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SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRI-

TION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGE-

MENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY

CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY

PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY

PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION

FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Healthy Living has brought together a number of medical experts to answer questions about various health issues. Find your answers here from the dedicated health professional in our area.

CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT

NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIRO-

PRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC SURGERY PAIN

MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS FINANCES PSYCHOLOGY CHIROPRACTIC CARE CARDIOLOGY PLASTIC

SURGERY PAIN MANAGEMENT NUTRITION FITNESS

Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, affects 8 million to 12 million people in the United States, especially those over the age of 50, according to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In addition, people with history of diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and positive family history are at greatest risk of developing PAD. Hence, people over the age of 50 with these risk factors will greatly benefit from screening for PAD.

Screening may begin with a simple measurement of ankle and brachial blood pressures (ABI) for most patients. In case of any abnormalities noted on ABI measurements, one may proceed with further evaluation which may take the form of CTA, MRA, or invasive angiogram.

Recent advances in medicine with the introduction of new medications like Vorapaxar (antiplatelet agent) and PCSK9 inhibitor drugs (non-statin agents) may lower the cholesterol levels drastically without associated statininduced drug side effects. Combined, these new categories of medications will hopefully reduce the progression and need for repeat interventions or surgeries.

In addition, interventional cardiologists have many new devices and techniques that were introduced during the past five years to achieve and maintain successful outcomes during a complex procedure to re-establish blood flow to the affected limb.

A new drug-coated balloon, Stellarex®, was introduced in 2017 to reduce the rate of restenosis (recurrent blockage due to scar tissue formation) in the thigh. However, medicated balloons have not been conclusively shown to reduce the rate of restenosis in smaller arteries below the knee.

Penumbra’s Indigo® system was introduced in 2014 to more efficiently aspirate clots from arteries and veins in patients presenting with acute life- or limb-threatening arterial or venous occlusions.

Tryton®, a dedicated coronary bifurcated stent system, was approved in 2017. Off-label use of this novel device also has expanded the options for treating complex below-knee tibial arteries. and The Villages to serve you. FLHeartCenter

Finally, for patients presenting with complex ostial SFA (superficial femoral artery [thigh] at a fork point) flush occlusions, adoption of Lew-Schmidt technique may greatly facilitate a successful outcome to help restore blood flow to lower extremities.

PAD is a highly prevalent disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is also a marker for other vascular diseases like stroke and heart attack. Fortunately, these conditions are for the most part easily treatable, especially when detected early. People with risk factors for PAD should be hyper-vigilant to symptoms like skin ulcers and discolorations, cool extremities, and pain while walking (claudication).

In the presence of the aforementioned symptoms, one should seek immediate attention from their primary care or vascular specialist/ interventional cardiologist.

QYour kidneys are vital organs that serve multiple important functions in your body. These include cleaning and filtering your blood, maintaining proper levels of water and electrolytes, regulating blood pressure, helping with red blood cell production, maintaining the health of your bones, and, of course, producing urine.

If you have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on your blood and/or urine test results, there are multiple strategies to help optimize and preserve your kidney function. Here are some general tips:

MEDICAL:

Early referral to a nephrologist (kidney specialist). The chances of slowing down the disease process.

Blood glucose control: If you have diabetes, your percent.

Blood pressure control: Though guidelines regarding blood pressure targets have varied over the years, most appropriate blood pressure goal.

Review your medications: Many prescription and overthe-counter medications may harm your kidney function. For instance, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, and similar anti-inflammatory medications) are widely used but can adjustments depending on your level of kidney function.

Medical procedures: include any procedures involving iodine-based IV contrast (e.g., coronary or other vascular angiography, the kidney risk if the procedure is otherwise important for your health.

LIFESTYLE:

Diet: Pay attention to nutrition labels and ingredient lists on food packaging. Emphasize fresh, homemade food rather than processed/packaged options.

Limit salt intake:

Limit cholesterol: Avoid fried, fatty, or battered foods.

Protein: Minimize red meat. Lean meats (chicken, beans, lentils, tofu) are preferable.

