to the largest FilipinoAmerican community in Florida. The longawaited arrival of Jollibee in the city has

THE ENDORSED PUBLICATION OF THE POLK COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

8 9 10 20

Pop Quiz!

Looking your best is an important consideration for most people, and the options for skincare and beauty products are endless. However, you may be sabotaging your own efforts to look and feel your best by committing common skincare and beauty mistakes. Take our pop quiz to find out if you’re hurting rather than helping your skin.

Know Your Status

With World AIDS Day taking place on December 1, this is a good time to talk about HIV/AIDS prevention. Most of us already are aware of the dangers of this infectious disease. What most people may not realize is how common HIV actually is. The good news is that there is now a medication available that greatly decreases the risk of contracting HIV.

Game-Changing Grins

Have you ever wondered about the best ways to improve your smile? If you have, you’re not alone. More than one-third of American adults are unhappy with their smiles. Whether you want to get rid of stains, fill in a gap, fix a broken tooth or whiten your smile, you have options!

Surviving the Season

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us once more. As wonderful as it is to head back to the holiday celebrations after so long apart due to the pandemic, there is always the possibility that all the social engagements can begin to feel overwhelming. With that in mind, check out our top 10 tips to keep your stress levels down and enjoy the season.

On the Cover

and sustainable sourcing, local and Chefs and consumers both want their meat to taste delicious and to feel good about its’ consumption, too. This new breed of steakhouse broadcasts its mission to support local ranchers, factor in sustainability and animal welfare, and create

signature menu items such as the world famous Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately breaded to be crispylicious on the outside and juicylicious inside. The well-loved Jolly Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids and kids-at-heart because of its signature sweetstyle sauce, loaded with chunky slices of savory ham, ground meat, and hotdog. Other classic menufavorites include the juicy and cheesy Jolly Hotdog, and the Peach Mango Pie, which is made with real Philippine sweet mangoes and flaky golden brown crust. choice of sides. Moreover, new menu categories (such as flatbreads) and service elements freshen the concept. About the Report 2017 Forecast: Culinary Trend Tracking Series offers an outlook on the culinary trends—the foods, dishes, ingredients and flavors—that Packaged Facts expects to grow in popularity in 2017. Rockville, MD When it comes to American cuisine, there are few things more iconic than steakhouses. The slabs of marbled meat, the sizzling grills, the oozing butter, and the dripping bravado, maybe even a cowboy hat or two for ambiance—it's enough to make even fictional steakophile Ron Swanson misty-eyed. Yet for all the traditional steak dinners ordered daily, there are restaurants nationwide pushing the concept of the all-American steakhouse to new culinary heights, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in the brand new report 2017 Forecast: Culinary Trend Tracking Series. "The steakhouse is back and will capture our attention in 2017. Not that the classic restaurant style ever disappeared, but renewal of the model is taking place in response to new sources of beef and new flavorful expressions of the concept that get chefs and diners excited," says David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts. Today's steakhouse menus increasingly feature grass-fed cattle, locally raised animals, heritage varieties, meat butchered and dry aged in-house, and dishes that stem from the whole animal, not just the premium cuts. And that's just the meat. Creative side dishes in lieu of old standards, global and seasonal flavors, and wider menu selection also distinguish these new school operations.

dining experience that showcases culinary flair, not just a grill master's skill at cooking steak to the requested doneness. These operations are also designed to be more inclusive, more of great place for all kinds of people to dine well, not just traditionminded men on expense accounts. As result, the modern steakhouse increasingly similar to other modern restaurants with focus on distinctive 2017 forecast: Steakhouses beef up menus with new twists on American classics See STEAKHOUSE page 11 THE FACECHANGING OF AGING Dr. Kazmier CombinationDiscussesTreatments WORLD AIDS DAY HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Have Come a Long Way

How we look and present ourselves to others can have a significant impact on our mental health and how we feel. Watson Clinic’s Dr. Faeza Kazmier understands this quite well. Her goal as a physician who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery is to help patients feel their best by looking their best. Learn more as Kazmier talks about recent developments. Page 14

Health BEAUTY EDITION SURVIVING THE SEASON Tips to Manage the Holiday Hustle, Bustle and Stress INSIDE! Find your free copy of the 2022 Central Florida Physicians Directory and Medical Providers Guide inside this edition!

GAME-CHANGING GRINS You Don’t Have to Settle For a Less-Than-Stellar Smile

Doctors 4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 5 PCMA LETTER 6 MEDICAL ADVICE 10 HEART HEALTH 15 HEALTHY AGING 16 CALENDAR

18 HEALTHY COOK 19 ADVENTHEALTH 21 BODY, MIND & SPIRIT 21 HEALTHY SKIN 23 EDITOR’S DOSE TRUST US WITH YOUR Vision

Eyelid Lifts Retina LASIK Eye Exams Glaucoma Cataracts

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7 Priority Health Issues Identified

NELSON KIRKLAND, PUBLISHER nelson@centralfloridamediagroup.com

As most of us already know, healthcare communities are all connected and interwoven. Whether at the state, city or community level, the collecting and sharing of information are not only necessary but also critical so that we move forward and address the changing needs of the population. The Florida Department of Health recently announced the selection of seven health issues identified as high priorities for our state.

They include:

• Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias

• Mental wellbeing and substance abuse prevention (Adverse Childhood Experiences, adolescent/young adult mental health issues, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, mental health issues, and Substance Use Disorder)

• Chronic diseases and conditions (Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, respiratory/lung disease, obesity, and chronic disease risk and prevention)

• Transmissible and Emerging Diseases (HIV/AIDS, STDs, immunizations, and emerging infectious diseases)

• Injury, safety, and violence (Child injury prevention, Adverse Childhood Experiences, suicide, crime and domestic violence, human trafficking, human trafficking, motor vehicle mortality, and unintentional injuries)

• Maternal and Child Health (Maternal morbidity/mortality, congenital syphilis, infant mortality, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)

• Social and Economic Conditions Impacting Health (Economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and the built environment, social and community context, and emergency preparedness and response)

Those issues will be the focus of the 2022-2026 State Health Improvement Plan. The plan will guide broad state goals and objectives, which organizations can then adopt.

In conjunction with the seven priorities, the 2021 State Health Assessment Data Book also was released and provides a slew of data — literally 229 pages’ worth — that will help in the creation of the goals.

You can learn more about the data and plan creation at https:// bit.ly/3nmQBoj.

Central Florida Health News is particularly interested in the data because it helps us determine the issues of utmost importance to you and enables us to better tailor our topics so they are relevant and timely.

