01.01.22
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Joint Pain Can Make Life Unbearable

joint pain chiropractic help dr.kaster fort myers

Is Joint Pain Making You feel Old Before Your Time?

joint pain chiropractic help dr.kaster fort myersIf you have a condition or injury that is causing your joints to be painful such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis, Gout, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, or another autoimmune issue, or you have taken a hard traumatic fall it may feel some days that your body is far older that it is.

Joint pain can make daily life difficult.

Even small normal everyday acts like rising from a seated position or gripping a pen to write a letter can become daunting tasks.

Pain, in these cases, can be caused by inflammation, or it may also be a case where the cartilage has worn down and the bones are causing friction where there should be padding. It can also be areas of built-up calcium or of degeneration.

Whichever cause is plaguing you – we know joint pain lowers quality of life for many of our patients. Therefore, we sought out the very best natural answer available. HA (Hyamax) from Nutritional Frontiers is a natural lubricating agent in the joints found most abundantly in cartilage, synovial fluid, and skin.  It provides natural cushioning structures that are needed for every joint.

Hyamax is standardized natural Hylauronic acid. It can bind 1000 times its own weight of water for lubrication of your body’s movable parts – joints, muscles, and skin. It carries nutrition to any wounded or damaged sites to help repair quickly.  It is now available to you in either capsules or powder and is suggested for daily use for those with chronic joint pain.

While we do not yet have our online shop set up, we have sold and worked with Nutritional Frontiers products in our office for years and have HA Plus and other Nutritional Frontiers’ products available for purchase at the office of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates located at 1791 Boy Scout Dr. Suite 6, Fort Myers, Fl 33907.

Chiropractic care helps greatly with joint related pain and disorders. For a chiropractic appointment or to talk about ways to support your body nutritionally give the office a call at 239-332-2555.

www.kasterchiropractic.com

 

01.01.22
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Hypertension – A Side Effect of the Covid Pandemic

tampa cardio high blood pressure

tampa cardio high blood pressureThe Pressure is on!

These past couple of years have changed the way we live and the way we relate to one another. Fear has been a prevalent motivating factor. With fear comes anxiety. With anxiety often comes elevated blood pressure.

Shutdowns, masks, vaccines, mandates, all of it is highly stressful. That is on top of the actual problem – COVID. Friends, coworkers, family, getting sick – some severely even to the point of loss.

It is no wonder we are seeing a spike and rise in blood pressure levels on a national level. This is the most stress we, collectively, have seen in our lifetimes socially.

Let’s take a look at the numbers. By the end of 2020 blood pressure levels had risen especially in older adults. The findings were published in the American Heart Association’s journal CIRC­ULATION.

“At the start of the pandemic, most people were not taking care of themselves,” lead study author Dr. Luke Laffin reported.

“Increases in blood pressure were likely related to changes in eating habits, increased alcohol consumption, less physical activity, decreased medication adherence, more emotional stress and poor sleep,” he said.

Even small increases in blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke or another cardiovascular event.

Almost half of U.S. adults have hypertension.

Health data was gathered from 2018 to 2020 for 464,585 participants with an average age of 46. They compared blood pressure levels prior to the pandemic with those that followed.

They found no change in blood pressure levels prior to March 2020. From April to December, when compared to the same time in 2019, average monthly blood pressure increases ranged from 1.1 to 2.5 mmHg higher for systolic measurements and 0.14 to 0.53 mmHg higher for diastolic. 1 in 4 adults in the study were reclassified to a higher blood pressure category by the end of 2020.

It went on to note that women tended to gain weight and men tended to lose it. Even so, weight was not the direct contributing factor to the jump. Stress was.

Advice from Tampa Cardiovascular Associates

It is important to pay attention to your blood pressure and don’t ignore your chronic medical conditions. Get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. See your doctor regularly to learn how to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM.

813-975-2800.

 

01.01.22
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What You Should Know About Vein Disease

West Florida Vein Center

West Florida Vein CenterVaricose veins are only a symptom of vein disease. While they can be problematic, they are not the only bodily effect. If you have chronic insufficiency of the venous system, you may also experience leg ulcerations on the skin that are very hard to heal as well as discoloration of the skin around the ankles.

