State doesn't check background of some health professionals

After three years in a federal pen, dentist David Goldston is back in practice in Polk City. He'll have to fix a lot of teeth to pay off $2 million in tax-fraud penalties, but at least he doesn't have to worry about losing his state dental license.

Source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/state-doesnt-check-background-of-some-health-professionals-1425557.html?cxtype=rss_health_17932

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Palm Beach Gardens opens new clinic for city workers, retirees this morning

Moment of inspiration: Gary Player's Masters win 50 years ago paved way for international golfers

Yorkie not sleeping soundly through night

Question: I?m worried about the strange behavior of my 10-year-old female, spayed Yorkie. She rattles the gate at night trying to get out so she can go out on porch through the doggie door. The gate keeps her with us and she has bedroom and kitchen for space.

She has always slept with us and now she has nights when she is unable to settle down. We took her to our vet a month ago and were told since she is a senior dog to cut back and change her dog food, which we did.

We switched from Cesar to Iams and she seems to like it alright. She also gets Royal Canine for Yorkies and a few treats. I should say I always let her out on deck before we go to bed.

What is wrong with her? I should also say we have always spoiled her and she is used to having her way.Thank you for any help you can provide as her gate rattling is driving me nuts. I would like to be able to go to sleep. — Norma

Answer: It can be very frustrating to get up night after night with a pet. You took the first step to get her a good comprehensive physical exam and change her diet. Since nothing major was uncovered at the exam, you need to have a Senior Wellness blood profile done with a urinalysis. Many older dogs have urinary tract infections or kidney problems. An infection can cause her to get sudden urges to go outside to urinate.

The sooner that the problem is found and corrected the better. Long-standing bladder infections can lead to more serious kidney infections if not treated in a timely manner. A simple urine analysis can give your veterinarian a good idea of what problems may be causing her restless nights. Urinary infections are generally treated with antibiotics.

Your pet?s blood test will help to make sure the liver and kidneys are still functioning normally. Often the results of the blood testing may uncover the need to change the diet to an even more specific formula and sometimes a prescription food is needed.
Even thyroid disease may cause changes in nighttime behavior.

Remember older dogs don?t like change. Try to keep your bedtime routine the same. Make sure she goes outside to eliminate right before settling down to sleep. Give her a comfy orthopedic doggie mattress and make sure the room is dark and quiet. A gentle comforting massage can help her relax and go to sleep.

Dogs can get cognitive dysfunction similar to what people experience as they age. They can have changes in nighttime routines, as well as a decline in other mental areas. It is important to do blood work and rule out other physical causes of these behaviors prior to treating for canine cognitive dysfunction. Remember not to scold her for her behavior. It will only increase her anxiety and make things worse.

Dr. Baker

Dr. Baker

Dr. Susan Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2011/03/28/yorkie-not-sleeping-soundly-through-night/

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Birth control for bunnies? Don't let them multiply

Every year at Easter, the nonprofit group Orlando Rabbit Care & Adoptions tries to warn parents to think twice before buying their kids baby bunnies as pets.

Source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/birth-control-for-bunnies-dont-let-them-multiply-1429418.html?cxtype=rss_state

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Homeless health care fair April 27 features dental, diabetes, blood pressure and STD screenings

A federal grant is making health care for the homeless available at the West Palm Beach Health Center on 45th Street. Rachel Mummey/The Palm Beach Post

A federal grant is making health care for the homeless available at the West Palm Beach Health Center on 45th Street. Rachel Mummey/The Palm Beach Post

Blood pressure and diabetes checks, pregnancy tests, breast exams, dental screenings, health insurance consultations and HIV / AIDS and sexually transmitted disease screenings will be offered at the Healthcare for The Homeless Health Fair on Wednesday April 27th at the West Palm Beach Health Center located at 1150 45th Street, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This annual event is free to Palm Beach County adults. Information and referral services from programs within the Palm Beach County Health Department, as well as community partner agencies will be available.