As always, thank you for reading and God bless! HN

PUBLISHER

Nelson Kirkland

MANAGING EDITOR

Jessica McDonald

PROJECT MANAGER

David Kiessling

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Juanita Halter

DIGITAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Alexis Duncan

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Erika Aldrich, Mary Joye, LMHC , Teresa Schiffer, Carol Corley, Dr. Joy Jackson, Pamela Palongue, Matt Cobble

CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS

Ritu Aparajita, MD; Dr. Alex Kennon, MD; Dr. Selina Lin; Eric Marquez-Guerra, MD

CONTRIBUTING ARTIST

Dawn Lewandowski DELIVERY DLS

POLK COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

4315 Highland Park Blvd, Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

863-644-4051

2021 OFFICERS

JAMES J. BOOKER, MD President

GEORGE LYLE, MD Secretary

STUART PATTERSON, MD Treasurer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

RALPH NOBO, JR., MD, Chair

GEORGE LYLE, MD

STUART PATTERSON, MD

GARY SCHEMMER, MD

SERGIO SEOANE, MD

ARVIND SONI, MD

Wishing You the Happiest of Holidays

Regardless of which holiday you celebrate, the season always brings a hodgepodge of emotions, from excitement to stress to anticipation and maybe even fatigue. We all want to look our best at gatherings. For some that could mean a fresh shave, for others it may mean it’s time to whiten that smile.

Our Health and Beauty Edition of Central Florida Health News has a little something for everyone.

We talked to Watson Clinic cosmetic specialist Dr. Faeza Kazmier about the various tools from dermal fillers to lasers that she uses to minimize signs of aging in skin. She also talked to us about her philosophy on cosmetic procedures.

Inside, you’ll find articles on all the tools available to make your smile shine bright for the holidays, as well as some great advice on the foods

Sincerely,

James J. Booker, MD

James J. Booker, MD Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Winter Haven President, Polk County Medical Association

MEMBER BENEFITS

✱ Physician referrals

✱ Medical malpractice discounts with The Doctors Company

✱ Ongoing relevant communication

✱ Access to CME Programs

✱ Workers compensation insurance benefits

✱ Complimentary Socials/dinners

that pamper your skin from the inside out. For example, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are great for keeping skin supple, and honey and almonds make for excellent nourishment when used as a mask on the skin.

While we’re talking about skin, are you sure your skincare routine isn’t doing more harm than good? Take a peek at our quiz to see just how well you score!

If the holidays lean more toward chaotic and overwhelming for you, check out our tips for surviving the season

On behalf of the Polk County Medical Association, we hope you have happy and healthy holidays! HN

Some of the benefits of a PCMA membership include the following:

✱ Physician referrals

✱ Medical malpractice discounts with The Doctors Company

✱ Ongoing relevant communication

✱ Access to CME Programs

✱ Workers compensation insurance benefits

✱ Complimentary Socials/ dinners

✱ Strong PCMA physician representation in Central Florida Health News and Central Florida Doctor publications

✱ Listing advantages in the annual Central Florida Physicians Directory & Medical Providers Guide

✱ Physician and medicine advocacy at all legislative levels.

If you’d like more information about becoming a PCMA member or need to check your membership status for renewal, contact our Executive Director Jackie Courtney at (863) 644-4051 or email director@ polkcountydoctors.com.

JACKIE

COURTNEY

Executive Director

4315 Highland Park Blvd Suite B

Lakeland, Florida 33813

MEMBER BENEFITS

✱ Strong PCMA physician representation in Central Florida Health News and Central Florida Doctor publications

✱ Listing advantages in the annual Central Florida Physicians Directory & Medical Providers Guide

✱ Physician and medicine advocacy at all legislative levels

Mind Your Mental Health During the Holidays

by DR. JOY JACKSON

Behavioral health, including mental health, was found to be the top health concern for Polk County residents in a 2020 Community Health Assessment. This assessment was performed by the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in collaboration with multiple community partners. During this assessment, secondary data was analyzed, and information was collected, including the opinions of community members, community stakeholders and key informants. This information was then used to identify priority health issues for Polk. The 2020 Community Health Assessment revealed that behavioral health concerns, including mental health and substance abuse, was the most important health issue for Polk residents. There are many factors that can influence someone’s mental health state. Being aware of these factors and addressing their effects is a vital part of being healthy.

Recognizing mental health needs can be difficult. Some things to look out for are feelings of irritation, anger, uncertainty,

nervousness, anxiety, helplessness, powerlessness, tiredness, sadness, being overwhelmed, burned out, depressed, having trouble sleeping or concentrating, or lacking motivation. If you are experiencing any of these concerns, counseling may help. We encourage you to seek mental health counseling in your local community.

Mental health issues were a concern for Polk County residents prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but stressors introduced during the pandemic have given cause to worsen the mental health condition of many Polk residents. Mental health stressors introduced during the pandemic include but are not limited to the loss of loved ones, financial implications, worrying about personal and family health, uncertainty about the future, and isolation. These stressors can cause or worsen existing mental health issues including anxiety or depression.

If you are feeling this way you are not alone, there are resources available to you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has several recommendations that can help

you cope with stress during the pandemic:

• Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories.

• Take care of your body – practice breathing exercises, stretch, meditate, eat healthy meals, exercise regularly, get adequate sleep, avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse, continue routine preventative measures, and get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine.

• Make time to unwind.

• Connect with others.

During the past year and nine months, we have been faced with an ever-evolving crisis. Many of us have had to make decisions under significant stress not knowing what the outcome will be. Experiencing mental health issues is normal and you do not have to go through it alone. Seek help and build resilience! If you are in a crisis, you can get immediate help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK

(8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish. HN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Joy Jackson, an internal medicine physician, serves the community as director of the Florida department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk). For more information about DOH-Polk, visit mypolkhealth.org. Follow DOH-Polk on Twitter at twitter.com/FLHealthPolk.

Gala The

PRESENTED BY:

On behalf of the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, we would like to express our gratitude to the 2021 Gala sponsors.

Proceeds raised from the 2021 Gala will be utilized locally to establish an American Psychological Association accredited training program for Doctoral-level clinical Psychologists in Winter Haven.

Thank you again for your continued leadership and investment in this important community initiative which is of such value to Winter Haven Hospital and the patients we serve.

Platinum Sponsors

Auction Sponsors

Special Thanks

For more information on how you can help take health care in Polk County to the next level of excellence, please call the Winter Haven Hospital Foundation at (863) 291-6732.