Fluid intake: drinking “tons” of fluid usually will not help your kidney function. Drink if you are thirsty, emphasizing water and minimizing sugary and caffeinated drinks. Avoid cola sodas. In certain situations, drinking more fluids may be important—diuretic therapy, kidney stones, heavy exercise, exposure to heat/humidity.

Exercise: cardiovascular health, blood pressure, blood glucose, and weight—all of which impact the health of your kidneys.

Habits: stop smoking or using tobacco products. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Home regimen: Take your medications as prescribed. Notify your physician quickly if you are having any problems taking your prescribed regimen.Monitor your blood

Keep in mind that these strategies need to be tailored to your individual needs, under the guidance of your physician.

National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/patients

National Kidney Disease Education Program: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/ communication-programs/nkdep and The Villages to serve you. FLHeartCenter.com

THAT I MAY HAVE DIABETES. WHAT ARE

Some 30.3 million people in America have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). About 23.1 million are diagnosed, and 7.2 million have it and are unaware.

Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, tiredness, loss of energy, decreased exercise tolerance, and increased hunger and thirst, though diabetes may not cause any symptoms in some cases. The ADA estimates that approximately 38 percent of Americans may be prediabetic. That means that as many as half of the adults in the United States are either diabetic or prediabetic.

The standard tests for diagnosis are: fasting glucose, a two-hour glucose tolerance test, random blood sugar, or A1c assay.

Fasting glucose is included in most routine blood tests that you have at your doctor’s office. Normal fasting glucose is 100 or less. Random blood sugar should be less than 200, and A1c should be less than 6.5 percent.

Prediabetes is fasting glucose between 100 and 125 and/or A1c levels above 5.7 percent.

A1c is a special blood test to measure a protein that sits on the surface of your red blood cells and binds glucose (sugar) that is circulating in your bloodstream. This tells the doctor and patient what the average sugar levels have been in the past two or three months.

The U.S. Services Preventive Task Force recommends that all adults between ages 40 and 70 who are obese should be screened with one of the above tests every three years. Obese is defined as a body mass index greater than 30 kg/ meter squared.

is very good at helping to reduce fasting sugars and A1c levels. These actions can actually prevent prediabetes from becoming true diabetes, and much improve control of those who already have the disease. Avoiding manufactured sugars (sucrose) obviously makes a big impact also.

If these lifestyle changes don’t control blood sugars to an accepted range, then the patient and doctor can decide on medical therapy. This can include oral medications in four different therapeutic classes and, if needed, insulin of different types also can be used.

QBesides making you feel better by reducing the symptoms I discussed earlier, it can help to prevent several complications of diabetes. Those include eye changes that can lead to blindness, cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease (heart attack), strokes, loss of limbs due to vascular or neuropathic complications, kidney damage that may lead to the need for dialysis, and a decrease in your ability to fight infections (immunity).

QThe most important treatment plan is weight loss and exercise. Luckily, studies show that it doesn’t have to be that much of either. Walking for 30 minutes five days per week is beneficial. As little as 7-8 percent body mass loss and The Villages to serve you.

Dialysis in simplest terms is an alternate method of cleaning/filtering the blood by removing “waste products” when the kidneys do not work.

There are two techniques that patients can use:

1) Hemodialysis (HD) – The blood is removed from the body and passed through a dialysis machine (mechanical kidney) to clean the blood. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) – The peritoneum (inner lining of the special dialysis fluid several times per day.

Once you have decided how you want to be “dialyzed” (clean your blood), the next step is getting a dialysis access. Regardless of your decision, a vascular surgeon will need to perform the procedure.

There are three major types of hemodialysis (HD) access: a) Catheter – This is a double-barreled tube that is inserted through the the blood after it is cleaned. b) This requires an operation where the vein and artery are connected directly to one another. c) Arteriovenous graft – A tube is used to make a “bridge” to connect the artery and the vein.

Peritoneal dialysis involves the placement of a catheter (tube) into the peritoneum (abdominal cavity) and tunneling it under the skin to add and remove the dialysis fluid.

