02.07.19
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How to prevent sudden cardiac arrest, and potentially save a life

Age isn’t always a deciding factor in who may or may not have an SCA or heart attack. Often very athletic younger men and women, seemingly out of the blue and in “perfect” health, can have an episode of SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest).

Years back there was a 17-year-old high school tennis team captain that passed away from an SCA. While instances like this are very rare, they are not unheard of. If you are young and seemingly healthy, there would generally be no reason you would have been to visit a cardiologist. The cause is usually a chronic heart condition that the person isn’t made aware of. That is until it happens and then its too late.

An SCA is different from a heart attack. The terms are often interchangeably used.

How they differ:

Heart Attack: During a heart attack the heart’s blood supply is blocked or reduced, causing injury to the heart muscle, and can result in death. The person is generally awake and can feel and report on symptoms of what they are experiencing.

SCA: In an SCA the heart ceases beating and blood flow through the body is completely stopped. In an SCA consciousness is lost after only a gasp or two for breath, and possibly a seizure. SCA is a leading cause of death among adults over 40. Over 1,000 incidents are reported nationwide each day. You must receive CPR within 5 minutes or death is certain.

It is not possible to predict when and where SCA could occur. Nor is it possible to predict in whom it may occur. The best option in preventing this type of event from happening is to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.

  • Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet
  • Be physically active and exercise regularly
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Do not smoke
  • Do not drink alcohol in excess
  • Do not use recreational drugs including stimulants and caffeine
  • Panic and anxiety are also a potential cause so if you have panic attacks do everything you can to get them under control
  • A sudden blow to the chest can also disrupt the hearts rhythm

Those with pre-existing conditions should also beware and check in with their physicians regularly. Predispositions include:

  • Those with a history of previous heart attacks
  • Those with a heart valve or rhythm disorders
  • Those who have fainting spells
  • Those with a history of heart failure
  • Those with coronary disease

For many, SCA is the first indication that a heart condition exists. The problem is that only 10% who experience SCA will live through it.

If you are age 40 and up and have any pre-existing heart conditions or a family history of heart disease please check in with your physician at Tampa Cardio. While prediction is impossible, prevention is key. The physicians at Tampa Cardio are dedicated to keeping your heart healthy through evaluation, heart-healthy lifestyle tips, and treatment options that may be right for you.

Give the office a call today at (813) 975-2800 or visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more.

02.05.19
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Compression Therapy for Veins

Tampa cardiovascular associates, cardiovascular, cardiologist, dr sawar, Tampa cardiologists, felize, Cardiologist near me, dr cruz Tampa, Tampa cardiology, Tampa cardiologist, tampa heart and vascular associates, sad sawar, dr Elizabeth healy, cardiology Tampa, cardiologist in Tampa, cardiologist Wesley chapel, vein doctor tampa, vein specialist tampa, veins tampa, tampa vein clinic, tampa vein center

Tampa cardiovascular associates, cardiovascular, cardiologist, dr sawar, Tampa cardiologists, felize, Cardiologist near me, dr cruz Tampa, Tampa cardiology, Tampa cardiologist, tampa heart and vascular associates, sad sawar, dr Elizabeth healy, cardiology Tampa, cardiologist in Tampa, cardiologist Wesley chapel, vein doctor tampa, vein specialist tampa, veins tampa, tampa vein clinic, tampa vein centerVaricose veins can be an uncomfortable nuisance. Living with venous insufficiency or varicose veins you often experience a decrease in your normally active lifestyle due to pain. These conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms that make your legs the new unwanted focus.

Symptoms may include but are not limited to:

  • Visible veins that become dark reddish purple-blue in color and they can become raised or twisted
  • Redness
  • Swelling (edema)
  • Legs may ache
  • Legs may feel heavy
  • Legs may become painful
  • Itching
  • Ulcers may develop
  • Restless Leg Syndrome

Home recommendations: One of the most commonly used home remedies that have been shown to decrease the severity of symptoms is the use of compression.

How it works:

Compression assists the body by reinforcing the vein walls. This is very helpful with veins that are weakened or damaged wall. Proper pressure can be achieved by utilizing compression bandages as a wrap, compression socks (which only cover the bottom half of the leg) or compression hose which will encompass the entire length of the leg.

Compression wear such as hosiery has been shown to help improve blood flow as well as reduce swelling. They may also help reduce the formation of blood clots. Compression garments should only be worn while you are up and mobile, usually in 8 hour time periods. Be very careful lounging around in them or laying down at night as too much compression can actually be harmful as it may cut off circulation further.

