Why We Need a Trump Medicare Advantage Plan 

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Did you know Medicare Advantage is the most popular health plan in the United States? It is, and we believe that extending it to everyone will lower our National Healthcare GDP by $1.3 Trillion to 12% by eliminating just half of our chronic illness. 

A Trump Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan is the way to go, as the Democrats are focusing on Medicare for All, which will bankrupt us. We desperately need health reform. We need democrats and republicans to come together and think about the health of the American people. 

Supporting Medicare Advantage is an obvious bipartisan solution to our problems! But, we can’t get this program implemented because the political parties are too polarized and they can’t agree on anything! The only way we are going to stop the bleeding and start saving lives is with a change of the majority party in the House of Representatives! This is what President Trump has been saying all along, “If the Republicans take back the House, keep the Senate, keep the presidency – we’re going to have a fantastic plan,” He wants the Republican Party to be the party of Health Care. We have, reluctantly, come to the conclusion that he is absolutely right. 

We Americans must wake up to the fact that we are collectively being cheated. We need to clean House. Here are some reasons why we need a Trump Medicare Advantage Plan: 

  • 30 Million Americans has no health insurance in 2019.  
  • Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance (Social Security) Trustees project that by the year 2026 the Medicare Trust Fund for 59.8 Million retired Americans will be 100% GONE!  
  • The United States is the Number One national spender on healthcare on the planet. Yet, the World Health Organization says the United States is only 37th in health quality.  
  • The Kaiser Family Foundation – Perterson Partnership recently posted the fact that the United States has 63% more neonatal deaths and 90% more postnatal deaths than other comparable countries around the world.  
  • : The National Institute of Aging recently uncovered the fact that all Americans aged 25 – 64 have increased rates of death from ALL causes.  
  • The National Institutes of Health says 2 out of 3 Americans are currently overweight and the CDC reports 40% of the U.S. population, approximately 124.4 Million Americans are obese! The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health released a study Decmber 18, 2019 projecting the total obesity will increase to 50% (about a quarter of which will be severe obesity) by 2030.  
  • Ninety percent (90%)of the U.S. National Health Care GDP (90% = $3.285 Trillion Dollars in 2018) is spent on the treatment of chronic illness.  
  • In 2018, the Unites States National Health Care – GDP of $3.65 Trillion Dollars was 18% of our total GDP. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expects that to increase by 5.5% annually through 2030, at which time our over age 65 population will have almost doubled.  
  • It has been clearly demonstrated by the cost estimates of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren that their Medicare for All proposals will create a financial burden on the American people that will ultimately deprive Medicare beneficiaries of the health insurance plans they have today.  
  • On December 18, 2019, a federal Appeals Court recently ruled Obamacare’s ‘individual mandate’ is unconstitutional, but other parts of the law still require further legal review. We need to get behind a viable bipartisan alternative.  

 

We believe a Trump Medicare Advantage Plan For All is the answer. We must reduce the cost of health care by demanding that the federal government help us improve our health, well-being, and productivity. We are the only ones that can be responsible for our health.  

Join Us!  

To support and join this movement, you can download our Membership Application and complete it with your contact information and send it to us with your financial support or just complete the Pay Pal Credit card authorization on Become A Supporter page on our web site. 

For more information on the Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan and the movement, visit our Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan page, call us at 1-888-683-3719 or email us at: contact@medicare-advantage-for-all.com. 

 

The post Why We Need a Trump Medicare Advantage Plan  appeared first on Medicare News Advocate.

Online Screening for Vein Issues

Online screening vein issues

Online screening vein issuesDid you know that step one in getting your vein health back can be done right from the comfort of your own home?

You might be surprised how much our Vein Specialists can tell you from just a quick introductory email containing a few questions.

Your West Florida Vein Specialist will asses your answers that have been entered into a secure contact form housed on a HIPPA compliant server. Your information is safe and confidential. It will be studied and compiled and a specialist will follow up with you to answer you directly. You will receive a response from a  live specialist, not an online programmed robot.

If your questionnaire answers and current health condition sound like they could potentially be a situation that would require treatment, they may recommend that you then follow up with an in-person office visit. If your condition does not require an in-person follow up, they will tell you that as well, possibly making simple suggestions for at-home care, preventatively.

Making steps that help to ensure your health are always positive. If your legs exhibit signs of possible venous disease, take a minute and fill out the online consultation. The consultation is completely FREE and you are under no further obligation.

