Red Tide & Shellfish Poisoning: What You Need to Know

Most Suncoast residents are familiar with the respiratory irritation and itchy eyes commonly experienced during red tide blooms. But did you know that eating red tide-contaminated shellfish can make you sick — possibly really sick?

Friday, July 23, 2021

SMH Expands 3D Printing Amid Pandemic ... & Beyond

Across the nation, 3D printing is benefitting medical care in multiple ways, including the creation of better performing medical devices and personalized care for patients. During the pandemic, however, Sarasota Memorial Hospital adopted a more mundane, but critical new use for the technology: safeguarding the protective gear that shields doctors and nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Heatstroke & Heat Exhaustion Warning Signs

As we’re approaching peak summer swelter on the Suncoast, medical care providers are seeing an increase in heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Learn what warning signs to look for in infants, children and adults, plus what steps to take to keep illness from worsening.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Spine Surgeon, SMH Testing Spinal Fusion Alternatives

Advances in non-fusion technology and motion-sparing techniques are giving some spine-surgery patients an alternative to spinal fusion. Learn how these developments are benefitting patients who suffer from low-back pain with leg pain or neck pain with arm pain. Led by Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Ashvin Patel, MD, Sarasota Memorial is testing these technologies that could change the gold standard.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Can Red Tide Make You Sick?

Red tide is on the rise in Sarasota County, leaving dead fish and marine life littering beaches and carrying foul-smelling breezes up to a mile inland. The return of the Karenia brevis red tide has certainly put a damper on summer plans for beach days and boating. But what are red tide's health effects? Should we skip the beach during blooms? Is it safe to swim in red tide waters? SMH Pulmonary Disease Specialist Kirk Voelker, MD, offers answers.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021