Category: Health Tips

By Dr. Dale Volquartsen, Pediatrician Many parents today are faced with difficult decisions concerning the feeding of their infants in the midst of what is now a crisis due to the shortage of infant formula. As with most crises, there are numerous factors that play…

With Spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, we are seeing more than just tourists arriving here on the Emerald Coast. As is evident by the yellow dust showing up on our cars and, well, everywhere else, allergen levels are on the…

The halfway mark of the year is upon us and it’s time to take stock of all that you have accomplished and what is yet to come. While it’s a lot more fun to think about all the things you have achieved so far in…

Technology is an ever-present part of our lives. From the computer you work on to smartphone you use to connect with friends and family, there is rarely a day that we go without some sort of screen in front of our faces. For many of…

Surgery can be a scary word, but with advances in technology that shouldn’t be the case. As with any medical intervention, surgery can have its risks, which is why it almost always the last route taken by doctors. Fortunately for patients, technological advances have been…

It’s no secret that medications play a huge role in health care. For as long as people have roamed this Earth, medications, in the form of herbs, pastes, mixtures, pills and more, have been utilized by health care professionals to provide our bodies and minds…

During the fight against COVID-19, staying home and limiting interactions has been key to preventing community spread. While there is no argument that taking these steps has benefited all of us in the long run, unhealthy side effects have occurred during this time. “Many people…

Over the last month, vaccines tasked with arming us against COVID-19 have begun arriving around the country, bringing with it much excitement that we might soon be rid of the global pandemic that has plagued us. While it may be a while before the public-at-large…

It’s finally a new year. And as with every new year, it comes with new hope that we can leave the past behind us and usher in a better and brighter tomorrow. After the difficult year that was 2020, this has never been truer. Luckily,…

  Cold and flu season is well underway, and you may hear that, “you better make sure your hair is dry before going to sleep or outside, otherwise you’ll catch a cold.” This myth can be traced back for decades to when it was believed…

As the holidays approach, many of us are thinking about what we and our friends and family will be eating come the big day and, as leftovers are an inevitable part of any large meal, many days afterwards. No matter how much you plan and…

Sometimes it seems like each birthday brings a new set of ailments or pains. Our knees may ache a little more than they used to, or we might squint a little harder when reading the score of Saturday’s game. Those are just a normal sign…

When we picture our lives, we all hope that we will grow old easily and peacefully, surrounded by our loved ones who remain healthy and happy right along with us. We never picture ourselves or someone we love struggling with a serious health issue. And…

Green Nasal Mucus Means It’s Time for Antibiotics. Or Does It? With springtime comes allergies, and for many, a nasty runny nose. But is that runny nose just allergies, or is there an underlying infection? The color of our nasal mucus is not something we…

Every February we honor heart month, and it is a good yearly reminder to assess the health of our hearts and understand our risk for heart disease. With February seemingly long behind us, it’s all too easy to put our healthy heart choices on the…

It’s one of parenting’s many dilemmas – is my child well enough to go to school?  We all want our children to be resilient, but it is not uncommon for kids and teens to pretend to be ill in order to avoid something unpleasant at…

Long summer days are not only great for hitting the beach but also for exploring trails and wooded areas. Floridians are not the only ones who enjoy these lush areas – mosquitoes, yellow flies and gnats are rampant but there is another pest to watch…

School is out for summer! Although it may seem like the break has just begun, summer goes by in the blink of an eye and it is not too early to start planning for the school year ahead. From gathering supplies to meeting your child’s…

This busy cold and flu season, many are willing to try anything to help them get feeling better fast. We are often told that one of the best ways to beat the flu is to sweat it out; but is this true or just another…

Dr. Irina Smith sees herself as both your pediatrician and a partner in your health care. In her practice, she has the opportunity to work alongside parents and children to provide the best care possible for her patients. “Just like any relationship, communication is key,”…