Signs you may have venous insufficiency:

  • Tired legs
  • Achy legs
  • Restless legs at bedtime (twitching)
  • Visible varicose veins
  • Visible spider veins
  • Leg cramps
  • Itchy Legs
  • Odd skin textures on your legs
  • Wounds or ulcers that will not heal

These uncomfortable issues can be corrected through proper care.  Let the specialists at West Florida Vein Center set you on the right path back to leg health. If you have more questions or would prefer to see our doctors in person please visit www.westfloridaveincenter.com or call 727-712-3233.

Is Obesity A Chronic Illness Problem in America?  

varicose veins tampa west florida vein center

 

In 2018, the Milken Institute Study documented that obesity is by far the greatest risk factor contributing to the burden of chronic disease in the United States. The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. population has increased steadily since the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy wrote Sports Illustrated article back in 1960 complaining that American’s were getting soft. At that time, less than 15% of Americans were obese. In the last 50 years, the rate of obesity has increased by 300%.  

Today, 66% of Americans are overweight (meaning that their Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or above).  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 40 % (124.4 million) Americans are obeseHealth and Human Services (HHS) projects that without making any changes by 2030, half of all adults in the United States will be obese. Currently, one out of every five children between the ages of six and 19 is obese. Overweight adolescents have a 70% greater chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.  

In 2018, HHS estimated that obesity alone cost the United States twenty 21% of our total health care costs equaling $344 Billion Dollars. 

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Survey in 2013 -2014, two out of every three adults (66%) were considered overweight. In 2015, the chronic illnesses that were directly related to our being overweight accounted for over 47.1% of the total cost of chronic diseases in the United States. In 2015, the Partnership for Chronic Disease (PFCD) estimated that chronic disease was responsible for $480.7 billion of direct health care costs plus $1.24 trillion of indirect costs related to the loss of productivity.  

HHS claims that failing to meet the suggested levels of aerobic physical activity adds nearly $117 billion in annual health-care costs and contributes to 10 percent of all premature mortality.  

In 2015, 30.8 million Americans suffered from three or more chronic illnesses. By 2030, it is estimated that number will increase to 83.4 million people in the United States. By 2030, the Milken Institute estimates that seven chronic diseases will have a total (direct and indirect) economic impact of $4.2 Trillion in treatment costs and reduced economic output.  

When asked why the American health care system cost so much, Patrick Massey, an informed author in an Op-Ed that appeared in a National Health Institutes publication wrote, “It is because 87% of the total health care expenditure is for the management of the chronic disease. The majority of this expense is for Americans under age 65.” Chronic disease accounts for 81% of all hospital admissions and over 90% of prescription drug costs and 76% of all physician visits. 

We can no longer afford to ignore the seriousness of treating chronic disease in America. To learn more about wellness and chronic illness in America and what we can do visit, Make America Healthy Again 

We believe President Trump can help make America healthy again. How? By implementing Medicare Advantage for All.  

For more information on the Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan and the movement, visit our Trump Medicare Advantage for All plan page, call us at 1-888-683-3719 or contact our email us at: contact@medicare-advantage-for-all.com. 

To support and join this movement, you can download our Membership Application and complete it with your contact information and send it to us with your financial support or just complete the Pay Pal Credit card authorization on the About and Become A Supporter Pages on our web site. 

Visit our Medicare Advantage for All site to learn more! We re-publish articles and research, notices and alerts addressing the efficacy of Medicare-Advantage-For-All and effectively communicating this information to our primary audiences, which include members of Congress, key congressional staff members, the White House, including policymakers in the executive branch, academics, and D.C. think-tanks, policy wonks, the media and our loyal members. 

 

The post Is Obesity A Chronic Illness Problem in America?   appeared first on Medicare News Advocate.

Americans Want Healthy Living Under a Good Health Care System 

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People want to be healthy. As Americans, we don’t accept the fact that the government can take care of our health. WE can take care our own health. But right now, our health care system is failing us, so many Americans are dying unnecessarily. We are being cheated as a nation. We currently spend more than other nations for our healthcare, and we get less back for it. We demand more! 

Our government contributed to this failing healthcare system. No one has been able to create a working health insurance program because both Democrats and Republicans are oblivious to that fact that Americans are dying.  

To change the health care system, we need at least 218 votes in the House of Representatives and 60 votes in the Senate.  Right nowMedicare Advantage has 293 supporters of the current members of the House of Representatives and 60 Senators. These leaders are on record supporting Medicare Advantage! We believe Medicare Advantage is the obvious bipartisan solution to our problems! 

