The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in Siesta Beach, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Service Areas
Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Siesta Beach, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
Book Appointment
The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in Siesta Beach, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in Siesta Beach, FL
Hitting the beach this weekend? No red tide, plus sunny weather in Sarasota and Manatee
Jesse Mendozahttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/environment/2025/02/28/sunny-weather-no-red-tide-beaches-look-good-for-sarasota-manatee/80693161007/
Beaches on the Florida Gulf coast have seen respite from red tide in recent weeks, and heavy rainfall this week has subsided just in time for an ideal weekend to hit the beach in Sarasota and Manatee.Popular local beaches including on ...
Beaches on the Florida Gulf coast have seen respite from red tide in recent weeks, and heavy rainfall this week has subsided just in time for an ideal weekend to hit the beach in Sarasota and Manatee.
Popular local beaches including on Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, have seen a noticeable number of tourists throughout February — although some beach trips were soured by a spotty red tide that appeared at times during the month.
Red tide's impacts on local beaches peaked during Presidents Day weekend, but have largely subsided, with the latest conditions reported in the area on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site ranging from not present/background level to very low and low.
Now that rainfall this week has cleared up, conditions could be favorable to hit the beach in Sarasota and Manatee.
Want to learn more?:What to know about a red tide pestering Sarasota and Manatee
Did you hear?:Siesta Beach ranked No. 1 in U.S. by Tripadvisor: Best hotels, restaurants, bars nearby
What's the weather like this weekend in Sarasota and Manatee counties?
National Weather Service Tampa Meteorologist Rodney Wynn said now that cold winter weather appears to be in the rearview mirror, conditions could be coming together for an ideal weekend to hit local beaches.
"I think most of the cold weather is already over for this winter," Wynn said. "We're expecting seasonal temperatures in the 70s over the next week, at least, and in the 50's and 60's overnight. The next chance for any rain will be next Wednesday."
"The wave heights will be less than one foot, so there will be very pleasant conditions at the local beaches," he said.
The forecast calls for sunny conditions and highs for Sarasota in the low to mid 70s for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Heard about red tide? Here's the scoop in Sarasota and Manatee
Red tide has been off the Gulf coast since hurricanes Helene and Milton last fall. The bloom lingered near the Lee and Collier County shores for much of this year until it drifted northward, carried by ocean currents, toward the Sarasota and Manatee county area in the week leading up to Valentine's Day.
However the bloom lost steam as it reached local waters, became patchy, and largely remained offshore away from local beaches even though dead fish, smells and some respiratory irritation was noticeable for days starting that weekend.
Also:What to know about algae ahead of spring break
See for yourself:FWC water sample results
Also:Red tide satellite images
Satellite imagery published by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, and water sample results published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, largely indicate that red tide is not currently affecting most Gulf coast beaches, including those in Sarasota and Manatee.
Cloud cover from recent rains has hampered satellite imagery since Feb. 23, when imagery indicated some red tide could still remain a distance offshore but not near local beaches. Water samples collected between Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 found low levels of Karenia Brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in Tampa Bay. Very low levels offshore, but no impacts near local beaches themselves, were also confirmed.
How can I check local beach conditions?
Visitors can learn more about current red tide conditions by visiting official state and federal websites. Available resources include satellite imagery published by NCCOS, water sample results published by FWC, notes from a local beach conditions reporting system published by MOTE Marine Laboratory.
Visitors can also check weather forecasts for the area provided by the NWS station in Tampa.
This Beach Was Just Named the Best in the U.S.—and It's Famous for Its Clear Waters, Powder-soft Sand, and Beautiful Sunsets
Lydia Manselhttps://www.travelandleisure.com/siesta-beach-florida-best-in-the-usa-tripadvisor-11684711
We’ve officially reached that time of year when the winter weather starts to drag and spring break still feels a little too far away. If you’re one of those travelers currently dreaming of a beach vacation—complete with warm temperatures, white sand, and clear blue water—you’ll be interested in...
We’ve officially reached that time of year when the winter weather starts to drag and spring break still feels a little too far away. If you’re one of those travelers currently dreaming of a beach vacation—complete with warm temperatures, white sand, and clear blue water—you’ll be interested in the latest news from Tripadvisor.
The travel research platform recently announced the winners of its 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches. According to the press release, the rankings are based on a “comprehensive analysis of global beach reviews”—aka real travelers (like you) who left real reviews on their frequented beach destinations around the world.
While Elafonissi Beach in Crete, Greece, took the No. 1 spot in the global rankings, a Florida favorite wasn’t too far behind. Siesta Beach in Siesta Key earned the fourth overall spot globally, beating out all other beaches in the U.S.
Up from its second-place position in the 2024 awards, the beach—a short drive from Sarasota—boasts more than a handful of reasons to visit. Tripadvisor stated that Siesta Beach is particularly good for “clear waters, powder sand, seashells, [and] beachfront stays,” and reviewers also credit the “enormous amount of space” on Siesta Beach for making it such an incredible vacation spot.