I HAVE BEEN and attached synthetic graft through a femoral artery (thigh) approach. Some still require open surgery.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body and extends from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. It gives off branches to all the body segments. An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of the vessel. It results from a connective tissue abnormality (congenital predisposition), aging, and arteriosclerosis. It can occur in any area of the aorta, but most commonly in the abdominal segment.

QThe risk of the aneurysm is possible rupture and potential death. The risk of repair is relatively low for simple aneurysms and slightly higher for more complex aneurysms. Risk factors for having an aneurysm include family history, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and tobacco use.

QUltrasound exam provides good screening and CT scan is the standard for planning a repair.

QThe average aorta is 2.5 centimeters in diameter. When it reaches 5 cm, we recommend repair. Most can be repaired with a stent and The Villages to serve you.

Depression is very prevalent. Major depressive disorder has the highest lifetime prevalence among any psychiatric disorder, about 17 percent. That means almost one in five people has experienced depression at some point in their lifetime, so that’s pretty common. Major depression is twice as prevalent in women as it is in men. The mean age of onset is about 40, however, there has been an increased incidence of depression in individuals younger than 20.

Some people think depression is just the result of having a bad day or something bad happened in their life, but that’s totally not true. Depression is actually a biological condition. It has several factors. One is genetics. People who have family members who have mental illness or mood disorder tend to have a higher likelihood of having depression. The kids of the parents who have depression or some other mood disorder tend to have a higher incidence of depressions and mental illnesses.

Depression has no correlations with socioeconomic status. If somebody’s rich or poor, it has nothing to do with whether they’re happy or sad. A lot of times people think, “I don’t have enough money so that’s why I’m sad,” but that does not have a correlation to depression.

However, marital status is a factor. Individuals with a lack of close personal relationships or who are going through divorce or separation do have an increased incidence of depression. There’s also a higher incidence of alcohol abuse, other substance dependence, and anxiety disorder in individuals who have major depression.

Major depression is defined as when you have a depressed mood or a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy for most of the days during a two-week period. You have to have five total symptoms from among the following: depressed mood, loss of interest, significant weight gain or loss, sleep disturbances such as sleeping more or less than usual, becoming either more apathetic or more agitated, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, decreased concentration or being indecisive, and recurrent thoughts of suicide or death. If you experience five or more of these symptoms for five days in a week for two consecutive weeks, that’s called major depression. A lot of people have had that; it’s very common.

Psychological factors tend to be a precipitating factor, but many times, depression can develop without any triggering psychological factors. A lot of times we hear patients say, “I don’t know why I’m depressed, everything is good in my life, I don’t have any problems. So why am I depressed?” That explains why there does not need to be a psychological trigger for somebody to be depressed. Another factor is biological: we find disturbances in multiple hormones and neurotransmitters in patients who are depressed. It’s important to treat depression because it’s not just a condition of a sad mood that eventually will get better. Depression affects the overall health. It does that by affecting treatment adherence. If you have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, for example, depression will make you less likely to continue treatment, which puts your health at greater risk. Also, the incidence of lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, and physical inactivity tend to be higher in patients who are depressed—they’re more likely to smoke and drink, and less likely to engage in physical activity because they don’t have the desire to do anything.

Depression also is a risk factor for the development and progression of heart disease. If someone has depression, they are 1.5 to 2 times as likely to develop heart disease as someone who does not suffer depression. On the other hand, for people who have coronary heart disease and depression, the risk is 1.5 to 2.5 times greater for heart-related complications and death from heart disease. Again, treatment non-adherence because of depression also will put them at higher risk of having more heart problems.

Treatment for depression includes antidepressant medications—SSRI, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; and TCA, or tricyclic group psychotherapy. Also, exercise has been effective in improving depression and and conditions, anyone who must get it treated for better

DR. ADIL MOHAMMED

→ Psychiatrist

Dr. Adil Mohammed received his medical degree from St. Petersburg State Medical Academy in Russia, interned at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, completed his psychiatry residency at Temple Philadelphia, and has been in private practice about

Droopy eyelids can be the result of aging, allergies, and even genetics, and can severely limit both peripheral vision and appearance. Eyelid problems tend to become more noticeable when people near age 70, but can occur sooner.

