Desserts for a Diabetic

Do you have a sweet tooth? If you have just learned you have diabetes and are feeling the doom and gloom over your desserts being lost forever, let us tell you that it doesn’t have to be so. With diabetes, there of course needs to be diligent in your efforts to monitor your diet. Celebrities with this disease such as Randy Jackson, Halle Berry and Patti LaBelle share success stories of how changes in diet improved their health. Maintaining your blood sugar levels doesn’t mean that everything sweet needs to go out the window.

If you are a dessert lover, you can still enjoy foods that your palette will love but you need to plan for them. It is also necessary to keep everything in moderation. Just because sweets don’t need to be off limits doesn’t mean you get to enjoy to your heart’s (or stomach’s) content. Eating sweets will add some extra carbohydrates so plan for this by skipping out on other higher carb foods in the same meal.

Another important sweet fact to remember is that they can do more damage eaten alone. Avoid a spike in blood sugar levels by eating sweets along with a healthy, balanced meal. Healthy fats, such as those found in yogurt, peanut butter and nuts slow down spikes in sugar levels. Opt for sweets that contain these healthy fats. Lastly, be creative in finding ways to satisfy your cravings. There are many alternatives and yummy recipes that taste great and will fulfill your sweet tooth needs. An example would be to blend up some frozen bananas instead of grabbing the tub of ice cream.

If you have diabetes, there are many in the boat with you – around 25.8 million according to the American Diabetes Association – so team up with others for help and ideas. It is also imperative to take great care of your feet. If you have any concerns or notice even the smallest of symptoms, avoid grave consequences and contact foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya. Capital District Podiatry has locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY to serve you. Make an appointment today by calling us at (518) 273-0053.

Diabetic Foot Pain

 There are many things to manage when living with diabetes. You have to be careful of what you eat and you need to monitor blood glucose levels meticulously. One problem that can arise from having diabetes that can seriously impact a diabetic’s quality of life involves feet.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, a foot specialist in New York, treats patients with diabetes on a weekly basis. High blood glucose levels can result in nerve damage in the feet, which is called neuropathy. Neuropathy can be painful as it causes numbness, tingling and burning, or shooting pain in the feet. It also causes a loss of sensation, which can make a person very vulnerable to serious injury.

High levels of glucose affect circulation in the legs and feet as well. Pain can result, as tissues in the feet are not properly nourished with blood and oxygen. Veins can become swollen, joints can stiffen and feet can turn cold and sensitive. The combination of poor circulation and neuropathy can cause a change in gait, or the way a person with diabetes walks. An abnormal walking pattern will put stress on different areas of the feet, which can lead to foot pain. Poor circulation also affects the functioning of the oil glands in feet. This can lead to dry, cracking skin that can be very painful to the touch and to walk on.

If you have diabetes, it is important to look at and listen to your feet. If you notice a small sore or injury or have foot pain, please contact our office as soon as possible. Dr. Tejas Pandya can stop a small injury from turning into a serious complication or identify potential problems to watch out for. Call Capital District Podiatry at (518) 273-0053 and make an appointment today.

Tingling Feet

Are Pins and Needles in Your Feet Bothering You?

Experiencing tingling in feet is a common sensation and there are several reasons why it may be happening. Understanding what may be going on is important because although fairly common, the underlying reason could be cause for concern.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot and ankle specialist in Troy and Clifton Park, NY finds those who complain of tingling in their feet are most often his patients with diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, which often accompanies diabetes, often leaves feet with a loss of feeling and tingling. The pins and needles feeling can be intermittent or last for long periods of time depending on the underlying cause. Other reasons your feet may be tingling are:

• Alcoholism

• Poor circulation 

• Vitamin B12 deficiency

• Hypothyroidism

• HIV

• Multiple sclerosis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• A compressed nerve in your lower back

• Tight shoes

• Bone spur that pinches a nerve

• Side effect of medication

• Trauma or injury to a nerve

The treatment for your tingling feet will ultimately depend on what the underlying cause is. If you need treatment for tingling feet, take some notes before you call Dr. Pandya. Try to decipher when triggers it, how long it lasts and if you are able to find anything that helps relieve your symptoms. This will help Dr. Pandya do a thorough exam to get a complete diagnosis of your symptoms and set up a successful treatment plan.

Please do not ignore tingling feet. They could be a sign of something much more serious going on. Identifying problems and beginning treatment early can make a huge difference in your health long term. Contact our podiatric office to make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com for more information.

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Best Ways to Care for Your Feet After Exercise

If you are active on a regular basis, you may not be able to escape the aches and pains that often accompany your body being put to the test. Due to the stresses involved in most sports and exercise activity, feet often take the brunt of the impact and can leave you limping.

Do you have tired, sore and achy feet after exercise?

There could be several reasons for having sore feet after exercise but let’s start with some easy ways you can care for your feet. Dr. Tejas Pandya, a foot specialist in Troy, NY treats athletes and sports enthusiasts on a regular basis and consistently encourages them to treat their feet well to stay in the game. Prevention can keep injuries away!