Unfortunately, we can’t get this program implemented because the political parties are polarized, and they can’t agree on anything! The only way for President Trump to start saving lives is to change leadership.  

We need a Republican majority in the House of Representatives! The Democrat Bills before Congress on “Medicare for All” does not have Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer’s support and they are going NOWHERE! The 10-year cost estimate for Senator Bernie Sanders’ program is $32.6 Trillion.  

Trump, speaking at his Kansas Rally in 2018, claimed that if Congress were to enact their “Medicare for All” program today; it would “… eviscerate our beautiful Medicare Advantage Program…”.  

If they pass a universal “Medicare for All” plan, this would be the beginning of the end of the Medicare program as we know it. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that most Americans oppose “Medicare for All” by the wide margin of 60 to 32, if it were to threaten the current Medicare program.  

If you want to change the health care system, you are going to have to fight for a real solution. We can’t keep doing the same things we have been doing. Americans must take more responsibility for their own health and expose political lies. In 2020, we must vote for Republicans, including Donald Trump, who will truly Make America Healthy Again. It is that simple! 

We cannot substantially improve the health of the American people until we establish a health insurance system that really works! Medicare Advantage is a health insurance system that works. We must modernize our Medicare programs by adopting a Trump Medicare Advantage Program! A Trump plan can lower the cost of health care in the United States. But, he can’t do it alone. And, he can not do it without your support.  

For more information on the Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan and the movement, visit our Trump Medicare Advantage for All plan page, call us at 1-888-683-3719 or contact our email us at: contact@medicare-advantage-for-all.com. 

To support and join this movement, you can download our Membership Application and complete it with your contact information and send it to us with your financial support or just complete the Pay Pal Credit card authorization on the About and Become A Supporter Pages on our web site. 

Visit our Medicare Advantage for All site to learn more! We re-publish articles and research, notices and alerts addressing the efficacy of Medicare-Advantage-For-All and effectively communicating this information to our primary audiences, which include members of Congress, key congressional staff members, the White House, including policymakers in the executive branch, academics, and D.C. think-tanks, policy wonks, the media and our loyal members. 

 

The post Americans Want Healthy Living Under a Good Health Care System  appeared first on Medicare News Advocate.

We Need a Healthcare Czar 

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In America, right now, we need to convince the medical community that they must change their practice patterns to support the prevention of illness and the swift correction of conditions that can be reversed. We need a healthcare CZAR and we would choose Alex Azar, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.  

 The Medicare for All plan legislation proposed by the Democrats in the House and in the Senate, rely heavily of the “Secretary” to basically implement their ideas for the Medicare for All Plans. Our desire is likewise to let the Secretary do the advance work to define and implement the Trump Medicare Advantage for All plan. 

Azar has done an excellent job working with health care providers and drug companies to disclose their charges and lower the cost of prescription drugs. He is in the process of writing the regulations for hospitals and medical providers to comply with the executive order of transparency. His actions are making health care more accessible and affordable for all Americans.  

We have a crisis in American health care. We have an opioid crisis that is causing unnecessary death and destruction in our society. Our health care system is out of control and threatening the health and well-being of our people and the viability and competitiveness of our economy. The costs involved with the treatment of addiction, our health care, and the national debt level all threaten to sink our nation-state.  

We need to pass a bill authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to act on our behalf, in accordance with the job description and the mission of the Department. We need to give this Department the responsibility to come up with a proposal for Congress that addresses the real needs of the American people and not the egos of personal partisan politicians or the economic interests of our providers, who generally oppose everything that portends to lower their reimbursements.   

The Fifth Edition of the True American dated May 2019 includes the first page of a Draft Bill proposed by “WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES” to the Senate leadership.  The BILL authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with the all of the Departments, Agencies and entities of the federal government and all of the immediately applicable interests of our private health care economic sector in order to devise a plan to extend Medicare Advantage to All Americans. The Secretary is required to recommend the rules and the necessary criteria for a firm and reasonable proposal and time frame for extending the Medicare Advantage to All Americans in an affordable, accessible, universal and feasible fashion. See the Fifth Edition of the True American for more information. 

Secretary Azar recently said, “We can also enhance value through payments in Medicare Advantage, where we want to open up more opportunities for MA Plans …. including creative value-based design arrangements, moving care to the home and the community, and new ways for MA Plans to improve patient’s health over the long term,” He gets it! We must give him the power to design that plan, not just implement it. The economic viability of our nation and the general welfare of our people depend upon this effort. 

