Serious Side of Poor Circulation

Prior blogs and information I've shared about poor circulation has focused on the typical pins and needle feeling that we all experience from time to time. But, poor circulation in the feet and legs can be caused by PAD, peripheral arterial disease. When the arteries become blocked, plaque builds up in the legs, thus the arteries harden and narrow resulting in poor circulation. PAD most commonly occurs in the feet and legs and affects 8 to 12 million Americans. Another scary statistic is that 1 in 5 people over 70 years old currently have PAD.

How can one limit the risks of PAD?

• Stay physically active & lose weight if obese
• Stop smoking
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check
• Carefully monitor diabetes

If you or someone you know has any of the following symptoms, visit a podiatrist right away. Early detection can slow the progression of the disease. If left unattended, narrowing of the arteries can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

• Foot or toe pain when resting
• Slow healing skin wounds or ulcers on feet or toes
• Pain in legs, thighs, or buttocks when walking or working out
• Fatigue

Citation:
Photo by Adams999. (2011). Peripheral-Artery-Disease. Retrieved from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42045498@N05/5814509608/

Soccer Injuries

Soccer may not be America’s pastime, but it sure is growing in popularity. One thing to consider next time playing soccer is that soccer differs in respect to injuries.  Most sporting injuries are often due to the overuse of the foot and ankle muscles. Soccer injuries on the other hand tend to be caused by trauma.

Trauma in soccer? Yes, soccer is a physical contact sport, and can lead to a direct hit to the lower legs from other player’s legs and body. Here are some common lower extremity injuries associated with soccer.

• The soccer ball itself can cause considerable amount of bruising.
• Collision injuries account for 30% of all soccer injuries.
• Ankle sprains are the most common soccer injury, averaging roughly 20-30% of all soccer injuries.
• Players may experience turf toe from the rubbing of the toe on the inside of the cleat, or from stubbing a toe.

If an injury does occur while playing soccer, seek medical treatment and make an appointment to see a podiatrist. For less severe injuries, treatment can include RICE; rest, ice, compression, and elevation. For more severe injuries, the lower extremity may need to be immobilized with a brace or a cast. The most severe injuries may require surgery if the injury is not healing properly.

Soccer is a great sport for children because of the amount of physical exercise they get and helps to fight obesity in children. Just be aware of the physical injuries that can occur.

Citation:
Image by bobrpics. (2008). Soccer Forward. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobrpics/3102237250/

Children's Feet: The Early Years - 5 Tips

The first year mark many milestones in a child’s life. Do you know that during a child’s first year, the foot grows so fast that it reaches almost half of what their adult foot size will become? Luckily their not usually walking for most of the first year, otherwise buying shoes to fit would become very expensive. That doesn't mean that feet should be neglected, as the first year is the most important to the development of a child’s feet. Follow these 5 tips.

1. Inspect your baby’s feet often for anything that may look out of place or discolored. If you notice a change that you are unsure is normal, make an appointment for the child to be evaluated. Early detection is best during developmental phases.
2. It’s common to bundle up the little bundle of joy, but be aware that the baby’s feet and lower extremities need to move for normal development to occur. Don’t cover the child too tightly where it restricts movement.
3. Be careful of the baby’s skin as it is very sensitive to over the counter medications. If at any point the child’s skin is red or swollen, make an appointment.
4. The first few nail trimmings are critical. Toenails should be trimmed straight across, not rounded. Rounded toenails can lead to ingrown toenails.
5. Let your child walk indoors without shoes when he/she begins to walk. This will allow for the foot to grow and strengthen. They will also learn the art of grabbing with their toes. If walking outdoors, the child should wear shoes and socks to avoid fungus's, cuts, and abrasions. 

Photo by nmoira. (2005). Walking Girl. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/kindredspirits/18993747/

5 Tips for Parents of School Age Children

Parents should keep an eye on their child’s feet as they continue to grow. Children might not always tell parents when they are having problems with their feet, or if they hurt. Here are five tips for parents to ensure a child’s foot develops properly.

1. Visit a podiatrist once a year for a checkup. The bones in the feet are growing each day, which means that they are flexible. A podiatrist will look for any bones that may become twisted or distorted.
2. Before purchasing a pair of shoes, have the child’s foot measured. Feet grow and change at a rapid pace. This means bringing your child to the store with you. Examine the type of shoe you may want to purchase. Look for a firm heel counter, cushioning of the insole, and make sure it has arch support. Shoes should bend where the foot bends.
3. Watch how your child walks. Does the child have knock knees? Does the child walk on their tippy toes? Does the child’s toe point inward, outward, or straight ahead? Early detection can prevent future problems.
4. Be careful of where your child walks barefoot. Outside elements may expose the child to infection, accidental cuts, sprains, and fungus's. Warts and Athlete’s foot are common problems associated with walking barefoot.
5. Hand me down shoes are not ideal for school age children because each person has a unique foot pattern and the shoe has conformed to the other child’s feet. Shoes often need to be replaced every few months as the child’s foot grows. 

