Anaelvys Espinoza-Ruiz poses with her children Justin Alexander Ruiz, age 6, and Melanie Isabel Ruiz, age 16 months, outside of their home in West Kendall on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Espinoza-Ruiz is a cervical cancer survivor and expected to have difficulty getting pregnant after her cancer treatments in 2006. A few months later, she found out she was pregnant with Justin and a few years later, she was surprised with her second pregnancy with Melanie.

Mother’s Day

From cervical cancer to mother - thanks to new surgery

With her two laughing children and tall, handsome husband at her side, Anaelvys Espinoza-Ruiz of Miami is the picture of happiness on Mother’s Day. Photo Gallery Available

Britt-Angela Williams, center, works on "the happy camper," at JetSet Pilates in Coral Gables. JetSet is a 50- minute workout that promises Pilates, core training, strength training, and balance on Megaformer machine, which the NY Times dubbed, "pilates on crack.''

Sweat Equity

Pilates with muscles

The Megaformer machine turns Pilates into a one-stop gym experience. Photo Gallery Available

Jock Doc

Getting to the bottom of shins pain

I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation of your shins. A stress fracture is a microfracture of the bone that may not appear on an X-ray. If the doctor finds that you have discomfort in the region of the tibia or fibula bone in the shin, then he or she may order an MRI scan, which is usually accurate in diagnosing a stress fracture.

First person

Thank you to those who’ve lifted me up through breast cancer treatment

My brother’s friend flashed a smile when he saw me. I had not seen him in about three years and I felt butterflies in my stomach. He talked about his new life as the single dad of a 10-month-old boy. I did my best to summarize my ordeal after my Aug. 1, 2011, breast cancer diagnosis. Photo Gallery Available

For kids, avoiding risks can add to anxiety later

It was always the introduction for Georgiann Steely — the ringing of the doorbell, the approach to the man at the cash register — that made her palms sweat and knees knock.

Madhavan Nair (at right) and Sakhrat Khizroev, researchers from FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine developed a new technique that can deliver and fully release the anti-HIV drug AZTTP into the brain by using magneto-electric nanoparticles to cross the blood-brain barrier. Here the researchers give a demonstration of a magnet's pull on the nanoparticles.

FIU researchers develop new pathway to brain for medicine

A physicist and an immunologist working together at FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine have developed a technique to deliver anti-HIV drugs to the brain more effectively.

Plastic surgery 101

Gastric sleeve may lead to more surgeries later

Your “friends’’ are taking some of your thunder away, but there is some truth in what they are telling you. It is still a bit early to tell what you may end up needing.

The Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, one of the brands known as the "morning-after pill."

Birth control

FDA rule on morning-after pill draws strong reaction

The agency has ordered retailers to make emergency contraception available to women 15 and older without a prescription. A federal judge’s ruling may expand that to females of any age.

insufficient glandular tissue

Condition impedes some mothers’ attempts to breast-feed

After struggling to breast-feed her first two children, Nyssa Retter was determined to do better with her third.

Fitness

Seniors: Keep fit to lower heart rate, improve balance

For seniors in South Florida, there are plenty of options for improving their physical fitness.

Dr. Leyda Bowes performs a Fraxel laser treatment for wrinkles and acne scars on Maria Elena Ferrer.

Skin care

The skin essentials that help turn back the clock

You can prevent the appearance of aging and look younger with proper skin care, injectables and light and laser treatments.

Beatrice Pari, who cares for her husband with myelodysplasia, chimes the start of a Reiki circle at Leeza's Place, a support center at Memorial Hospital Pembroke for caregivers of people with memory disorders or other chronic or progressive illnesses, Friday, April 19, 2013, in Pembroke Pines.

Caregiving

Caregivers offered comfort, support

There are 44.4 million adult American caregivers who care for a family member or friend, according to a study. Photo Gallery Available

Chew on This

Organic or Not?

Here’s the latest on pesticide levels in fruits and veggies

Deborah Binnie, in center, talks about flaws in the mental health system in the country during a current events discussion group that meets weekly on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. at the Coral Gables Youth Center, on Friday, April 19, 2013.

Mental activity

Healthy body, mind the key to longevity?

Doctors advise seniors to exercise their brain as well as staying physically active. Photo Gallery Available

Therapists and their patients find stress relief in skateboards

Therapists and their patients find stress relief in skateboards Video Available Photo Gallery Available

4_18_13 Former Marine Lucille Greenberg, who has a Cochlear Implant that gave her back the ability to hear, at her home in West Palm Beach.

The ears

Hearing loss and balance issues can be corrected

For elderly patients, losing their hearing affects their ability to communicate and participate in life. Photo Gallery Available

Medical research

Stem cells may someday replace need for artifical joint

Stems cells taken from just a few grams of body fat are a promising weapon against the crippling effects of osteoarthritis.

Dr. Daniel Cohen, a gastroenterologist at Memorial Hospital Pembroke.

Digestive health

Digestive issues common with advancing age

Age-related digestive problems can include everything from acid reflux and constipation, to bloating and gallstones. Photo Gallery Available

Dr. Ranjan Duara, medical director of the Mount Sinai Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders, inside one of the examination rooms at the center, Monday, April 29, 2013, in Miami Beach.

Organ donation

Donating your brain to science helps unlock keys to Alzheimer’s

Most people don’t think about having their brain donated to medical research when they die. Photo Gallery Available

Alicia Nash reads a magazine in her South Miami home, an activity she had to use glasses for before she had surgery to remove cataracts and have new lenses inserted in her eyes, on Saturday, April 20, 2013.

Eye health

Laser leads to less risky cataract surgery

Alicia Nash of Miami was tired of wearing glasses. So she went to her doctor and, at age 57, discovered she had the beginning of cataracts. Photo Gallery Available

Health

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