Those with CVI also often report feeing tightness in their calves, swelling, and itching as well as pain. These are all made worse with movement and feel a bit better when at rest.

Why does Chronic Venous Insufficiency Occur?

CVI is a condition that occurs when veins responsible for pumping blood back towards the heart are unable to do their job any longer due to deterioration and weakness. The blood instead becomes pooled uncomfortably within the veins forcing them to expand and wear down.

This medical condition most commonly occurs in the legs, as it these veins that must fight the hardest against the forces of gravity in order to pump blood upwards towards the heart. While chronic venous insufficiency in itself does not pose a serious threat, it can be extremely uncomfortable for any patient who experiences it and may also present signs that other associated conditions are present, associated conditions which can pose serious threats.

Causes
The causes of CVI are quite varied, and like other venous disorders, typically develop from a combination of both genetic and individual lifestyle factors. Those who are older or who have a family history of vein disease are more likely to develop CVI, and while it was once thought that women are more affected than men, recent research has shown that both men and women are equally susceptible. Factors that are within a patient’s control include obesity, smoking, lack of exercise or general inactivity, or working in a profession that requires long periods of sitting or standing. In addition, CVI can also develop because of injury to an area or as an associated condition to such disorders as high blood pressure or deep vein thrombosis, the latter of which is a very serious venous condition.

Prevention
The recommendations for preventing chronic venous insufficiency are nearly identical to the recommendations given for maintaining your vein health in general. This advice includes maintaining a healthy diet and body weight, remaining active and getting frequent exercise, quitting smoking if applicable, and protecting your legs from trauma or injury. If you travel frequently or work in a profession that limits your movement, try to work in as many breaks as you can to move around and get your circulation going.

If any of the above symptoms sound familiar to you or you feel that you may be at risk for developing CVI in the near future, especially if your family history or personal history indicates such risk, then please contact Dr. Zuzga at the West Florida Vein Center today to schedule a vein screening by calling (727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

 

01.01.22
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True Health Starts on a Cellular Level

Support Has to Come from Within 

Mother hands applying antibacterial medical bandage on child’s knee after falling down. First aid for kids after injury/trauma

When we are born, into childhood, and even into our early young adulthood our cells replicate at amazingly fast pace. We fall down, scrape ourselves, and it heals in a day or so. As we get older when we fall, we don’t get up or bounce back quite so quickly. The healing process takes longer.

The same goes for our entire body – as we get older that cellular renewal slows down. Once we reach our mid 20’s it begins to slow significantly, and signs of aging can begin to occur. Though we will say that most people will not begin to visibly notice until late 30s to early 40s.

Now that we understand aging better, as it has been earmarked as a disease by the World Health Organization, we can understand and appreciate the ability we now have to halt it in its tracks.

We have incorporated one of the most astounding scientific breakthroughs in health into our cellular renewal formulation known as With-N.

What is NAD+?

NAD+ is a coenzyme required for cellular function. Enzymes are catalysts that make biochemical reactions possible. Coenzymes are ‘helper’ molecules. They work together to control and repair damage to your DNA.

What is NMN?

nicotinamide mononucleotide, is a molecule that occurs naturally in all life forms. At the molecular level, it is a ribonucleotide, which is a basic structural unit of the nucleic acid RNA. Structurally, the molecule is composed of a nicotinamide group, a ribose and a phosphate group (Figure 1). NMN is the direct precursor of the essential molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and is considered a key component to increase NAD+ levels in cells.

 

The result is that you feel and look younger. Better health and revived beauty.

Get started on your own anti-aging journey today!
Visit www.renovovita.com to learn more and get started on your anti-aging journey today.

*FDA & Legal Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

12.03.21
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Dizziness or Vertigo? It Could be Caused by Your Neck!

vertigo dizziness chiropractic fort myers

vertigo dizziness chiropractic fort myersMany patients report feeling far less disoriented and dizzy after just one adjustment.

If you deal with reoccurring vertigo or dizzy spells you may have tried everything to find relief.