The eyes contain two fat pads in the upper eyelid and three in the lower lid. Over time, these pads can stretch and prolapse forward, creating sagging and drooping upper lids, and the connective tissue can weaken and accumulate excess skin and fat, creating bags under the eyes. Oftentimes patients become aware of the problem when they realize they can see better by lifting their upper lids or pulling lower lids away from their eyes.

Severely sagging or baggy eyelids can reduce peripheral (upper, lower and side) vision. Drooping upper eyelids may keep your eyes from opening completely, and bags under the eyes can push your lower lids upward or downward.

Diagnosing eyelid problems is easy and painless. “First, I perform a routine diagnostic exam to determine a patient’s present field of vision,” says Shelby Terpstra, DO. “Next I perform a visual field test with the eyelids gently secured out of the way to see how much the vision improves. Significant improvement indicates a patient will likely benefit from eyelid surgery.”

Blepharoplasty is a painless outpatient procedure wherein excess skin and fat is removed from the upper and/or lower eyelids, widening the field of vision and revitalizing appearance. “Afterward, patients not only see better, they also tend to look more alert, refreshed and happy, which is a welcome side effect,” says Dr. Terpstra.

After surgery, it is recommended that you keep activities light for about a week to promote healing, which is typically rapid. Patients taking blood thinners may have the procedure with the approval of their cardiologist or primary care physician. Luckily, when blepharoplasty is needed to improve vision, it is covered by most insurance, so if sagging or baggy lids are impairing your vision, make an appointment and see what blepharoplasty can do for you.

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The Villages | Lady Lake www.lakeeye.com

Proper eye care is needed as we age because changes occur, just as they do to the body. If you wear glasses, you will typically see your eye doctor regularly, but, if you have no vision problems, you may neglect this important safeguard to your vision. Once you reach age 60 and beyond, it is highly recommended that you schedule annual comprehensive eye exams with your ophthalmologist. With regular care, nearly all eye diseases and disorders can be prevented, corrected or arrested.

Approximately three percent of the population has or will get glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to blindness. Early detection is the key to managing glaucoma and protecting vision. “A glaucoma exam is quick and easy,” says Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Mark Vocci. “It includes checking the pressure within the eye, inspecting the eye’s drainage angle, examining the optic nerve, testing peripheral vision and measuring the thickness of the cornea. These are all included in a comprehensive eye exam and cause no pain or discomfort, so people shouldn’t hesitate to make an appointment with their ophthalmologist, especially if they’re older and haven’t seen their eye doctor in two years or more.”

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina. The two main types are background retinopathy, which is characterized by weak or leaking blood vessels, and proliferative retinopathy, in which the retina grows new blood vessels that are fragile and often bleed. Minor bleeding often causes dark spots or wavy lines called “floaters” to appear in one’s field of vision. Significant bleeding can severely damage vision. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with medication or laser therapy to shrink weak or excess blood vessels. If proliferative retinopathy is severe, surgery can usually get it under control. Carefully monitoring blood sugar levels is important to help reduce risk of vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, refers to deterioration of the macula, the area of the retina that lets you see fine details needed for reading or driving. Most often AMD develops slowly, but in some cases it can cause rapid and severe vision loss. Again, a simple test done by your ophthalmologist can catch AMD early before it causes serious damage.

Dry eye can be mild to severe, but there are effective treatments, from nutritional supplements to prescription eye drops. “Most cases of severe dry eye are caused by a disorder called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, or MGD,” says Dr. Vocci. “MGD occurs when the glands that secrete a protective oily layer over the eyeball become blocked, creating dryness, redness and excess tearing, as the eyes overproduce moisture to compensate.” Lake Eye offers advanced treatment for MGD called LipiFlow®, a patented FDA-cleared external device that uses gentle heat and massage to unblock glands and help restore healthy function. With proper care and attention, your eyes can serve you wonderfully for a lifetime.

Will I Need

“Nearly everybody gets cataracts at some point,” says Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Scott Wehrly. “By age 65, most people have developed at least one. Fortunately, advances in technology and our personal commitment to state-of-the-art cataract treatment mean we can quickly and safely remove cataracts in just minutes, and provide vision correction that reduces or even eliminates a person’s need for glasses.”

