January 13, 2008

How diabetes affects your feet – and what you can do about it!

By Afni Shah, the footcare expert.

A common question asked by my patients is how diabetes mellitus affects the feet. This article will explain why and how Type I and II diabetes mellitus affects the feet.Diabetes may not affect your feet initially but there are three mains way in which it could. These ways can exist together or separately.

Reduced circulation can occur. This is called ischaemia.

This occurs when large blood vessels or arteries have their inner walls covered by a fatty substance called an artheroma. This means that there is less room for the blood to flow down to the foot. There also may be changes to smaller blood vessels such as the ones in the foot. In severe cases a blockage can occur in the vessel. Diabetes can also cause hardening of the arteries as calcium becomes deposited in the vessel wall, thus causing the blood not to be pumped efficiently around the body.

Smoking can make the problem much worse. It is important to maintain a good supply as it is essential in helping to maintain healthy skin and tissues and heal any open wounds. Regular blood supply checks can be carried out easily by feeling for pulses in the foot and performing blood pressure checks on the foot. This should be carried out routinely by a Podiatrist or other Health care professional. It is recommended that diabetic patients have a foot health check at least once a year.

Impaired sensation known as neuropathy.

This is where the nerves in the foot and sometimes the lower leg have been damaged by diabetes. You may be unable to distinguish the difference between hot and cold, or feel sharp objects. Sensory loss can occur at any time. The skin can often appear dry due the loss of nerves stimulating sweating which help keep the foot hydrated. A podiatrist can routinely perform a simple test that will identify any problems. They will test your protective senses through using a 10mg monofilament test and using a tuning fork.

Changes in foot shape

This is likely to occur in association with reduced sensation. The nerves controlling the muscles do not work properly and this can cause clawing of the toes. The balls of the feet can become more prominent. This can cause a change in way you walk or stand which can cause abnormal pressure areas and calluses.

How to prevent foot problems – General measures

Ensure that you do everything you can to maintain good control of your blood sugar level and it is very important not to smoke as it increases the chances of problems occurring. Also performing gentle exercise regularly will help improve the blood flow.

Daily foot checks

You may not be aware of injury to your feet, therefore it is important to incorporate checking your feet as part of your daily routine. If you have poor eyesight please ask a friend or relative to help you. If you can not reach your feet use a well-positioned mirror to see parts of the foot that can not normally be seen. It is also important to check in between the toes.

General nail cutting

It is advised that diabetics should not cut their nails because if you cut the nails yourself you could be at a higher risk of developing an infection. It is advised to file your nail using an emery board every few days. If your nails are thickened, a podiatrist can use a nail drill to reduce the thickness of the nail and cut them too.

Treating hard skin

A foot file can be used for light hard skin and then gently rub cream over the thickened skin. This will help maintain the elasticity of the skin. For corns and very hard skin, it is best to see a podiatrist to treat the areas. Corns may feel like you are constantly walking on a pebble. Do not use a blade, razor or scalpel yourself as you cannot see how much skin you are taking off and this may cause an open wound and scarring. Also if a cut is created, it could lead to severe infection. For corns do not use corn plasters as the ointment in the plaster is too potent on the skin and can cause an infection.

Bathing

Wash your feet with warm water and soap. Make sure you dry your feet carefully especially in between your toes, this will prevent the skin cracking. Also it is important to check the temperature of the bath water before you put your foot in, as you may lose temperature sensation in your feet and not realise it. This could result in you scalding your feet.

Socks and hosiery

Natural fibres such as cotton or wool are preferable. Change socks every day.

Footwear

Always ensure that your shoes have a round, wide, deep toe box and compare the shape of your toes with that of the shoe. Laces are best for fastening shoes, but buckles or Velcro straps are just as effective if you have difficulty with laces. A ¼ inch of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe is ideal. If your feet swell, take care not to lace, buckle or fasten too tightly. The height of the heel should not be more than one inch and leather uppers are preferred. If possible have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to have your feet measured is at the end of the day as feet generally swell slight throughout the day.

Heat

Your feet may not be able to distinguish between hot and cold. Don’t use hot water bottles or sit in front of a fire to warm up your feet. Burns can occur which may not heal easily.