Federal grants are paying for the program focused on the homeless, said Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso.
To register ahead of time, call 561-514-5303 or 561-514-5304

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/on-call/2011/04/22/homeless-health-care-fair-april-27-features-dental-diabetes-blood-pressure-and-std-screenings/

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PB County Clerk Sharon Bock in $ tug-of-war with soon-to-be-ex

Gigliotti with Bock

Gigliotti with Bock

Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock’s divorce got uglier.

Bock, 58, is alleging that her neighborhood activist husband of 14 years, Tony Gigliotti, broke into their marital home and stole furniture, jewelry, stemware and china, according to court papers.

Bock was out of town after changing the locks on the doors of the couple’s Palm Beach Shores home. When she returned, she called police although there was no arrest.

“Like every divorce in Palm Beach County, this is a very emotional divorce, and the parties are working through the emotions,” said James Green, Gigliotti’s lawyer. “He removed property he felt was his before the marriage.”

And in another recent filing, Bock also alleged that Gigliotti, the chairman of the politically powerful Singer Island Civic Association, tried to shield his ownership of a farm in North Florida. He claimed that his two adult children from a previous marriage are the rightful owners although Bock disputed that.

The silver lining: The popular, twice elected county clerk will do just fine financially without Gigliotti.

For more, look below or click

According to her financial filing Bock, who ran a law practice before she was elected in 2004, lists about $4.4 million in real estate and investments, including: the $850,000-marital home on Singer Island, a $1.4 million-motel and the 162-acre hay farm in Suwannee County that Gigliotti claims is his.

And Gigliotti, according to the divorce file, wants a bigger share of the marital pie because he claims to have brought more money into the marriage than Bock.

Still Bock’s attorney, Melinda Gamot, says she is hopeful to be able to hammer out an agreement soon.

“I believe we can close the gaps between both of them fairly soon,” Gamot said.

Source: http://www.page2live.com/2011/03/29/pb-county-clerk-sharon-bock-in-tug-of-war-with-soon-to-be-ex/

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?American Idol? voters get it wrong by?

….kicking off the wrong person after he got better, in my opinion. A person whose name is going to be revealed after this SPOILER ALERT. It’s Stefano. And phooey. If this had happened a few weeks ago, I would get it. Scratch that – I still get him getting booted, because there are other singers [...]

Source: http://www.pbpulse.com/tv/2011/04/22/american-idol-voters-get-it-wrong-by/

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Living Will

I wrote a letter home today. letter-home

Not the usual: ?Hello, I?m fine. This is what I did today, this is what I?m going to do tomorrow, this is how little sleep I?m getting, it?s great wearing scrubs every day, etc.? This was a letter that everyone needs to write - a letter whose importance has been grossly underemphasized. This was my living will.

I gave my parents and my sister specific instructions of what to do in case I was ever to be incapacitated and unable to make my own decisions regarding my health care. I provided the example of a situation where I was unconscious, intubated, and on a feeding tube. I told them if there was no hope of me being able to live a normal life again, then they should tell the doctor to withdraw care. I then asked them to respond with their own wishes.

Those few sentences will avoid a potential disaster for many people. My family will not have to be torn between the guilt of withdrawing care and the anguish of witnessing what my life has become. My doctor will know that the patient?s wishes are being respected. My nurses will not have to check on my machines every day, readjust me, and bathe me. The hospital will not have to pump thousands of dollars of resources into my inanimate body. The court will not become involved in a morally charged case where the philosophical discussion of what it means to be alive will be forced to fit the framework of the legal system.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This can?t be more applicable than to the field of medicine. Not only can we prevent many chronic illnesses with lifestyle changes, but we can prevent devastating social crises with a living will. Although using an ?official? document is ideal, the most important thing is letting someone know. Write it on a piece of lined paper, a post-it, or whatever and give it to your loved ones. Written or verbal, make your wishes be known.

Hopefully one day, having a living will will be just as common and desired as having a driver?s license. Maybe there will be even a law requiring citizens to document this information. Until then, we can put our apprehensions aside and make the unselfish decision now to help our families and doctors in the future.

Now that?s something to write home about.

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/becoming-a-doctor/2010/07/11/living-will/

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