Compression hose and socks should fit snuggly but comfortably. They are made in a variety of compressions from mild to tight. The higher the number, the firmer the fit. If you feel like you are starting to lose circulation remove them. 

At Tampa Cardiovascular Associates Vein Clinic they often recommend patients try compression as an at home addition to other treatments offered.

Want to learn more? They would love to talk with you and see how they can help benefit your vein health. If you are in the Tampa, Florida area give them a call at (813) 975-2800 or visitwww.tampacardio.com online to learn more about the practice and their physicians.

01.07.19
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Tooth Grinding & Chiropractic

bruxism-fort-myers-chiropractic

bruxism-fort-myers-chiropracticWaking up with a painful jaw and wondering why?
You might be experiencing bruxism.

You won’t realize you are even doing it. It is subconscious tension causing your jaw to clench together and even create a grinding motion wearing away at your teeth. It can, over time, cause undue wear and tear on your teeth as well as potential misalignments on your jaw.

Bruxism is diagnosed by looking visually at the wear of teeth, inside mouth bite marks, reports of tooth grinding noises during sleep, and a feeling of jaw exhaustion and tiredness.

Night time teeth grinding even sometimes wakes you up during the night needing an anti-inflammatory or ice application. An ice pack can help sooth the discomfort.

Surprisingly spinal subluxations can cause bruxism. Once corrected through chiropractic treatment and adjustments, the grinding stops.

Some possible solutions are to wear a dental guard at night, take turmeric daily (a natural anti-inflammatory), and if necessary, keep an ice pack in the freezer. While these all help, the real cause can stem from stress and or a misaligned set of teeth or your jaw being slightly off.

If jaw or tooth pain is keeping you up at night your first stop may be your dentist to check to make sure your teeth are healthy but we also highly recommend a visit your chiropractor for an exam and adjustment. Living with jaw pain can be unbearable. There is no reason to go on day to day like that.

  • Take Turmeric daily
  • Wear a mouth guard at night
  • Reduce your stress levels
  • Use an ice pack to reduce inflammation
  • Visit your dentist to rule out tooth issues
  • Take Nsaid anti-inflammatories only when necessary
  • Visit your chiropractor and get the root cause adjusted

Bruxism is not the same as TMJ.

TMJ disorder is a condition which involves pain and improper function of the muscles and joints that attach the lower jaw to the skull. It can be helped through chiropractic treatment as well, but requires a much longer course of treatment and is more difficult to correct.

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

      SCHEDULE NOW!   
       1-239-332-2555
01.05.19
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Drinking Excessively Can Worsen Vein Issues

alcohol and varicose veins tampa safety harbor

alcohol and varicose veins tampa safety harborWe have all seen it in the faces of serious hardcore lifetime drinkers. The broken capillaries and swelling nasal features, its a telltale sign of the consumption of too much alcohol over time. This excessive consumption can have a negative effect on your entire circulatory system.

Many people are predisposed to alcoholism due to family history and genetics.

If you know that risk runs in your family, your best option is to avoid it altogether. Other risk factors for vein disease besides alcohol can include poor diet, sedentary activity level, and holding on to extra weight especially in the midsection.

All of these factors can be addressed and helped through planning with your physician and lifestyle change. When people think diet they look at the food they are consuming and sometimes fail to look at what they are drinking as well. Alcohol should be an occasional indulgence at best when it comes to your health. Alcohol is actually poison. Your body just is able to filter it in small quantities via the kidneys and liver.

As varicose veins are a defective circulatory condition, and that alcohol affects blood circulation it should be no surprise that the two are interrelated.

The blood flowing through the legs pumps back up to the heart through a series of one-way valves that open in the direction of the heart and close immediately after the blood has passed through.  Ideally preventing any backflow of blood from occurring. When leg vein valves are damaged or aged they are unable to prevent an unhealthy backflow of blood, causing pressure to build up in the leg veins and resulting in the swollen, bulging, and enlarged appearance associated with varicose veins.

When alcohol is consumed it increases the heart rate and blood pressure. This forces the veins to work harder. It has a direct effect on the liver which is responsible for filtering blood. When the liver is damaged it becomes unable to properly filter the blood of waste and toxins. The result is a thickening of the blood making it even harder for those already delicate veins to do their job and varicose veins a far more likely outcome.

Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center is certainly not going to advise you that you should never drink alcohol even socially, he will inform you that it would be wise to refrain from or limit alcoholic beverages if varicose veins are already present or if you have other risk factors for vein disease.

If you are in the Tampa, Florida or Safety Harbor Area of Tampa Bay give the office of West Florida Vein Center a call to schedule a consultation.  (727) 712-3233 or www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

01.01.19
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Texting May Cause You Health Issues Down The Road

texting fort myers dr kaster

texting fort myers dr kasterTexting has made communication an addiction.

 

Many of us are constantly online in one form or another, via cell phone, tablet, iPad, Kindle, laptop or even a desktop computer.  We are virtually always reachable. Gone are the days of a phone ringing busy or missing someone because they aren’t home.

Texting may make life seem faster and more connected, but it is also leading to health issues for kids and adults. This includes neck pain, finger pain, hand pain, and even back pain.

The older generation did not grow up with cell phones, tablets, or for many even computers. That meant that we spent more time outdoors playing and getting exercise. Our bodies had the proper time to develop good posture without looking down all the time with the muscles in our hands constantly in motion.

It may seem like advancement, but children today do not have that luxury of freedom. They will never know the feeling of biking across town without their parents being able to call or track them. They aren’t learning trust or responsibility and they are poising themselves in structurally odd positions for hours on end. This has a major effect on the way the body forms.

Over  200 billion text messages are sent per month in the USA alone. The average time on a smartphone per day is 80 minutes. This time only includes surfing the web and messaging it does not consider in phone calls.

75% of teenagers now have their own smartphone, sending and responding to well over 100 texts per day. Back pain can begin from bad form when seated as well as the weight of loading backpacks with multiple devices on top of books. Laptops, iPads, cell phones, and gaming devices are all common.

If you are a heavy user of technology – take a break!

  • Raise your screen to eye level rather than looking down and hunching
  • Stretch your hands and fingers periodically and take breaks
  • If you have a long email to write do it on a desktop rather than on your phone
  • Even if you work on a desk stop stand up hourly and stretch and walk around
  • Lighten your load as much as possible leaving non-needed gadgets at home for the day

Regular chiropractic adjustments can help with text related aches and pains.

Call the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. if you are in the Southwest Florida area.

Nutritionist | Chiropractor in Ft Myers, FL

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Add to that, nutritional recommendations that can help your body heal itself. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

12.09.18
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Why Do Fibromyalgia Patients Feel So Awful and Have So Many Symptoms?

Fibromyalgia

FibromyalgiaWhy Do Fibromyalgia Patients Feel So Awful and Have So Many Symptoms?

This question is a little more complicated but the answer makes sense when you put all the information together. Before this question is answered a part of the nervous system needs to be identified/defined.

One component of our nervous system is called the “Autonomic Nervous System”. This nervous system is divided into two divisions:

  1. Sympathetic division (fight or flight)-when our environment threatens us our body has to respond and this aspect of the nervous system kicks in. For example, if you are being chased by a tiger your adrenalin will be activated and blood flow to all parts of your body will increase. Most likely you will not fall asleep or feel relaxed while being chased by a tiger.
  2. Parasympathetic Division (rest and digest)-when our environment is relaxing our body will respond accordingly and this aspect of the nervous system will kick in. For example, if you had a large dinner and you sit down next to a warm fire most likely your body will rest/relax and digest.

There is so much more to Fibromyalgia than most medical doctors would have you believe and there is help and hope.

Visit the site of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. Chiropractor and Nutritionist in Fort Myers, Florida to read the real scoop and what you can do to help heal your body.  http://drkasters.com/conditions/fibromyalgia/

12.08.18
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Vein Disease – What Can I Do To Help Prevent It?

varicose veins west florida vein

varicose veins west florida veinThough you can’t fight genetics the way you live has a major impact on your circulatory systems health and the resulting possibility of vein issues.

Keep Your Weight In Check

Obesity can put you at risk for a heart disease, cancer, and vein issues.

Many studies have shown a direct correlation between obesity and the risk for vein disease.

Carrying too much extra fat adds extra unnecessary pressure on your entire circulatory system. This is especially problematic in the pelvic region, where the veins from our legs re-enter the main body cavity. When inner hip veins are compressed it increases pressure on the valves within the upper veins of the leg, leading to the failure of those valves which results in circulatory issues in our legs aka varicose and spider veins.

