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. 

It Just Appeared Out of Nowhere! What To Do About Blisters

Have you ever dealt with a tiny sliver that gave you a ton of discomfort? Something small in the right place can really be a pain…literally! A blister can be just that – a small little injury that can cause a lot of pain.

How did my blister happen?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for a blister to develop. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has heard often from his patients, “The blister just appeared!” Blisters are caused by friction. When poorly fitting shoes or a repetitive activity cause pressure and friction on the same area of skin, the layers of skin break and a pocket of fluid forms.

What should I do if I get a blister?

Right after a blister forms, it can be helpful to use some ice to alleviate some of the pain and swelling. As tempting as it is to want to pop a blister, it is usually best to leave it alone. The fluid inside promotes healing and an open blister puts you at risk for infection. If the blister does get punctured, applying some hydrogen peroxide can help ward off infection. Do not remove the skin over a blister, as the skin underneath is very sensitive and prone to infection. Put a bandage over the blister and use a cushioning pad or a piece of moleskin to protect the area.

What can I do to prevent a blister?

Dr. Pandya offers several easy tips to keep blisters at bay:

• Break new shoes in gradually
• Use petroleum jelly or a bandage on an area that rubs before the blister forms
• Wear socks made out of acrylic and synthetic fiber materials

Keep an eye on your feet. If a blister is painful and showing signs of being infected, come in to our podiatric office for help. This is especially important if you have poor circulation or diabetes. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to request an appointment or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com. 

Playing Tennis Part 3 - Will Orthotics Help You on the Court?

The sport of tennis can be very stressful on both your feet and ankles. Tennis is associated with many quick movements that pivot your body back and forth, and bounce your feet from side to side. These quick movements can easily lead to many painful foot and ankle injuries and your feet require specific footwear for the sport. Specific footwear is a great way to prevent injuries, but you can reduce your risk even further by the use of custom made orthotics.

Tennis orthotics are designed to comfort your feet, keep them healthy, and reinstate the natural techniques and functions of your feet. Pain in the heel of your foot is often associated with an incorrect stride. Tennis orthotics can work to properly align your feet and ankles to their natural and healthy position. Tennis orthotics helps properly distribute your weight evenly on your feet so that pressure is not built up in certain areas. Orthotics can help to improve your posture which is directly related to your balance. Poor posture and balance can lead to serious injuries. Improper weight distribution upon your feet can severely alter the structure of your bones in both your feet, ankles, and your lower legs.

Orthotics are a great way to prevent injuries as well as help with conditions that you may already be experiencing. Orthotics can help reduce pain in your feet and ankles and comfort flat feet. Orthotics can also help with shock absorption. Tennis orthotics can also help to reduce your risk for developing the following conditions:

• Achilles Tendonitis
• Corns
• Metatarsalgia
• Ankle Sprains
• Flat Feet
• Bunions

Orthotics can inspire your greatest performance giving your muscles, tendons, and bones optimal functionality. Orthotics usually last between 12 and 16 months, after which they should be replaced. Your best option is to purchase custom made orthotics which are fitted specifically to the exact shape each of your feet in order to offer you the greatest protection.

If you would like to be fitted for custom molded tennis orthotics, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.drfoot.co.uk/Tennis_Orthotics.htm

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Minimizing Your Running Shoes

Barefoot running has become a very popular topic in the last couple years among runners and with it the idea of minimalist running shoes. While arguments have been made for keeping your standard running shoes, or tossing shoes altogether and running barefoot, could minimalist shoes be the happy middle and the answer to so many runners’ prayers?

The fashion world has been overall appalled by these frankly strange looking shoes or “gloves” for your feet. While the look of these shoes can get a few stares, their design has focused on keeping your feet healthy while allowing the wearer to receive optimal functionality. Minimalist shoes are very light on your feet and as you pick up your feet with every stride you are not carrying an overwhelming amount of weight. Heavy shoes can wear out your feet considering they already have to carry the weight of your body. Minimalist shoes are also designed with materials that give your feet optimal flexibility, which is perfect for running. With less padding between your feet and the ground, you run with a shorter stride that will cause your feet to strike the ground more frequently, but at a much softer rate. This can reduce your likeliness to develop many of the injuries common to runners.

Minimalist shoes give you the technique and close feeling to running barefoot, but still allow your feet the protection they need from the hard ground. Minimalist shoes can correct the way you run, bringing you back to the natural form associated with barefoot running. These shoes can get you back to running on your forefoot rather than striking at your heel. Forefoot striking is much healthier and decreases your risk for injury. However, barefoot running puts you at risk for a whole different set of injuries associated with the lack of protection between your feet and the ground. The battle between barefoot running and standard running shoes holds serious risks of injuries for both sides, but minimalist shoes are looking to be the medium and solution between the two.