The root cause may lie in a subluxation in the neck. We can help.

Recent findings suggest that chiropractic treatment may help to alleviate dizziness and vertigo symptoms often associated with neck stiffness and pain. It stems from auto accidents and can develop over time if the accident injuries are not treated properly from the start.

When visiting your general practice physician, they will often prescribe muscle relaxers and pain medications to try and loosen the neck to help with the dizziness. While it may help, it is often a temporary solution. There is also the possibility that the medications themselves could make the dizzy feeling intensify as well as dizziness is a potential side effect of many pain medications.

Many patients report feeling far less disoriented and dizzy after just one adjustment. They continue to get better from there with each adjustment. Within two months of regular treatment, patients reported substantially less dizziness and pain as well as a boosted life quality and a far better range of motion for the neck overall.

The beauty of chiropractic is that unlike medications there are no side effects. Chiropractic adjustments are a safe and effective treatment for this type of discomfort and pain.

Chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce dizziness in 80% of patients. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the majority of patients presented with balance improvement, and some with reduced levels of dizziness and neck pain.

Loss of balance resulting in a fall in older adults can cause damage long term to the body. Visiting your chiropractor regularly can help keep you balanced and healthy. Come in for an evaluation and adjustment today.

Nutritionist | Chiropractor in Ft Myers, FL

Chiropractic 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?

If you are in the Fort Myers, Florida areal let us help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

      SCHEDULE NOW!   

1-239-332-2555

12.02.21
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The Circulatory System Explained Simply

West Florida Vein Center Tampa Florida Dr. Zuzga

At West Florida Vein Center, we realize that most of our patients are not doctors themselves and many have likely only a basic understanding of the vascular circulatory system as a whole.

While this is generally fine, as a person ages or their vein health becomes an issue, there may come a time when treatment at a vein center by a licensed vascular specialist becomes necessary. For those who become vein patients, a certain knowledge and understanding of the vascular system as a whole becomes vital in understanding and addressing their conditions.

West Florida Vein Center Tampa Florida Dr. ZuzgaBelow you will find a basic introduction to the vascular system.

This basic guide is simply meant to introduce you to some of the vocabulary your vein specialist will likely be using in appointments with you, ensuring that their directions and recommendations are clear.

The vascular system (circulatory system) is made up of a series of blood vessels designed to carry blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body’s tissues. At the same time, waste matter is picked up throughout the tissues and carried to the correct locations for disposal.

There are three major types of blood vessels

  • Capillaries are extremely numerous and tiny blood vessels located between the veins and arteries. The main purpose of capillaries is to assist both the arteries and the veins as they perform their functions. Capillaries distribute the oxygenated blood from the arteries out into the cells, and then collect the waste and distribute it back into the veins
  • Veins are medium-sized vessels that perform an extremely important function in the circulatory system. It is the job of the body’s veins to pump blood from throughout the body’s tissues back to the heart, expanding as they collect waste.
  • Arteries are the largest, fewest, and most vital vessels within the human body. The purpose of arteries is to carry oxygen-rich blood pumped directly out of the heart and distribute it throughout all other tissues. The body’s major arteries are quite large but break down into smaller and smaller branches in order to be able to reach all of the body’s organs.

It’s easy to see how crucial this system is to all the health of the body.

Other vital systems include – the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems, as well as the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature – would not be able to function without nearly constant interaction from the vascular system. Because the pumping action in the vascular system has to constantly battle with the force of gravity, the body’s arteries, veins, and capillaries must work very hard, and they are highly sensitive to problems and issues.

While you may understand the vascular system a little better after reading this, unless you are a physician you will most likely not be able to self-diagnose or treat any venous conditions that come up. Without a properly functioning system of blood vessels to distribute oxygen and eliminate waste, the body would simply fail.

To learn more about the vascular system and the importance of your vascular health, please get in touch with Dr. Mark Zuzga, D.O. at West Florida Vein Center today. www.westfloridaveincenter.com 727-712-3233.

12.01.21
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Contributing Factors for Heart Disease Everyone Needs to Know

Heart disease risk factors tampa cardio

Worldwide, Heart disease is still the number one cause of death.