For 40 years, Lake Eye Associates has been on the leading edge of technology and surgical techniques to treat cataracts. The doctors perform many thousands of cataract procedures every year.

“Our team of doctors heavily researches all emerging and promising technologies,” says Dr. Scot Holman. “We regularly attend international conferences and consult with respected peers from all over the world. Many new technologies are cleared in Asia or Europe first, so we have the benefit of gauging their safety and effectiveness before they’re used in the US. When they’re approved here in the States, we perform our own studies to make sure they’re beneficial to patients.” Most cataracts are the result of aging, as the lens of the eye becomes denser, creating clouding and blurring. Cataract surgery is a roughly 10-minute outpatient surgery that removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens, or IOL, to restore clear vision. IOLs come in a wide range of types, including those designed to correct astigmatism, restore multiple vision ranges, and even restore vision at all distances. Says Dr. Wehrly, “Cataract surgery does more than just remove a diseased lens, it also helps to correct vision problems, even those a patient has had all or most of their life.”

Lake Eye Associates takes pride in working closely with each patient individually. “When someone comes in for cataract surgery, we perform a series of sophisticated diagnostic examinations to determine what lens technology will pair best with a patient’s condition and lifestyle to help maximize their vision and long term satisfaction,” says Dr. Holman. “We assess their eye health and conditions, and ask about their lifestyle and activities, and what they most want to achieve from vision correction. These factors all come together in determining which IOL will work best for each person. We have a very high satisfaction among our cataract patients because we choose every IOL carefully to deliver the most fulfilling outcome.”

“My favorite part of cataract surgery is my interaction with patients,” says Dr. Vinay Gutti. “I explain the procedure in detail, ask about their hopes and expectations, and get them excited about seeing better. Restoring someone’s vision is an exceptionally rewarding experience for me as well as the patient.”

Dr. Gutti says patients find it reassuring to hear about his extensive surgical experience. “I do nearly 1,000 cataract surgeries a year, and I’m with patients throughout the process,” says Dr. Gutti. “I also tell them I did my mom’s cataract surgery a couple of years ago, which most people find very comforting.”

Lake Eye Associates uses the CATALYS Femtosecond Laser, a state-of-the-art laser designed specifically for cataract surgery. “The CATALYS dissolves cataracts with tremendous speed and allows for exceptionally safe, fast and precise removal,” says Dr. Wehrly. “This and other innovations are going to make 2018 an exciting year.”

People in their 60s and beyond should get an annual comprehensive eye exam with a Board-certified ophthalmologist every year to check not only for cataracts, but also glaucoma and macular degeneration. Finding these diseases early is essential for retaining sight and preserving quality of life. If you haven’t seen an ophthalmologist in awhile, call and make an appointment today for a future of clearer, healthier vision.

QIt’s not about a person’s age. There are four major things I look at when choosing a probiotic. 1) A good probiotic has to or should contain well-researched strains that are proven to work well together. 2) A good probiotic must contain strains that are backed by scientific research to withstand the challenges of stomach acid and digestion. They have to be able to survive because they are live organisms. 3) The best probiotics have to guarantee a live bacteria count, or colony forming units (CFUs), at the time of expiration. In other words, they must have a shelf life. 4) They have to be carefully manufactured to ensure delivery to the gastrointestinal tract.

QThe best diet, which is defined as that which a person eats on a daily basis to sustain life, should contain good-quality sourced protein, a moderate amount of healthy fat, no sugar, and high fiber.

QThere are a lot of fad diets on the market, but here’s the bottom line: It’s a matter of learning and feeding what each person’s body needs. We’re all created so different. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, nor would it be fair for me to say any one of those diets is better than the other. What I would say is that each person has to identify what’s the best for him or her. At TNT, we do lab work and diagnostic testing so we can better understand where your current state of health is and help provide an exact set of instructions you need to follow. This takes the guesswork out of things and keeps our clients from wasting their time and money.

