february2014 banzaiwellness mag

If you’re sitting down while you’re reading this, stand up and walk around the room three times.

That’s no joke. The little walk that breaks up the sedentary periods in your day can save your life.

That’s the good news according to a recent study titled “Effects of Physical Activity and Sedentary Time on the Risk of Heart Failure” and reported in Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association. Sitting down for long periods without getting up to activate the system, the heart of the matter, is not good for you. It can lead to early heart disease and you know where that does.

Think about how many times a day you’re sitting without taking a break to get your motor running…driving to the gym, checking your email, looking for something viral on YouTube, playing Candy Crush. The message, as National Public Radio digested the scientific study, simply is: “when you can walk instead of stand, walk…when you can stand instead of sit, stand.”

But, even if you think you didn’t know that for a fact, you probably figured it out. As a matter of fact, because you’re reading this magazine means you’re concerned about your wellness and you know that you’ll find some good information and valuable resources here in the pages of Banzai, the spirit of wellness.

Of course, February is a good time to consider your heart…a time for valentine romance, a time to up your level of love for your family… and for yourself.

Do yourself a favor: get up and get going.

“when you can walk instead of stand, walk…when you can stand instead of sit, stand.”

A Matter of Heart

Editor’s Note

6 February 2014 www.banzaiwellnessmag.com

www.banzaiwellnessmag.com

ngel’s Recovery, located in Wellington, Florida is an addiction rehabilitation center whose primary purpose is to provide

clients a safe, home-like setting to detox and begin programming to learn about and recover from addiction. Case management is an integral part of client recovery. The case manager, Ada Hall is the primary coordinator of care; directing and organizing addiction treatment services, wellness activities, financial management, life skill development, and educational services. In addition, the case manager is the primary contact for the family and third parties. It is important to state that at Angel’s Recovery our case manager helps clients manage their situations- they do not manage the client.According to Angel’s Recovery CEO, Tara Jasperson, “the major responsibility of the case manager is to be a client advocate when the client is unable to advocate for themselves.” Case managers advocate on behalf of their clients with multiple agencies and parties. Hall stated, “The specific advocacy required depends on each individual client and will always act in the client’s best interests.” The case manager at Angel’s Recovery is the caring and diligent third party with social services,

legal systems, medical professionals, families, and any other party involved in the vital recovery of the client.Angel’s Recovery is determined to maintain a healthy, safe, comfortable environment for the clients that reside in the live-in facilities. Case managers facilitate coordination of care for the client. This includes, but is not limited to, working with the clinical director, Diana Moore, and the program director Leigh Ann Penniman, arranging medical appointments, assuring clients handle their legal responsibilities, and creating an “at home” atmosphere for the duration of their stay at Angel’s Recovery. Ada was adamant and passionate when she said, “I know each of my clients and care for them. Their recovery is my number one priority. I hold the position as their case manager to a high standard of maintaining this same personal dedication with each of her clients.”The major goal of Angel’s Recovery iszt to help clients re-enter society and their regular lives with what they have learned in the program as soon as possible. The case manager at Angel’s Recovery begins planning for this as soon as the client enters the program. Before the client’s discharge, the case manager arranges transitional housing. This is in order to provide

the best after care for each client as they move forward living with the disease of addiction. Together with their individual relapse prevention plan, designed with the clinical team, clients are armed with the tools and resources to help them live,” one day at a time”, back in the world. This cooperative partnership with the transitional halfway living is the next step in the clients recovery. Angel’s case manger educates them on the clients that will move to their facility. Together with the transitional housing staff, Hall helps them find employment and arranges for continuing treatment. Angel’s Recovery offers an IOP program, which enables them to stay in contact with their clients as their level of care changes. The continuity of treatment stays intact throughout this stage of treatment.Thomas Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” This case manager along with the entire staff at Angel’s Recovery does everything within our power to give each client the opportunity to try just one more time. Angel’s Recovery is built on strong foundations and selfless morals which they hope to instill in each client that they encounter.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

