Category Archives: News

08.17.22
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Kidney Donor Needed – Could You Be a Match?

Krista Mishka kidney needed

Please help Krista find a living kidney donor. She needs this post to go Nationwide! I’m asking you to please read and share her story and ask all of your friends to do the same.

Krista Mishka kidney neededWhy I Need a Kidney

HOW A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WILL AFFECT MY LIFE:
A kidney transplant from a living donor and stopping dialysis will help me with my other current illnesses. PKD has caused my high blood pressure and increased my chances of heart disease, stroke, and a brain aneurysm. It has already caused me to have severe Osteoporosis which is deteriorating my hips and spine.

By getting a transplant from a living donor, it will stop these things in their tracks. I have a whole lot of life that I desperately want to live with my loved ones.

You can read Krista’s full story at NKR.org/lff233
You can help by reading and sharing! Please help make this go viral! 

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.  

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.

11.01.21
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Men Want to Feel Attractive Too

Men's health antiaging Renovovita With-N

Men's health antiaging Renovovita With-NBeauty magazines and online advertising have mainly gone after women giving the not so subtle message that youth is beauty and that you must chase and remain youthful at any cost – financial or physical.

This has given rise to a trillion-dollar vision that rakes in money hand over fist with makeup, skincare, laser treatments, beauty treatments, Botox, and fillers.  Women have so many options to glamorize, cover, and conceal.

Men on the other hand are pretty much left to the elements and the signs of aging. They simply look how they look. Rugged is considered handsome.

Men want to feel desirable too. This is where the truth behind attraction comes into play. Men get no makeup, no false pieces to hide behind like eyelashes or fingernails to glue on, appeal for the male has to come from within. It radiates with good health as well as a self-assured attitude that comes across when you do feel good and good about yourself.

Because of this RenovoVita is incredibly successful with the male crowd. Our With-N Cell Renewal Activation formula is an oral supplement that is taken daily which helps to dramatically increase cellular production boosting your vitality, strength, overall health, wellness, and youthful appearance from within.

Now add to that the daily use of Virg-N Youth Serum. This is our specially formulated skin smoothing, line diminishing, wrinkle correcting light weight easy to apply moisturizer that takes the place of night cream and even eye cream as well. This one small container boosts the appearance, buoyancy, and texture of your entire face in a very short time once you begin to use it twice a day, morning and at night.

The health boost can help make you feel and look more refreshed and attractive. When you feel good – you look good, that is just a fact.

Men – if you are feeling like your skin just isn’t what it used to be, try Virg-N youth serum along with With-N cell renewal supplement and you will be happily amazed at how much better you look at feel.

 www.renovovita.com

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

10.04.19
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15th to October 15th, 2019

This time every year is dedicated to acknowledging the Hispanic heritage contributions that have helped to make America the wonderful melting pot that it is. Hispanic and Latino Americans have had a profound positive effect on their communities and because of this our country.

This influence comes through character, the practice of traditions, faith, dedication to family, and hard work and service in their chosen fields. They have helped to shape our national character with traditions that reflect the multicultural customs of their community.

The roots of this month-long tradition of recognition known as Hispanic Heritage Month began back in1968. Each year the celebration begins on the anniversary of the independence of the Latin American Countries: Chile, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

The term Hispanic or Latino refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin. Today, 57.5 million people or 18% of the American population are Hispanic or Latino. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population.

While there are too many to mention in a single blog we wanted to call attention to three very notable and influential Hispanic Americans who have and continue to make a big impact in the world today.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor – Mrs. Sotomayor was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican-born parents. Sotomayor was in the majority in two major Supreme Court landmark rulings in the last term: King v. Burwell and Obergefell v. Hodges.

Justice Sotomayor was on the board of directors of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and an instructor at New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School.

She was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009 by President Obama.

