Health Care

By Dr Marybeth Crane

It happened again today in my office. A woman came in asking for bunion surgery. She had put up with the pain in her big toe for years and finally had had enough. Many years ago her family physician told her to wait until she couldn't stand the pain in her foot before discussing surgery with a podiatrist. Like many physicians, they assumed any pain in the great toe accompanied by a bump was a "bunion" or Hallux Abducto Valgus. Unfortunately in this case, her doctor was wrong. The patient actually has Hallux Limitis also known as osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. If she had sought treatment many years ago, her joint may have been salvaged. Now her joint was so destroyed that she needed a joint replacement or fusion. Not what she wanted to hear! In her mind, she came in the office asking for a simple bunionectomy and left needing a joint replacement. She regretted not seeking the advice of a podiatrist earlier.

So what's the difference between Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis?

Hallux valgus is a crooked big toe joint. Over a period of years, the great toe becomes much friendlier with the second toe and drifts toward and eventually under or over the second toe. At the same time, the first metatarsal (long bone connected to the great toe) drifts towards the center of your body making the distinctive bump. This starts out as a minor annoyance, but then quickly becomes a shoe problem with rubbing on the bump. Most people seek the attention of a podiatrist when the bump is rubbing in their shoe and becomes painful. If the deformity is allowed to progress, the great toe joint can actually start to dislocate and you will start to experience joint pain and degeneration.

Hallux limitis is wear and tear arthritis or osteoarthritis of the great toe joint. Many people are predisposed to have this problem by the underlying biomechanical function of their joint. It becomes much worse after an injury or repetitive trauma from things like high heeled shoes, ballet or some sports. The symptoms are different than Hallux valgus. Hallux limitis usually starts with a feeling of stiffness of the joint. It can be accompanied by swelling and redness. This usually progresses to a decrease in range of motion, a distinctive crunching feeling when moving the joint and then a bump that forms usually more toward the top of the joint, not the side like Hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus and Hallux limitis can occur together in a more complex foot deformity. Usually the bunion deformity has progressed and then is injured by repetitive trauma or a distinctive injury. This starts the progression of the arthritis change. Bottom line: don't ignore pain in your great toe joint. Treatment of Hallux limitis early can save you from needed a fusion or joint replacement!

Why is treatment of Hallux limitis so important in the early stages? Once you have destroyed the cartilage in your joint, there is nothing a physician or surgeon can do to make more cartilage. Research is underway trying to replace or regrow cartilage, but we are many years from a solution. Hallux limitis in the early stages can be controlled with a functional shoe orthotic to control the biomechanics. A clean up procedure known as a cheilectomy can help remove all the debris from the joint and get rid of much of the crunching. This will slow down the progression. Some patients can really benefit from a surgical procedure to realign and shorten the metatarsal to give the joint better biomechanics and more joint space. Unaddressed Hallux limitis leads to complete joint destruction and the need for a fusion or joint replacement.

The flip side to this story is that patients with Hallux valgus or your tradition bunion can often delay treatment until they start to have pain. Bunions in the early stages are a cosmetic concern, but the joint is usually not damaged until the later stages. It is important to address Hallux valgus when it starts to hurt so the joint is not permanently injured, but a bump, in the absence, of pain can wait.

The take home message is to have your great toe pain examined by a podiatrist. A full examination including functional biomechanics and x-rays can determine whether your pain is from Hallux valgus, Hallux limitis or a combination. Only then can you make an informed decision on treatments for your foot deformity and pain. Waiting until you can't stand it anymore is a recipe for unhappy outcomes! If you have great toe pain with or without a bump, don't delay. See your podiatrist today!

Dr Marybeth Crane is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Your feet should last a lifetime! For more foot health tips, a copy of her new book "If Your Running Feet Could Talk" and doctor-approved foot care products, visit her website or read her blog. Your body will thank you for it!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Marybeth_Crane

by Marcus Ryan

You have probably observed that as other people age, their skin begins to sag rather alarmingly. The backs of their upper arms and their stomachs are noticeably less firm. You may think that sagging arms and stomachs aren't such a big deal simply because they're fairly easy to hide. But when that day arrives that your own facial skin begins to lose its tone and droop, it's another matter entirely! The first facial area which usually suffers from loose and sagging skin is the eye area.

Through your twenties and thirties, you can probably get away with skimping on your sleep drinking more alcohol than is normally wise, and depriving your body of adequate amounts of water. But when you hit the age of forty, the accumulated damage from those bad habits will begin to surface, much to your dismay!

Too much alcohol when paired with a lack of sleep will have you awakening each morning to baggy eyes emphasized by raccoon-like dark circles. Depriving your body of water, a good diet, and rest will soon have your eyes looking fatigued, neglected, and simply old. Your eyes will naturally begin to sag and develop dark circles as you become older. That happens even when you eat the right foods, get enough water, and stay away from tobacco and alcohol. While avoiding bad habits will slow the pace at which your eyes age, they eventually will begin to betray the passage of time.

The area right under your eyes is one of the most delicate on your entire body, so it is natural for the signs of aging to surface there first. Under eye puffiness, dark circles, and bags are the most common sign of aging eyes. What can you do to combat them?

Use a Good Under Eye Cream

What will an effective under eye cream do for you? The really good ones can tackle a number of problems. Even better, they will work nearly immediately, and then keep supplying you with long-term anti-aging benefits.

