It has long been know that diabetics have a higher rate of fungal toenails (onychomycosis) than non-diabetic individuals. A study in the Jan/Feb. edition of the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association by Gulcan et al found that the longer a person is diabetic, the higher incidence of fungal nails. Additionally, diabetics with complications such as neuropathy (nerve damage) and retinopahy (eye damage) had a higher rate of fungal toenail growth. Poor sugar control was not found to cause an increase in fungal nails.
Interestingly, the study also found an increase incidence of fungal nails in obese patients and those with a family history of fungal nails.
If your nails are thick, yellow, brown, black, loose, or distorted in shape, you may have fungal toenails. The nails do not improve without treatment and may get worse. Call 708-763-0580 to see what treatment is best for you.
Dr. Bender
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Prostate Cancer Run/Walk 9/18/11-Good for your FEET and for a good cause!
Exercise is good for your health and your feet! It strengthens your muscles and tendons, helps with blood circulation to the legs and feet, and keeps our joints mobile. Not to mention all of the benefits for the whole body-heart health, weight reduction, stress relief, blood sugar and blood pressure regulation.
Support a good cause and stay fit! Chicago Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in Lincoln Park on 9/18/11 is looking for runners and walkers. Register at seablueprostatewalk.org
Support a good cause and stay fit! Chicago Prostate Cancer Run/Walk in Lincoln Park on 9/18/11 is looking for runners and walkers. Register at seablueprostatewalk.org
Friday, July 15, 2011
Skin Cancer and Your Feet
Skin Cancer Awareness
Ninety percent of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Skin cancer has become increasingly more common and deadly. The three types of skin cancer include the following: Malignant Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The most serious and dangerous form is malignant melanoma.
Skin cancer can affect all races of people and may present in surprising places, such as under toenails or on the bottoms of the feet. Any form of skin cancer can occur on the feet, so it is essential to check your feet regularly. If you notice any changes or warning signs, please call 708-763-0580 for your foot check up!
It is essential to pay attention to the ABCs when monitoring changes on your skin. These are warning signs for skin cancer. If any of the following abnormalities are present on a mole or spot on the skin, it is essential to have it checked out by a doctor.
A-Asymmetry:
The spot is cannot be divided equally into halves.
B- Border/Bleeding:
The edges are irregular or bleeding.
C- Color:
Spots that have color changes within them need to be checked by a doctor.
D- Diameter:
If it is larger than a pencil eraser, it should be checked by a doctor.
Elevation:
The lesion is raised above the rest of the skin.
How to prevent skin cancer?
1. Avoid outdoor activities when possible between 10 am- 4 pm, when the sun rays are most intense.
2. Wear sunscreen all year (not just in the summer) and use at lease SPF 15. It does not protect against all the UV rays, but it certainly helps to protect you.
3. Wear protective clothing to cover the skin when outside, and wear sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
4. Be aware that certain medications can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Consult your pharmacist about any medications you are taking to see if they make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays.
5. Check your skin regularly for any abnormal or new changes.
6. Avoid tanning beds.
This information is presented by Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Advanced Physical Medicine. 708-763-0580. If you have any concerns about skin changes on your feet, please call for an appointment.
Ninety percent of skin cancer is caused by exposure to the sun’s UV rays. Skin cancer has become increasingly more common and deadly. The three types of skin cancer include the following: Malignant Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The most serious and dangerous form is malignant melanoma.
Skin cancer can affect all races of people and may present in surprising places, such as under toenails or on the bottoms of the feet. Any form of skin cancer can occur on the feet, so it is essential to check your feet regularly. If you notice any changes or warning signs, please call 708-763-0580 for your foot check up!
It is essential to pay attention to the ABCs when monitoring changes on your skin. These are warning signs for skin cancer. If any of the following abnormalities are present on a mole or spot on the skin, it is essential to have it checked out by a doctor.
A-Asymmetry:
The spot is cannot be divided equally into halves.
B- Border/Bleeding:
The edges are irregular or bleeding.
C- Color:
Spots that have color changes within them need to be checked by a doctor.
D- Diameter:
If it is larger than a pencil eraser, it should be checked by a doctor.
Elevation:
The lesion is raised above the rest of the skin.
How to prevent skin cancer?
1. Avoid outdoor activities when possible between 10 am- 4 pm, when the sun rays are most intense.
2. Wear sunscreen all year (not just in the summer) and use at lease SPF 15. It does not protect against all the UV rays, but it certainly helps to protect you.
3. Wear protective clothing to cover the skin when outside, and wear sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays.
4. Be aware that certain medications can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun’s rays. Consult your pharmacist about any medications you are taking to see if they make the skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays.
5. Check your skin regularly for any abnormal or new changes.
6. Avoid tanning beds.
This information is presented by Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Advanced Physical Medicine. 708-763-0580. If you have any concerns about skin changes on your feet, please call for an appointment.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Happy 4th of July Week!
Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday over the weekend. The podiatry portion of Advanced Physical Medicine is closed this week. We will reopen on Monday, July 11. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week! 708-763-0580
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Heel Pain-Icing and Stretching with a frozen water bottle
Often, people complain about pain in the heel when they get up in the morning. This condition is typically called plantar fasciitis. This is an inflammation of the band on the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia). This condition can be aggravated by weight changes (especially weight gain) and activity changes.
Plantar fasciitis requires icing and stretching (usually three times per day). Without this, it often does not improve. A good way of stretching and icing together is to freeze a water bottle and roll it along the bottom of the foot. If you are diabetic or have other serious health issues like peripheral vascular disease, you can only ice for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Happy Walking!
Dr. Bender
Plantar fasciitis requires icing and stretching (usually three times per day). Without this, it often does not improve. A good way of stretching and icing together is to freeze a water bottle and roll it along the bottom of the foot. If you are diabetic or have other serious health issues like peripheral vascular disease, you can only ice for 5-10 minutes at a time.
Happy Walking!
Dr. Bender
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Diabetes-Portion Control with your diet
It is important as a diabetic to keep your blood sugar under good control: 80-120 mg/dL. If your blood sugar is elevated for prolonged periods, it can cause problems with your feet (numbness, burning, pain, sores).
Here are some good tips for portion control:
Meat-Size of deck of cards
Fruit-Size of a tennis ball
Potato-Size of an adult fist
Rice-Size of a teacup
It is important to reduce your intake of salad dressing, gravy, and butter. Also, when eatting out, the portions are often very large, so taking half of the meal home will allow you to avoid overeatting.
Here are some good tips for portion control:
Meat-Size of deck of cards
Fruit-Size of a tennis ball
Potato-Size of an adult fist
Rice-Size of a teacup
It is important to reduce your intake of salad dressing, gravy, and butter. Also, when eatting out, the portions are often very large, so taking half of the meal home will allow you to avoid overeatting.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
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