Do not do the following things:

Ignore any problems with feet that you are unsure about. If there is a distinct colour change, any swelling, pain, heat or other abnormalities, please seek professional help immediately. Do not use razor blades or sharp implements to remove hard skin as this could lead to an infection. Do not use corn plasters as these may contain acid which is harmful to your skin. Do not wear badly fitting shoes or walk barefoot. Do not wash your feet in strong disinfectants.

In the event of an emergency

First aid: If a minor injury occurs on your foot, cleanse with warm salt water, dry the foot carefully with a soft clean towel without touching the actual wound. Cover with a dry dressing.If for any reason, there are problems in contacting your podiatrist, please telephone your GP immediately.Most importantly make sure that your Podiatrist is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

This article was written by Afni Shah, B.S.c (Hons), M.S.c, M.Ch. S, S.R.Ch, our footcare expert. Afni runs Tip Toe Footcare, a podiatry/chiropractic clinic in London.

 

Popularity: 9% [?]

December 16, 2007

How to use rosehip to prevent joint pain

Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant. Roses come in all shapes and sizes and when the leaves have fallen, if left alone you notice a small like berry grows and when left until the first frost will soften and turn bright red. The most abundant amount of fruit are found on the old-fashioned shrub rose, Rugosa. They are tangy yet sweet and used mainly as tea.

Rosehips have been around and in use as an herbal relief of joint pain for centuries. Today it is used an alternative remedy of conventional drugs, offering relief without the undesirable side effects of the pain killers or anti-inflammatory medications on the market today. In studies, rosehips have shown quick relief and pain reduction which was surprising to researchers.

Using rosehips to prevent joint pain, researchers in their case studies have administered it in various forms, from an extract to a powder and also in pill form. One group were given a placebo while the other study group given rosehips. Those treated with the rosehips had a cessation of pain by 40%, a very high percentage compared to todays conventional medicines.

In some studies, with the use of capsules containing rosehip powder, patients with severe symptoms have shown a marked improvement in six months time. Research has also found that those given rosehip supplements need less traditional painkillers which over time can cause ulcers and stomach bleeding, which no doctor wishes his patient to be taking.

The extract of rosehips have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties and work well with conventional medical treatments. This suggests that this form of treatment can postpone or even eliminate the need for more expensive drugs. Folklore promotes drinking rosehip tea daily as both a preventative and pain reliever, providing relief to many throughout the years.

Rosehips as a preventative to all forms of arthritis, can be bought in many health food stores, both online and in local stores. No matter the form you are using, whether an extract or powder great care should be taken in choosing your rosehips, from reliable and organic farming practices to making sure you are receiving top quality herbs free from pesticides.

Popularity: 10% [?]

December 13, 2007

Prevent your eyes from getting a cataract early

One misconception about cataracts is that they only come about in old age. It is true that senile cataract, the most common type, is age-related, but people have to be aware that it can also start developing earlier on in an adult’s life.

But first, what exactly is a cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lenses that can cause vision problems, including blindness in very advanced cases. The lens is very close to the surface of the eye and is the part we use for focusing images and light in order to ‘see.’ Normal eye lenses are clear, watery substances that can change its shape as it focuses. A cataract can make the lenses more and more opaque, hindering proper transmission of light rays into the eyes.

Cataracts may affect one or both eyes, but it is not infectious as to spread from one eye to the other. The condition usually takes a long time to advance and is actually painless, but it gradually ruins eyesight to the point of affecting normal day-to-day activities. Common symptoms of a cataract are blurriness of sight, double vision, light sensitivity, seeing spots and glares, and constantly deteriorating eyesight that cannot be corrected by prescription glasses.

Cataract removal is necessary for cases with advanced symptoms. It is a simple surgical procedure that can be performed while the patient is awake, under local anesthesia. Basically, the damaged lens is removed and then replaced by an artificial one. This new plastic lens would then be permanent, and would help the patient regain good eyesight.

Those with mild cataracts may delay undergoing operation, at least until the condition starts getting in the way of their normal lifestyles. Until then, glasses and contact lenses ease minor loss of vision.

Cataracts are usually caused by changes in the eye’s lens, which in turn may be caused by the decrease in nutrients received by our eyes as we grow older. Younger people may also develop cataracts due to diabetes, eye injuries, exposure to the sun’s UV rays, or from taking certain medications for long periods of time. Smoking and drinking alcohol can likewise contribute to cataract growth, as these activities greatly increase free radicals in the body that can damage the lenses of the eyes.

