Local Vitals

Your source for St. Petersburg's health and medical news, provided by local experts.

71 articles published • Page 3 of 6

November 10, 2025

A Sunshine State of Health: Tips for Navigating the Holiday Season in St. Pete

This guide offers practical advice for maintaining health during St. Petersburg's unique holiday season. It covers strategies for mindful eating at parties, leveraging Florida's weather for consistent exercise, and managing holiday stress with local relaxation opportunities. The article also provides crucial tips on illness prevention, including the importance of flu shots and navigating social gatherings safely to ensure a healthy and enjoyable holiday.

November 7, 2025

Beyond the Throw Rug: A Practical Guide to Fall Prevention

This comprehensive guide to fall prevention moves beyond basic home safety tips to address the underlying medical reasons for falls. The article details how changes in vision, medication side effects, and chronic conditions contribute to fall risk. It then provides a practical, multi-step action plan focusing on specific balance and strength exercises, crucial home modifications for high-risk areas like bathrooms, and the vital role of partnering with a primary care physician for a personalized fall risk assessment.

November 6, 2025

Breathe Easier: A Guide to Managing Asthma and COPD in Humid St. Pete

Learn about essential strategies for managing chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD in St. Petersburg's challenging, humid climate. The article explains how high humidity acts as a trigger by promoting mold and trapping allergens. It offers practical, actionable tips for controlling indoor air quality with dehumidifiers and proper A/C filtration, navigating outdoor activities safely by monitoring air quality reports, and optimizing medical treatment plans with a primary care physician.

November 4, 2025

Thriving After Menopause: A Guide to Heart and Bone Health for St. Pete Women

This guide addresses the specific health shifts women face after menopause, focusing on the increased risks for heart disease and osteoporosis due to lower estrogen levels. The article details proactive, science-backed strategies for protecting cardiovascular health through diet and local exercise opportunities in St. Petersburg. It also provides a clear plan for maintaining strong bones, covering the importance of weight-bearing activities, crucial nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D, and essential screenings like the DEXA scan.

November 3, 2025

Men's Health Checklist: Key Screenings Men in St. Pete Shouldn't Ignore

This article serves as a proactive health checklist for men, outlining the essential medical screenings necessary for long-term wellness. It details the importance of regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, and explains the current guidelines for crucial cancer screenings like colorectal and prostate. The guide also emphasizes screenings vital for the Florida lifestyle, such as skin cancer checks, and discusses the often-overlooked topics of mental health and testosterone levels.

October 31, 2025

Eating Out with Diabetes: How to Navigate St. Pete's Restaurant Scene

This article provides a strategic guide for individuals with diabetes to confidently dine out in St. Petersburg. It covers essential pre-planning steps like reviewing menus online, offers specific, healthy meal choices for popular local cuisines like seafood and Latin food, and provides practical tips on portion control, beverage selection, and post-meal blood sugar management.

October 30, 2025

Decoding Your Annual Physical: What to Expect at Your St. Pete Wellness Visit

This guide demystifies the annual physical, explaining its vital role as a proactive wellness strategy. It breaks down each component of the visit, from the in-depth conversation about health history to the head-to-toe physical exam. Learn what your doctor is checking for, what routine lab work reveals, and how a personalized prevention plan is created, along with a practical checklist to help you prepare for your appointment.

October 29, 2025

Understanding Your Blood Work: A Guide to Common Lab Tests

This guide demystifies the numbers and acronyms on your lab report. The article breaks down the three most common blood tests—the Complete Blood Count (CBC), Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), and Lipid Panel—explaining what key markers for blood cells, kidney function, liver health, cholesterol, and blood sugar reveal about your overall health.

October 28, 2025

Gut Check: How Your Digestive Health Impacts Everything (And How to Improve It)

Your gut health is about more than just digestion—it's linked to your immune system, mood, and even heart health. Learn the science behind the gut microbiome and five practical, powerful tips on diet and lifestyle to help you heal your gut and improve your overall well-being.

October 27, 2025

Health on the Water: A St. Pete Doctor's Tips for Boaters and Anglers

Before you cast a line or leave the dock, ensure your health is shipshape. Learn about crucial safety tips on sun protection, hydration, first aid for marine injuries, and managing medications for a safe day on the Gulf.

October 26, 2025

The Physical Toll of Stress: How It Affects Your Body and How to Cope

Stress isn't just in your head—it has real, physical consequences. In today's article we discuss how chronic stress impacts your heart, immune system, and sleep, and offers practical, local strategies to manage its effects and protect your long-term health.

October 25, 2025

5 Lifestyle Habits to Boost Brain Health and Reduce Dementia Risk

Protect your mind for years to come. A St. Pete internist shares 5 science-backed lifestyle habits—from diet to social life—to boost brain health, improve memory, and significantly reduce your long-term risk of dementia.

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