Elevation is Key

Putting your legs up allows gravity to assist blood flow back to your heart. Directions: 15 minutes two to three times a day. Making sure your legs are above your heart.

Clothing

Avoid constrictive clothing, especially shoes with high heels as these could lead to vein disorders.  Do not wear spanks, girdles, garters or socks that have tight elastic bands. Now, this does not mean compression hosiery. Compression socks are specifically designed to help the veins rather than hinder. Modern compression hosiery is now made out of materials and in styles that makes it fashionable and attractive for anyone to wear. Quality compression hosiery provides pressure to protect the veins in our legs and help feel better and less tired at the end of a day.

Exercise

Staying active is the best thing you can do to prevent or minimize vein problems. Muscle builds and supports the circulatory system. The act of walking naturally expands and contracts the leg muscles pumping the blood throughout our bodies. Walk more, sit less.

Smoking

Simply said? Don’t smoke.  Smoking narrows the blood vessels. It is detrimental to your health and can spur on the onset of vein issues.

Hydration
Stay hydrated. Drink 1 gallon of water daily to keep your blood clean and flowing as it should. 

If you start to see any hint of spider or varicose veins you will want to pay attention to the advice above. If you see it start to advance come into West Florida Vein Center in Safety Harbor, Florida serving the Tampa Bay region and have Dr. Mark Zuzga evaluate your condition so that you get the best possible results. www.westfloridaveincenter.com or call (727) 712-3233.

12.02.18
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How Salt Can Affect the Heart

sodium

Do you salt your food on a daily basis?

sodium

Many people salt their food before even tasting it. It’s a habit and a dangerous one at that.

While sodium is naturally occurring and we need in our bodies, when consumed to excess, it can be harmful. The majority of the salt consumed does not come directly from your at home shaker it is already hidden within the food we buy on a regular basis.

It is astounding how quickly the milligrams of salt add up when tracked on a normal day for the average American. The results are evident. Heart disease is one of the top causes of death in 2018.

How Salt Can Harm Your Health

Salt causes your body to hold on to fluid. This retention increases the blood volume flowing through your system making your entire cardiovascular system work harder than it should. Over time this increase can be dangerous leading to hypertension. It can cause pressure to build against your arterial walls leading to a weakening of the walls. From there it can progress to blood clot formation, organ and tissue damage, and plaque builds up. Blood pressure is known often as the silent killer because there are many times no visible signs until cardiovascular disease actually takes hold.

You Do Have A Choice!

As much as 80% of the salt American’s eat is found in prepackaged, processed, and restaurant-prepared foods. Choosing to eat at home helps tremendously.

Those with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease and those over 50 who need to take extra notice of this intake. You can join tracking sites such as www.myfitnesspal.com which is not just for weight loss, you can track your caloric intake as well as your sodium, proteins, carbs and much more at the touch of a button. Once you know where you stand it is easier to get a good picture and how you can reduce your salt intake. The CDC recommends in the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines that Americans consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day as part of a healthy eating pattern.

If you are at risk of heart disease and in need of a cardiologist, call Tampa Cardiovascular Associates for a consultation. Call us today at 1-813-975-2800 or fill out a form online. We look forward to hearing from you! www.tampacardio.com.

12.01.18
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Do you have Organophosphate Poisoning? (RoundUp) Blame Monsanto!

roundup

roundupRoundUp is one of the number one selling weed killers in the USA today both commercially and for residential use.

The main ingredient in RoundUp – Glyphosate – is designed to be toxic to plants. The issue is that it has been found not only to kill plants but also to be toxic as well as carcinogenic to humans and animals as well.

Glyphosate has been banned in the EU yet it is still sprayed freely here in the USA.  Deborah Kurrasch of the University of Calgary in Canada’s research department says that “Researchers are not only concerned about the immediate consequences of improper use of the chemicals by applicators, but also about potential effects caused by chronic exposure to applicators or animals—via the skin or through inhalation, for instance—as well as what happens when they accumulate in the environment.” The physical effects are felt gradually over time.

Right here in Florida, we are experiencing a build-up of toxic chemicals. You may have heard about Red Tide and Blue Green Algae here in South Florida along both the west and east coasts, but what isn’t often said is that the discharged water being released from Lake Okeechobee contains high concentrations of the chemicals, including glyphosate, found in RoundUp because of the existence of US Sugar Corporation located in Clewiston, Fl.