We have the skill and the expertise to simultaneously reduce the cost of our health care and our Health Care GDP to a competitive world market level, secure our exceptional and unique health care financing system and improve the health, productivity and insurability of the American people with a properly designed, expertly administered and adequately regulated Trump Medicare Advantage for All program. 

 A Trump-Medicare-Advantage-For-All will be instrumental in making this happen. 

For more information on the Medicare-Advantage-For-All plan and the movement, visit our Trump Medicare Advantage for All plan page, call us at 1-888-683-3719 or contact our email us at: contact@medicare-advantage-for-all.com. 

To support and join this movement, you can download our Membership Application and complete it with your contact information and send it to us with your financial support or just complete the Pay Pal Credit card authorization on the About and Become A Supporter Pages on our web site. 

Visit our Medicare Advantage for All site to learn more! We re-publish articles and research, notices and alerts addressing the efficacy of Medicare-Advantage-For-All and effectively communicating this information to our primary audiences, which include members of Congress, key congressional staff members, the White House, including policymakers in the executive branch, academics, and D.C. think-tanks, policy wonks, the media and our loyal members. 

 

 

 

 

The post We Need a Healthcare Czar  appeared first on Medicare News Advocate.

Anxiety and Heart Disease

chest pain anxiety heart disease tampa cardio

chest pain anxiety heart disease tampa cardioAnxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the USA. 

Anxiety can make your body feel like you are having a heart attack. Chest based feelings of butterflies to sharp pains are not uncommon. 

Anxiety is not healthy in the short term but long term it can cause you to become ill emotionally and physically. Chronic anxiety can raise your risk for heart issues.

While small amounts of stress are healthy and even motivating, feeling worried or anxious now and then is normal. It’s when it becomes chronic that it may pose a negative threat to your wellbeing.

Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by at least 6 months of excessive worrying or feeling anxious about unrelated events. Approximately 5% of adults meet the criteria for this disorder. The incidence is higher, coming in at 11% among those with coronary artery disease and 13% of those with heart failure.

It has not been established whether anxiety sets off heart disease or vice versa. It is known that chronic anxiety can change the way the body reacts to stress. This happens via hormones and physiological reactions meant to keep us safe – known as the flight or fight response.

If your fight or flight response is constantly engaged it can lead to heart issues as well as adrenal burn out which may, in turn, cause other endocrine system issues.

Anxiety can present the same symptoms as a heart attack

A panic attack is so very similar in feel to a heart attack people often mistake them. Upon a trip to the ER, you will receive a diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain. As many as 1 in 3 people will experience this in their lifetime.

What can you do?

The best answer medical professionals have found so far is a combination of medication and talk therapy. A cognitive-behavioral therapist will help you identify unwanted thoughts and establish what is anxiety-based and what is something that genuinely needs to be looked at and considered.

Medications work as a temporary bandaid to allow you to get through tough anxiety-filled times while working through the root cause with a therapist or on your own using tools such as automatic writing, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation healing based activities.

Never ignore chest pain. It is far better to be safe than sorry. If you are in the Tampa Florida area and looking for a cardiologist we invite you to check out the physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. www.tampacardio.com 813-975-2800.

Sun Exposure and Varicose Veins

Vein-health-and-sun-exposure-west-florida-vein-cente

Vein-health-and-sun-exposure-west-florida-vein-centeIf you live somewhere where sunshine is a year-round presence you will want to know how it can affect your vein health! 

The Importance of sunscreen when it comes to veins

These days most of us do put on sunscreen when laying out catching some rays. Sunscreen can deter UVA and UVB rays from doing skin damage, aging the skin or leading to cancer. While many are aware of the dark spots or wrinkles the sun may cause but what many don’t think about how sun exposure can egg on spider veins to form on the nose or cause already active vein disease in the body to worsen. With people currently flocking to South West Florida for the end of the beach season, it’s important to be aware of how to protect your skin from the sun whether it’s on the beach or just gardening in the yard.

Can the Sun Actually Cause Varicose and Spider Veins?

Yes and no. The sun can cause spider veins. It cannot cause varicose veins.

Many people believe a good tan will hide the appearance of spider veins, which is true. However, it’s a temporary measure and one that can backfire if you get too much sun, causing even more spider veins to spread.