QNinety percent of diseases we treat in medicine today are inflammatory. Therefore, they need a low inflammatory diet. The top thing to do is eliminate sugar in your diet. Also, get adequate amounts of protein that sustain us during different periods of time in a day. Make sure we eat healthy fats such as wild fish rather than farm-raised fish. Also, supplement with a form of turmeric called BCM-95, which is the most bio-available form of turmeric on the market today.

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Total Nutrition and Theraputics

After starting my practice Central Florida Plastic Surgery in 1998, I find myself at the twenty year milestone of my career. I have had the privilege and honor of many wonderful doctor/patient relationships over the past two decades.

I have been fortunate to be a part of the evolution of aesthetic plastic surgery. From non invasive injectable technologies such as Xeomin, Radiesse, and Belotero for facial rejuvenation, minimally invasive procedures such as Smartlipo (laser liposuction), to more traditional face, breast, and body contouring procedures, we now have many options available for the person interested in self improvement.

No matter how fancy the laser platform or the name on the white lab coat patient selection for the appropriate procedure is of utmost importance during the decision making process. In general, the best candidates for aesthetic plastic surgery are those who are in overall good health for a smooth postoperative course and the best photographic results.

The first consultation is spent getting to know the patient. Along with a thorough history and physical examination, understanding the patient’s goals, desires, and expectations are of utmost importance. Next, the appropriate procedure is selected for the case at hand. The surgery is explained in great detail and information is given to the patient along with a cosmetic proposal letter.

Once the patient has decided to proceed, a second consultation is scheduled in preparation for their procedure. This includes an additional examination, another discussion of the surgery in detail, consent forms, before photos, prescriptions, and surgery scheduling.

Most importantly, the second consultation allows both myself and the patient to get to know each other better. Whomever the patient chooses to perform their plastic surgery, he or she needs to feel comfortable and confident about their plastic surgeon. Likewise, I want to feel comfortable with the patient as well to hit a home run and have a happy and successful result.

The doctor/patient relationship is a very special bond that I take very seriously. Within my practice, this time proven strategy has been most effective for me to help people look on the outside they way they feel on the inside!

QWILL YOGA BUILD MUSCLE AND STRENGTH?

Most people think of yoga as a way to keep the body flexible and lithe. However, Amy Tucker, of Evolve Yoga & Fitness, says yoga builds strength using the body’s own weight and movement.

Everyone can do yoga. The poses can be adapted or modified in the beginning until enough stamina is built for poses to be more defined and held longer. Most people notice a difference in their bodies within four to six weeks.

With yoga, you lift your own body weight, which requires skill, time, and determination to strengthen muscles. Yoga does not use momentum to move the body. Yoga is an intentional movement creating strength and stamina in the body. We move the body in different ways, so we keep our bodies healthy in an appropriate way while building strength and muscle.

While we are stretching one group, we are strengthening the other. Whenever we move the hamstring, which is in the back of the thigh, we have to tighten the quadriceps in front. Another group that is common is triceps and biceps. We have to contract the triceps and tighten the biceps. Every time there is contracting of a muscle, there is stretching of the opposing muscle.

Yoga means union—so it’s the union of mind, body, spirit. We refer to yoga as moving meditation. As we move through class and talk about body posture and movement. When you leave class, you realize you haven’t thought of anything else for that time with yoga. It helps you to focus on your breathing and meditate while you exercise.

Because yoga doesn’t put pressure on joints or any other part of the body, it is good for those who suffer from arthritis. Yoga is said to rebuild some of the strength around the joints. Amy’s clients with sciatica issues have said it helps. It is extremely low impact. There’s no pounding on the joints, and the strain on the body is not there. It strengthens the body and the mind, and there are cardiovascular and respiratory benefits too.

Amy says it is important for everyone to stand strong, upright, and beautiful as they age to optimize the way we live. If we fall, we need to be able to pick ourselves up without help.

Was In An And Have Been

Throughout the years, I have treated many patients who were in automobile accidents. One of the most common things I treat is whiplash and whiplash associated disorder, a condition in which the patient feels headaches and numbness in the arms or hands.

I highly recommend for patients to get treated after they’ve been in a car wreck. And that goes for patients who may only feel slight pain or no pain at all. It’s important to remember that your insurance company only gives you two weeks to see a doctor before your benefits are cut off. So if you see a doctor within that time frame it will be documented in case pain doesn’t occur until sometime down the road.