Cindy Alexander, Vicki Arrington, Beth Dial, Christine Ingram, International Diamond Center, Obsessive Geek - Clyde Bielss, Marie Mixon, Lynn Oakley and Carylene Walker

POP QUIZ!

Are You

Sabotaging Your Skin?

Looking your best is an important consideration for most people, and the options for skincare and beauty products are endless. However, you may be sabotaging your own efforts to look and feel your best by committing common skincare and beauty mistakes. Take our pop quiz on the most common beauty and skin missteps to make sure you’re always putting your best face forward.

1. Which of the following should you be doing to help keep your smile white and your teeth protected?

A. Don’t brush your teeth for at least an hour after drinking coffee. Brush before drinking coffee.

B. Drink a sip of water after taking a drink of wine to protect your teeth from the drying effects of alcohol.

C. See your dentist regularly for cleaning and checkups.

D. All of the above

2. True or false?

A broad-spectrum 30 SPF sunscreen to fight the damaging effects of Ultraviolet (UV) rays — which include both premature aging and skin cancers—is needed on sunny days only, but not days that are cloudy or cold.

3. In which of the following ways does smoking affect your skin?

A. It reduces blood flow to your skin, reducing oxygen and nutrients.

B. It damages the collagen and elastin proteins that give your skin structure.

C. It makes skin thin, dull, more wrinkled and less able to heal.

D. All of the above

4. Which types of foods are good for your skin?

A. Foods high in sugar, like candy and desserts

B. Foods high in refined carbs, like bread and pasta

C. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains

D. Proteins

5. True or false?

Rather than treat blemishes with a product containing 2.5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid, the best course of action is to attempt to pop zits and pimples.

6. Which of the following ingredients should you NOT avoid in your skincare products?

A. Alcohol

B. Moisturizers

D. Perfumes and fragrances

E. None of the above

C. Abrasive ingredients

7. Which of the following is the best way to deal with dry, flaky skin?

A. Exfoliating to slough away loose patches of skin

B. Hydrating skin with fragrance-free lotions and creams containing moisturizers like glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum, and butters like cocoa and shea

C. Applying a product with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid

D. None of the above

8. What should your bedtime skincare look like?

A. There is no need to do anything with your skin before going to bed.

B. Clean the dirt, oil and pollution buildup that leads to inflammation and breakouts with a gentle cleanser with moisturizers like glycerin or botanical oils.

C. Scrub with an exfoliant.

D. Use many different types of astringents, cleansers, toners, serums and other skincare products.

9. True or false?

Dermatologists say the only skin essentials needed are a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, and a broadspectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher; and that serums are pricey with unproven benefits, toners may lead to dry and irritated skin, and products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can irritate skin.

10. Which of the following is the best resource for concerns about your skin?

A. A dermatologist C. Skincare product websites

B. Friends and family D. Online advice

sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is always needed.3.

provided by WebMD

Know Your Status

Medications for HIV Have Come a Long Way

by TERESA SCHIFFER sponsored by Central Florida Health Care

With World AIDS Day taking place on December 1, this is a good time to talk about HIV/AIDS prevention. Most of us already are aware of the dangers of this infectious disease, and that it is transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids, such as what occurs during sexual activity or intravenous drug use. What most people may not realize is how common HIV actually is.

Current statistics place the number of HIV cases in the U.S. at about 1.2 million, with roughly 13 percent of those individuals unaware of their status. This is why the CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be screened for HIV at least once in their lives. For that reason, HIV testing has become a standard of care at Central Florida Health Care. All patients are screened for the virus.

Doctors urge people who are at higher risk to be tested annually. This includes those individuals who have more than one sexual partner, and those who are gay or bisexual, especially men who have sex with other men. Illicit injection drug use also puts one at an increased risk of exposure.

The good news is that there is now a medication available that greatly decreases the risk of contracting HIV. Prescription PrEP is a pill that when taken once daily is about 99 percent effective at preventing HIV transmission. It does not protect against other types of STDs, so condom usage is still encouraged. PrEP is recommended for anyone who is at risk or who has a partner whom they feel they cannot fully trust.

Linda Gellatly is a registered nurse practitioner at Central Florida Health Care who specializes in treating HIV, hepatitis and other STDs. She describes some of the treatments available at the clinic for HIV-positive patients, including medical management.

“The medication has improved tremendously, even in the last 10 years. The medication has become extremely tolarable and most patients are on one pill once a day. Last year, an injectable HIV medication was approved, where they only have to come into the clinic once a month for injections for their HIV treatment, and no longer have to take a pill, if they qualify,” Gallatly explains.

Other injectable treatments are in the works

from pharmaceutical companies, including one that would be necessary only every six months. It is currently undergoing clinical trials and is expected to be on the market within the next two years.

It’s important for HIV patients to remember that it is vital that they follow their doctor’s instructions as to taking their medication. When not taken properly, a patient can become resistant to these drugs. Once drug resistance occurs to a particular medication, that drug will never be effective for that patient again and they may have to adhere to a schedule of taking several medications instead of just one pill a day. Fortunately, HIV/AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was. Most patients now have a normal life expectancy with no decrease in their quality of life. HIV-positive women are even able to give birth to healthy, noninfected babies. The key to these successes, however, is knowing one’s status and taking the proper steps to prevent transmission and manage the disease.

Meet Our Doctor

The Connection Between Lifestyle, Vascular Disease

Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon and has been serving the Polk County community for the past 1 year. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at University of Delhi, India. She then completed a research fellowship in vascular surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York and a residency in General Surgery at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, she completed her fellowship training in Vascular Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey.

Dr. Aparajita is also a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK (MRCS Ed) and completed her Basic Surgical Training in England soon after her medical school.

Dr. Aparajita is the co-author of more than two dozen journal articles, publications and oral presentations, including topics such as endovascular treatment for thrombosis, aortic aneurysm repair, stroke, peripheral artery disease and other vascular conditions.

Icannot really believe that the holidays are upon us already. This year has been a unique one with another surge of Covid, and its usual mix of pain and pleasure. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the role of lifestyle in the management of vascular disease, which can lend a sense of control in its otherwise relentless, progressive course. The holidays are the best time to take a step back from our usual routine, examine our habits and perhaps bring about a change for the better.

1. Smoking 3. Diabetes

2. Weight Reduction

Additional posts and volunteer work include a teaching position at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and as a Member of the Public and Professional Outreach Committee as well as the International Relations Committee at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS).

Smoking

5. Exercise

4. Hypertension 6. Hyperlipidemia

Dr. Aparajita was recently nominated for the American Medical Association (AMA) Inspiration Award that recognizes physicians who have contributed to the achievements of women in the medical profession.