Guardian Angel Found at Angel’s Recovery

-Thomas Edison


CASE MANAGER


Companionship. Loneliness can become an unwelcome companion as we age and can lead to depression as well as physical problems. Dogs mold their schedule and personality to you. They are never unavailable or off duty. Smaller dogs, in particular, can easily travel.Having a routine. The routine of caring for a pet can bring structure and purpose to daily life. Maybe you don’t always want to get out of bed, but your pet wants you to. Isn’t that a good thing?Exercise. People benefit from regular physical exercise regardless of their age. But it is hard to get into a regular exercise routine, and it’s so very easy to skip it. Having a dog can be a great way to make walking a part of your daily plan.Less stress. Older people with pets tend to exhibit less stress than those without. Maybe it’s those regular walks or the sense that you’ve got a friend to share life’s challenges. Or maybe it’s that tail wagging you see very day when you wake up.Getting out. Having a pet, particularly one that requires regular outdoor activity, helps you stay connected to life. You go for veterinary checkups, and perhaps you visit a dog groomer. You need to be involved in social activities.Making new friends. There are lots of shared activities for pet owners, ranging from communal walks to charitable events and other organizations that cater to animals and protecting the environment. It can be

hard to meet new people, but pets are great icebreakers.New interests. A pet can expose you to new interests and activities. Maybe it’s cleaning up the neighborhood park where you walk your dog. Some hospitals seek pet owners who will volunteer to bring in their pets to spend time with patients.Protection. A dog can proztvide significant security. Potential thieves will stay away from a home with a barking dog. Your watchdog may weigh only 8 pounds soaking wet, but the person on the other side of the door doesn’t know that.Taking care of something. Sure, you need your pet. Your pet needs you, too. The need to be useful and of value doesn’t magically disappear when your career ends or your kids grow up and build their own independent lives. It is very satisfying to take care of another living creature.Investing in life. At the end of the day, having a pet means that you have made a promise to continue being involved in another life. This commitment is one of the most positive decisions you can make as you get older.If you’ve ever loved a pet, you know the kind of joy animals can bring. Aside from love…. There is mounting evidence that pet’s can improve our physical well-being, too. (Former president of the Mayo Clinic staff, Edward Creagan, MD, is so convinced of the healing powers of pets, he has literally prescribed them for a third of his cancer patients.) Here’s a

look at how your health might benefit from an animal companion:1. Reduced Risk of Allergies, Asthma, and Eczema People with allergies produce antibodies—which can cause inflammation in the airways (asthma) or the skin (eczema)—in response to irritants like dander and saliva. But exposure to a pet during infancy may mean less chance of developing such reactions in adulthood—possibly, scientists speculate, because the immune system becomes desensitized to allergens. What’s more impressive is that this immune-stabilizing effect appears to begin before birth. A 2008 study showed that prenatal pet exposure lowers allergic antibody production in the umbilical cord.2. Lower Blood Pressure. The simple act of petting an animal—or even gazing at an aquarium—results in a drop in blood pressure. And pets can have a longer-term impact on the cardiovascular system, too, as researchers discovered when they tracked 24 hypertensive stockbrokers who adopted a cat or dog. Pet ownership blunted the blood pressure response to mental stress; the traditionally prescribed hypertension drug did not.3. A Stronger Heart. Researchers who followed 369 heart attack survivors in the landmark Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial found that dog owners had only a 1 percent chance of dying within a year, compared with a 7 percent chance for subjects who didn’t have a dog. A newer study, from 2009, found that

Pets.... What they do for us, and what we owe them in return.

www.banzaiwellnessmag.com 15 February 2014

people who had owned a cat at some point in their lives were 37 percent less likely to die of a

heart attack than those who hadn’t. 4. Improved Fitness. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health revealed that dog owners were 34 percent more likely to complete the recommended minimum 150 minutes of exercise per week. Other research has shown that dog owners walk 19 more minutes a week on average, and that having a family dog increases physical activity among adolescents (a key finding as childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions).5. Greater Calm for Alzheimer’s Patients And for their families. Much of the burden of this disease (which afflicts one in eight people 65 and older) falls on patients’ relatives, and we’ve seen it crush the spirit of even the most loving caretakers. But studies have revealed that Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts if an animal is present, and research shows that caregivers can feel less burdened as well, especially if the animal is a cat (perhaps because cats require little additional care). A study published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research found that even pet fish can help by facilitating healthy weight gain among Alzheimer’s patients, who often suffer from a lack of adequate nutrition. In the presence of an aquarium, patients who paced tended to sit still longer, while patients who were typically