Wearing minimalist shoes may not only influence you to run in a healthier way, but they can also help strengthen your feet. Standard running shoes that are heavily cushioned may be excessively protecting your feet to the point where they are inhibiting the strength of your foot and ankle muscles. The over-supportive arches and hard soles can also lead to weaker muscles and natural arches of your feet.

If you are interested in changing the way you run so you strike at your forefoot, or would like your stride observed to find the healthier way to run, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-400--13691-F,00.html

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Tips to Keep Your Running Feet Healthy

Running can be very intense and take a toll on your entire body - particularly your feet. Your feet bear the weight of your whole body every day as you walk, stand and run. Running may leave your feet sore and can put them at risk for many foot ailments.

In order to prevent injuries caused by running, Dr. Tejas Pandya has come up with some tips to improve the health of your feet.  They include the following:

• Cut your toenails. Your toenails should be trimmed on a weekly basis. Toenails should not exceed the ends of your toes and should be cut straight across. Cutting on a curve at the ends of the toenail can lead to painful ingrown toenails. Toenails that are too long can be irritated by your shoes or other toes while you run.

• Exercise your feet and toes. It’s important to exercise your entire body, but it is also important to pay special attention to areas like your feet and toes. Your feet are often ignored when it comes to exercise despite the fact that they do so much work for you day after day. You can perform simple exercises to keep your feet healthy, such as rolling your foot on a tennis ball, moving each toe individually and pivoting your ankles in order to strengthen muscles.

• Wash your feet. You should wash your feet on a daily basis to keep them clean, healthy and infection free. Make sure to wash with warm water and soap. It’s also important to dry your feet completely especially between all of your toes so you do not develop fungal infections.

• Stretch. Stretching helps keep your muscles from tightening. You should stretch at least 2-3 times every day. Try to stretch out your feet by pointing your toes to the ceiling and then the floor while holding for at least ten seconds. Make sure to alternate between each foot. You can also stretch your toes by lifting and pointing each toe individually.

• Rest. Running can tire your feet out so it’s important to rest your feet. Try running on non-consecutive days so you have days to rest your feet in between. If you experience pain from running take more time to rest while icing and elevating your feet.

If you experience pain, or an injury, as a result of running contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Pandya.

Resources:

http://www.fitsugar.com/Tips-Ease-Sore-Runners-Feet-Prevent-Injury-22125091

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Got Calcium? It May Help Prevent Future Foot Pain

Calcium is an essential element in maintaining the health of your bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. It helps build strong bones and bone tissue. But if you do not receive the proper amount of calcium, then over time calcium may be taken from your bones and given to the rest of your body.   This will weaken bones and bone tissue, which can result in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a disease causing pain and stiffness in the joints and ultimately can limit mobility.  Your feet are more likely to develop arthritis because each foot contains 33 different joints and they carry around the weight of your entire body. Osteoarthritis may start as centralizing a particular joint, but may gradually expand to the other joints. In most cases, osteoarthritis slowly progresses and initial pain in the joints may only occur after physical activity. However over time, the cartilage between your bones will thin and pain will start to occur more often.  It may be painful at the slightest instances of physical activity, such as walking or using the stairs. Eventually pain and stiffness in the joints can even occur after extensive periods of relaxation until pain becomes consistent throughout all periods of activity and rest.

Osteoarthritis can cause numerous symptoms in the joints, which include:

·         Swelling
·         Inflammation
·         Tenderness
·         Pain
·         Immobility
·         Numbness
·         Tingling sensations
·         Skin abnormalities (rashes and growths)

You can keep foot joint tissue strong and healthy by maintaining healthy levels of calcium. Calcium can be found in many dairy products, as well as, leafy green vegetables, salmon, sardines and tofu. Your body should receive at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day and should be accompanied by vitamin D, which helps your body to absorb calcium.

Arthritis affects nearly 40 million Americans. The disease can be very painful and in serious cases disabling. Prevent your feet from developing osteoarthritis, or control your osteoarthritis, by maintaining healthy levels of calcium in your body. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis call our office at (518) 273-0053 or contact us online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

More Info: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/arthritis/osteoarthritis-symptoms

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1759/Arthritis.html; http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019; http://www.nutri-notes.com/novdec97_simple.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH00014

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