Specialty: Vascular & Endovascular Surgery

Joining KSC Cardiology November 9, 2020

Smoking is a #1 preventable cause of death in the United States. Its effect on heart attacks, peripheral vascular disease and strokes is due to the damage it causes to the arteries. The two chemicals in cigarettes that caused the most damage are nicotine and carbon monoxide. Besides being addictive, nicotine is a stimulant and speeds up the heart about 20 bpm with every cigarette. It raises blood pressure and is a vasoconstrictor, which means it makes arteries all over the body become narrower. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the narrowed arteries and it causes the body to release its stores of fat and cholesterol into the blood.

Smoking accelerates the hardening and narrowing process in your arteries; it starts earlier and blood clots are 2-4 times more likely because of the associated thickening of the blood. Smoking lowers your level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol “good cholesterol” and raises your level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol “bad cholesterol.” It slows down the movement of cholesterol throughout the body and contributes to its accumulation in your arteries. This puts you at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke and limb loss.

Cigarette smoking increases risk of blood clots significantly. If the blood clots in an artery and blood can no longer get through, the tissue that is supposed to be supplied with blood has lost the source of its oxygen and nutrients and dies in minutes. This can result in heart attacks, strokes and gangrene of the leg.

Effects on the Brain

Smoking increases the risk of stroke by narrowing the arteries in the brain and the carotid arteries in the neck that lead to the brain. In addition, the vessels to the brain can become blocked by a clog or blood clot, which can lead to collapse, stroke and paralysis. If the blood vessels are compeltely blocked to part of the brain, that part will die. Patients may lose the ability to speak, walk or move normally, or, depending on the part of the brain affected, the stroke may be fatal.

Game-Changing Grins

Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.

• 20 Minutes - Your heart rate drops.

• 12 Hours - Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

• 2 Weeks to 3 Months - Your heart attack risk begins to dropand your lung function begins to improve.

• 1 to 9 Months - Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

• 1 Year - Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

• 5 Years - Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.

• 10 Years - Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

• 15 Years - Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.

Smoking & Aneurysms

Prior studies have found that smoking can have a dnagerous effect on aneurysms. Smokerswere more likely to develop aneurysms than non-smokers, and these aneurysms were more likely to supture. When these enlarged blood vessels rupture, internal bleeding can occur. This bleeding can be fatal.

You Don’t Have to Settle for a Less-ThanStellar Smile

by PAMELA PALONGUE

Have you ever wondered about the possibility of improving your smile? If you have, you’re not alone. More than one-third of American adults are unhappy with their smile, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. But who is a candidate for cosmetic dentistry? And what are the realistic expectations of it?

Whether you want to get rid of stains, fill in a gap, fix a broken tooth or whiten your smile, you have options! The practice of dentistry is constantly evolving, and there are many options for improving one of your most important features.

Teeth Whitening

One of the most popular procedures (and least invasive) is the process of teeth whitening or bleaching. Teeth become more yellow as they age, and sometimes teeth can become discolored at younger ages from stains resulting from frequent coffee and tea drinking, and cigarette smoking.

Teeth whitening can be done without a visit to the dentist by using over-the-counter products that employ a whitening agent with hydrogen peroxide and a bleaching mouthpiece to wear. Professional treatment by a dentist will produce much quicker and more dramatic results as they can whiten teeth by as much as eight shades!

One caveat: Too frequent bleaching can cause tooth erosion, so most dentists recommend bleaching only about once per

continued on page 22

RITU APARAJITA, MD, RPVI KSC Cardiology

RITU APARAJITA, MD, MRCS (Ed), MBBS

This column is sponsored by KSC Cardiology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Aparajita is a fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular surgeon. She is a co-author of 20+ journal articles and publications and was recently nominated for an Inspiration Award by the American Medical Association (AMA).

Combination Treatments Make for Minimally Invasive Modifications

by TERESA SCHIFFER

THE CHANGING FACE OF AGING

How we look and present ourselves to others can have a significant impact on our mental health and how we feel. Watson Clinic’s Dr. Faeza Kazmier understands this quite well. Her goal as a physician who specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery is to help patients feel their best by looking their best, from head to toe.

Some recent developments in cosmetic procedures have made it easier than ever for patients to achieve the results they are looking for through minimally invasive procedures. New combination treatments are making use of topical cosmeceuticals that are able to penetrate the skin barrier better than previously available products, along with deeper laser treatments. While these new combination procedures do not provide the same results as surgical treatments, they do offer superior results to either topical or laser treatments alone.

The topical cosmeceuticals that are now available typically contain growth factors. These are certain types of protein with the ability to stimulate the production of new cells. This property is utilized by cosmeceuticals to encourage the production of collagen in the skin to reduce wrinkles and lines.

The challenge has been in finding a way to deliver these growth factors to the deeper layers of skin. Our skin acts as a barrier to keep most external

substances out of our body, so cosmeceutical researchers had to develop methods to penetrate that barrier safely. The use of fat-based products has been found to be effective at delivering the growth factors through the skin barrier to the appropriate areas.

Previously, most topical creams, with the exception of Retin-A, had little effect on the skin. The new generation of topical products not only delivers superior results when compared with the creams and topical treatments available in the past but also combines well with other nonsurgical treatments. This greatly increases the range of treatments available to patients to achieve their desired results.

The problem with using nonsurgical practices like laser treatment and radiofrequency skin tightening on their own has been that they normally cause the skin to heat up too quickly to get a noticeable improvement in skin tone. Now, however, procedures have been introduced that incorporate products capable of supercooling the skin simultaneously. This allows the physician to apply these bursts of energy without damaging the skin in the process.

An example of this type of treatment is Kazmier’s use of Renuvion. This is an under-the-skin treatment using a laser that she performs in the operating room. It is a fairly quick procedure that

can be performed in less than an hour. Patients typically see results after a few days, but since it involves stimulating the body’s own production of collagen, it can take six to nine months for full results.

“It uses helium gas to allow us to deliver the heat, and then within .44 of a second, the helium gas comes in and cools the tissue,” Kazmier says. “So we get that stimulation to produce collagen but without the damage of burning the skin.”

Kazmier is one of four Watson Clinic cosmetic specialists who recently ranked among the nation’s top 1% in regard to their training, experience and expertise in utilizing facial filler treatments, as well as the volume of injectable treatments they perform.

These various non-surgical treatments tend to be popular among patients due to their affordability and shorter recovery times. They also give patients a chance to experiment with their looks without committing to the more pronounced, and permanent, effects of a surgical procedure.

Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm, are another popular choice. Fillers are substances approved by the FDA for injection into certain locations in the face in order to smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

Many of them work by filling in space underneath the skin. They can also be used “off label” to create contours and smooth dynamic lines. The use of fillers can be preferable to using a neuromodulator like Botox because they do not act on the facial muscles.

Most fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant that absorbs and retains water in the skin. This creates a favorable condition for the skin to produce more cells, thereby resulting in a plumping effect. There are also fillers that do not contain hyaluronic acid and work instead by stimulating collagen production. Sculptra is one example of this type of filler.

None of the dermal fillers provide permanent results. They vary in the length of time that their effects last, ranging mainly from one to five years, and this is generally after several treatments.

An interesting effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was that plastic surgeons saw an uptick in patients wanting facial procedures performed. As people were quarantined, they spent more time in virtual meetings, which resulted in many people becoming more aware of their appearance as they suddenly came face-to-face with themselves onscreen regularly.

When people could no longer travel and were suddenly housebound anyway, patients began pursuing surgeries that they had previously put off due to not being able to take time out of their lives to allow for recovery. This resulted in an increase in all types of cosmetic procedures.

Kazmier expects patients to continue to seek procedures that result in more subtle effects on their appearance.

“Great results should look natural,” she says. “They shouldn’t look like they’ve had something done. It should really highlight their natural beauty and natural characteristics, and give them a refreshed look, as opposed to looking like they’ve had some cosmetic procedure done.” HN

There’s a fly in my soup!

No… wait, that’s not a fly. It’s a floater. What are floaters? And why do we get them?

Floaters are a symptom of the natural aging of the vitreous gel in the eye. Our eyeballs are filled with gel, and as we grow older, the gel becomes more liquid. When this happens, floaters develop. They are a type of scar tissue that develops in the gel. Floaters appear as dark spots that move around in the vision with eye movements. Sometimes they move a lot and sometimes not at all. They can look like almost any shape, from little bugs to long strands or veils in the vision. Most of us get used to our floaters. They can become less apparent and even “disappear.” We usually see floaters by the age of 65, but not everybody notices all of them.

However, floaters can signify that something more is going on in the eye than just natural aging. For example, a lot of new floaters or a sudden onset of floaters and flashes of light may indicate that a hole or tear has developed in the retina.

Flashes of light are a warning sign that the vitreous gel is causing traction on the retina. As the gel liquefies and floaters develop, the gel can pull and tug on the retina with eye movements. When the retina is pulled, it gives off a flash of light. The pulling and tugging of the retina can lead to holes or tears. Holes and tears can lead to retinal detachments. Therefore, seeing light flashes is an urgent sign that you need to have your eyes examined in order to detect possible holes or tears in a timely fashion before they develop into a retinal detachment.

Floaters and flashes of light can happen after blunt trauma or for no apparent reason at all. Most of the time, they can dissipate over time without intervention. However, any flashes of light, new floaters, or worsening of old floaters should alert you to call your eye doctor for an examination.

A little floater that looks like a fly is usually nothing to worry about unless it is actually a fly in your soup. Then you call your waiter!

DR. SELINA LIN

DR. FAEZA KAZMIER

“There’s a fly in my soup!”

This column is sponsored by Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

BIO: Dr. Selina Lin is a Retina Specialist at Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida. She sees patients at the Haines City, Sebring, and Winter Haven locations. To learn more about Dr. Lin or Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, visit us online at EYESFL.COM or call 800-282-3937 to schedule an appointment.

December 2021 | CALENDAR

RECURRING ONLINE EVENTS

BrainFlex Wellness Club

This “body, mind, and spirit” approach to aging well is geared towards seniors looking to stay sharp and fit as they age. The class incorporates four key concepts: exercise/meditation, social connections, interactive nutrition education, and brain training/life-long learning. The goal is to slow or prevent cognitive decline and improve quality of life. This class takes place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3876883694. Before the class, please download and print class materials from www.BrainFlexWellness.com. If you have any other questions, please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth. com.

Caregiver Support Group – Weekly

This group meets every Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss caregiver concerns and provide fellowship and support for one another. Meetings are currently taking place online using the Zoom platform. You can join the recurring meeting using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86739398714, or email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth.com for more information.

Functionally Fit – Virtual Exercise

During this online class, participants are guided through a series of functional strength training exercises to improve cardiovascular fitness, mobility, motor control, and balance. Caregivers are encouraged to join in on the exercises. This workshop is delivered through Zoom teleconferencing platform and takes place every 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 – 3 p.m. The link to join is https://us02web. zoom.us/j/3876883694. For more information, please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth.com.

Monthly Caregiver Support Group (Previously Met at Faith Assembly)

This monthly group meets to share advice and experiences, and encourage one another. The group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month using the Zoom online platform. The link to join the meeting is https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/89447209844. If you have any questions, please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth.com.

Music Therapy

Join board certified music therapists on the first Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. The Maturing Minds Music Therapy group uses neurologic music therapy techniques to boost brain and behavior functions, such as memory, communication, attention, and movement. The meetings are taking place online using Zoom. The link for the recurring meeting is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3876883694. Please email ORL.MDC@AdventHealth.com if you have any questions.

EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

December 1 –World AIDS Day Health Fair

Presented by Florida Department of Health in Osceola County and the LGBT+ Center Kissimmee, you are invited to receive free education on HIV and STDs, free condoms, PrEP education, and onsite HIV testing with results. No appointment necessary. This will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 1875 Fortune Rd in Kissimmee.

December 5 – Walk to Fight Suicide – Polk County Out of the Darkness Walk

This year’s walk will be through lovely Lake Parker Park, located at 820 E Robson St in Lakeland, from 1 – 4 p.m. There is no fee to participate, but participants are encouraged to help raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. You can find more information online at www.afsp.org/Lakeland.

compiled by TERESA SCHIFFER

December 5 and 12 – Sensory Friendly Santa Experience

In partnership with Autism Speaks, there will be a Sensory Friendly Santa Experience at Lakeland Square Mall, located at 3800 US Hwy 98 N in Lakeland, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Tickets are free and can be found on www.eventbrite.com, search for “Sensory Friendly Event.”

December 9 – Supporting Motherhood and More Virtual

First-time moms and seasoned pros with another on the way are invited to participate in this virtual support group to discuss the emotional changes and adjustments they are going through. Access to a camera and microphone is necessary. The free event will take place from 12 – 1 p.m. Sponsored by St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital. You can find more information at www.baycare.org/events, or call 855269-4777.