lethargic became more attentive. Both effects lled to better eating at mealtimes. Not everybody can bring home a furry or aquatic friend, of course. But if life circumstances (like long hours or a persnickety landlord) keep you from owning a pet, you can still experience the health perks of animals by volunteering with rescues in dire need of affection. The West Palm Beach/Wellington area is chock full of local shelters needing your help! Don’t wait, volunteer and spread some love today~These four canine companions provide extra support for people with special needs. A diabetic alert dog notices the subtle chemical changes that occur in its owner’s body as her blood sugar begins to drop, then notifies her by barking or licking her—waking her in the middle of the night, if need be—so she can eat a snack and avoid a dangerous hypoglycemic episode. (dogs4diabetics.com) Seizure dogs provide protection in a number of ways: They bark to alert others when their owner goes into a seizure, and lie down next to her to prevent injuries from convulsions. They are even able to retrieve a phone for a 911 call. Over time, some dogs develop the ability to detect a seizure before it happens. (canineassistants.org) An autism service dog is trained to provide a calming presence for its owner, and may even accompany children to school, helping to minimize their emotional outbursts.

The dogs also provide a common ground through which autistic kids can interact with their peers and further their social skills. (autismservicedogsofamerica.com) The Mexican hairless, or xoloitzcuintli, is gaining popularity as a therapy dog for people with fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic pain. Since it lacks fur, the dog’s body is warm to the touch, and patients experience relief simply by holding the animal or lying next to it.


All your pieces have to be in the right place at the right time. That makes sense. Physical harmony is the key to a healthy lifestyle and that involves achieving the right balance between the basic elements of the body – the skeletal, muscular and nerve systems. Finding that balance, removing impediments and soothing inflammations is what inspires Arianne Weiss Prestia to change and improve the lives of her patients.“It’s all about balance,” she says. “I love what I do.”She certainly approaches the task with a cheerful attitude, an infectious enthusiasm and high-powered energy balanced by instinct, detailed knowledge right down to the cellular level, endearing gentleness and clearly genuine care with a holistic point of view.Joining her parents Drs. Bradley and Cetty as the newest member of the Weiss Family Chiropractic Center, she knows what she’s talking about. She’s got the credentials, having studied molecular biology at Palm Beach Atlantic University and chiropractic based on the traditional subluxation theory, including an understanding of orthopedics, neurology and X--ray analysis at the Palmer College of Chiropractic (the founding college of chiropractic established in 1897) and, maybe even more importantly, she’s dedicated to

her patients’ wellbeing, whether they’re wheelchair bound or riding high as Olympic athletes.An athlete herself – an accomplished equestrian, cyclist and kayaker – she knows what it takes to keep all the pieces of those critical three systems working together in good order, what happens when they’re out of synch and she’s skilled in a variety of corrective techniques.“I practice what I preach.”In fact, on the day we met, she told me she was using the Kinesio taping technique on herself…that’s those colorful strips of tape that seemed to make their first appearance to American television viewers on the muscles of the Women’s Beach Volleyball Olympic gold medal winners, Misty-May Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings.At first glance, the purpose of the tape was puzzling. Was it for decoration, something meant to frighten their opponents like Indian war paint, some California secret sign language, an arcane tribal tattoo? Even the usually annoyingly loquatious commentators didn’t seem to know the whole story. At least, I don’t recall any explanation of what the tape was and what purpose it served.So, frankly, I admit I was puzzled, too.But, Weiss Prestia explained, there’s indeed a tale to the tape. Accurately applied - and it

requires specialized knowledge to do it right – Kinesio taping is not like wrapping up a sprained ankle in an Ace bandage to hobble along to Whole Foods from your car. The 35-year-old method invented by the Japanese Dr. Kenzo Kase is meant to enhance athletic performance, improve lymphatic drainage, increase blood flow to the muscles, aid relaxation and assist in the important process of muscle lengthening and releasing.“It lifts it all up,” she said… and I nodded as if I really got it.But there’s no mistaking Arianne Weiss Prestia’s desire to help people change for the better.“I love the health care field,” she says. “It’s really rewarding to make a positive difference in people’s lives.”Her basic philosophy is to allow the body to heal itself, with her family’s help, of course. The Weiss Family Chiropractic Center – “good health is a right, not a privilege” - has been established in the area for some 30 years and offers a diverse range of techniques including spinal and extremity adjustment, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy modalities and even nutrition consulting.It seems to me that Arianne Weiss Prestia is in the right place at the right time and she makes good sense.