Getting senile cataracts may be unavoidable, but we can at least try to keep your eyes healthy and cataract-free for as long as we can. The first trick is to live healthy. A nutritious diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, as well as the natural substances called lutein and zeaxanthin, found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and collard greens, can help fight lens damage caused by free radicals. Likewise, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol can also lessen the risk of free-radical damage. Wearing UVA and UVB-protected sunglasses can also help shield your eyes from those harmful rays of the sun, and prevent the early onset of a cataract.

Popularity: 25% [?]

December 10, 2007

Using water to freshen up your looks

Can we imagine earth without water or survival without water? In summer and winter, we need water as much as we need fresh air. We need water for a thousand good reasons so much. Do you know that our grandmothers used soap and water…which is a deadly combination because we all know that soap isn’t good for our skin as it doesn’t have sufficient oils to give our skin that radiant glow but water does. Just splash rain water and clean your face.

Your face would glow because water has that power to make you look young, beautiful and so radiant like a young bride. In fact, even you don’t realize the importance of using water to freshen up your looks. You don’t need to be a skin care professional to understand the importance of using water to freshen up your looks.

Suppose you are a man, then your daily routine would be to wash your face with water and then perhaps a gentle foaming cleanser followed by a refreshing shower. But the fact is that water is what really rejuvenates your skin after a long night’s sleep and at the end of a long, tiring day. If you are a woman, the routine becomes even more precious to your skin because your water consumption affects your skin’s quality.

If you don’t drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated, you are bound to have a lot of problems related with your skin most of the time. You should also be aware that water is the only effective way for you to hydrate your skin to look younger, clearer and beautiful.

So your routine to keep a clear, beautiful skin is drink lots of water, at least 8 glasses of water a day. In fact, most people recommend that a glass of warm water with a little dash of sweet honey does wonders to help you lose weight and get your insides cleaned naturally. So again, water is something that does wonders for your skin and for weight as well!

Though you never thought too seriously about water, it is important to know how deeply it means to a host of bodily tasks or functions that we simply think is rightfully and naturally ours for granted. Other great benefits of using water to freshen up your looks are discussed in this article. Water is a terrific regulator because it regulates your body’s thermal condition and helps to flush out toxins from your blood. Water helps your digestion process too because it pulls out all of the nutrients that can be used out of the foods. Water consumption prevents constipation and ensures that you have a great complexion.

When you want to lose weight badly, just go ahead and fill your stomach with one glass of water before you sit down for each meal. Believe it or not, you wont be able to eat as much as you want to no matter how hard you wish to these tips, go ahead and include water as a vital ingredient for all your skin needs.

Popularity: 23% [?]

December 3, 2007

Dealing with the overabundance of food choices

Food is everywhere. Depending on who you are and where you live in the world you could have a love hate relationship with food or food could be cause for celebration and a pleasure that is meant to be enjoyed. Unfortunately though there are many people in many places that are not using food to sustain life but they use it as an indulgences, a vice that needs to be controlled. I know this sounds harsh, but we must be honest with ourselves.

There has been no other time in history that we have been faced with as many food choices as we are today. Unfortunately many of these choices are processed, empty and unhealthy “foods.” We are a world that consumes way to much junk food.The vast majority of people will tell you that they know the best way to prevent obesity is to eat right and exercise daily.

Knowing it and doing it are two different things, consider the fact that French fries are sold everywhere except for Starbucks. Each and every year there are over 4 billion pounds of French fries sold and over 3 billion hamburgers sold. How many times in a day are you eating fast food? Do you remember the last time you ate a home cooked meal with real vegetables and fruit?

I am not saying that occasional meal from KFC isn’t ok. Nor am I saying that a treat of Quarter Pounder and fries isn’t great either, but really it isn’t a meal that you should be eating daily. Look at the number of candy bars and chips and cookies and such that fill the aisles at the grocery store. While these items are wonderful on occasion for to many people they are a part of their daily diet. How is this affecting our overall health and what about the children?

The processed-food industry has tried and succeeded with placating the American public with their empty calorie stuffed “food.” We buy it because it has a satisfying texture and it fulfills a need, it curbs hunger temporarily. As America grows more obese because of the overabundance of food choices the rest of us wonder what to do.Education and perhaps directness could be the answers. There is never enough education done for healthy eating and living encouraging people to make better choices from the plethora of food in front of them. The National Health Council has suggested that perhaps what needs to happen is that those that make healthier choices stand right behind those that are making unhealthy choices and being direct in saying that there are healthier choices to be made.