“The beach is quiet (so much beach that everyone feels like they each have a private oasis), and the water is … warm yet refreshing. For my morning walks it’s so flat, easy, and comfortable to walk on,” one reviewer wrote. Another shared how the “quartz-crystal white powdery sand between [their] toes and the warm gulf waters” keeps them returning to Siesta Key year after year, and another traveler said this is the “best place” to watch the sunset.
If that description made you want to book a trip ASAP, start looking at flights for mid to late spring. The TripAdvisor report revealed that the best times to visit Siesta Key are between April and May—or later in the year in September and October. If you avoid July and August, you’ll get to experience this award-winning beach when “the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and temperatures are more moderate compared to the peak summer months.”
Siesta Key Named #1 Beach In The U.S. Just 4 Months After Getting Clobbered By Hurricane Milton
Cass Andersonhttps://brobible.com/culture/article/siesta-key-number-one-beach-america-2025/
The annual Best Beach in America and Best Beach in the World rankings from TripAdvisor are out and my home town took the #1 spot in the United States (4th in the world) after Siesta Key was ranked the best beach in the country. This comes just four months after Hurricane Milton made direct landfall on Siesta Key, clobbering the island I grew up on and destroying homes and schools, but the recovery effort was swift and it has evidently paid off.The thing about Siesta Key beach that consistently has it in the rankings of the best beache...
The annual Best Beach in America and Best Beach in the World rankings from TripAdvisor are out and my home town took the #1 spot in the United States (4th in the world) after Siesta Key was ranked the best beach in the country. This comes just four months after Hurricane Milton made direct landfall on Siesta Key, clobbering the island I grew up on and destroying homes and schools, but the recovery effort was swift and it has evidently paid off.
The thing about Siesta Key beach that consistently has it in the rankings of the best beaches in the world is the sand. It has some of the softest sand with the highest quartz content of any beach on the planet. As a little kid the sand was so soft I’d have to wear shoes on the beach because it felt so weird on my feet. But people love it!
Siesta Key is truly unrecognizable from decades ago as millions of tourists flock to Florida every year to tan on the pristine white beaches and that has modernized the once sleepy fishing village into a proper tourist destination. And Sarasota County has done a fantastic job at improving the amenities at Siesta Key Beach. You can get cocktails from the main concession stand, they’ve got a dope lobster roll, chair rentals are available, and most importantly the sand remains immaculate no matter how many people visit Siesta Key Beach every year.
Best Beaches in the United States: 2025 Rankings
The full top 10 of the best beaches in the country, according to TripAdvisor’s recent rankings, shakes out like this:
Here is a Siesta Key Beach sunset for the uninitiated… Situated on Florida’s west coast about an hour south of Tampa and on a barrier island just off Sarasota, Siesta Key gets some of the most gorgeous sunsets imaginable:
It is truly wild to see Siesta Key in the #1 spot after Hurricane Milton had a direct hit on the barrier island back in October. My son’s school on Siesta Key was closed for months due to Helene and Milton. Streets were covered in sand. Homes were covered in sand. The rebuilding is going to take years upon years. Many people will never rebuild.
But somehow that sand all seems to have made its way back onto the main Siesta Beach because if you drive around Siesta Village it looks pretty close to normal these days. Which again, is completely nuts. The eye of Hurricane Milton passed directly over my home!! And now this is the #1 beach in the country. If anything it will signal to the outside world that Sarasota and Siesta Key are open for business again.
That said, if money isn’t an option, I would check out the new St. Regis on nearby Longboat Key if you can afford it. It is a new property that opened a few months ago and is absolutely stunning. The St. Regis on Longboat Key also sits on pretty much the same sand as Siesta Key though it might not blind you from being as purely white sand.
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For Trip Advisor’s full rankings, head on over here!
Siesta Beach Named No. 1 Beach in the U.S., No. 4 in the World by Tripadvisor
Kim Doleattohttps://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2025/02/siesta-key-named-best-beach-by-tripadvisor-2025
Beloved for its powdery quartz sand and clear Gulf waters, Sarasota’s Siesta Beach was named the best beach in the U.S. and ranks No. 4 in the world, according to Tripadvisor. February 19, 2025 Siesta Beach, long celebrated for its powdery white sand and shimmering Gulf waters, has once again claimed the top spot o...
Beloved for its powdery quartz sand and clear Gulf waters, Sarasota’s Siesta Beach was named the best beach in the U.S. and ranks No. 4 in the world, according to Tripadvisor.
February 19, 2025
Siesta Beach, long celebrated for its powdery white sand and shimmering Gulf waters, has once again claimed the top spot on Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best Beaches” list for 2025, reaffirming its reputation as a premier coastal destination. This year’s ranking places Siesta Beach at No. 1 in the country and No. 4 globally, surpassing hundreds of contenders worldwide.