Seeking BalanceBy Myles Ludwig

Arianne Weiss Prestia

Photo By

www.banzaiwellnessmag.com 15 February 2014 www.banzaiwellnessmag.com

For years, chiropractic has been a great source of relief for people suffering with back pain. It has come a long way from the days where it was considered unscientific quackery. It has even evolved to the point where chiropractors have developed different areas of focus. Most chiropractors practice what is known as traditional chiropractic. These are the ones most people think about when they have neck pain and back pain from an accident or fall, and they do a great job in getting people relief of their pain. I should know, I was one at one point. While I was helping a lot of people get out of acute pain, I had a heart for people who suffered with chronic problems. I wanted to find a way to help more who had been having problems for months and years with no real long term solution. That’s when I decided to focus my practice on Structural Correction of the head and neck using the NUCCA Protocol.What is NUCCA? NUCCA is an extremely gentle and precise corrective procedure that takes the popping, twisting, and cracking out of the equation. While many chiropractic approaches focus primarily on increasing motion to the spine, a doctor who does NUCCA is focused on restoring the normal structural position of the spine so that it can stay in place. The reason it works is because the way the head and neck affect the brainstem. When the top part of the neck shifts out of

place, it starts to put stress on the muscles and ligaments of the spine, as well as the blood vessels, and nerves that go in and out of the spinal cord. While it can certainly cause neck pain, when the brainstem and spinal cord are affected, it can cause Secondary Conditions like chronic pain, migraines, vertigo, and TMJ/facial pain. This small shift is known as the Atlas Displacement Complex (ADC)

I Never Knew The Problem Was in my Head and NeckA Precise and Gentle Approach to Structural Correction Comes to the Palm Beaches



also known as the Atlas Subluxation Complex. ADC is usually caused by things like falls, sports injuries, bad lifting technique or even accidents as slow as 15 mph. However, ADC can happen and last without symptoms for months, or even years.In order to identify the presence of ADC, a full Structural Chiropractic Examination is necessary. Rather than relying just on our hands, we use a laser aligned upper cervical X-ray set up to get precision views of the upper neck. We also use thermographic and myographic technology to assess the condition of the nervous system. These tools allow us to create substantial changes in a short amount of time while being very gentle with our care. No matter what the condition is, Structural Chiropractic is looking to build long term stability to the mechanics of the spine. We do this by taking Post X-rays and reassessment scans to verify that we have changed the spine and achieved our end goal. Once you’re there, we’ll teach you the best ways to keep it there. We aren’t here to make people dependent or addicted to adjustments, but to get you to the point where you can get your spine tuned up near the same frequency as a dentist.

19 February 2014

What is Cardiac PET Stress Testing?Cardiac PET Stress Test is an advanced stress test for studying the heart. The test provides your doctor with pictures of your heart while it’s rest-ing and while it has increased blood flow, which is called “stress.” Cardiac PET stress testing is utilized at leading health-care institutions around the world to better evaluate coronary artery disease. As the latest advance-ment in the field of molecular imagining, this new technology presents the next generation in stress testing. Independent Imaging holds the distinction of being the first diagnostic imaging facility in Palm Beach County to utilize this technology. What Cardiac PET Testing Can Do?

Cardiac PET Stress Test differs from a traditional stress test as patients simple lay down on a table rather than exercising on a treadmill. This ad-vanced method of testing - particularly useful for women and for people who are obese or have diabetes - is considered more accurate than con-ventional stress heart imaging as it allows a cardiologist to assess the flow of blood to the heart in order to better detect the presence and ex-tent of heart disease. The earlier the detection, the sooner your physician can diagnose the appropriate course of treatment. Clinical studies have shown that PET imaging is more accurate than other tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG) stress testing, single photon emis-sion computed tomography (SPECT), and the angiogram in detecting coronary heart disease. Whereas these tests often produce “false posi-tive” reports detailing the presence of coronary artery disease in a patient where none exists, PET has a 95% diagnostic accuracy rating in identify-ing coronary heart disease. This makes Positron Emission Tomography the most reliable noninvasive cardiac imaging technology available.Cardiac PET Stress Testing offers patients the following benefits when compared to traditional stress testing:• Superior accuracy and higher diagnostic certainty• Reduced testing time – 1 hour rather than three to four hours• Lower radiation exposure• Quick and precise evaluation for patients with chest painIn addition, the diagnostic accuracy of Cardiac PET Stress Testing is also shown to be significantly higher in specific patient groups, such as wom-en, whose results are less than optimal with traditional nuclear stress testing. These include:• Patients who can’t endure the physical demands of the traditional ex-ercise stress test• Obese patients, whose body characteristics make them susceptible to image distortion• Female patients, whose smaller coronary vessels, hormonal changes and breast tissue affect test results negatively• Diabetic patients who commonly experience multi-vessel coronary ar-tery disease

Independent Imaging has locations throughout Palm Beach County in Wellington, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, and Belle Glade. To sched-ule an appointment, please call 561.795.5558.

