Vonnies Health Spot

TAKING CARE OF YOUR FEET IS IMPORTANT IN WINTER

Many women, and some men also, are very particular about taking care of their feet, and they have professionally done pedicures on a regular basis. But many others wait until summertime when they will be wearing sandals most of the time. And some people have never[!] had a pedicure in their lives. Feet need attention just as much in winter as they do in summer though, to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Having hand and foot care tended to by a pro is a good idea for several reasons:
*Pros are trained to spot problems, such as fungal or bacterial infections, and may even be able to spot skin cancer that you yourself cannot see. A nail with a widening black or brown streak running up and down could be a warning sign of skin cancer, and melanoma sometimes hides between the toes. Manicurists can often tell if there are other health problems as well just by the way a nail looks; for example, nail ridges could mean any number of things, such as poor nutrition or a systemic infection, and are usually a sign that you should give attention to your general health. Heart disease and diabetes can decrease blood circulation to hands and feet, slowing down nail growth. Nail surfaces may become thick, rough and yellowed.
*Well-trained, careful pros help maintain healthy nails and skin on hands and feet. But choose your manicurist carefully. Watch for signs that they may not be cleaning their instruments between clients. If you’re nervous about picking up a microscopic varmint, carry your own kit with you.
*A complete pedicure includes a massage of the feet and lower legs, often with a little reflexology thrown in for good measure, which is so good for your general health as well as your soul!

Ingrown toenails can often crop up in the wintertime when many people wear boots and enclosed shoes. Following are some tips for avoiding this painful condition that usually requires a doctor’s care:
*Trim your nails straight across. Most ingrown nails come from not cutting the nails properly. Don’t allow the nail edges to curve downward into the corner skin.
*Keep your feet as dry as possible. A moist environment makes skin softer and may allow the nail to enter your skin more easily. Use powder and buy socks made of a moisture-wicking material. In dry weather, wear shoes that are well ventilated.
*After a bath or shower, when skin is moist and soft, put your thumbs along the back edges of your toenail and gently pull. This helps separate the skin from the nail. The key word here is gentle, though. Don't pull so hard you split the skin.
*Buy shoes that are the right size! Make sure they fit well and aren’t tight at the toes. Socks shouldn’t be tight either.
*Don’t try to be your own surgeon! If you do get an ingrown toenail, get yourself to a doctor for medical attention.

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Disclaimer: The purpose of this weblog is not to dispense medical advice nor in any way is meant to be construed as diagnostic or prescriptive. Always check with your physician before beginning any new program or trying any of the items discussed in the posts that appear on this site.

ARE EXPENSIVE RUNNING SHOES WORTH THE PRICE?

No, according to a recently released article in The British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) announcing that expensive running shoes are a waste of money. This is validation for all of us who have found through our own personal experience that cost does not always equal comfort. Perhaps, however, not such happy news for the manufacturers of high-end sports shoes.

The objective of the investigation was to determine if more expensive running shoes provide better cushioning of plantar pressure and are more comfortable than low-cost alternatives from the same brand. Three pairs of running shoes were purchased from three different shoe companies at three different price ranges: low, £40-45 (around $82 to $93); medium, £60-65 (around $124 to $135); and high £70-75 (around $144 to $155). A device called a Pedar measured and recorded the in-shoe plantar pressure. Comfort was assessed with a 100 mm visual analogue scale. While the 43 participants ran on a treadmill, a follow-up study was then conducted to see if shoe cushioning and comfort were comparable to walking.

The scientists concluded that low and medium cost running shoes in each of the three brands tested provided the same (if not better) cushioning of plantar pressure as high-cost running shoes. And get this—the researchers also announced that “comfort is a subjective sensation based on individual preferences and was not related to either the [measured] distribution of plantar pressure or cost.” Hmmm-mm … I could have told them that.

The study took place at the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research, University of Dundee, UK. The conclusions of this study were accepted by BJSM in August of 2007 and published in their Online First entity on the Internet in October, 2007. The authors of the study are Richard Thomas Clinghan, Graham P. Arnold, Tim S. Drew, Lynda Cochrane and Rami J. Abboud.

For more information click on www.bjsm.bmj.com.

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Disclaimer: The purpose of this weblog is not to dispense medical advice nor in any way is meant to be construed as diagnostic or prescriptive. Always check with your physician before beginning any new program or trying any of the items discussed in the posts that appear on this site.