James Edward Olmos – Nicknamed “Olivier of the Latino world,” Edward James Olmos is a talented creative individual. Back in April of 1999, he launched a project called Americanos: Latino Life in the United States. It was to be a celebration of Latino culture through photography, film, music, and writing. The project was co-sponsored by Time Warner Inc. and designed to inspire Latino pride and to build bridges among Latinos and other Americans. Olmos speaks at an average of 150 institutions each year and participates in a multitude of humanitarian efforts.

He is the executive director of a national gang prevention program called the Lives In Hazard Educational Project. This program is funded by the US Department of Justice.

Carlos Santana – Though mainly known as one of the world’s most phenomenal musicians with a huge track record emblazed in music history he is also a major humanitarian philanthropist.

Carlos and his wife Deborah Santana founded the Milagro Foundation established in 1998 www.milagrofoundation.org, which helps disadvantaged youth with grants personally as well as collecting donations of money and instruments for students in groups like Little Kids Rock. Over 7.5 million dollars has been distributed to date.

These are just three examples of a tight nit amazing community which makes our country better on an ongoing basis. Share in this annual tribute month by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

First Pawn Jewelry and Loan Celebrates proudly National Hispanic Heritage Month. All Latin style jewelry and musical instruments are now on sale! Come check out our selection!

889 Airport Road South, Naples, Fl 34104 | 239-434-7296

1331 Homestead Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936 | 239-369-2274

05.03.19
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Sclerotherapy – the Right Choice for Small Vein Removal

sclerotherapy-west-florida-vein-center-tampa

sclerotherapy-west-florida-vein-center-tampaAs we age many of us begin to notice small changes in our bodies. If your parents or grandparents had varicose veins or spider veins in their legs you are more likely to develop them as well. Genetics is not the only factor though. Lifestyle also plays a big part.

If you have visibly noticeable small veins that resemble a spider web you likely have telangiectasia, a lesser form of varicose veins or vein disease. While not usually painful, if not treated they tend to start out in a small location and spread fairly quickly.

Sclerotherapy is the main go to treatment for combatting telangiectasis. Sclerotherapy is used on spider veins as well as small superficial varicose veins appearing on the legs. They may also appear (though less commonly) on other parts of the body as well.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is injection therapy using a very thin 32 gauge needle and a solution to chemically treat specific areas where vein damage exists. The injected chemicals collapse the blood vessel. This takes place within only a few seconds taking effect immediately. The doctor can see it working as they proceed. Sclerotherapy typically takes from 1 to 6 treatment sessions to reach the fading level desired for the treated veins.

Thanks to the natural adaptive healing processes of the human body the blood is simply re-routed to other healthy veins that can easily take on the extra flow while the spider veins fade from view gradually over a period of several weeks due to nonuse and reabsorption.

This procedure is performed using the smallest gauge needle made in order to minimize the sensation of an injection. Most patients are pleasantly surprised when they experience just how painless modern sclerotherapy actually is. Even if you are needle phobic this procedure has been said to be a breeze.

The Doctor’s Suggestion: Wear graduated compression stockings immediately after treatment for up to a week or more. The main benefit is, of course, the look of your legs. No longer encumbered by purplish blue lines sclerotherapy may also help improve annoyance symptoms sometimes linked to spider veins, such as itching, aching, burning and nighttime cramps. If you have tried sclerotherapy in the past and have been unsuccessful in relieving symptoms outside of the visual it could be a sign that deeper veins may need to be treated as well.

It is important to note that there is minimal to no discomfort with this treatment and no downtime.

Sclerotherapy is, so far, the most effective treatment option for spider veins.

Interested to learn more? We are here to help. Give the office of Dr. Mark Zuzga a call today at The West Florida Vein Center of Safety Harbor / Tampa, Florida.

www.westfloridaveincenter.com (727) 712-3233 to set up a consultation and get you on the road to healthier legs.

Most insurance accepted!

04.01.19
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Can Running Age Your Body?

running

runningThe simple answer is YES.