Independent Imaging Offers the Newest Technology in Cardiac Imaging…

Cardiac PET Stress Test

21 February 2014

Exciting advances have been made in fat removal. Liposuction is now faster, cheaper and safer. Noninvasive fat removal techniques are the latest rage. If liposuction is not for you, this article is to help explain and simplify the confusing array of competing systems.There are several competing medical nonin-vasive techniques that advertise localized fat and cellulite removal. There are basically four. There is laser light, cold exposure, heat with radiofrequency and cavitation with ultra-sound. You will hear confusing name brand equipment that all basically are the same basic four technologies but with more bells and whistles i.e. price. Then there is imported non FDA approved Chinese equipment sold in the internet that simply doesn’t work.For numerous health reasons I finally decided to lose the overdue weight that was making me miserable. Under a doctor’s care, I chose to use a controversial quick weight loss meth-od that uses hormone injections and a strict 800 calorie diet. Due to a good bit of despera-tion and dedication I lost 37 lbs. in about 3 months surprisingly without real hunger or exercise. I kept the weight off for four months but couldn’t lose the love handles or lax skin folds even with exercise. Liposuction was not for me, so for personal and professional reasons I decided to study and evaluate the various noninvasive techniques that claimed to magically remove fat deposits without surgery.I want to share my results and conclusions. Here is the short version of a roundtable medical convention I attended in Orlando sponsored by the ASLM. It featured experts experienced with the four technologies. Here were their opinions.1. Laser light does not work. At least in 80% of patients in one study. It required diet, exercise and vibratory massages.2. Cold exposure works but it is expensive, cumbersome and painful. Doesn’t work on

cellulite3. Radiofrequency and ultrasound were rated the best by the panel with about the same ef-ficacy. RF uses heat from electric currents and had more discomfort with more side effects than ultrasound. Ultrasound uses radio wave is painless and appeared to have more long lasting effects.4. All manufacturers claimed to have the best machine give permanent results by damaging the fat cells ability to store fat.I tried the last two and chose to try cavitation ultrasound. I didn’t like the torture. Ultrasound has only recently been approved by the FDA (2012). Of all the equipment I researched, I chose to use a machine called CAVI-LIPO based on the good long term reviews from Europe and Asia.Here are my dramatic results with only seven treatments so far, spaced one week apart. I did not lose any more weight and really didn’t exercise. Of course I sent my before and after

pictures to friends and relatives. Now I can share the good news with you. The CAVI-LIPO is currently available in all the nine TROPICALASER Centers in South Florida. They specialize in laser hair and tattoo re-moval and facial rejuvenation but have added in the CAVI-LIPO body sculpting for their patients. The feedback from their patients has been 100% positive. The key is immediate measurable results after the first treatment. CAVI-LIPO ultrasound is not a weight loss formula. It is only indicated for patients that have 10- 20 lbs. left to lose and have stored fat in areas that exercise and weight loss alone doesn’t seem to touch. I highly recom-mend it for extra fat in the belly, love handles, and upper arms and cellulite of the thighs. The news for non-invasive painless fat removal is good. We expect even better news in the future.For more information contact tropicalaser.com or call 561-7533336

Here is my storyDr. R. Sabates CLS, CME


Dr. R. Sabates CLS, CME


For many of us, high cholesterol seems like a lurking figure in the shadows. It’s a problem we know may exist, but until it jumps out and gives us a scare, most feel like avoidance is best. Although diet and exercise (as well as other lifestyle changes) are the best line of defense against this offender, some patients require treatment with statin drugs. For those who are unfamiliar with that term, I am referring to drugs such as Lipitor (atorvastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), or Mevacor (lovastatin). For those on a red yeast rice supplement, you’re included in this patient category as well. Although not considered an FDA regulated prescription drug, red yeast rice contains an undetermined amount of naturally-occurring lovastatin. While statins do accomplish the task of lowering levels of blood LDL (bad cholesterol), they do take a toll on the body. It is well known that statins, including the components of red yeast rice, cause depletion of the body’s Coenzyme Q10 levels. CoQ10 is naturally made by the body. It is an

