March, 2016

Savor the Flavor of Eating Right

The Florida Department of Health in Polk County DOH-Polk recognizes March as National Nutrition Month. This year’s theme, Savor the Flavor of Eating Right , encourages individuals to discover new flavors and appreciate good food while experiencing the social aspects food can bring. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. There are many innovative ways people can include healthy and fresh ingredients into their daily diet, says Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Florida Department of...

Gum Disease: A Snapshot of Your Health

If you want to take a gander at the part of your body with the biggest assortment of bacteria, go to the mirror and open your mouth. It may be unappetizing, but it's true. Your mouth is a cornucopia of germs. And those germs can trigger gum disease—which may affect more than just your oral health. Periodontitis is the medical term for serious gum disease. The buildup of bacteria and inflammation that comes with it can lead to tooth loss and bloody gums. But the problems associated with per...

Keep Your Family Safe from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You can't see it, smell it or taste it, but carbon monoxide CO —a gas released when fuel is burned—can be deadly. Wood, oil, gasoline, natural gas, kerosene and coal all produce CO. In your home, CO can come from a variety of things, such as a heating system, cooking appliance or fireplace. It's also present in fumes from vehicles, small engines and barbecues. There's little to worry about when appliances and other devices are working right and fumes are properly vented. But when the...

Set the Stage for Your Produce to Shine

Let's give a hand to fruits and vegetables! They're the nutritional stars of your diet. But how can you make sure they are giving their best performance at every meal? Try these four tips for coaxing the most out of produce. Give them proper accommodations. Store perishable fresh produce in the refrigerator, and make sure the temperature in your fridge is set to 40 degrees or below. If a fruit or veggie wasn't sold refrigerated at the market, it probably doesn't need refrigeration at home. Think...

Four Medication Mistakes to Avoid

Are you doing the right things to make your medicines work for you? The medicines your doctor prescribes are meant to improve your health, but you could be making risky mistakes without even realizing it. Here are four potential pitfalls you want to avoid: 1. You fail to speak up. Did your doctor say to take your medicine before-or after-meals? Don't guess when it comes to your medicine. A wrong choice could make a drug less effective or cause serious problems. Always ask your doctor or pharmaci...

Watson Clinic Introduces Care Team Concept

If you’ve called to schedule an appointment or made a visit to your doctor lately, you might have heard us use the term ‘care team’. Care team refers to every member of a physician’s office who works to serve you during your office visit, including the nurses RNs & LPNs , medical assistants, technologists and all other staff members. Think of your care team as your own personal group of medical professionals who all work together to serve your wellness needs. In the p...