The accolades come after a catastrophic hurricane season that destroyed many homes and businesses on the key. More recently, Florida environmentalists are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare an emergency over a worsening red tide algae bloom off the state’s southwest coast. The bloom, blamed for fish and dolphin deaths, has prompted several counties to issue health alerts. Scientists trace the outbreak to nutrient-rich waters stirred up by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which tore through the Gulf of Mexico in September and October.
Despite these hurdles, Siesta Beach remains a draw. Its signature sand, composed of 99 percent pure quartz, stays cool underfoot even on the hottest days. The beach’s gently sloping shoreline offers safe, shallow waters, ideal for swimmers and families, while sunbathers, volleyball players and Sunday-night drum circle fans fill the three-and-a-half-mile stretch. Walkers and runners often trek to Point of Rocks, a limestone formation marking the northern end of the beach.
Tripadvisor’s rankings, based on millions of traveler reviews over the past 12 months, highlight not only Siesta Beach’s natural beauty but also its accessibility and amenities. A renovation reflecting Sarasota’s midcentury modern architectural heritage has expanded facilities, adding a two-story pavilion with panoramic views, shaded picnic areas and an updated snack bar. Families appreciate the playground, ample picnic spots and year-round lifeguards. The hard-packed sand near the waterline makes it a favorite for long walks and family fun runs during the summer months. A free trolley links beachgoers to nearby restaurants, bars, and other Siesta Key destinations, including Crescent and Turtle beaches.
This latest accolade follows a pattern. Siesta Beach has twice been named America’s Best Beach by coastal expert Stephen “Dr. Beach” Leatherman and was featured in Time magazine’s “World’s 100 Greatest Places of 2021.” Last year, Tripadvisor ranked it second in the U.S. and ninth globally, making this year’s rise a testament to the beach’s enduring appeal—one that’s even more precious amid ongoing recovery from the storms.
For a full guide to the area’s beaches, click here.
Red tide drifts closer to Sarasota and Charlotte counties. Are beaches are affected?
Jesse Mendozahttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/environment/2025/02/12/red-tide-drifts-closer-to-sarasota-are-any-area-beaches-affected/78458203007/
Red tide is in bloom near the Florida Gulf coast, and over the past week it has slowly crept closer to south Sarasota County.Sa...
Red tide is in bloom near the Florida Gulf coast, and over the past week it has slowly crept closer to south Sarasota County.
Satellite images published by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science show that a red tide bloom in the Gulf lingering around the Naples and Sanibel Island in Lee and Collier county area this month is slowly drifting northward, and has crept closer to Charlotte and Sarasota counties.
Images published Wednesday show that as of Tuesday the bloom was closest to shore near the Manasota Key and Englewood area, near the Sarasota and Charlotte county line. However, popular SRQ area beaches like those on Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island are still in the clear.
No red tide?:10 best Sarasota restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year list
Where is red tide blooming in Florida?
Red tide has been off the Lee and Collier county coast for at least the past two weeks. Satellite images show the bloom has drifted northward away from Naples and Collier County since early February, and that it predominantly affected the Sanibel Island area in Lee County until recent days.
Satellite images show the red tide bloom has slowly drifted northward toward the Charlotte and Sarasota county line, but also slightly away from shore.
Satellite images:National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science HAB tracker
Water sample results:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Water sample results from affected beaches published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed satellite imagery findings. The most recent water samples, collected on Feb. 10, showed medium levels of red tide at Blind Pass Beach in south Sarasota County and Boca Grande Pass in Lee County near the Charlotte County line.
Water sample results show Sarasota or Manatee County beaches have been in the clear for at least one week, including those at Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Lido Key and Siesta Key.
What is a red tide bloom?
Red tide is caused when Karenia Brevis, an algae that naturally exists in the Gulf, blooms at a level that can cause harm to marine life. It is called red tide because typically blue waters turn red or brown during a bloom. Red tide can also cause health problems in humans, typically respiratory irritation especially among those who may be susceptible because of chronic health issues.
In case you missed it:Red tide is blooming on the Florida Gulf coast, but is Sarasota affected? What to know.
Although red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon, human-caused nitrogen runoff is believed to help amplify red tide blooms because Karenia Brevis thrives in nitrogen enriched waters. Red tide has bloomed near parts of the Florida Gulf that have been affected by hurricanes in recent years, including the ongoing bloom which formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Milton.
Red tide blooms tend to linger near shore until they are potentially carried away by a seasonal change in water currents.
Where can I learn more about red tide?
Visitors can learn more about current red tide conditions by visiting official state and federal websites to plan trips to local beaches.
Local beach conditions:Mote Marine Laboratory
Available resources include satellite imagery published by NCCOS, water sample results published by FWC, notes from a local beach conditions reporting system published by MOTE Marine Laboratory. Visitors can also check weather forecasts to determine if winds are blowing toward or away from shore.
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