Should I Avoid the Sun?

The only time you really should avoid sun exposure is if you have recently had a vein removal done. It is important to protect the skin after such treatment. Doctors recommend that people who have undergone vein treatment surgery should remain out of the sun anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks. The sun’s rays can cause pigment changes in the skin. Once the doctor clears you to go in the sun, it is important to apply sunscreen to the area to protect the skin.

Spider Veins: The sun breaks down collagen under the skin and in blood vessels right beneath the surface causing spider veins to appear. Sun exposure may also cause veins in your face to do the same, especially in light-skinned individuals.

Varicose veins: On the other hand, varicose veins are never created by the sun. However, veins that are diseased may worsen in hot weather. The sun’s heat can cause the veins to dilate and enlarge causing venous distention. Venous distention is a condition in which veins swell due to being filled with more blood than is needed. An increase in blood and size means swelling and pain.

Sun exposure vein health West Florida Vein center

When Is the Best Time of Year to Get Veins Treated?

The winter months are the ideal time to get skin looking healthy for the summer. Most people don’t think of their veins during the colder months because we wear so much clothing, but it can make life a lot easier to get problems fixed before summer beach weather returns.

Why Winter Treatment is Ideal:

  • Veins can worsen in winter months from inactivity.
  • Veins could require additional treatments, so there is plenty of time to be ready for the warmer weather.
  • Compression hosiery is often worn before and after varicose vein procedures. These stockings are easier to wear or hide in cooler months.

Learn More About Sun Exposure and Veins

If you have concerns about sun exposure on your spider or varicose veins or have any other questions about treatments, schedule an appointment with a vein specialist. If you are in the greater Tampa area, you can schedule a visit with Dr. Zuzga of the West Florida Vein Center at (727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.

Boost Your Health With Bone Broth Soup

Bone-broth-soup-dr-kaster

Bone-broth-soup-dr-kasterThrough this pandemic, it is more important than ever to keep your immune system strong and healthy.

Bone broth is an easy and inexpensive way to help your body do just that. It is a great way to strengthen your immunity as well as help heal the human body.

The gelatin found in bone broth supports digestion as well as helps to keep bones strong with collagen supply. Adding this broth to your diet can help reduce joint pain and lower inflammation. It contains elements of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfates and other health-boosting compounds.

Adding to the anti-inflammatory properties this soup also contains arginine, glycine, and proline as well as calcium and magnesium for bone strength. Bone broth soups can be made from any animal bone – chicken, beef, fish, pork, and lamb. Grass-fed animal bones would be best to avoid any contaminants.

There is truth in the old wives’ tale of chicken soup for a cold or flu. Bone broth is nutrient-rich and can help your body heal. If you are experiencing frequent colds, cases of flu, digestive issues, allergies, brain health, and even autoimmune issues, it just may benefit you.

The Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

  • 2-4 lbs. of bones from a healthy source
  • 4 Carrots cut up
  • 3 Onions cut up
  • Fresh Parsley (1/2 cup)
  • Pink Salt (dash)
  • 1 Garlic clove
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 Qt. Filtered water

DIRECTIONS

First – In a large pot place the ribs, bones, water, and vinegar. Let it sit for an hour on low heat. This allows the minerals to leach from the bones.

Second – Add the vegetables in and bring the water to a boil. A weird filmy scum will form on the top of the pot. Scrape that off and throw it away.

Third – Lower to a simmer. Cover and cook for 24-72 hours. This can also be done in a crockpot. Just transfer it over.

Fourth – When you are almost done, add in the garlic, parsley, and salt. It only really needs to be in there for 15 minutes to absorb. You may then turn off the heat.

Fifth – Allow the broth to cool, then strain the broth removing all of the bones. You can keep it in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Consuming a cup of this broth a day has been shown to help boost health.

Do Your Toes Turn In? You Might Be Pigeon Toed.

pigeon-toed-dr.-kaster-fort-myers-florida-chiropractic

Have you ever taken a look at yours or your child’s feet and thought “Oh how cute. The toes turn in?” While it is a cute trait that is thought of as standing with a shy or innocent stance it isn’t great for your posture or gait.

Being pigeon-toed (also called in-toeing) is a medical condition where your toes point in. It is a normal variation much like being flat-footed and can be genetic. Because it is present at birth most believe they simply have to live with it. The issue with not resolving this is that they also often end up chronically spraining their ankles. They may not even realize what they feel is a mild sprain, and over time, that can add up to damage. 