A balanced diet with variety is essential to being healthy. We have many healthy options as well.Making sure that you get the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables will help support a healthy body. Eating foods that are prepared in a healthy way such as grill, baked, braised or even stir fried helps cut calories and fat. Try to avoid fried foods or foods that are over processed.

When I was younger a teacher of mine said that in order to be healthy try to avoid eating anything in a package. Just because we have so many choices doesn’t mean that we should be frivolous with those choices.

Popularity: 3% [?]

December 1, 2007

Diabetes Explained from a Wellness angle

By Afni Shah, our footcare expert.

Often when people are diagnosed with diabetes, they are either bombarded with information or not given any. It can be a terrifying thing when diagnosed with the condition and often the advice given by different practitioners can be conflicting. Therefore it is important to understand the condition and the how they affect the body. This article will concentrate particularly on explaining diabetes mellitus.

Understanding diabetes

Glucose is a form of a simple sugar which the body uses for energy. Glucose can be obtained from various foods. The amount of glucose (sugar) in blood has to be kept at a steady level and a hormone called insulin is used control the level. Insulin is released from the pancreas in response to food and this regulates the blood sugar level.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the blood sugar level is not effectively controlled by insulin. The sugar accumulates in the blood because the insulin is not stimulating the sugar uptake into the cells. This sugar then passes through the kidneys which results in sugar being present in the urine. There are two types of diabetes and these are Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus.

What is the different between the two types?

More

Popularity: 5% [?]

December 1, 2007

Introducing our footcare expert

I’m excited to introduce you to Wellness Junction’s very own footcare expert, Afni Shah.

Afni Shah, B.S.c (Hons), M.S.c, M.Ch. S, S.R.C, graduated from University College London in Podiatry BSC (Hons) and completed her master’s degree at Kings College London. She previously worked for Southwark Foot Health Department in conjunction with Guy’s and King’s College Hospital.

She has a number of years of experience in biomechanical problems of the lower leg, specialist knowledge on how diabetes and cancer treatments affect the feet, how to treat ulceration and also treating common problems like athlete’s foot and verrucae. Afni Shah has also been trained in acupuncture to help treat conditions of the lower limb such as painful plantar fasciitis. She regularly attends courses to continue her professional development.

Afni runs Tip Toe Footcare in East Barnet, London, UK and you can visit her website at www.tiptoefootcare.com. Afni will be writing for Wellness Junction regularly so be sure to read her valuable articles.

Popularity: 2% [?]

November 24, 2007

How to get all the calcium your bones need daily

Calcium is a mineral we need daily for building strong bones and teeth, and for preventing osteoporosis. The amount of calcium needed over a lifetime change with age. During the years a child is actively growing, a lot of calcium is important. The mid-life years require a bit less, just to maintain strong bones. However, later in life, the need increases once again to prevent bone loss.

Ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium stores are in our teeth and bones. The other 1% resides in the blood and soft tissues of the body. Osteoporosis is a serious disease and a result of the body pulling from it’s own stores of calcium within the body. Bones become very fragile and are more likely to break. This is why we need to either eat plenty of calcium or take supplements to ensure we get enough each day.

Calcium also has several other seldom known benefits. Calcium plays a role in nerve conduction, blood clotting, muscle contraction, cardiac action, and milk production (for young nursing mothers). It is a key player in the metabolizing hormones and enzymes. Calcium has been shown to bind free fatty acids and bile acids, which could help to prevent certain types of cancers.

It plays an essential role in the transformation of light to electrical impulses in the retina (eye). Calcium combines with phosphorus in the bones to lend strength to the skeletal structure. Studies have shown also that those who are well-supplied with calcium in their developmental years tend to live longer and avoid more serious illnesses later in life.

We can get our required amount of calcium daily by eating foods rich in calcium. Such foods would include milk, cheeses, broccoli, kale, eggs, fish, kefir, peas, potatoes, lentils, soybeans, yogurt, collard greens, calcium-fortified breads, strawberries, fruit juices, oranges, rice, some seafood such as salmon and some cereals. Drinking water may also contain calcium.

