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Bunion Pain Treatment

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:21:33 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

If you've got a painful, swollen bump at the base of your big toe known as a bunion, you probably want to know what can be done for relief.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these possible options:

Apply a non-medicated bunion pad.
Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of room in the toes, and a low heel.
Apply an ice pack over the bunion when it becomes swollen, red or painful.
Tape up the foot to help keep the toe in position.
Take an anti-inflammatory medication to ease swelling and pain. Ask your podiatrist if you're a candidate for a cortisone injection.
Use orthotic shoe inserts to help keep the feet in better alignment.

Tags: bunion, pain, shoes, toe, toes

How To Treat Athlete's Foot

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:24:33 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, usually causing itching and redness between the toes. It's commonly contracted in locker rooms and other moist, warm areas where fungi like to grow.

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers this list of possible treatment and prevention regimens:

Topical antifungal creams, sprays or ointments.
Oral antifungal drugs.
Fungicidal chemicals may work, but may not penetrate deeply enough into the skin.
Washing the feet thoroughly and frequently, being sure to carefully dry between the toes.
Keeping feet dry with a powder inside shoes and socks.

Tags: athlete's foot, feet, foot, fungus, skin, toes

Preventing Bunions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:38:41 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

A bunion is a painful protrusion at the base of the big toe that can make even walking a chore. A severe bunion can affect the alignment of several toes, causing some to overlap.

You can't always prevent bunions, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

Make sure shoes fit properly.
Choose shoes that are soft and comfortable, and form around the shape of your toes and feet.
Look for soft-soled shoes with plenty of room in the toes and instep.
If shoes are too tight, have them professionally stretched.
Don't wear shoes with pointy toes or with a heel that's more than 2 1/4 inches high.

Tags: bunions, feet, shoes, toes

Hammer Toe Remedy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:59:00 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

A hammer toe occurs when a toe bends over in a hammer-like or claw-like shape. Most common in the second toe, the condition can affect any toe.

A person can be born with a hammer toe, or it can develop over time, particularly from wearing shoes that are too small.

Early treatment may prevent the need for surgery. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of other potential treatment options:

Splinting the toe, which seems to work best for mild cases or among children.
Using foot manipulation, also an effective remedy for children.
Wearing properly fitted shoes that don't squeeze the toes.
Wearing a protective pad or using a corrective foot device.
Exercising the toes. Speak to your doctor about what may work for you.

Tags: foot, hammer toe, pads, shoes, toes

Getting Walkers Moving

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:14:00 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Simple measures such as starting a walking group or creating pedestrian-friendly routes can encourage people to walk more, a new study has found.

At a multicultural housing site in Seattle, researchers implemented and evaluated several interventions meant to increase residents' walking, including sponsoring walking groups, improving walking routes, offering information about walking options and advocating for pedestrian safety.

After the measures were implemented, self-reported walking among walking group members increased from 65 minutes to 108 minutes a day, according to the study published online Nov. 4 in the American Journal of Public Health.

"The built environment influences opportunities for physical activity through access to trails, parks, recreation centers and walkable streets, as does the social environment, such as having opportunities to walk with others," the researchers wrote.

Tags: walking

Common Causes Of Hip Bursitis

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:10:56 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Bursitis of the hip is a painful condition that occurs when the bursa -- a small, cushiony sac overlying the hip -- becomes inflamed.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, these are the common causes of hip bursitis:

Overuse of the hip, often from activities such as biking, running, climbing stairs or standing up for long periods
Having an injury to the hip, such as from a fall, bump or too much pressure
Having had surgery on the hip
Having calcium deposits or bone spurs
Having diseases of the spine, including arthritis or scoliosis
Having one leg that's shorter than the other
Having rheumatoid arthritis

Tags: bone spurs, hip, legs, rheumatoid arthritis, running

Nails Reveal Your Health

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:16:57 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

It's important to pay attention to changes in your nails, as they can indicate an underlying health problem.

The American Academy of Dermatology says the condition of your nails could indicate possible:

Liver disease, which may be characterized by whitening of the nails.
Kidney disease, if half of each nail is pink and the other half white.
Heart condition, if the nail beds are red.
Lung disease, which could be characterized by thick, yellow nails that grow slowly.
Anemia, if nail beds are pale.
Diabetes, if nails have a yellow tint that look blush at the base.

Tags: diabetes, nails

Foot Care For Diabetics

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:25:37 GMT

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Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

People with diabetes are especially prone to foot problems, so it's important to take good care of your feet and inspect them frequently.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

Wash your feet daily with soap and water, and carefully dry them afterward.
Use a rich moisturizer on your feet, but don't apply it between the toes.
Keep toenails trimmed, but cut them straight across. Clipping the corners can lead to ingrown nails.
Avoid using antiseptics, sharp tools or heating pads on the feet.
Keep feet warm and dry with cozy socks.
Prevent circulatory problems by avoiding smoking. And don't sit with your legs crossed.