We wanted to let you know that there are steps you can take to strengthen your heart and have a healthy circulatory system. Certain habits and lifestyle choices can make you more prone to developing heart disease. Knowledge is power and we want to empower you to take control of your health and wellbeing.

The outcome of having cardiovascular disease

Heart disease is one of the top causes of both heart attack and stroke. With heart disease the blood vessels become narrow and clogged with plaque blocking normal blood flow. Heart disease also raises blood pressure. Those who struggle with this problem may experience shortness of breath and may experience headaches or dizziness. Patients also feel quite exhausted after only very moderate exertion.

ISSUES THAT PLAY INTO THE PROGRESSION OF HEART DISEASE

Being Overweight – even by just 20 lbs.

Obesity can have many significant health related consequences. This is especially true for the cardiovascular system. Those who are overweight by more than 20 lbs. tend to have higher blood pressure and more stress on their heart.

Lack of Exercise

Being sedentary can contribute to weight gain. An inactive job and lifestyle could also weaken the heart and cardiovascular system. It is important to have a daily exercise routine. This should include running, brisk walking, cycling, swimming or any other activity that gets the heart pumping.

Smoking

Those who smoke are more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, you should quit immediately. Smoking can be a difficult habit to break but not impossible. Ask your doctor to suggest a smoking cessation program.

Nutritional Deficits

Bad diet and lack of exercise are a devastating combination.

A combination of a poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to weight gain. A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats is a major factor in developing plaque in veins and arteries. Foods with excessive cholesterol also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Age and Sex

As we age the risk of cardiovascular disease rises. Those 50 and older should have labs to regularly measure their cholesterol levels and get their blood pressure checked. Men are more likely than women to develop heart disease.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol in moderation may not have a significant impact. Excessive drinking, however, combined with other risk factors, may raise the chances of a person getting cardiovascular disease.

Avoid Heart Disease 

Avoiding illness starts with a commitment to yourself. Lifestyle changes, easting well, getting more exercise, stating away from cigarettes, vapes, and alcohol, are all important steps towards heart healthy wellness.

Heart disease risk factors tampa cardio

Get more information about Tampa Cardiovascular Associates in Tampa, Florida by visiting www.tampacardio.com.  

12.01.21
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Foggy Thinking Got You Down?

Zero N RenovoVita Brain Health

Personal trainer for your brain Renovovita Zero NYou Need a Personal Trainer for Your Brain.

  • Trying to think of a word?
  • Walk into a room and forget why you are there?
  • Lost your to do list?
  • Miss placed your sunglasses only to find them on your head?
  • Car keys go missing on a regular basis?Enough is enough.Many of our brains are short circuiting here in the fast-paced small attention span state of things in 2021. Why is that? The reason is three-fold.
  • We aren’t being challenged enough. – Information that we used to have to search for and retain is now at our fingertips. We can find answers to anything any time and anywhere. We don’t even have to remember what we found because we can just look it up again.
  • Our attention spans have been trained right out of us. – The average video online is 30 seconds to 1 minute, as are commercials. We have gotten so much into the instant gratification mode that anything longer seems problematic to us now.
  • Our brains are nutrition deficient – Food is our medicine and many of us have lackluster diets devoid of the nutrition our brains need to work at 100% of our capabilities.

This combination leaves us feeling foggy, tired, uninspired, and lacking creativity as well as some days common sense and reason.

We saw (and felt) a problem, so we came up with a solution, naturally.
The creators of RenovoVita are major proponents of living your life to its fullest. The only way to truly do that is to have your brain firing on all cylinders and have you feeling good.

We created our own proprietary blend of natural herbs, vitamins, and supplements to create the nutraceutical nootropic known as Zero-N Brain Health Formula.

Zero-N stimulates the mind and body giving energy and stimulation with no jitters or nervousness. It delivers pure clean burning energy that the mind and body thrive on. The results are subtle yet dramatically effective. You don’t feel it working, you simply feel good, alive, and alert.

Ready to Zero in and focus?
We thought you might be. Zero-N is the personal brain trainer you have been seeking…
Visit www.renovovitacom/zero-n to try your bottle today.

