Get Rid of Foot Cramps

Foot cramps can be at the least annoying and at the most quite painful. It can be caused due to various factors like foot exertion, improper blood circulation, substance abuse, malnutrition etc. Foot cramps may also be caused when your feet don't get enough oxygen due to poor blood circulation to the feet. The best relief for foot cramps is stretching exercises. Though annoying, they are not a cause for concern by themselves but sometimes may lead to serious problems. So it is a good idea to see a podiatrist if you have severe foot cramps often.

You can lessen the chances of developing foot cramps by wearing right-fitting shoes. Do some simple stretching before you do any kind of exercise program to loosen the muscles. It is very important to loosen the leg muscles before you take a swim as you may get foot cramps in the water. When you have a cramping sensation, place your feet under running water alternating between cool water and warm water. Follow this with a good foot massage for five to ten minutes.

Do you have peripheral vascular disease? 

You may have peripheral vascular disease when there is poor blood circulation to the feet and legs. The walls of the arteries get thickened and this may lead to this foot problem. It could occur due to diabetes. Some of the common symptoms of Peripheral vascular disease are a dull cramping pain in the calf muscle or numbness or tingling in the foot or toes. There may also be changes in the color of the skin.

This problem can be treated though it may take a while and you have to be extra careful with your foot hygiene while it is healing. It is also important to wear right fitting footwear that does not cause too much pressure. If you have any corns or calluses, get it treated immediately because if you don't, the skin may break down and may be difficult to heal later on.

Treating children's foot problems 

Proper foot care and foot treatment should begin in childhood. Some common foot disorders that affect children are flat feet, ingrown toenails and knock knees. Preventive foot treatment is important to your child. Many children walk in an awkward way which is termed pigeon toed, flat footed, or bowlegged. This may not cause pain at present but may get worse and cause pain as they get older. It is important for parents to get these foot disorders treated early. Curved feet and tendon contractures are other childhood foot problems. A podiatric doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and treat the child.

Some complaints from children could be because of what is called growing pains. The bones grow faster than tissues, tendons and ligaments and so may take several months to catch up to the length of the bones. This causes pain but it will pass. But do not ignore any complaint of pain from your child.

Treat your tendonitis 

The tendon is found at the end of the muscle and attaches the muscle to the bone. Athletes overwork their tendons during rigorous practice and this may stress the area and cause tendonitis. Tendonitis is usually found in the foot as we use it the most and this is true for every one of us, not just athletes. The muscle gets tired and weakens, which may cause pain and swelling. Podiatrists or foot doctors may ask you to wear a support to restrict movement and help it heal. Your podiatrist may also want you to take an ultrasound to check the damage. If the pain persists, an MRI Scan may need to be taken in case there is a tear in the tendon or a rupture where the tendon meets the bone.

Athletes need to see a good foot doctor who understands sports injuries and can help, as severe tendonitis can hamper their sports career. They should go back for follow up visits after they are better, especially when they get back to their normal training and participation in competitions. Sometimes corrective surgery may be needed to realign the tendon.

To consult with a professional podiatric doctor specialized in sports medicine, contact Cupertino Podiatry. Call 408-358-6234 for an appointment. Dr. Cornelison will be able to treat any foot related problem and injury. If you are an athlete, extra precautions have to be taken when it comes to treating an injury. Do not put off visiting a podiatrist as the problem could worsen and jeopardize your career.

Treatment of Ingrown Toenails

An ingrown toenail is a common condition where the corner or edge of one of the toenails grows into the soft fleshy part of the toe. The result of this growth is a painful, sore region that is often red and may become infected. These ingrown problems typically affect the big toe, but can occur on any one of the toes.

Many ingrown toenails can be taken care of at home, but if you are in severe pain and the pain is spreading, you will want to see a doctor right away for treatment. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment needed for the care of your toe.

Common Treatments

Through lifestyle and home remedies, ingrown toenails can generally be treated at home. Some of the most common home remedies include soaking the foot regularly in warm water and applying antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If the pain and swelling continues, or if you see pus or redness spreading throughout the toe, you should see your podiatrist right away.

Treatments for these toenails may include:

· Partially removing the nail

Severe ingrown toenails may require a doctor to partially remove the nail. The toenail can be trimmed back far enough or removed to allow for proper healing. Before this procedure takes place, the doctor may numb the toe with a topical anesthetic or inject the numbing medicine into the toe. This treatment can be highly effective in relieving the pain and allowing the infected site to heal.

· Lifting the nail

Slightly ingrown toenails that include redness and pain associated with minor infection may require that the edge of the nail be lifted. The nail can be lifted slightly in order to separate from the overlying skin. This procedure helps the nail to be able to grow properly above the skin edge. A doctor may insert cotton, dental floss or a splint beneath the nail to keep slightly raised.

· Removing the entire nail and tissue

Some people experience recurrent ingrown formation, and in this case, your doctor may recommend having the entire nail or a portion of the toenail removed. The underlying tissue or nail bed may also be removed to prevent the nail from growing back. The procedure is generally done with a chemical, laser or other method. If the toenail region is at risk for infection, topical or oral antibiotics will be given both before and after the treatment procedure takes place.