While walking is great for your health by boosting cardiovascular health, toning and strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bone health, jogging, has more drawbacks than benefits when it comes to aging.

The more strenuously you work your body, the greater the calorie burn. The more calories burnt, the more weight potentially lost. The issue is that there is a lot more to the equation than just calories.

In your youth, your body is strong, your heart is healthy, and exercise by running or jogging, bringing your heart rate up to near its maximum capacity for a time isn’t an issue. As we age that maximum capacity begins to drop. When you go too hard and your heart pumps at too high of a heart rate you aren’t just burning unwanted fat – you are also causing your body to go after the muscle. This is why you see so many runners who are not fat by any means, but their body composition is often that of a “thin fat” person. Meaning they are lean but not solid.

To garner the most benefit a quick walk is far better for you overall keeping your heart rate in the fat burning range of 132-142 vs the higher rates jogging and running bring on.

Take a moment to really look around and notice the people at your gym – they work out for months and even years and you won’t notice much difference in the way that they look, despite a lot of effort. Long sessions of cardiovascular exercise can actually accelerate the aging process. Why? Because it increases free radicals. These free radicals are scavengers that prey on your body’s tissue and nutrients. Unless you are training for a marathon, most gym goers are overdoing it on the cardio, especially if running or jogging. It is hard on your joints from your ankles, knees, hips, all the way up to jarring your shoulders and neck repeatedly.

The other issue is with dehydration. Water helps you burn fat as well as suppress hunger. Drinking a gallon of water a day can take years off your look, help you drop extra fat, save your liver and kidneys from overworking chronically, allowing you to have more energy. Your liver is your number one fat burning organ.  If it is chronically overworked with toxins, it cannot do its job and that extra fat will stick.

HIIT cardio is the answer. High-Intensity Interval Training. This involves no running. HIIT has been shown to burn more fat, keep your heart healthy, and save your joints. HIIT essentially goes back and forth between high and low heart rate. This gives the biggest fat burn.

If you intend to do weight training that day do the weight training first rather than the HIIT cardio. You will have more energy and feel less worn out at the end.

HIIT training Directions – it can be done outside with no equipment, on a treadmill, an elliptical, a bike, a lateral machine, or even a rowing machine. Start out with 30-second intervals. Start slow and warm up. Then begin to alternate between 30 seconds all out at a good pace nice and fast (you can even crank up the grade or level) and then bring it back down to almost nothing allowing your heart to relax and slow back down. Repeat over and over again for 10-15 minutes.

For more info please visit www.drkasters.com 

02.10.19
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Varicose Vein and Venous Insufficiency – The Symptoms

varicose-veins-tampa

varicose-veins-tampaThe first thing most people think as they notice their very first spider vein or varicose vein is “Oh no”. The once beautiful skin on their legs is now flawed (or perceived to be so).

The next is likely scanning their immediate family history. Did my mom or dad have varicose veins? My grandparents? Aunts? Uncles?
While genetics does raise your risk factor so does lifestyle, there are things you can do to help stop them in their tracks. It’s positive that you were paying attention and noticed.

Varicose veins are considered to be unattractive and most who notice symptoms of venous insufficiency will do their best to adjust their wardrobe accordingly to hide them.  To most people, the lack of pain translates to it not being a legitimate medical issue. That is simply not the truth.

Symptoms vary from patient to patient, varicose veins are a sign that your circulatory system is in distress. Step #1 is drink more water. You are chronically dehydrated. Step # 2 is to seek professional help from a Vein Specialist. Catching them as soon as they begin to appear will save you probable pain later in life as well as help to stop them from spreading and becoming more of an issue.