Now, in order for the body to absorb calcium, it needs Vitamin D. Food sources of Vitamin D are egg yolks, liver, cod liver oil, multivitamins, and milk fortified with Vitamin D. It is also recommended we get 15 minutes a day in the sunshine to help us get our daily dose of Vitamin D. If for some reason you are unable to get enough calcium through food each day, supplements are a viable substitute.

As you read the label, make sure to check the amount of calcium contained in each dose. The recommended dose of calcium per day is about 2500 mg between food and supplements. Avoid taking calcium and iron supplements at the same time, as they interfere with each other’s absorption.

Calcium is essential for development, resisting diseases, and for staying healthy, so try to eat a balanced diet or take supplements to get the much-needed daily amount.

Popularity: 10% [?]

November 20, 2007

How to replace your addiction of the Big Mac

Does your stomach rumble and give you an uncontrollable craving every time you drive past McDonald’s and smell the burgers cooking? The Big Mac sandwich, one of McDonald’s signature sandwiches, consists of two all beef patties, lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles, and special sauce, all on a sesame seed bun.

McDonald’s has estimated that roughly 550 million Big Macs are sold in the United States alone each year. That’s about 17 per second! Do you know what else the Big Mac sandwich contains? This greasy, half-pound burger has a calorie count of 540, which is 28% of the USRDA! The calories from fat alone are a whopping 270!

Eaten now and then, this sandwich doesn’t pose a health problem for most. However, the consumption of the Big Mac has become an addiction for some people. Are there ways to break this addiction and eat healthier foods?

Addictions form slowly, over a period of time, are performed repeatedly, and can be difficult to break. However, it is possible to break addictions like drinking, smoking, overeating or gambling. The first step to overcoming your addiction is to admit you have a problem and to understand why it is that you do it. Then, you need to be motivated to stop the habit. Do your best to replace the negative behavior with positive behaviors. For example, if food is an addiction, slowly replace your unhealthy choices with healthier ones, until after some time, you’ll be emotionally free of the foods that are detrimental to you.

Make positive lifestyle changes. If you crave a Big Mac, don’t even enter McDonald’s – go somewhere else to eat! It’s important to have an accountability partner or a support system of friends and family in place when fighting any negative habit. When you make healthy or positive choices, make sure to reward yourself with something totally unrelated, such as a new shirt, book or CD.

There are several other restaurants that offer healthy, fulfilling and delicious choices in sandwiches, soups, salads, and entrees. Subway stores offer sandwiches that have as little as 6 grams of fat and yet are packed with veggies, cheese and meat on your choice of a white or whole wheat hoagie bun. A bag of baked chips and bottled water or milk makes for a healthy and filling meal.

Applebee’s is a fantastic choice with lunch and dinner-size salads, whole grains and steamed vegetables available on the menu. Today’s restaurants, whether sit-down or fast food, truly offer healthy options. Baked potatoes, whole grain breads, fruit, side salads, soups, grilled chicken or fish sandwiches and yogurt are just a few of the delicious and healthy choices available to us. We must purpose to choose foods that are nutritious instead of choosing the greasy burger every day.

Popularity: 11% [?]

November 18, 2007

Wellness during Diwali

By Arvind Devalia

It was the Indian festival of Diwali last week and as is the norm a lot of sweets are eaten. Traditionally people visit each other and exchange lots of traditional Indian sweets. I did the same and this explains why I have felt lethargic over the last few days – sugar overdose!

Normally I avoid all sweets and I have a nurtured myself away from a sweet tooth. I could hardly suggest to others to cut down on sugar whilst I was eating it in excess!

The point is that before you can get anyone to take on your suggestions, you have to apply them to your own life. There are various phrases to reflect this – practice what you preach, walk the talk and so on.

This reminds me of an anecdotal story about Gandhi, who said, “you must become the change you wish to see in this world.”

A mother came with her son to Gandhi. She wanted Gandhi to tell her son to stop eating too much sugar as it was harmful for his health. Gandhi asked them to return after a month. When they returned after a month, Gandhi told the son to stop eating too much sugar.

Curious, the mother asked Gandhi, “Bapu, why did we have to return after a month for you to tell us this? You could have said the same thing then!” To that, Gandhi replied, “A month ago, I was eating too much of sugar.”

This article was written by Arvind Devalia – writer, speaker and entrepreneur. From time to time we like to read from people living wellness in their life. Arvind is one such person. If you’d like to write, find out how here.

Popularity: 2% [?]