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Although diabetes stems from the pancreas, it is a systemic condition that affects the whole body, including the feet. There are many foot health problems that are associated with diabetes or that are more likely to occur in diabetics. These include poor circulation and nerve damage, which can lead to poorly healing foot wounds or diabetic foot ulcers, corns and calluses, dry or cracked heels, ingrown toenails, fungal infections, hammertoes and bunions, and charcot foot. When caught early, many of these problems can be treated or managed. Inspecting the feet daily for any abnormalities can help detect potential issues. If you have diabetes and notice any pain, numbness, tingling, discoloration, rashes, deformities, or wounds on your feet, it is suggested that you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as possible.
Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact Dr. Nooshin Zolfaghari from VIP Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.
The Importance of Caring for Your Feet
Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.
It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
It’s normal to “have cold feet” before a big event - but what if your feet are frequently, literally cold? Having feet that feel cold or are cold to the touch, for reasons that are not due to your footwear or the current weather conditions, can be indicative of several foot problems. Often cold feet are a symptom of poor or reduced blood flow to the feet. This can be caused by various disorders, such as peripheral artery disease or varicose veins. Diabetes, which can cause nerve damage in the feet and affect your circulation, may also be to blame for your cold feet. If you frequently experience cold feet, this is a symptom worth mentioning to your podiatrist. Other changes to your feet, such as the appearance of slow or poorly healing foot wounds, joint pain, and skin discoloration, thickening, or rash, should also be noted. A podiatrist can help you maintain the health of your feet.
Poor circulation is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact Dr. Nooshin Zolfaghari of VIP Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Poor Circulation in the Feet
Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is can be caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries.
Plaque buildup or atherosclerosis results from excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This can restrict the amount of blood which can flow through the arteries. Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs are sometimes caused by inflammation in the blood vessels, known as vasculitis.
Causes
Lack of oxygen and oxygen from poor blood circulation restricts muscle growth and development. It can also cause:
Those who have diabetes or smoke are at greatest risk for poor circulation, as are those who are over 50. If you have poor circulation in the feet and legs it may be caused by PAD and is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. Exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will dramatically improve conditions.
As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a fungal infection of the nail. This type of infection can be unsightly and uncomfortable, causing thickened, brittle, crumbly, and discolored toenails. Over time, the nails may begin to separate from the nail bed, leading to pain or discomfort while wearing shoes. Fungal nail infections can be highly contagious, so it is important to take measures to prevent infection. Maintain good foot hygiene by washing your feet daily and drying them thoroughly. Wear socks and shoes made with breathable, moisture-wicking materials. When using public facilities like swimming pools and locker rooms, where fungi tend to thrive, wear shoes to prevent exposure. You should also avoid sharing personal items, like towels or nail clippers, with other people. To learn more about preventing fungal nail infections, please consult with a podiatrist.
For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Nooshin Zolfaghari of VIP Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Toenail Fungus Treatment
Toenail fungus is a condition that affects many people and can be especially hard to get rid of. Fortunately, there are several methods to go about treating and avoiding it.
Antifungals & Deterrence
Oral antifungal medicine has been shown to be effective in many cases. It is important to consult with a podiatrist to determine the proper regiment for you, or potentially explore other options.
Applying foot powder on the feet and shoes helps keep the feet free of moisture and sweat.
Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Striking a good balance between standing, sitting, and moving around throughout the day is optimal for the human body. But what do you do if your job requires you to stand most of the time? Prolonged standing (standing for more than 8 hours) puts an abundance of pressure on your feet, joints and back, and can cause ongoing circulation problems in the feet and legs (chronic venous insufficiency) with symptoms such as swelling (edema), varicose veins, and even leg ulcers should the condition progress. To help ease the burden you put on your body by working on your feet all day, try to sit as much as possible during breaks, move around whenever you can and change standing positions frequently to shift body weight around. You should also try to soften your knees, use a wide stance to balance your weight evenly, engage your core whenever possible to relieve stress on your feet and knees, and stand on a cushioned mat if possible. Above all else, wear good shoes that fit well, offer proper heel and arch support, and have a sole that’s wider than the heel. If you contact a podiatrist, they can offer additional advice on proper footwear, create custom orthotics to support your particular foot and ankle structure all day, and address issues you may be experiencing in those areas.
While working on the feet, it is important to take the proper care of them. For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Nooshin Zolfaghari from VIP Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Working on Your Feet
Standing on your feet for long periods of time can cause stress and pain in your feet. Your whole body may experience change in terms of posture, back pain, bunions, callouses and or plantar warts. There are ways to avoid these conditions with proper foot care, smart choices and correct posture.
Positive Changes
Negative heeled shoe – Choosing this shoe type places the heel slightly lower than the ball of the foot. These are great for overall foot health. Find shoes that fit you correctly.
Go barefoot – Our feet were not designed to be enclosed for all hours of the day. Try to periodically expose your feet to air.
Eliminate Pain
Foot Exercises – Performing simple exercises, incorporating yoga and doing stretches are beneficial. This will allow increased blood flow to the area and muscles of the foot.
Achilles tendon – Stretching the foot out flat on the floor will relax the calf muscles and tendon. These exercises can be performed almost anywhere. Make sure you add these exercises to your daily regimen.
With a little bit of this information and knowing more about foot health, you will notice changes. Foot stretches and proper footwear will help with pain and prevent further issues.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Many people who enjoy running are prone to developing heel pain. A common cause of this type of pain is plantar fasciitis and soft tissue pain. Additionally, joint pain in the ankle may cause heel pain, and it may be difficult to achieve full range of motion.This can affect the cartilage, which may lead to osteoarthritis and ultimately cause heel pain. An overlooked reason why heel pain can develop may center around the nerves in the feet, which if damaged, can cause severe pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing any type of heel pain, it is suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose the source of the pain, and offer correct treatment solutions.
Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact Dr. Nooshin Zolfaghari of VIP Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Causes of Heel Pain
Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.
Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.
Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.
Why Might Heel Pain Occur?
Treatments
Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.
If you have any questions please contact our office located in Pembroke Pines, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