Photo by RaGardner4. (2006). Kickin up his feet. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelrusinski/101820542/

Top 3 Questions Answered

Question: Summer is right around the corner and my toenails are discolored and thick. What can I do to make them look better?

Answer: Most likely there is a toenail fungus that is making the toenail thick and discolored. The fungus affects the nailbed underneath the nail. There are multiple ways to treat nail fungus, so it’s important to visit my office for proper treatment. First there are oral or topical medications. Sometimes medication is not as effective and can have side effects. Creams and lotions can be messy and not as effective at eliminating all of the fungus. This is where my revolutionary laser can help. This painless way to treat toenail fungus can take between 2 – 4 office treatments to cure. It’s safe, quick, and effective… over 95% success rate!


Question: I have unsightly warts on my feet. Help! What will get rid of the warts?

Answer: Warts are very common; approximately 4.5 million Americans have them. Warts are caused by a viral infection and need to be treated so that they don’t spread. If topical ointments or oral medication has not successfully treated the wart, the next step is office procedures like freezing and surgically removing the wart. Laser therapy is also often successful. Make an appointment to discuss which option is best for your situation.


Question: I have the smelliest feet and am embarrassed to take my shoes off in public. What can I do?

Answer: Smelly feet are caused by excessive sweating. There are 250,000 sweat glands in each foot! When your feet are locked away in shoes all day, your feet tend to sweat. The dark damp environment in your shoe causes bacteria to grow which leads to more order and more sweat. Try rubbing cornstarch or an antiperspirant spray directly on the soles of your feet. Also spray Febreeze or Lysol into your shoes to stop the smell. If your feet are still smelly, I can prescribe topical medications to eliminate odor. 





Photo by neil-farnworth. Oucha part 2. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/neil-farnworth/3722676529/in/photostream/

10 Signs of a Bacterial Infection

Minor cuts and abrasions are common. Nothing drastic typically happens if properly cleaned and bandaged, but for people with diabetes or who have high blood glucose levels, they have a harder time fighting off infections from minor cuts. The first line of defense is proper cleaning of the wound so infection doesn't set in on the foot. It is possible to get a bacterial infection on the foot. If you notice any of the following symptoms happening to your foot, make an appointment right away to treat a possible bacterial infection or other ailment you may be experiencing.

10 signs of bacterial infection on your feet:

• Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, or heat.
• Red streaks extending from the affected area.
• Discharge or pus from an area on the foot.
• Foot or ankle symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment with a nonprescription product.
• Spreading of an infection from one area of the foot to another, such as under the nail bed, skin under the nail, the nail itself, or the surrounding skin.
• Thickening toenails that cause discomfort.
• Heel pain accompanied by a fever, redness (sometimes warmth), or numbness.
• Tingling in the heel; persistent heel pain without putting any weight or pressure on your heel.
• Pain that is not alleviated by ice or over-the-counter painkillers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
• Diabetics with poor circulation who develop Athlete's Foot.

Pitfalls of Flip Flops

After long winters of our toes and feet buried in boots, people can’t wait to bust out their flip flops. They have become a summer staple in many wardrobes. As soon as the weather slightly turns, Chicagoans will wear long sleeve shirts or hooded sweatshirts, jeans, and flip flops.

Flip flops are not all fun and sturdy. Some can cause injuries and pain if not made from the right materials. Before purchasing your next pair of flip flops, review my Summer Flip Flops blog.

Many people visit my office during the spring and summer months due to injuries from flip flops. Here are some dangers of prolonged flip flop wear:

• Shin splints are caused by the lack of support which leads to pain in the tendons alongside the shin. 

• Changing one’s walk. Cheap flip flops force pressure to be placed on the outside of the foot instead of the heal, which makes one change the way they walk.

• Tripping and falling can cause broken arms or wrists.

• Twisted ankles can occur when feet roll from the outside inwards.

• Painful scrunched toes from gripping the thong of the flip flop to keep it in place when walking.

• Stubbed toes, usually happening in the little toe, can cause a break or dislocation.

• Blisters occur from rubbing and pressure from the thong at the front of the flip flop.

• Joint pain.

What brands of flip flops do you prefer?

Have you been injured due to flip flops?


Image by michellelynnegoodfellow. (2012). Purple Flip-flops. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/16993421@N07/7014009891/