Think back to being a child.  Though your ankle may never have fully sprained, when you jumped off a swing or the monkey bars on the playground you would notice that you often didn’t land quite right and you would feel a sting spread up your ankle and shin on the side rendering you unable to move for a few seconds.

If you are pigeon-toed it is most noticeable when standing looking straight on. Toes hook inward. It can make initially learning to walk initially difficult because you are likely to trip over your own toes. 

The standard angle is 15 degrees pointed outwards, not straight ahead or inward. That puts tension on your entire foot, leg and hip joint. Many people who are pigeon-toed are also flat-footed which compounds the issue. The use of custom created orthotics can also assist greatly in this case in stabilizing the ankle and foot so you have a more sound solid base.

Chiropractic May Be Able to Help with Pigeon Toes!

If Tibial Torsion Exists – The tibia (shin bone) has not yet turned.

Your chiropractor can adjust a subluxation in the bones and explain how to stretch the appropriate muscles. Customized orthotics may also be made to go inside of the child’s shoes to help aid in the correction of the excessive pronation.  Shoes with good arch support and a work out program that supports the building of muscle in the legs and feet are also important. Soccer, running, and football are all recommended.

If The Culprit is Femoral Torsion – The Femur or thigh bone exhibits excessive pronation.

Stretching and strengthening focused on the hip rather than the leg – sports like bicycling, ballet and gymnastics are encouraged.

In both cases – stretching, strengthening and using low force strategies like the instance activator method

If the Metatarsus ductus is the cause – This involves the foot itself. Adjustments will concentrate on the bones of the foot and orthotics can be used if it continues past age 7.

Left untreated incorrect mechanics and foot movement can lead to more problems down the road. If you or your child are pigeon-toed it is important to consult a good podiatrist and or chiropractor to avoid damage later in life.

If you are in the Fort Myers, Florida area we invite you to make an appointment with the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C.

Chiropractor | Nutritionist 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?

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

PCS – Pelvic Congestion Syndrome – Diagnosis and Treatment

Pelvic-Congestion-Syndrome-Tampa-Cardio

Pelvic-Congestion-Syndrome-Tampa-CardioPelvic Congestion Syndrome is a chronic medical condition that affects nearly 1/3 of all women at some point during their lifetime.

Pelvic congestion syndrome is a condition that causes chronic pain in the pelvic region. When this happens, the veins in your pelvis can enlarge and change shape, like varicose veins. This type of damage causes veins to become varicose. Blockages create backflows of blood because the veins do not close properly anymore. The result is pressure build-up and bulging veins. When this happens in the region of the pelvis varicose veins can affect the uterus, vulva, and ovaries causing great pain and distress.

 It can be diagnosed when it is nonrelated to the menstrual cycle and lasts 6 months or longer (the time frame for a condition to be considered chronic). This condition is aggravated by standing for long periods of time.

How to Diagnose PCS

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome may occur in a wide range of ages for women between 20 and 50 years of age. Additional symptoms can include abnormal menstrual bleeding, irritable bladder, vaginal discharge and even visible varicose veins present on the thighs, vulva or buttocks. These areas are often overlooked and do not show up on imaging. Because of this, it is often tough to diagnose. Make sure you do a thorough at-home mirror check of your entire body and report any abnormalities to your doctor.

If pelvic pain worsens later in the day or when standing yet you can’t seem to get a proper diagnosis to come into Tampa Cardiovascular Associates we are able to work in conjunction with your gynecologist.

The Treatment

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation. The blood supply to the veins is blocked by the use of coils and embolic agents. An 80% pain reduction has been reported by those who have undergone this procedure.

Pelvic congestion syndrome is treated using minimally invasive, non-surgical, trans-catheter techniques. Contrast dye may be injected to confirm which veins are affected. If varices are found on venography, they are embolized with small coils or other FDA approved chemical agents.

The Recovery

The first of two visits is an overnight admission to the hospital. The purpose is for managed pain care during the first 24 hours. The patient is then discharged and can recover at home using oral pain medication for the relief of discomfort. Any pain experienced is most significant during the first three days after either procedure.

The second is an outpatient appointment. Most patients see great improvement. It is important to note that in some cases other pelvic veins are also affected and may require further treatment in the future.

If you are experiencing pelvic pain that seems outside the scope of normal monthly reproductive cycle issues, please give us a call at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates at 813-975-2800. www.TampaCardio.com