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.

Summer Heat & Foot Swelling

It is a beautiful sunny day and you decide to go out for a walk but when you go to put your shoes on, they don’t fit because your feet have swelled in the heat. Is this a familiar situation for you?

The summer heat can be grueling on the whole body but feet often do not fair too well. When your legs and feet swell because of heat, it is called heat edema. Being in the heat often causes you to retain water and your blood vessels to dilate. When standing for longer periods of time, gravity then causes the fluid to pool in your legs and feet. If you are older in age, pregnant or overweight, the risk of swollen feet is higher.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in New York, treats all problems related to feet and ankles. Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent and find relief for swollen feet in the middle of the summer:

•   Staying still will encourage the pooling of fluid in your legs and feet so avoid sitting and standing for long periods of time.

•   Keep your body cool and avoid salt intake as this can increase water retention.

•   Elevate your legs when you can.

•   Exercise will help remove the fluid from your legs and feet.

While swollen feet are common, take note if you have any secondary symptoms such as a fever or if the swelling worsens. You may have something more serious going on. Please contact Dr. Pandya with any questions or concerns about swollen feet. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment at our Troy or Clifton Park, NY podiatric office. Visit us online as well www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com. 

Exercising With Flat Feet

Are your efforts to stay healthy and active being hindered by foot pain? Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY fully und

erstands how frustrating that can be. There are several reasons why you may be experiencing pain or discomfort while exercising and it is often due to your foot structure.

A flat foot is a very common foot structure. If you are not sure whether or not you have flat feet, stand up barefoot and look at the ground. If the entire sole of your foot is touching the ground, you most likely have flat feet. For most people, having flat feet does not cause pain, problems, and are nothing to be concerned about. There are cases, however, where having this condition can affect your activities.

Being flatfooted means that you lack an arch in your foot. This can result in extra stress and pressure on your feet while you run, workout or are involved in sports. Having flat feet often causes the feet to pronate, or roll inward with each step. Regular running shoes are typically designed for arched feet. Wearing them with flat feet can make you prone to shin splints, tendonitis, ankle sprains and back problems.

If you know that you have flat feet and are very active, come and see Dr. Pandya even if you are not experiencing any pain. Custom orthotics can provide the extra support your feet need during exercise to alleviate present pain and prevent future problems. Dr. Pandya can help you find the best shoes for your feet and offer some great tips to keep your feet healthy during exercise. Make an appointment today by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.  

Barefoot Running & Shin Splints

Photo by: Sura Nualpradid, freedigitalphotos.net

Whether you are a regular barefoot runner or a contemplating future participant to this very popular trend, it is important to be educated on how this style of running could affect your foot health. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has treated many runners over the years with a variety of foot and ankle problems. A very painful but common problem runners often face is shin splints.

Shin splints are associated with pain alongside your shinbone, or tibia. This is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Injury can occur in this part of the leg with too much stress, overtraining and poor footwear. For a runner, the repetitive impact on hard surfaces can cause stress on the tibia and result in swelling, pain and tenderness.

While there has been much controversy about the safety and effectiveness of barefoot running, there are supporters who claim that regular running shoes are the problem. Certain studies have shown that the extra support in running shoes alters the way our feet should strike the ground and causes our heels to absorb the bulk of the force. This, in turn, can cause injury over time such as shin splints.

Going barefoot causes a runner to land on the balls of the feet instead of the heel, which allows the calf muscle and Achilles tendon to take the bulk of the stress rather than the shin. There are many things to consider, however, before jumping into barefoot running. Without the proper knowledge and training, this activity can lead to serious injury. There are certain foot structures and deformities that may prevent a runner from safely running barefoot.

If you are interested in barefoot running, we suggest coming in to see Dr. Pandya beforehand. He can evaluate the health and structure of your feet, identify any potential problems and offer his expert advice. Call our podiatric office today at (518) 273-0053 or visit us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

Down on Dry Feet?

Have you ever wondered what is causing your dry feet?

Having dry feet is more often an annoyance than anything, but they can get to the point of being unsightly and painful. Dry skin is just one of the many foot conditions that foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats at his Troy, NY podiatric office. Some patients need minor care while others have cracked heels and are prone to serious complications.

The skin on your feet has no oil glands making it naturally dry. It’s the sweat from your feet that helps keep the skin soft and moisturized. Dry skin can occur from a variety of causes and be mild to severe. Some of the common factors that can lead to dry skin include:

·         Aging

·         Low humidity level in your house or at work

·         Cold weather

·         Harsh soaps that dry out skin

·         Smoking and excessive alcohol use

·         Frequent bathing in very hot water

·         Skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema

·         Medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism

There are many ways to help your dry feet at home with some extra attention to your foot care and lifestyle changes. If your skin ever gets to the point of cracking and becomes painful, please come and see Dr. Pandya for help. He can help diagnose the underlying reason for your excessive dry feet and provide treatment before an infection sets in. This is especially important if you have diabetes or a condition that affects your circulation as an infection in a small crack in the skin could lead to serious complications.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and get your feet looking healthy and beautiful again. Call (518) 273-0053 or request an appointment online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

Learn more about keeping your feet healthy by ordering Dr. Pandya’s book, Tiptoe Your Way to Happy Feet.

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.