Tags: diabetes, feet, foot, nails

Skim Milk And Water Can Help Gout

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:05:17 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.webmd.com

There's a new reason to drink plenty of water and skim milk: Both may help to prevent painful gout attacks, new studies show.

"With gout, we spend a lot of time telling patients what they can't do -- to avoid beer and red meat, for example," says University of Auckland rheumatologist Nicola Dalbeth, MD, who headed the milk study.

Gout, a type of arthritis that occurs most frequently in overweight, middle-aged men, is caused by the buildup of uric acid and needle-like crystals in the joints.

While there is certainly a genetic link to the disease, there is no question that lifestyle is a key contributing factor.

One recently identified trigger for the painful attacks is dehydration. So researchers set out to determine if drinking water could be an antidote.

Tags: arthritis, gout

How To Manage Pain Without Drugs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:06:46 GMT

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Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

Pain-relieving medications offer relief for many people with sudden or chronic pain. But these drugs have their own risks and potential side effects.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of pain-relieving alternatives to medication:

Applying heat.
Applying ice or a cold compress.
Massaging the area.
Getting sufficient rest.
Using relaxation techniques.
Using biofeedback, which teaches you how to gain partial control over certain physiological processes, including blood pressure and heart rate.

Tags: pain

Good Footwear a Must for Those Who Work Standing Up

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:04:27 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.apma.org

The average American’s foot pain often gets in the way of daily activities. Perhaps no group suffers from chronic foot pain more than those who are constantly on their feet. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association's (APMA) 2009 foot ailments survey, 44 percent of respondents said they spend at least four hours standing every day. Additionally, nearly 78 percent of Americans have experienced foot problems as a result of wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes.

"The excess strain put on the legs and feet of those standing for long periods of time can take a massive toll on the body—especially for those working in the health care community," said APMA President Ronald Jensen, DPM. "Without the proper footwear that provides necessary support to the ligaments and joints of the feet, these individuals are subject to a host of ailments that can lead to chronic problems such as metatarsalgia—a pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.”

Tags: feet, foot, foot pain, footwear, legs, shoes

Reasons For Muscle Cramps

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:59:23 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

A muscle cramp is a painful contraction that may make the muscle feel hard or bulging.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of common triggers:

Drinking too much alcohol.
Not drinking enough water.
Exercising heavily or having muscles that are fatigued from overuse.
Having hypothyroidism, a thyroid gland that doesn't produce enough of a certain hormone.
Having kidney failure.
Taking certain medications.
Being pregnant.
Consuming insufficient amounts of calcium or magnesium.

Tags: muscles

Prevention For Varicose Veins

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:02:04 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

Varicose veins are swollen, dark veins that commonly appear in the legs. They're usually not harmful, but can cause significant pain.

While not all varicose veins can be prevented, the National Women's Health Information Center says there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting new varicose veins:

Apply sunscreen to help protect your skin.
Get regular exercise that focuses on strengthening the legs and improving circulation. Walking or running are good choices.
If you're overweight, lose weight to reduce pressure on the legs.
Sit with your feet on the floor, rather than crossing your legs. And when you can, prop up your feet.
Avoid sitting or standing for too long.
Support the legs with elastic support stockings, but avoid tight-fitting clothing.
Stick to a diet that's low in salt and high in fiber.

Tags: circulation, feet, legs, running, walking

Treatment For An Ingrown Toenail

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:39:04 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.nlm.nih.gov

An ingrown toenail occurs when the nail grows into the skin. It can be quite painful and become infected, so it's important to take prompt care of an ingrown toenail as soon as it's recognized.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions:

Soak the foot in warm water three or four times each day.
When not soaking, make sure the foot is clean and dry.
Wear open-toed sandals or similar while the condition heals. Otherwise, opt for comfortable shoes that don't squeeze the toes.
Carefully wedge a small piece of clean cotton or waxed dental floss between the skin and the toenail. Be sure to change this packing daily.
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
You should start to see improvement within two or three days. If you don't, contact your doctor.

Tags: foot, shoes, toenail

Shoe Style And Foot Pain

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:10:47 GMT

clipped by: ncfootcare

Clip Source: www.abcnews.go.com

That's the result of a large population-based study of foot pain and shoe style, according to Alyssa Dufour of the Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, and colleagues.

But the finding applies only to women and only to one type of foot pain, Dufour and colleagues said in the October issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

Women who wore "good" shoes were 67 percent less likely to develop hindfoot pain -- in other words, pain in the heel area of the foot -- than those who wore "average" shoes, they found.

Although earlier studies have looked at the influence of footwear on foot problems, most have been small or have focused on people with specific conditions, the researchers said.

At the same time, foot pain is a relatively common complaint, but little is known about its prevalence or cause, they said.

Tags: foot pain, footwear, shoes