Here are some easy but worthy tips for caring for your feet after exercising:

• Get off of your feet and rest. Simply bearing the weight of your body can make feet tired and sore even without the extra impact during exercise.

• Put your feet up. Sore feet are often accompanied by swelling and elevating your feet after exercise will help to reduce any swelling that may occur. Take off your shoes and socks as well.

• Ease soreness with ice. Grab an ice pack or bag of frozen peas and put it on your foot to ease discomfort and help reduce any swelling.

• Relax in a footbath. A footbath with warm water or cold water can relax muscles or help with soreness. Adding some oils or Epsom salts can soothe feet as well. Just a note, if you have diabetes, it is advised to stay away from warm footbaths altogether.

It is normal for your feet to need time to adjust to a new workout routine or exercise activity but any lingering pain should never be ignored. A small problem could turn much more serious without proper treatment. For treatment or other foot health information, call our podiatric office today for an appointment. You can reach Dr. Pandya at (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Dealing With Diabetic Neuropathy

It is estimated that around 15.7 million people in the U.S have diabetes. This is a staggering number making it that much more important to provide the necessary education about staying safe and healthy.

Feet are not usually something most people pay any attention to. That is, unless they are in pain, injured or you have diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a major complication of having diabetes and results in feet needing to be monitored closely.

Why do you need to be so careful with diabetic neuropathy? 

Neuropathy causes a loss of feeling in your feet. Nerves become damaged and impair your ability to feel heat, cold or pain. This means you may not feel the heat of sand or a sidewalk and burn your feet or sustain a blister from your shoes and not even realize it. A small cut from stepping on a rock while barefoot can go completely unnoticed due to neuropathy.

There is a lack of good circulation in your feet when you have diabetes so any of the injuries mentioned above can turn into serious problems. Wounds take longer to heal and even minor injuries can turn into ulcers. A lack of diligent foot care or leaving these types of injuries could ultimately lead to amputation.

It may sound alarming but Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy and Clifton Park, NY treats patients with diabetes on a regular basis dealing with the effects of neuropathy. It is imperative if you have diabetes, to follow good foot care habits and make an appointment as soon as you notice anything on your feet. Contact our podiatric office today if you need help or treatment. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Dealing with Dry Skin?

Did you know that your skin is actually your body’s largest organ? It is made up of three layers and serves to protect and regulate temperature. There are a lot of factors that can make skin change from soft and supple to dry and cracked. When dry skin occurs on the feet, it can not only be unsightly but become painful as well.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY treats many patients with dry feet. There are several factors that can cause dry feet, some of which you may not be aware of:

• Psoriasis
• Vitamin deficiency
• Age 
• Diabetes 
• Excess weight
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid disease

To help dry skin, there are a few tips that will make a difference. First off, drink plenty of water.  After bathing or showering when skin is soft, remove build up of dry skin with a pumice stone. Then apply a lotion rich in emollients but avoid between your toes as this increases the risk for fungal infections.

If following these tips doesn’t help to improve your dry skin after several days, it would be advised to make an appointment with Dr. Pandya. Something else may be the underlying cause and since dry, cracking skin can be a small sign of something more serious such as diabetes, it is important to get it treated. Make an appointment with Dr. Pandya and keep your foot health a priority. Call our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

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Gout: An Unwanted Gift During the Holidays

It is a terrible way to end a great day. After a holiday feast with friends and family, you find yourself suddenly awake in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in your feet. The visitor? Gout.

The basics.

Gout is a form of arthritis that develops when uric acid in your body builds up and causes joints to become inflamed. The big toe, knee and ankle joints are commonly affected. Warmth, redness and throbbing pain will arise and the affected joint will be extremely sensitive to any kind of pressure. There are acute and chronic cases of gout as well. Some may have one attack and be safe from another. Others can have further attacks that take even longer to resolve.

Can I take measures to avoid this problem?

The answer is “Maybe.” Gout can run in families so you may be predisposed and unable to escape an attack at some point. It is more common in men and typically affects women after menopause. People with diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, anemia and leukemia are at a higher risk of experiencing this condition.

Diet is definitely an important factor in regards to prevention. Since the holidays typically offer a buffet of foods, it is important to remind you of the triggers for gout, especially if you suffer with a lack of self-control when it comes to holiday food! Foods rich in purines should be avoided. Sardines, oils, liver, peas, gravies, mushrooms, spinach, asparagus and cauliflower are just a few examples. If you aren’t the cook, ask the host if any of these are in the foods being offered.

Alcohol is another trigger to be aware of. Many holiday parties are flowing with alcoholic beverages but overindulgence in alcohol affects how your body is able to eliminate uric acid. Beer in particular has been found to trigger a gout attack. One or two small servings should be safe but if having an attack, alcohol should be completely avoided.

Dr. Tejas Pandya has helped many patients in the Clifton Park and Troy areas of New York. He can suggest appropriate anti-inflammatory medications, cooling lotions and custom made shoes that can help alleviate symptoms. Visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com for further information.

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