December 13 – Healthy Living for Brain and Body, Tips from the Latest Research

Get answers to your questions about sleep disorders in this virtual support group for patients and caregivers. A microphone and camera is needed to attend a BayCare support group. This session will cover how sleep hygiene can improve sleep. It will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. and is sponsored by Mease Countryside Hospital. You can register online by visiting www.baycare.org/events, or call 855-269-4777 for more information.

December 7 – Bariatric Support Group Virtual

St. Joseph’s Hospital - South sponsors this virtual support group for presurgical and postsurgical patients and their families. This session will include different recipes for new ideas for protein, and will take place from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. To learn more, please call 855-269-4777. You can register for this free event at www. baycare.org/events, search for “Bariatric Support Group.”

December 9 – 11 – Florida’s 6th Annual Perinatal Mental Health Conference

Presented by Florida Maternal Mental Health Collaborative, this exceptional event will address such issues as perinatal mental health disparities, health equity, substance use disorders, statewide policies, and more. It will be held at Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF, 3705 Spectrum Blvd in Tampa, and also broadcast via Zoom. Tickets start at $70. You can find complete details at www.flmomsmatter.org/conference.

December 16 – Hip & Knee Pain Lecture Series

This informative talk with Dr. Mario John, presented by Lakeland Regional Health Bariatrics, will start at 5:30 p.m. at Mulaney Auditorium, Lakeland Regional Health’s Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children, located at 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd in Lakeland. You can register for this event at www.eventbrite. com, search for “Hip & Knee Pain Lecture Series.”

Our skin is important. It’s part of the image people have when they meet us for the first time. It’s also the largest organ of the body. So it’s especially important to take good care of it — at all ages. Then our skin will take good care of us.

Food is a first line of defense in helping our skin. Fish tops the list — fatty fish like salmon, tuna, lake trout, mackerel, sardines, and herring. The oily fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep skin supple and reduce inflammation, according to health.clevelandclinic.org.

Foods like flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, soy, and canola oil are also excellent, although they don’t pack as powerful a punch as fish. Vegetables like avocados, sweet potatoes, red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, green tea and red grapes are also good foods, per healthline. com. They contain powerful antioxidants like omega-3 and 6, zinc, vitamins C and E, selenium, and protein. Beta carotene in orange vegetables is converted to vitamin A in the body. If you eat a lot, you may notice a warm orange tone to your skin. Dark chocolate is also considered good, and is supported by some studies but not all.

Typically, when we think of foods good for our skin, we think of eating them. But some foods are good to apply to the face. foodandwine.com suggests avocado and honey makes an excellent and nourishing face mask. Also, lemon juice, olive oil and sugar can make an excellent exfoliator, although the source considers a watermelon mask gentler than lemon. There are also foods to avoid, if we want healthy skin. Some experts suggest limiting milk and dairy products due to a link with acne. High-glycemic foods are recommended to eat in moderation to ward off skin issues — foods like refined grains, sugary foods, chips, and alcohol.

The Role of Food in Great Skin

by CAROL CORLEY

Honey Avocado Face Mask

(Adapted from eatingwell.com)

Ingredients: Honey, 1 tablespoons raw Avocado, 1/8 cup ripe Cider Vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a food processor, blend until smooth. When ready, apply a thin layer to damp clean skin, let dry, leave a few minutes, then rinse off and moisturize, if it is your practice.

Spanish Mackerel, Mediterranean Style

(Adapted from themediterraneandish.com)

Ingredients:

Spanish mackerel, whole (1-1/2 pounds) with head, if desired Olive oil, extra virgin Lemon, 1 thinly sliced Lemon juice, 3 teaspoons fresh Parsley and dill, 1/4 cup each, fresh Garlic cloves, 4 Cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground Coriander, 1 teaspoon ground Salt to taste

Tahini sauce

Directions:

Take fish and pat dry, remove dark vein running along the inside of the cavity, if present. Generously salt fish inside and out, place on a large piece of foil that has been lightly oiled. Crush garlic with salt using a mortar and pestle, add coriander and cumin, then parsley and dill. Stuff fish with lemon slices and the garlic-herb mixture and drizzle with olive oil generously. Fold foil over fish lengthwise, tightly close top seam, and place foiled fish on top of a hot sheet pan that has been resting in an oven preheated to 350F. Place fish in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until done. Remove from heat and add lemon juice, serving immediately with Tahini sauce. Can also serve with rice, Mediterranean salad, or Mediterranean potato salad.

Hoisin-glazed Salmon with Broccoli and Sesame Rice

(Adapted from delish.com)

Ingredients:

Salmon fillets, 4 (6 oz each)

Broccoli florets, 1 pound

White rice, 1 cup precooked

Sesame seeds, 1/4 cup plus more

Hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon

Olive oil, 2 tablespoons

Rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons

Salt to taste

Directions:

Toss broccoli with oil and salt and place in a ring on a baking sheet with rim, place salmon in the middle of the broccoli and brush with hoisin. Roast on center rack in oven preheated to 400F until opaque, about 12-15 minutes. Take precooked rice and stir in sesame seeds and vinegar, season with salt. Divide into serving bowls and top with salmon and broccoli and sprinkle with more sesame seeds.

What to Ask Your GYN at Annual Check-Ups

Your annual well-woman exam is crucial to your whole health. So, what should you be asking?

Breast Health

Ask about when you should begin your mammograms. Most women with average risk for developing breast cancer start mammograms between 40 and 49.

Your doctor will take into account your family history and other factors to determine the right age to begin screenings.

Pap Testing and HPV

Certain strains of HPV (human papilloma virus) are linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, so sometimes an HPV test will be ordered along with your pap test.

If you test positive for HPV, you could require more frequent screenings, but this does not mean you will develop cervical cancer.

One way to decrease risk is with the HPV vaccine.

Incontinence

Incontinence can affect women at any age. If you experience leaking when you laugh or pick up something heavy, there are treatments that your gynecologist can recommend.

Menstrual Cycles

Everyone’s different, but in general you should tell your gynecologist if:

• Your period lasts longer than seven days

• Your cycle occurs more frequently than every 21 days

• You’re saturating more than one pad an hour

Infertility

Women with no underlying conditions have a 20% chance of conceiving every month with an 85 to 90% chance of conceiving within 12 months.

Talk to your gynecologist about the best way to boost your odds. Sometimes, it’s a simple fix related to the timing of your cycle, while other times, there’s a condition to address first.