The Problem

US Sugar uses RoundUp as a pesticide/herbicide on crops to deter bugs and also to help prematurely ripen the crops so they can maximize the potential for income from every crop. Just as the sugar cane is forcefully ripened so are the red tide blooms as well as the algae blooms. This is a good chunk of the reason why the bloom has now lasted a full year. This isn’t influenced by nature and it isn’t normal. Our oceans, wildlife, and residents are paying the price.

While it may be obvious when red tide warnings are posted, not to go in the water, the problem isn’t just at the beaches or around the water. These particles (Red Tide (Brevetoxin), Blue Green Algae (Cyanotoxins), and RoundUp (Organophosphates), are all aerosolized and carried by wind currents, it has been said, up to 10 miles in though it may very well be more.

This means – if you live anywhere near a coast in South Florida, you are breathing these particles in. People who have no contact with RoundUp or any other pesticide or herbicide, have been falling ill with non-specific sources. Doctors have often been at a loss for a diagnosis. 

The test for it is called the Cholinesterase RBC and Plasma blood test for pesticide toxicity (organophosphates). It is important to note that those reading the results on this test know that according to the CDC the lab values marked as acceptable (green) are incorrect. Toxicity can present at just 40% of the top acceptable level.

It is HIGHLY advisable to do a neurotoxin cleanse if you do have elevated levels in your blood.

Symptoms of RoundUp Toxicity:

  • Anxiety
  • Headache pain
  • Exhaustion
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Itching eyes
  • Tinnitus (ringing ears)
  • Itchy face
  • A runny Nose
  • Watering eye (usually only one side)
  • Frequent feelings of a head cold or flu
  • Blurry Vision
  • Excess saliva
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Glassy eyes
  • Memory problems
  • Muscle twitches similar to restless leg syndrome
  • Palpitations
  • Brain fog
  • Digestion problems
  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Depression

 For a more natural alternative to using RoundUp on your property, please visit Mom’s Across America’s page https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/10_alternatives_to_roundup

If you feel like you may be living with the effects of RoundUp, contact the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. today and get tested as well as treated, naturally. 239-332-2555 www.drkasters.com 

11.20.18
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How Chiropractic Can Help Ankle Pain

ankle pain

ankle painChiropractic can help reduce ankle pain without prescribing medication which may come with unwanted side effects.

Daily life is made far more difficult when you suffer from ankle pain.

Ankle issues can easily limit mobility. Lack of mobility puts a damper on lifestyle as well.  No more cute high heels or dress shoes to go out in – you are stuck in flats if walking is an option at all.

Our ankles take on a lot of pressure every single day. They support the weight of our entire body. On top of that, you may add pressure from climbing stairs, walking, running, jumping, and carrying heavy objects. It is vital that your body be in proper alignment with your ankles correctly supported.

In the United States each year more than 25,000 people per year visit a doctor specifically for ankle related pain. Studies have shown that despite this, close to 40% of sprains are not diagnosed or treated correctly. This misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment or no treatment at all, leaving the patient in chronic pain and even risking disability later on in life.

The standard treatment for a sprained ankle is Rest Ice Compression Elevation (R.I.C.E.) The newer more widely accepted version of the protocol replaces “Rest” With “Movement”, making the acronym now M.I.C.E. The movement portion of the protocol should be done with a qualified physical therapist.

Chiropractic has shown tremendous benefit in relieving ankle pain. Your Chiropractor will use the same methods for diagnosis as would your medical doctor. Once the exact cause is pinpointed a treatment can be recommended and started.

Severe ankle injuries such as breaks and tears may require pain medication and anti-inflammatories. X-ray and MRI imaging may be used in the diagnosis.

Chiropractic is highly effective and completely non-invasive. It allows a natural approach to healing allowing the body to mend itself over time. Regular adjustments can help to strengthen the ankle increasing stability and even range of motion. It helps facilitate blood flow and circulation speeding healing and recovery. Diet and exercise change recommendations may be made if additional weight is being put on your ankles as well.

As normal motion is restored to the joint the inflammation will subside. As the inflammation dissipates so will the associated pain.

While chiropractic isn’t an instant fix, over the course of a few appointments you should notice a significant improvement in the state of your ankle as well as your overall wellbeing.

If you would like to find relief from pain call us today. 239-332-2555. Now serving Fort Myers, Florida, and all surrounding areas.

Chiropractor & Nutritionist in Fort Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent them before they start?

Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

      SCHEDULE NOW! 239-332-2555