*FDA & Legal Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

11.02.21
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How to Keep Your Circulation Moving – Safely

tampa vein specialist west florida vein center

tampa vein specialist west florida vein centerExercising with Varicose Veins

Having varicose veins doesn’t mean you have to stop being active.

If you’ve been diagnosed with vein disease, then you have likely already been told by your doctor that it is in your best interest to be active and maintain a healthy weight. Fortunately, there are a variety of things you can do to help make sure that you take care of both, all while helping to alleviate some of the off-putting symptoms that can be experienced with venous insufficiency.

Stretching
If you have vein issues, then it is particularly important to both keep your legs strong and circulation healthy. Exercises geared towards those with venous disease almost always focus on the lower extremities especially the muscles in the calves, as it is there that the force of gravity is greatest and veins must work the hardest in order to pump blood upwards towards the heart.

When it comes to exercising with varicose veins, however, you should start out slowly and gently and try not to exert yourself too much or place too much strain on your legs. Calf raises are a great way to strengthen calf muscles without placing too much strain on them. Calf raises can be performed with or without weights. If your job keeps you confined to a sitting position for extended periods of time, stretching your legs and flexing your feet though out the day is an excellent substitute for calf raises.

Low-Impact Exercise Choices
There are still plenty of fun activities that you can do even after your venous insufficiency diagnosis. It is important to keep these activities as low impact as possible. Bicycling, for instance, is a great way to promote circulation while being easy on the joints and allowing you to maintain control over the intensity of your work-out. Walking is another great work-out that is simple and easy to do and allows you to pace yourself in both speed and distance to your own current level of fitness.

Running, Walking, and cycling can be difficult for seniors who have vein problems but there always an alternative option. Swimming offers an alternative that is non-weight bearing, and there are even a variety of aerobics classics that can be offered in this environment. No matter what you decide to do, signing up for a class or inviting friends to walk, cycle, or swim along with you can be fun for both staying in shape and keeping social as well.

No exercise or diet regimen should be undertaken without first consulting with a qualified physician, and more specifically an experienced vein specialist who is familiar with your condition. To get on the right track today by contacting a vein specialist in Tampa who services the surrounding areas as well, call Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center at (727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

 

11.02.21
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Heart Rhythm Disorders Explained

Heart Rhythm Disorders tampa cardio

Heart Rhythm Disorders tampa cardioThere is a good chance that you will feel a heart arrhythmia at some point in your lifetime. A large percentage of the population will experience abnormal heart beats.  Most of the time these off beats are harmless. They can happen in perfectly healthy people who show no sign of heart disease. There are, however, some types of heartbeat abnormalities that can be serious and even potentially deadly. Heart disease also raises the risk of fluctuations.

Heart rhythm disturbances are categorized 3 ways. Electrical, circulatory, and structural. Cardiologists can help to diagnose and treat disorders of the heart.

ELECTRICAL disorders:

Abnormal heart rhythms are caused by issues with the electrical system that regulates the usually steady heartbeat. The heart rate may be slowed or speeded up; it may stay steady or become chaotic (irregular and disorganized). Some arrhythmia types are very dangerous and cause sudden cardiac death, while others may be strange to feel, but not life threatening.

CIRCULATORY Disorders:

High Blood Pressure and coronary artery disease (causing blockages) are the main causes of blood vessel disorders. Circulatory issues such as these can result in a stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, there are many preventative and treatment options.

STRUCTURAL Disorders:

Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) and congenital abnormalities (problems in the development of the heart and blood vessels which are present from birth) are two issues that can damage the heart muscle or valves.

What does an arrhythmia feel like?

Physically, what an arrhythmia feels like is a skipping, a quickening, a slowing, or even like you have just dropped over the first fall of a roller coaster where your heart pauses for a moment. If you notice this happening repeatedly it is advisable to check with a cardiologist to be sure that what you are experiencing is harmless and not something that needs to be looked at or treated.

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, the physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates would like to offer their services.  WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM 813-975-2800. Give us a call to schedule your consultation and exam and find out for sure.