An automobile accident causes trauma to the neck and discs. Oftentimes, these patients have a herniated disc and feel pain in their arms and shoulders. Also, damage to the ligament and vertebrae accelerates degeneration to the spine.

One tool I have that is very benefi LiteCure Laster Therapy, which energizes damaged nerves, tendons, and ligaments and helps them heal faster. Thus, I can help patients return to normal activities faster. The bottom line is seeking treatment after an automobile accident minimizes the effects of damage 12 to 15 years down the road and slows down the degenerative pathway.

QMaintaining vision throughout the course of a person’s life has a significant impact on quality of life. A retina specialist has the ability to preserve this quality of life through evidence-based medicine to prevent vision loss.

As a retina specialist, I diagnose, evaluate, and treat patients with a wide spectrum of conditions from age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vein occlusions, retinal tears and detachments, and uveitis among others. A retina specialist sees an array of different patients but among the most common reasons someone is seen in our clinic is due to age-related and diabetes-related changes in the eye.

A natural part of aging results in changes to the eye in the same way that changes happen throughout the body. Retina-related conditions are often present long before symptoms occur. Working hand in hand with your general ophthalmologist or optometrist, who focuses on the anterior segment or front portion of the eye, I focus on conditions that effect the retina, vitreous gel, or back portion of the eye. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term and/or permanent vision loss. Active engagement of your doctors in the coordination of care ensures the best possible outcomes.

If you are looking to protect your vision today, there are several things you can do. Have regular screenings with your general ophthalmologist or optometrist. Shade your eyes from UV rays using sunglasses. A diet containing foods high in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E provide protection against age-related changes or concerns. The continuous evolution of clinical advancements through technology, research, and literature allows me to be actively involved in the growth and direction of the field of ophthalmology. As a health care professional and active researcher, I am able to provide my patients with access to the newest and best retina treatments available, compassionate retinal care to all who need it, and the level of care I would want for my family members.

FOR

For more information about retinal conditions and what you can do today to protect your vision tomorrow, visit our website at www.retinaspecialty.com.

Initially I came to TNT asking them to help me make healthier food chocies that would improve my health and weight, now and in the future. They provided a total program of testing, evaluation, education, and ongoing guidance. They also provided me with a better understanding of foods and supplements, which have improved my everyday energy and fitness. TNT has been working with my doctor and at this time I have been able to stop two of my medications. I am looking forward to continuing this experience to maintain these improvements and support my future needs.

— LANALEE SCOTT

I was frustrated with years of not feeling well. My stomach would hurt a lot, and my energy was decreasing more and more. The science behind the program at TNT gave me the answers I needed to make healthy lifestyle changes tailor made for my body and nutritional needs. I’m on a recovery journey that gets better with each day and each lifestyle choice I make. Lori Esarey and everyone at TNT are passionate about what they do and are there for me every step of the way. Each week I learn something new about nutrition or my test results. They show me how to apply that new knowledge to my personal lifestyle choices. Without TNT, I was guessing at how to solve my health issues. They’ve taken the guesswork out of it so now I can put my energy toward being the healthy and vibrant person I want to be.

— GERI PAXTON

At 50, I found myself overweight and lacking energy. I also dealt with hot flashes, insomnia, and an underachieving thyroid. I called TNT desperate for help, and these ladies went above and beyond! I had a plan tailored to my specific needs. Lori spends so much time counseling and educating her clients. I have learned so much from her about healing with food, how my body works, and what it needs. Thanks to this amazing team, I have lost weight, balanced my hormones and thyroid levels, and feel AMAZING! Thank you TNT for all you have done to teach me the skills I need to lead a long and HEALTHY LIFE!

— RENEE BARNES

Going Beyond Weight Loss To Achieve Wellness For Life

The city of Minneola Recreation Department has a variety of ways to keep you moving. All of these activities are at the City Hall Gymnasium, 800 N. U.S. Highway 27 in Minneola.

ADULTS/SENIOR WALK PROGRAM No registration or cost.

BELLY DANCING CLASSES (ALL AGES)