Signs you are developing varicose veins:

  • You can see veins that were once hidden
  • Veins are dark purplish blue
  • Veins look twisted, swollen, and may bulge
  • Your legs may ache
  • Spider veins (telangiectasia) may also begin to appear
  • Your ankles may become swollen
  • Discoloration may present – skin becomes shiny – brownish or blue in color
  • Your legs may feel heavy, especially at night or right after a workout
  • If you happen to cut the affected area its harder than usual to stop the bleeding
  • You may experience lipodermatosclerosis – The fat under the skin above the ankle becomes hard
  • You may develop eczema on the affected area. It will become red, itchy, and dry
  • Leg cramps upon standing may be experienced
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (twitching of the legs while trying to sleep) may begin
  • Irregular white patches that look like scars may appear near the ankle (Atrophie Blanche)

Complications become a risk with inhibited blood flow. These can include:

  • Blood clots
  • Bleeding
  • Chronic venous insufficiency (it is often mistakenly believed that this is the same as varicose veins. In cases of chronic venous insufficiency, the skin does not exchange nutrients, oxygen, or waste products with blood properly due to weak blood flow. Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are two different entities that are closely related.
  • Those who present with chronic insufficiency are likely to develop varicose eczema as well as venous ulcerations.

It is important to get a medical evaluation for signs of chronic venous insufficiency and symptoms of varicose veins.

If you are in the Tampa Bay Florida area and would like to get a professional opinion as well as a proposed treatment plan to get you in the best possible vascular health call Dr. Zuzga of The West Florida Vein Center today at 

(727) 712-3233. www.westfloridaveincenter.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 

11.01.18
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Do You Live in Florida and are Mysteriously Sick?

Florida red tide organophosphate Roundup

Florida red tide organophosphate Roundup You May Have “Red Tide Sickness”

This isn’t the same old naturally occurring Red Tide.

This devastatingly oversized unrelenting bloom has co-mingled with blue-green algae and stayed around for close to a year now. The release from Lake Okeechobee has been feeding it and growing it spurred on by our lack of drop in temperature this fall. The Red Tide bloom has grown to nearly the size of the state of Connecticut.

What you need to know:


The toxins released have killed our wildlife and hurt many local businesses. It is affecting not only water quality but because it can become aerosolized and carried in the wind, has also altered our air quality. The toxins released from the Red Tide (Brevetoxin) and Blue Green Algae (Cyanotoxin and Myostine) have mixed with the organophosphates released from agricultural companies such as US Sugar (Glyphosate (Monsanto’s RoundUp) and other pesticides and herbicides as well).

These airborne particles are making humans as well as pets sick. Many people are visiting frustrated doctor after frustrated doctor who have so far been unable to diagnose the bizarre range of symptoms leaving their patients lacking hope and feeling terrible.

Symptoms you may be experiencing:

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

According to WINK NEWS (see video below start playing at 28 seconds), FAU researchers state that 100% of people tested so far have come back positive for Cyanotoxin (blue-green algae microcystin exposure) which lowers your immune system. 

Many are choosing to take the Cholinesterase RBC and Plasma blood test for pesticide toxicity (organophosphates) as well and are also coming up positive. It is vital to note that those reading the results on this test know that according to the CDC the lab values marked as acceptable are incorrect. Toxicity can present at just 40% of the top acceptable level.

So far, though there are a urine and blood test in a lab study setting for animals, we have found no local labs offering a Brevetoxin (red tide) blood test for humans.

Listen to what Reporter Chris Grisby had to say about the situation right here in SW FL.
He was let go from Wink News shortly after this shockingly honest report.

Harmful Algae Toxins are Airborne and Could Cause Cancer

Doctors are warning people to stay away from toxic algae-infested water, because harmful toxins that could cause cancer are airborne.

Posted by Rick Scott Is Not For Florida on Thursday, September 27, 2018

If you are unexplainably ill in Southwest Florida we strongly urge you to give us a call and find out how you can do a neurotoxin cleanse to help heal your body from this exposure. Give the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. a call today at 239-332-2555 or visit www.drkasters.com. info@drkasters.com to send an email.