Heart•2 min read
What Your Blood Work Actually Tells You: A Patient's Guide to Common Lab Panels
A plain-language guide to common lab panels — CBC, CMP, lipid, thyroid, and A1C — explaining what each blood test measures and what your results mean.
Local Vitals — St. Petersburg Medical News
Health & medical insights for St. Petersburg
Expert advice, wellness tips, and medical updates from local healthcare professionals at Zimmer Medical Group.
151 published articles • Page 6 of 13
Articles • Page 6
Heart
Heart•2 min read
Understanding Inflammation: The Silent Driver Behind Chronic Disease
Chronic inflammation is linked to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune conditions. Learn what CRP and ESR blood tests reveal about your inflammation levels and how lifestyle changes can reduce your risk.
Senior•2 min read
Fall Prevention for Seniors: Simple Changes That Save Lives
Falls are the top injury threat after 65, yet most are preventable. Home fixes, balance and strength exercises, medication reviews, and when to see your doctor.
Senior•2 min read
Cognitive Health as You Age: What's Normal and What's Not
Some memory changes are a normal part of aging, while others may signal something more serious. Learn how to distinguish age-related forgetfulness from early warning signs of cognitive decline and what you can do to protect your brain health.
Florida•2 min read
Florida's Mosquito Season: Protecting Yourself from Mosquito-Borne Illness
Florida has 80-plus mosquito species, some carrying dengue, West Nile, and Zika. A St. Pete physician's guide to repellents, bite prevention, and warning signs.
Respiratory•1 min read
Vaping and E-Cigarettes: What We Know About the Health Risks
Vaping was sold as safer than smoking, but the science is more concerning. What we know about the lung, heart, and addiction risks of e-cigarettes.
Heart•2 min read
Wearable Health Devices: What Your Apple Watch and Fitbit Can (and Can't) Tell You
Smartwatches and trackers monitor heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep. Learn how accurate wearable health data is and when to bring it to your doctor.
Respiratory•2 min read
Florida Allergies: Year-Round Triggers and How to Manage Them
Florida's warm, humid climate keeps pollen, mold, and dust mites active year-round. Learn which allergy triggers peak when and how to manage them in St. Pete.
Vaccines•3 min read
What Every Adult Should Know About Shingles
If you've had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is already in your body. Learn how shingles develops, recognize the warning signs, understand the risk of complications like postherpetic neuralgia, and discover how vaccination can protect you.
Senior•3 min read
How Alcohol Affects Your Body After 50
The same amount of alcohol hits harder after 50 due to body composition changes and slower metabolism. Learn how aging affects alcohol processing, dangerous medication interactions, health risks specific to older adults, and how to make informed decisions about drinking.
Bone•2 min read
Osteoporosis: Building Stronger Bones at Any Age
Osteoporosis silently weakens bones until a fracture occurs. Learn who's at risk, how bone density is measured, and evidence-based strategies for building and maintaining strong bones through nutrition, exercise, and medication when needed.
Digestive•3 min read
IBS vs. IBD: Understanding the Difference
IBS and IBD are often confused, but they're fundamentally different conditions. Learn how to distinguish between irritable bowel syndrome (a functional disorder) and inflammatory bowel disease (which causes intestinal damage), and understand why accurate diagnosis matters.