essential component of cardiovascular health. In addition, it is believed that reduction of CoQ10 levels in muscles plays a role in myopathy, a significant side effect of statin drugs. Supplementation with CoQ10 may alleviate the symptoms of myopathy associated with statin use. More importantly, it will serve to prevent c a r d i o v a s c u l a r problems that may occur as a result of CoQ10 depletion. Our bodies are our vessels in this life. As with any other vessel, we must take care of ourselves to the best of our capability. As much as possible, we should incorporate lifestyle choices that aid us in our quest. Only when absolutely necessary should medical intervention be used. And in these situations,

we may need supplementation to overcome undesirable effects that such medical interventions may bring forth. Please come in to My Community Pharmacy or visit www.freedeliverypharmacy.com for your CoQ10 and all your nutraceutical needs.

CoQ10: The Defense Against StatinsBy Meroe Rabieifar

23 February 2014

Heart disease is leading cause of death in women in United States. One of every two women may expect to develop cardiovascular disease in they lifespan and over half million of them die each year. This exceeds even the number of cardiac deaths in men. The disease most frequently is a chronic pro-cess with multiple presentations at times very dramatic like heart attack, stroke or sudden death. Cardiovascular disease is still fre-quently underdiagnosed specifically in female patient. For years women were significantly underrepresented in cardiovascular research and clinical trials and less frequently directed to cardiologist or for cardiovascular testing. Women often have atypical , less define pre-

sentations. Unlike men who described their symptoms as if they were reading directly from the text book, female patients pres-ent more challenge . Complains of fatigue, exhaustion, shortness of breath, lightheaded-ness, dizziness, palpitations, upper back or upper abdominal pain can not be ignored even if chest pain is not present at all. I spend significant amount of time with my patients, specially women, listening, reading between the lines and understanding so I can properly diagnosed. Education, counseling, prevention is of critical importance for women cardiovascular health. Women must to know they risk factors and treat them consistently with aggressive daily

lifestyle interventions and if necessary medi-cal therapy . This includes definitive smoking cessation , preferably daily cardiovascular activity to accumulate at least 30 minute’s of moderate exercise, weight maintenance or reduction, cardiac healthy diet, like Mediterranean diet (low in saturated fat and cholesterol, rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, olive oil, fish) adequate blood pressure,cholesterol, blood sugar control.The heart disease is largely preventable. The first evidence -based guidelines for cardiovas-cular disease prevention in women were published in February 2004.

Strong Focus on Women Cardiovascular Health

By Arletta U. Marunowska M.D., F.A.C.C. ,


www.banzaiwellnessmag.com 25 February 2014

It’s A Bird, It’s a Plane, No…. It’s just Floaters!

By Dr. Amanda Welss, Optometrist

The Symptoms

It’s 7 A.M., you’re sipping your morning cup of coffee, when out of the corner of your eye, you see a flash of light. You move your eyes and you see it again. You also no-tice what looks like a string or spot in your vision that seems to move when you move your eye. The vi-sual symptoms you’ve experienced are commonly referred to as flashes and floaters. They are typically painless, and many people experi-ence them when looking at a white wall or after exercise. They can be the result of a benign condition or the sign of a very serious problem.

Anatomy 101

The eyeball is filled with a gel-like substance called the vitreous. The vitreous functions to maintain the shape of the eye and helps to keep the retina (the lining of the eye) in place against the inner wall of the eye. The retina is the part of the eye that is responsible for vision. Originally, the vitreous is a very organized meshwork of proteins. Normal aging or trauma can cause it to breakdown, at which time the proteins break away from the well-organized meshwork to float freely in the eye. When light entering the eye strikes these proteins, it casts a shadow on the back of the eye, and you see a floater. Flashes oc-cur when the vitreous, as it breaks down, pulls on the lining of the eye

(the retina). Most of the time all of these events occur without perma-nent visual consequence. However, occasionally, tugging on the delicate retina can result in the formation of a hole, tear, or detachment, which poses a threat to vision and requires treatment. Also a threat to vision, floaters can be the result of bleed-ing in the eye. Bleeding in the eye is often the result of diabetes and high blood pressure, but can also be caused by infection and inflam-mation inside the eye. These also are all very serious conditions and require immediate care.

