Manage Your Arthritis with the Food You Eat!

Arthritis affects 50 million adults and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis can destroy bones, joints, cartilage and muscles and is a disease for which there is no cure. It doesn’t just affect older people either. There are around 300,000 children with the disease as well. 

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya, has treated many patients who have arthritis and are living with the complications associated with having the disease. Gout is a painful type of arthritis that can attack the big toe joint. Physical limitations often hinder efforts to stay fit and healthy. Trying to manage a heart condition or obesity can be difficult due to the effects of arthritis, but controlling what you eat is one way to improve the symptoms of arthritis.

Studies show that there are certain foods that can trigger, relieve, or prevent pain altogether. If you suffer with episodes of gout, the chemicals in alcohol can trigger an attack as they stimulate the production of uric acid. Foods rich in purines can also worsen the symptoms of gout. The food additive MSG, wheat and nightshade vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and eggplant can each trigger joint pain as well.

There are some foods known to be helpful for the pain associated with arthritis. To help with pain and inflammation, choose foods made with whole grains and with omega-3 fatty acids. These would include whole oats, brown rice, popcorn, flaxseed, walnuts, tuna and salmon. Fruits and vegetables such as peppers, broccoli, squash, grapes, kiwi and berries are high in antioxidants and also help with pain and inflammation.

If arthritis in your feet or ankles is diminishing your quality of life, let us help. We can provide the treatment you need to get back into the activities that you love. Make an appointment with our Troy, NY podiatric office today. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit us online www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

Foot Care for Seniors

Foot Care for Seniors

Problems with your feet can have a significant impact on your quality of life. This is especially true if you are a senior. It is important at any age to take proper care of your feet but as we age, we can become more susceptible to certain foot problems. Observing proper foot care for you or for an elderly loved one is essential for your foot health and for the prevention of serious complications.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya helps many elderly patients take care of their feet. Foot problems can be the first sign of a serious underlying condition. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, circulatory disorders and nerve issues can manifest in the feet. This makes regular visits to a podiatrist an important part of your health care.

Foot sores, ingrown toenails and athlete’s foot are just a few examples of foot problems that can arise without proper attention to feet. Ignoring or having an inability to care for these types of problems could lead to serious complications.

Dr. Pandya offers the following helpful foot care tips for seniors:

• Avoid smoking, which contributes to poor circulation and increases the chance of swelling
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit well, alleviate pressure on feet and promote good balance
• Encourage good circulation by putting feet up when resting, walking or taking a warm footbath
• Avoid exposing your feet to extreme temperatures
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time
• Practice proper, daily foot care and ask for assistance if needed.

Small problems can turn serious quickly so if you are a senior with foot pain or noticing unusual symptoms, please contact our office as soon as possible. You can call our office in Troy, NY (518) 273-0053 or request an appointment online.

Plantar Fasciitis

Do you have pain running across the bottom of your foot?

Anyone who has stepped out of bed in the morning and felt a surge of pain in their foot knows the discomfort of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a tough band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. It stretches from your toes and inserts into your heel bone. Plantar fasciitis develops when this band of tissue gets inflamed is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY treats patients on a regular basis who are afflicted with plantar fasciitis. Stabbing pain, pain in the morning or that develops gradually over the course of the day are common complaints.

Am I at risk for developing plantar fasciitis?

Knowing if you are at risk is the first step in implementing ways to prevent this painful condition. Plantar fasciitis often occurs in people over 40 yrs of age and is more likely in women or people involved in activities that put a great amount of stress on feet. Wearing poor shoes, having a job that keeps you on your feet, being obese and having flat feet or high arches are all risk factors for plantar fasciitis.

What can be done to alleviate the pain from plantar fasciitis?

The good news is that we can help! Dr. Pandya can provide a number of treatment options including: physical therapy, custom orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications and stretching exercises. Our Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) can help even more advanced situations.

Don’t live one more day with foot pain. Call our podiatric office today to make an appointment at (518) 273-0053 or request a convenient time online.

What Do I Do About My Swollen Feet When I Have Diabetes?

Living with diabetes can present a number of challenges. Whether you have been recently diagnosed or have been trying to keep it under control for years, it takes some effort. It can also cause several complications that can affect your feet and quality of life in general. Swelling of the feet is a common complication that can develop with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, there are several reasons your feet can swell but it is often associated with neuropathy. Diabetes can cause poor circulation. When blood does not flow properly, the lack of blood supply takes its toll and can result in nerve damage, or neuropathy. The damaged blood vessels do not constrict and relax like they should which can lead to fluid buildup and swelling.

Is a swollen foot something to worry about if I have diabetes?

The answer is a loud YES! Sometimes feet can become swollen if you have been standing or walking around all day but a swollen foot can also be a symptom of an infection or an ulcer. If you have diabetes, neuropathy hinders your ability to feel pain so a swollen foot is something to take notice of and take action for immediately.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya, consistently reminds his patients with diabetes that a swollen foot could be indicating a serious situation. You should have a good knowledge of when this happens and what the cause might be. There are many general foot care tips that Dr. Pandya encourages diabetic patients to follow such as daily foot care, proper toenail maintenance, wearing appropriate shoes and quick treatment for any injury. All of these can reduce your chances of having swollen feet.

Are you dealing with swollen feet and need help? If you have diabetes, we highly encourage you to seek help as soon as possible. Please contact our podiatric office in Troy, NY today with any questions or to make an appointment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.