Advanced Procedure Provides Solution for Bunions

Bunions are the enlargement of the big toe joint area, caused by a misaligned bone that pushes the big toe inward. Many people endure the inconvience and pain associated with bunions because they do not know where to turn for treatment or think they cannot spare the time to fix the problem. A bunion in its early stage, appears as an unsightly bump on the side of the foot. If left untreated, it can become significantly worse and the first toe may eventually overlap the second toe or lead to other foot problems such as calluses, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, or premature arthritis.

Bunions Worsen Over Time

With the advent of the internet, many people choose non-surgical treatments for their bunions, spending hundreds of dollars on bunion splints, orthodics, and special corrective devices only to discover that the bunion continues to worsen and hurt. It is not uncommon for people to wear out several pairs of shoes in their quest for relief and lasting comfort. Over time, as the bunion worsens, patients must choose to continue suffering or seek medical treatment. Bunions affect one out of six people. The tendency to develop bunions is hereditary and women are more often affected than men. Because bunions are a hereditary ailment, they will gradually worsen over time. While there are some successful, non-surgical options available, many bunions will require surgery to correct the joint alignment and provide long lasting pain relief.

Most Advanced Technique to Treat Bunions

Many board certified podiatrists may offer a surgical procedure called a bunionectomy. This is a procedure which will correct a bunion deformity. Using the most advanced technique available, podiatrists can reduce the enlarged joint behind the first toe and straighten the misalignment of bones using a small titanium,-alloy screw, or staple to maintain the correct position. The incision is closed using a plastic surgery technique which allows for a very thin, cosmetically pleasing scar. The outpatient procedure takes approximately one hour and the patient is, in most cases, able to walk in a walking boot within a few days of surgery. Follow-up visits are required to change bandages and monitor results with X-rays.

Don't wait for your bunions to become a painful burden. Consult with your podiatrist today to schedule your bunionectomy. It will transform your feet and relieve pain and discomfort. Educating yourself about the procedure and post op care will help you know what to expect and will help you prepare for your surgery.

One of the main reasons our patients love Neuhaus Foot and Ankle is our dedication to patient education. We want patients to understand why they have foot pain and learn how to eliminate their pain permanently. For a better understanding of the way they treat ingrown toenails, watch our YouTube Channel- Neuhausfootandankle.

The Honey Bees Are Dying - Do We Need Them?

Dying off in alarming numbers!

For most of us it would have gone unnoticed; although it is fact since the late 1980 honeybees are dying off in alarming numbers. Unless we hear it on the news or read it somewhere in the newspapers, how would we know? After all it is only a humble little bee of no great interest or importance to most of us, or is it?

Bees are known to bring us honey and are also respected for the sting!

Do you know after a bee stings it will die? Unlike a wasp which is not affected after it fired its torpedo. It most likely flies away with a smirk on its face.

The little bee is not getting reduced in numbers because of its suicidal mission. We are responsible in many other ways for its disappearance.

The first thing that comes to our mind when we see a bee is "honey". Nothing wrong with that! Honey has many good nutritional values and been excepted as healthy food and a natural substitute as sweetener.

It doesn't end there!

Our little bee spreads its wings further than that. It pollinates all our fruit and vegetables.

In all, bees pollinate over 130 different crops all over the globe. Our food supply depends on this humble little worker and also contributes to global food security.

Although, there are many other pollinating insects the bee alone is the biggest contributor of the food we consume. It is hard to imagine how life would be without the multitude of flowers, varied fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries etc.

Bee colonies are disappearing!

Reports have confirmed that bee colonies around the globe are disappearing. It been estimated since 2006 almost one - third of the honey bee colonies have vanished.

The million dollar question here: What is causing this? There is only a short answer to this: "US"!

We contribute to their extinction by working our mechanically clever designed devices representing a terrible biological disaster and destroying what nature has given us.

What is the cause of their extinction?

One of the theories is due to infestation by a mite. The virus carried by the parasite is infesting the bee's habitat.

Other facts are more and more highly toxic insecticides used in the agricultural application as seed treatment in hundreds of crops.

GMO (genetically modified organs) which are highly toxic, get in to soils and ground water were they can stay for a long time, even years.

Some European countries like Germany and Poland have discontinued using GMO in all crops.

This is no longer just a theory that genetic engineering of crops is bad for the environment and the human population, this has become fact.

The use and planting of herbicide-tolerant GM crops is not only affecting many insects including butterflies, it is also killing other plants some insects rely on for habitat and food.

How can we help our honey bees?

We must say NO to the GMOs, its herbicides and chemical roundup that is killing our bees and also affecting our own health just for the benefit of some to make a fast buck.

For the benefit of your own health use lots of honey! This is the only food on our planet that will not rot or spoil. No matter how long you keep it, it might crystallize and go sugary, although the perfect quality still remains.

Scientists of today also accept honey as a very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey is natural and has no side effects. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases. Honey also has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures many diseases.

If taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.

If possible get the honey from your local beekeeper. It is better quality and you are supporting your local organic farmers market at the same time.

Health and Fitness

Health and Fitness