Inhalers for breathing problems have the advantage of delivering medication directly into the lungs where it acts. Commonly used in conditions such as asthma and emphysema, the technology of inhalers is constantly improving. Next month we’ll give you some tips on getting the most from your inhaler.
Foot conditions are rarely life threatening. What they can do, however, is make your life utterly unpleasant due to the pain they cause, and they can also further impact your health by cutting into your activity level.
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How many times a day do you press all your weight on those small bits of skin, muscle and bone?
In you’re classified as having a sedentary lifestyle (i. e. you’re a classic “couch potato”), you’ll take from 1,000 to 3,000 steps a day. Because farm life is more active, you probably take more than that, but it’s worth remembering that to lose weight, you need to take at least 10,000 steps each day.
Just because you walk to the barn may not mean that you’re walking enough to improve your health. Try using a pedometer for several days to see how many steps you take.
ff on the wrong foot
Corns, calluses and ingrown toenails are the most common foot problems. Virtually everyone has experienced one or more of these at some time.
Often, the problem starts with poorly fitting shoes. Sometimes, though, the problem arises from how you walk, or how much weight you’re making your feet bear.
Corns and calluses produce a thickening of the skin in the foot. Pressure from tightly or poorly fitting shoes is their number one cause, with the fifth or “little” toe being the most common site. Rubbing from incorrectly fit shoes, walking barefoot, and even problems with walking mechanics can cause calluses.
Remedies for corns and calluses focus on removing the extra layers of skin, and include files, pumice stones, and kerolytic agents like salicylic acid.
The list goes on
An ingrown toenail is exactly what it sounds like. A section of the toenail presses into the nail groove or toe edge and becomes embedded in the toe’s soft tissue. Swelling, inflammation and ulceration can result, and if you have experienced an ingrown toenail, you know they can be painful.
Incorrect trimming of the toenails, especially the large or big toe’s, is the most frequent cause, but wearing pointed or overly tight shoes can contribute too. Prevention by cutting toenails straight across without tapering is preferred to treatment, which usually involves the surgical removal of the nail.
Bunions, another foot problem, most often result from a combination of ill-fitting shoes and pressure from how you walk. Swelling of the bursa occurs over the metatarsophalangeal joint where the big toe meets the foot, along with pain, swelling and joint deformity.
Bunions commonly afflict dancers because of the way they use their feet, but you don’t need to be a dancer to have bunions. Switching to a pair of shoes that fit correctly will usually remedy the problem, but protective pads such as moleskin and even surgery may be needed.
And then there are warts
Two problems can affect the plantar surface of your foot or the sole. Plantar warts are a viral skin infection that affects anywhere from seven to 10 per cent of the population, especially younger people. Specialized plantar wart removers are available, but you need to be careful to protect the surrounding skin and apply them only to the wart.
Plantar faciitis affects about 10 per cent of people, especially those who stand for long periods or who are overweight. Plantar faciitis is tissue inflammation most often felt in the heel and especially with the first steps of the day. Exercises which stretch the Achilles tendon relieve the pain as do anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Planar faciitis normally resolves on its own in about a year.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection which is more common among men than women. Occurring between the toes, it is a red, scaly, itchy lesion. Antifungal creams and powders will cure the infection, although they can take several months to succeed and even then the infection can recur. Good foot hygiene is important: use flip flops in locker rooms; wear clean, cotton socks that breathe, and air out your shoes and boots between wearings.
You may enjoy a pedicure, but contaminated tools or even soiled salon work stations can mean foot infections. Ideally, manicure tools should be autoclaved between clients, but soaking in an antiseptic solution is effective. If the antiseptic solution is cloudy, it needs to be changed. An alternative is to bring your own tools. And, don’t forget to clean tools between uses at home. Rubbing alcohol will do the trick.
If you have circulatory problems or diabetes, foot care is crucial. A minor foot problem may go unnoticed and develop into an infection, tissue damage, and even lead to amputation. Regular food inspections are usually recommended.
As you now realize, you also need to choose shoes and boots that fit well to keep your feet healthy and you walking well.
Marie Berry is a lawyer/pharmacist interested in health care and education.
