Getting Rid of Athlete’s Foot

Are you someone plagued with foot problems? Annoying and unsightly problems such as Athlete’s foot can happen to any of us. The US National Library of Medicine claims “15%-25% of people are likely to have Athlete’s foot at any one time.”  As tempting as it may be to simply put your feet undercover in the hopes that it will disappear, most likely that is not going to cut it!

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya sees and treats this foot problem on a regular basis and knows with experience that the right treatment at the right time is essential to bring feet back to health and stop the infection from spreading. Who would want red, itchy, scaly skin to spread to other parts of the body or to other people? Get rid of Athlete’s foot the right way by keeping a few valuable tips in mind.

Most of the time, this foot infection can be treated at home. Start with washing your feet often with soap and water and dry feet completely each time, especially between your toes. Bacteria love warm, damp places so keep them from growing by wearing clean cotton socks and changing them often if your feet tend to sweat during the day. Antifungal powders and sprays are also great to keep the infection at bay.

At the end of the day, if these simple measures are just not giving you relief from your symptoms, it is time to call Capital District Podiatry. Dr. Pandya will be able to provide a treatment to target your foot problem and get rid of it once and for all. Don’t wait – call us today at (518) 273-0053 to make an appointment.

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.

Find Out Why You May Have Foot Pain

Our feet are often used and abused, and only thought of when they bother us. If you have foot pain, it is worth reviewing some common injuries to find out how they happen and to learn the right way to handle them. The following are common foot injuries that New York foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats on a regular basis:

Ankle sprain – This injury is often unavoidable as even a small wrong step could lead to a twisting of the ankle. Pain, swelling and bruising usually follow a sprain but the degree of damage can be more than you realize. This makes it important to have it looked at to ensure you get the right treatment.

Plantar fasciitis – If you have pain when you step on the floor in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This happens when the tissues that run along the bottom of your foot become irritated and inflamed. It can get worse over time, so have it diagnosed and treated early.

Fracture – This is a break in a bone. Feet are exposed to a lot of stress, especially if you are an athlete, making them vulnerable to these injuries. There are general bone fractures and stress fractures. The latter is important to highlight as it can often go untreated. Increasing training too quickly or wearing the wrong footwear can lead to tiny cracks in your bone. If you have foot pain, the possibility of a fracture is a primary reason for having it addressed.

At the end of the day, if you have any kind of nagging foot pain, have it checked. Whether it has just started, has developed over time or if self-care for an injury isn’t working, we can help. Dr. Pandya can diagnose the reason for your pain and provide the treatment to get rid of it. Make an appointment with Capital District Podiatry today by calling (518) 273-0053. 

The Eat Clean Diet Trend

Should you jump on board?

There are so many get fit fast and eating trends out there and it can be hard to weed through them all. Which are good? Which ones should I stay away from? Which ones hold great promise but could be bad for my health?

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY cares about the whole health of his patients. Foot health is often affected by a healthy or unhealthy diet. When it comes to “eating clean,” the rules are simple and pretty straightforward. Here are a few of the basics:

• It is not about counting calories or points, rather a change in lifestyle as you eat the foods your body truly needs to function.
• Stay away from foods that have ingredients you can’t pronounce. This would include all processed, fatty and refined foods.
• This way of eating focuses on lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nonfat dairy and healthy fats.
• Each meal stays between 200-300 calories but focus is on portion control.
• At least 8 cups of water a day is recommended as well as never skipping meals, especially breakfast.
• Regular exercise and strength training three days a week for 30 minutes is encouraged alongside the diet.

All of these are healthy tips and fairly foundational for any good healthy living plan. Some reviews of the Eat Clean Diet find that there are some heavy restrictions throughout the plan as a whole. An extremely structured diet with a lot of rules can be difficult to carry out long term. Some critics find that sample meal plans may not have enough calories for some people, especially those who are ver

y active. There is also caution to be taken in regards to certain supplements that may be mentioned.

When making decisions about your health, stay informed and read the facts. If any kind of foot or ankle problem is hindering your efforts to stay active and healthy, please contact Capital District Podiatry today. To make an appointment, simply call our office at (518) 273-0053.

Foot Odor & Sandals

 Do you have a pair sandals that you just love but are having a hard time wearing because of how they make your feet smell? During the summer, your shoes can create the type of warm, damp environment that bacteria love to invade. Foot odor can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem.

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in New York treats all foot and ankle problems and has helped many patients through their foot odor woes. Foot odor problems can be the result of sweaty, dirty feet, which can be inevitable in sandals during the warm summer months. Basically, bacteria can grow in your shoes and on your feet themselves. They feed on oil and dead skin cells and can multiply quickly. You may not like to know it, but it is the waste that the bacteria emit that causes the odor on your feet and in your shoes.

You are probably wondering now what you can do about it! The good news is that there are ways to prevent foot odor. Dr. Pandya suggests the following tips:

•   Clean your feet daily to avoid smelly feet. Use an antibacterial soap and dry your feet thoroughly. It may also help to use a disinfectant foot spray in your sandals.

•   Your feet contain 250,000 sweat glands and if they are overactive, foot odor is often a symptom. Wearing socks that absorb sweat can improve a foot odor problem. An antiperspirant spray used on the soles of your feet and directly on your sandals can prevent foot sweating.

•   Opt for sandals made of leather or natural materials. This allows your feet to breathe and reduces sweating. Change out the shoes you wear as well to allow sandals to dry out between uses.

If your foot odor is becoming a problem and these tips fail to improve your condition, please contact Dr. Pandya for help. Make an appointment by calling our podiatric office at (518) 273-0053 or online . 

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. 

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.

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.