Scheduling Annual Check-Ups

At AdventHealth for Women, we offer a trusted partner for your health care journey. Doreen Forsythe BSN, RN, our Women’s Health Navigator, is an experienced health care advocate who can help find the right care for you and schedule an OB/GYN visit. Learn more at http://www.herhealthnavigator.com/.

Eric Marquez-Guerra, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. He began his medical education at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He later moved to complete his transitional year residency and obstetrics and gynecology residency at Hospital Episcopal San Lucas in Ponce, Puerto Rico where he was awarded the distinction of Administrative Chief Resident.

Your

Your joints were made to lift you up.

We’re here to do the same.

joints allow you to do incredible things, but they’re vulnerable to damage, inflammation and wear-and-tear. Trust your knees and hips to the specialized orthopedic experts of AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales — providing individualized care for even the most complex conditions to get you back in motion, fast.

SURVIVING THE SEASON

Tips to Help Your Holidays Feel Less ‘Run Rudolph Run’ and More ‘Silent Night’

by MATT COBBLE

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us once more. As wonderful as it is to head back to the holiday celebrations after so long apart due to the pandemic, there is always the possibility that all the social engagements can begin to feel overwhelming. With that in mind, here are our top ten tips to keep your stress levels down and enjoy the season.

1. Don’t overfill your plate.

If you haven’t already started receiving invitations to holiday get-togethers or “can’t miss” events, they will start pouring in soon. This time of year, it is exceptionally easy to overbook your calendars by committing to every event that comes along. This year, consider paring down your plans, focusing on quality, not quantity.

2. Agree to disagree.

Holidays mean family. And although the annual visit with the relatives can bring a fair amount of joy, sometimes personal differences can get in the way of enjoying the time together. While some healthy debate can make family get-togethers more lively, it may be a good starting point to avoid contentious conversations about topics that may be

incendiary in your situation. If you feel that conflict is unavoidable, perhaps take time to meet family members individually rather than in a group setting.

3. Be content.

So often, we see what other people are doing and we feel like we are missing something by not having what they have. Social media has made this type of constant comparisons even worse by making all of our friends’ and relatives’ “highlight reels” available with a click. But your holiday celebrations should be about your own enjoyment, not about filling your social feeds.

continued on page 22

Defining Inner Beauty by

MARY JOYE, LMHC

We have all heard the expression, “inner beauty” but few, including me, would have the empirical knowledge to define what constitutes this term. The French are renowned for creating beauty products, so it made perfect sense that significant research about inner beauty came from The University of Lucerne. In her work, “Human Beauty,” Dr. Lisa Katharin Schmalzried sheds light on why beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder and is the same for inner beauty. She states: Most philosophical theories of beauty explain the beauty of a human being not differently than the beauty of an artwork, a landscape, or an animal. Nevertheless, some prima facie considerations suggest an exceptional position of human beauty. First, the beauty of human beings seems to be closely connected with sexual attractiveness and tends to evoke desire and love. Secondly, the empirical research on attractiveness has found some objective features of attractiveness and, one might assume, thereby of human beauty. Thirdly, everyday life and the philosophical debate mentions inner beauty again and again. And inner beauty is beauty attributed to the character or soul of a person.

She mentions three major types of beauty theories.

1. Body-centered

1. Dualist (both inner and outer beauty traits)

3. Character-Expressionist

The latter theory relates to how beauty can come from the internal expression of a person’s integrity or sincerity that evokes attractiveness based on a subjective opinion of the observer. Science has never quite been able to prove

an all-encompassing study on what beauty is. This provoked me to ask friend and counselor colleague Patricia Irwin, who is beautiful inside and out in the opinion of many, what inner beauty means to her. Irwin states, “I believe inner beauty in a person shows outwardly as comfortability with oneself internally. There’s a peace and serenity inside them from practicing humility and gratitude in their daily life and a positivity about them.”

What is inner beauty to you?

Personally explore the beauty theories by asking yourself what attracts you as a bodycentered, dualist or character-expressionist. Your opinion will carry a strong basis and bias to your inner beliefs. A concrete and universal definition of beauty remains elusive and for a good reason. What attracts us to others is comprised of qualities we find or desire to develop in ourselves that draw us through mirror neurons and other data gathering our brain calculates. Thus, our individual opinions affect what we consider as beautiful on a superficial, physical and conscious level. Conversely, we experience inner beauty on an emotional or subconscious level.

Aesthetics of the internal kind is an abstract concept, much like an abstract painting. To Schmalzried’s point, it is a human art form of finding tangible aesthetic cognizance and intuitive emotional attraction toward humankind. We gravitate to an idealized facet of what we think, and feel is beautiful. How we treat others is important to reflecting our own inner beauty to those around us. It is a personal preference art form of recognizing what inner beauty is to you. It may not be definable, but it is personally discernable, and that’s a beautiful thing! HN

Treatments Can Help Diminish

Acne Scars

Many adults struggle with acne scarring, whether left over from their teenage years or as a more recent result. There are many ways to reduce the appearance of or even heal old acne scars. A dermatologist can help assess the patient’s skin and scarring and recommend treatments. There are several kinds of acne scars. Icepick scars are tiny depressions in the skin. Rolling scars give the skin an uneven or “rolling” appearance, forming from bands of scar tissue underneath the skin. Boxcar scars are larger indentations in the skin, typically with clearer edges. These are commonly caused by inflammatory acne.

A variety of treatments are available, and while some treatments work best with some types of acne scars, other times patients might have to try a few recommended options to see what gives them the best results. Dermatologists recommend everyone start with daily use of sunscreen though, as this helps prevent further scarring and contrast while protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Dermal fillers can be a good option for plumping up indented areas of the skin, such as with larger boxcar scars. Since this is a cosmetic procedure, results do fade over time, and repeated treatment will be needed.

Laser resurfacing technology has come a long way over the years and is a popular alternative to dermabrasion. Laser treatments can help with everything from sagging skin to hyperpigmentation. It can also be used to treat acne scars, and is especially effective on those with darker skin tones.

Dermatologists might recommend a chemical peel. While this treatment is commonly used for basic cosmetic procedures, the peeling away to reveal new skin underneath can help with some scarring.

Microdermabrasion typically offers similar results to a chemical peel, but without adding any chemicals to the skin. It works instead by using a handheld device with a crystal or diamond tip over the skin to blast away the outer layer of skin, revealing new skin underneath.

Microneedling is another cosmetic procedure. The needles stimulate the collagen production, resulting in firm and supple skin. This may also reduce the appearance of scars. Microneedling results are subtle, so patients might need to partake in several treatments to see results.