The Bottom Line

Any time you have new visual symptoms, you should see your eye doctor immediately for a dilated eye exam. New flashes, a large cob-

web, a curtain blocking your vision, or a sudden change in the clarity of your vision are all symptoms that are more serious in nature and should be evaluated promptly, even in the absence of pain. One last thing-if your floaters are diagnosed as a normal change in the eye, take comfort in the fact that they typi-cally become less prominent in a matter of weeks to months. Often times our brain learns to ignore them. And if not, there are proce-dures that utilize a laser that can eliminate these annoying “gnats’ in your vision!One last thing-if your floaters are diagnosed as a normal change in the eye, take comfort in the fact that they typically become less prominent in a matter of weeks to months, and often times our brain learns to ignore them!


By Dr. Amanda Welss, Optometrist


THE SOUL OF AN ARTISTIlkin Deniz possesses the heart and soul of a true artist

by Sandy Axelrod

lkin Deniz possesses the heart and soul of a true artist. He started his path as an artist before he even went to elementary school

in his homeland Turkey. He has been painting since he was six years old and at nine or ten started using oils. At a young age he was commissioned to do drawings of cartoons for the comics.

Ilkin studied at the prestigious Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Turkey and held exhibitions of distinct illustrative drawings of his early years. He also studied and copied the work of Matisse to learn and grow as an artist. His painting life in Istanbul lasted until



his late thirties when Ilkin and his wife Gul came to the United States for the first time in 1992. In addition to being an amazing artist Ilkin plays a mean bass. “My music is like my painting, simple and understandable, that’s what I enjoy.” Ilkin was performing in a concert “gig” in Ft. Lauderdale but they stayed on for a bit to sell some of his paintings. In 1995 they moved to South Florida permanently. Once established in Florida he began showing his work at galleries on Worth Avenue. He was

commissioned by Donald Trump to do a painting of Mar-a-Lago. And in 2001 started traveling doing fine art shows. Life is much better here in the U.S. In Turkey art supplies were not as readily available as they are here. The question Ilkin is most commonly asked is “Why are there no people in your paintings?” His reply is a simple one. It is so that you can make your own story! The majority of his work is of boats floating on the sea alone. Are they lonely or anchored in life? According to Ilkin we are surrounded by lots of things in life just like the sea surrounds his boats. And like the boats we have weathered lots of storms. Ilkin’s wife of twenty five years related a lovely and heart warming story about a long time collector of Ilkin’s artwork. Sadly this art patron had cancer. After each chemotherapy treatment he would come home and lie staring at Ilkin’s paintings to calm himself. He found them to be so serene and therapeutic. These beautiful paintings helped him through a very difficult time in his life. Normally there is a very calming aura to his work. Clear blue skies and the turquoise blue Aegean Sea. He has taken a departure with his latest piece. It still has the lonely boat or two but the sea is churning and ominously black.

He has accomplished this stormy look by incorporating charcoal with the oil paint to create an amazing masterpiece. But Ilkin is not the only artist in the family. His wife Gul studied Art History in Turkey and has been painting in acrylics as of late. Encouraged by her loving husband she exhibited a couple pieces of her work in Ilkin’s booth at a show on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida. To her surprise and delight she sold one of those paintings. Now she is working on having a large enough body of work to have a booth of her own at the art shows. Charm, warmth and a love for life exude from every pore of Ilkin Deniz and his wife Gul. Artists seem to look at life differently. They see beauty and inspiration everywhere. This is truly the heart and soul of an artist.

To contact Ilkin Deniz email him at [email protected]. Contributing Editor Sandy Axelrod also published her own blog at http://www.foodandfondmemories.com and teaches hands on cooking classes.

For more information call Sandy at 561-644-0552 or email her at [email protected].

29 February 2014

Come join us Friday, March 14th from 6-9pm as we celebrate YOU and enjoy a night of food, dancing, and shopping.

Look no furhter for the BEST in Botox, Dysport, Endermologie, Lashes, Massages, Total Nutrition, Sexy Wear, Skin Care, A New Year – New You Fitness Program AND LOTS MORE!!!!

2257 Vista Parkway #23 WPB 33411

Interested in being a vendor at our event? Call 305-283-4442

March is National Women’s History Month!We are proud to be Women!!!

30 February 2014

30 February 2014

february2014 banzaiwellness mag

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