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COVID. It’s a word that invokes a range of emotions for people, from fear to agitation to indifference. No matter what taste the pandemic has left in your mouth, we can all agree that we’re ready to get back to our normal lives without nasal swabs, social distancing, and face masks. 

While that dream is still a ways away, the quickest way to get there is for everyone who can get vaccinated. Even though vaccines are available for everyone 12 years of age and older, some people still have hesitations about vaccine safety and effectiveness. It’s time to debunk the myths… COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the absolute best way to end this pandemic as quickly as possible.

As of August 30, 2021, over 350 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given in the United States. Of all those millions of doses, very few people suffered serious side effects. The exact numbers depend on which side effect is being discussed. For example, according to the CDC as of September 14th, “anaphylaxis after COVID-19 vaccination is rare and has occurred in approximately 2 to 5 people per million vaccinated in the United States.” To put that into perspective, you have about the same chance of being struck by lightning. (more…)

Florida residents are lucky to have medical marijuana in their treatment arsenal against a variety of conditions. By obtaining a Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR) Identification card, patients with debilitating conditions can enjoy the many benefits medical marijuana has to offer. 

To qualify for medical marijuana or low-THC cannabis in Florida, you must have one of the following conditions:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy/seizures
• Glaucoma
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Other conditions similar to those above
• Terminal illnesses
• Chronic nonmalignant pain that hasn’t responded well to other treatments

(more…)

Up to 47% of the United States population struggles with embarrassment or unhappiness due to the dreaded double chin, which is also known as submental fat. This buildup of fat beneath the chin occurs because of genetics, poor diet, or lack of exercise. By changing diet habits and engaging in regular physical activity, many people can reduce or eliminate their excess chin fat. For patients who cannot get rid of their submental fat with diet and exercise, and don’t want the risks of surgery, Kybella may be the answer.

What is Kybella?

Kybella is an injectable treatment for excessive submental fat. Made of deoxycholic acid, Kybella is injected directly into the chin deposits to disintegrate the fat cells. Once the fat cells are absorbed by the body, you’ll never have to worry about the fat deposit returning. This makes Kybella a great long-term solution for a stubborn double chin. (more…)

Almost half of all postmenopausal women report having received hormone replacement therapy, or HRT. Both women and men seek HRT to deal with the symptoms associated with a decline in hormones in the body. So, how do you know if you need HRT? If you’re an otherwise healthy adult, but have any of the following conditions or symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may be for you:

Hot flashes & Night Sweats

Hot flashes, or a sudden warm feeling in the upper body, are probably the most recognized symptom of menopause. During a hot flash, your face may redden and you’ll begin sweating profusely. The exact cause of hot flashes is unknown, but declining hormone levels related to menopause appear to be correlated.

Night sweats are just hot flashes while you are sleeping. Sufferers will awaken drenched in sweat and with an intense warm feeling. Night sweats are also not fully understood yet, but hormone levels seem to play a role. (more…)

Losing weight isn’t easy, and sometimes, it seems impossible. No matter what you try, the temptation is around every corner, rearing its ugly head when you are most vulnerable. When you’ve tried and tried to lose weight and just can’t seem to figure it out, it may be time to consult with a doctor. Whether it’s your primary care physician or a doctor specializing in bariatrics, these medical professionals can help you lose weight by:

• Assessing your current health status.

Before beginning a weight loss journey, it’s important to know what state your body and health are in currently. Underlying conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart problems can derail your weight-loss attempts and make you feel defeated or hopeless. By allowing a physician to thoroughly examine you before attempting to lose weight, including complete lab work, you will be better prepared for obstacles that may come your way. Your doctor may also want to prescribe you medication or treatment for conditions before releasing you to begin a weight-loss program. (more…)

Everyone knows that one of the easiest ways to keep youthful, wrinkle-free skin is to avoid sun exposure. The sun emits UV rays that can age you prematurely, cause hyperpigmentation spots, and are also the leading cause of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers worldwide.

So what should you do when you notice sun damage on your face? Peel it off! 

The VI Peel by Los Angeles-based Vitality Institute is a medium-depth, painless facial peel that is safe for all skin types. Five custom formulations allow users to tailor the treatment to their specific skincare needs. Boasting virtually no downtime and an arsenal of skin-nourishing ingredients, VI Peel lives up to the hype. 

How does it work? VI Peel penetrates deep down into your dermis, exfoliating and stimulating the production of new proteins like collagen. A potent blend of TCA, phenol, salicylic acid, vitamin C, and tretinoin combine to revive dull, rough, sun-damaged skin and give you a healthier, more youthful appearance. (more…)

Do you find that your allergies are at their worst during the summertime? Spring may be the most common time of year to experience allergy symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that the warm summer air isn’t full of things that make you sniffle, sneeze, and wheeze. 

The best way to determine the cause of your allergies is to know what the most common culprits are. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the worst summer allergy instigators.  

Pollen

When springtime rolls around, all of the trees begin to shower the world in their powdery pollen, which can be a nightmare for allergy sufferers.

In the summertime, there are a number of different weeds and grasses that produce the same sneeze-inducing substance. Grass and weed pollen are so common that they are actually the number one culprit for summer allergies. 

If you’re stuck sniffling and sneezing as June rolls into July, keep an eye out on the pollen count and do your best to avoid the outdoors when they are at their worst.

Florida’s proponents of the potential medicinal applications of cannabis secured a tremendous victory back in 2014 when the Compassionate Use Act was passed, allowing people who suffered from epilepsy and cancer access to medical marijuana.

This piece of legislation was the foundation for the slow but sure growth of cannabis as a medical treatment in the state, which has expanded over the years to include a far wider range of qualifying conditions.

While it was initially only considered a legal treatment for two serious health issues, medical marijuana is now available to those who suffer from a wide range of medical conditions. The following is a list of the qualifying conditions:

Summer is a warm and exciting time of year, but it comes with its own risks as well. This is especially true in Florida where the intense summer sun beats down and insects love to swarm. Make sure you are aware of these common summer health problems so that you can prevent them, if possible, and seek proper treatment when needed. 

Heat Stroke

Heatstroke is a dangerous medical condition. If not caught soon enough, it can even become life-threatening. This problem develops when your body’s core temperature rises too much. It occurs most commonly after spending too much time in the unforgiving Florida sun. 

Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Confusion
• Short, rapid breathing
• Lack of sweating, even when overheated
• A fast pulse

After a very long and stressful pandemic year, Americans finally have access to COVID-19 vaccines proven to protect against coronavirus infection. It’s important to know who can get COVID-19 vaccines and how so that you can be sure to protect yourself and your loved ones from the threat of this virus. 

What Are the COVID-19 Vaccines?

At this time, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. Each vaccine, proven to be safe and effective, will reduce your risk of severe illness.

Each vaccine works in its own way, but they all achieve the same result — the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well as B-lymphocytes that remember how to fight the COVID-19 virus in the future.