The experienced doctors at Lakeside Dermatology can help you determine which options would be best for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Joye, LMHC, PA, is a licensed mental health counselor with offices in Lakeland and Winter Haven. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit winterhavencounseling.com.

ALEX W. KENNON, MD, FAAD

This column is sponsored by Lakeside Dermatology, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.

Dr. Alex W. Kennon, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist who is fellowship-trained in Mohs micrographic surgery. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Florida State University and completed his dermatology residency at Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Lakeside Dermatology has offices in Sebring and Winter Haven.

year. You may also experience increased tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation — additional reasons it’s good to see a professional.

Dental Bonding

One the easiest and most affordable cosmetic dental procedures is bonding, which is a toothcolored resin, with a putty type consistency. It is applied directly to the tooth and then hardened with an ultraviolet light. It can be used to repair cracks, chips, broken teeth and even fix gaps between teeth.

An important selling point with bonding is that it’s quick and painless. However, one of the drawbacks is that it is not a permanent process. Bonding can typically last from three to 10 years and it will need to be touched up. The variance in durability has to do with personal eating habits. If you enjoy eating hard candy or munching on ice cubes, this may not be the procedure for you.

Crowns

For teeth that are too damaged for bonding, a crown may be a good option. A crown fits like a cap over the small bit of tooth that is left along with the root and is cemented into place. It will be sized and colored to match your bite and the surrounding teeth. When properly fitted, a

Surviving the Season

crown will perform just as your normal teeth do. They can be made from resin, ceramic, porcelain and even metal.

One of the disadvantages of a crown is that it is more expensive than many other dental procedures. On the flip side, it can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years.

Veneers

Veneers are extremely thin covers (about the thickness of a fingernail) that are made of ceramic glass, porcelain or resin and that are adhered directly to the front of the tooth, giving it a whiter, more uniform appearance and shape. This can create a dramatic improvement to the appearance of your teeth as it is typically used on several teeth in the front of the mouth for a greatly improved smile.

The cost for a veneer can range from $925 to $2500 per tooth. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, crowns are $1000 to $3500 per tooth, making veneers the less expensive option.

It’s important to keep in mind that veneers are irreversible. According to Polk Dentistry in Winter Haven, the process involves grinding the tooth down so that part of the enamel is removed in order for the veneer to adhere

, continued from page 20

4. Take time for yourself.

As your calendar begins to fill up, remember to leave yourself some room to breathe. Consider scheduling some down time — get a massage, drive around to look at decorations or plan an evening where you sit on the couch and stream your favorite holiday movie.

5. Stick to a budget.

It can be quite tempting to continually swipe the credit card as you get into the holiday season, but that could lead to a very rude awakening when the bill comes due in January. Instead, sit down now and plan out how much you can afford to spend — and stick to it! This should keep your “sticker shock” to a minimum. (If you want to get a jump start on this for next year, consider getting a “holiday club account,” putting aside money all year long to fund your holiday expenses.)

6.

Get some sun.

Spending time outdoors is a necessity for our

body’s healthy function. Sunlight stimulates the production of Vitamin D and serotonin, and experts say sunlight can help stave off seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a mood disorder more prevalent in the winter months. As an added bonus, the Florida heat is not quite as intense during this time of year, so your time outdoors may be more enjoyable.

7. Extend your festivities.

There is no rule that you must celebrate in December exclusively. You can plan your holiday events in a way that most benefits you. Better yet, you may have less trouble getting reservations the second week of January than if you tried to squeeze everything in by New Year’s Day.

8. Delegate where you can.

As the activities and responsibilities begin to stack up, it’s easy to want to oversee everything. Chances are, you are surrounded by a number of people capable of shouldering part of the responsibility. Having people over for a meal?

smoothly to the surface. For this reason, they must always be maintained since the front of the tooth has been permanently altered.

Orthodontics

Finally, there is the possibility of orthodontics or braces. Though these are still a popular option for the young, braces aren’t just for kids anymore. They can help to realign an overbite, crooked teeth which may be rotated away from the front, overcrowded teeth, spaces between teeth and serious bite issues.

Braces have evolved from the metal appliances of decades ago, and there are now aligners that are ceramic and tooth-colored so they are barely noticeable. There are also plastic brace appliances that are transparent as well as removable options. These appliances can correct tooth placement for an improved appearance as well as better function and a better bite, which could even help relieve headaches.

If you’ve always wanted a smile that could light up a room, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine the best option for your expectations and budget.

Consider asking guests to bring their favorite sides, pot-luck style, rather than cooking a full feast yourself. Get the kids involved with cleaning and decorating, or even consider getting your purchases gift-wrapped by the stores to save you the hassle.

9. Keep up with routines.

With so much going on this time of year, it can be easy to skip over some of the healthier habits. Remember to get an appropriate amount of sleep, eat healthier meals and snacks when possible, and work some physical activities into your days.

10. Reach out if you need help.

The above tips can only get you so far. If you find yourself truly struggling this holiday season, there is no shame in putting your needs first. Talk to a medical or mental health professional to get the help you need. HN

Saving the Best Present for Last

We’ve been busy here at Central Florida Media Group! We’ve been hard at work makin’ a list, checking it twice (actually more), and putting the final touches on the wrapping paper so that we could deliver our Christmas gift to you just a little bit early! Red pens were flying, laptop keys were clattering away and we may or may not have been going cross-eyed.

Instead of wrapping it neatly with a bow, we decided to wrap it in something even better … this very edition of Central Florida Health News! Give up yet? It’s the Central Florida Physicians Directory, and it’s about to make choosing your next doctor or healthcare provider a whole lot easier!

We all need doctors, but between old websites, relocated practices and the constant ebb and flow of new and retiring doctors, it’s challenging to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Unfrogettable website designs

JESSICA McDONALD, EDITOR jessica@centralfloridamediagroup.com

Our guide, published annually, is the region’s most comprehensive database of local specialists and advanced-degree providers. This year’s guide contains more than 2,250 listings organized in sections that are easy to navigate.

We teamed with all the major healthcare providers and practices in our coverage area in our quest to provide the most thorough and accurate information.

As we make our way through the holiday season, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to our readers and my incredible CFMG team of contributors and designers. I’m blessed to have such a noble mission, and I am particularly blessed to have such quality people to work with to carry out that mission.

From our family to yours, we hope you have a happy holiday season! HN

Let the experts at Central Florida Media Group design your next website. We have a stable full of talented artists, producers, photographers, developers and experienced writers that can help you design your next website.

info@centralfloridamediagroup.com