Applying a high quality under eye cream should provide you with an instant lifting effect. While the cream isn't permanently ending your struggle with dark circles and bagginess, it should contain some compounds which improve the appearance of your eyes with the first application. If under eye bagginess is your big concern, search for cream which is advertised to firm up the under eye area and reduce puffiness immediately. The best creams thus advertised can lessen your problem by as much as 50%.

But those creams should also accomplish much more. They should provide your eyes with continuing benefits thanks to concentrations of antioxidants which repair existing and fight future free radical damage to your sensitive eye area.

While you certainly have the option of choosing cosmetic surgery to help rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes, why not explore the possibility of using one of the excellent eye cream is now available to lift the area around your eyes and to ward off future signs of aging in that area?

About the Author

Want to look younger in 7 minutes? Then this review of the cream, Athena 7 Minute Lift how this wrinkle cream reverses wrinkles in 7 minutes! Find out why Athena cream has made so many headlines!

By: Jerry Tomak

Sytropin HGH is one of the supplements available on the market today that claims to promote the pituitary gland to produce greater amounts of human growth hormone. Though Sytropin contains homeopathic HGH, it is said to also increase the body’s ability to create more of human growth hormone on its own.

The Pros of Sytropin

Taking Sytropin on a regular basis is said to be beneficial in a variety of ways. It is said to decrease body fat, increase lean muscle, provide better skin tone and elasticity, increase levels of energy and allow for a better night’s sleep. Many clinical studies about the benefits of human growth hormone show that those that take HGH can increase their health and feeling of well being.

Taking Sytropin HGH is a less costly alternative to the more expensive prescription HGH injections. HGH has risen to the public consciousness because the buzz that was generated when the rich and famous began getting HGH injections and raving about the results. The average person cannot afford to get HGH at a rate where it will continue to provide maximum benefits.

The manufacturers of Sytropin reassure potential customers that it uses only ingredients that have been approved by the FDA. Containing homeopathic HGH along with releasers of amino acids, Sytropin is available without a prescription and can be found on the shelves of providers of nutritional supplements.

The use of Sytropin is recommended especially for athletes, body builders and those that are suffering with symptoms and signs of aging. It aids in increasing the body’s ability to repair itself so is very attractive to athletes for its promotion of the body’s natural healing properties.

Sytropin can even be taken with other HGH pills, sprays and stimulators though it is not advised to take it along with prescription human growth hormone injections. It is said that taking Sytropin with them holds the risk of suppressing the body’s production of natural HGH.

The manufacturers of Sytropin guarantee that you will be more than satisfied with their product. They stand behind their product and if you are in any way dissatisfied with the results or lack thereof when taking Sytropin, they will return your money when you return the bottles to them. They permit potential customers to try Sytropin with no risk for ninety days. The only price you will pay is the shipping and handling charges.

The Cons of Sytropin HGH

Because Sytropin is a nutritional supplement, it requires no FDA approval. For many people this is not acceptable. In order to receive the maximum benefits of Sytropin, customers must take it between 3 to 6 months. Consumers will have to take it for this length of time in order to know if Sytropin works for them.

Some users complain that Sytropin does not deliver on its claims. They also state that though not as expensive as prescription HGH injections the price is still prohibitive at just under $200 without shipping and handling. Others comment that you can get the same results from regular exercise and a healthy diet and lifestyle. Sytropin contains no HGH per se; it merely claims to increase the body’s ability to produce more of HGH in the body.

You might want to try Sytropin HGH as there are many more satisfied customers than not. Do your research and speak with your healthcare provider before you decide if Sytropin HGH is for you.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com

* About Jerry Tomak

Sytropin HomepageSytropinSytropin ReviewHGH Supplements

By Simon Hess

Swine Flu was declared a pandemic on 11th June 2009. Margaret Chen, Director-General of The World Health Organization announced that the virus had been raised from a phase 5 to a phase 6 emergency.

Over 30,000 people have been infected worldwide and at the time of writing this article, 163 people have died.

So what should you know about the Swine Flu Pandemic:

1) The virus spreads exactly the same way as seasonal influenza. It can be contracted by coming in to contact with someone who is infected and through them coughing and sneezing.

2) Pigs as well as humans were heavily infected during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Hence the name "Swine Flu". However, the human immune system is less able to cope with this disease. An important point to note is that you cannot contract the influenza bug from eating pork or ham based products.

3) Seasonal influenza mainly attacks young children and the elderly. The majority of reported cases of swine flu has infected people aged from 5 to 65 and the largest percentage are aged 30-44.

4) This is fourth flu pandemic to be reported in the last 100 years. Spanish, Asian and Hong Kong Flu are the previous three. It is estimated that the previous 3 influenza world alerts caused up to 53 million deaths.

5) The Symptoms of the Swine Flu Pandemic include, coughs, sore throat, high fever, headaches, body aches, high fever and respiratory problems.

The Obama Administration are currently working in conjunction with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention on a new vaccination. It is believed that this should be ready by the fall.

Are you worried that the Swine Flu Pandemic may be heading your way?

For further information and access to the Swine Flu Survival Guide please Click Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Hess

By: Lavanay Bhadwal

Patients who do get confirmed with AIDS just consider this as an extended life sentence. I mean just consider what would have happened if you had got diagnosed with the disease? If you had a family the first concern would be who will take care of them when you are gone, right? Its not a disease that you can expect a cure for very soon. Although researchers are doing their best to find newer and better drugs to control the disease, there are very few chances of that happening soon. But with the newer drug medications, it has now become possible to improve the life span of the patient such that they can survive up to 15 years with proper care and medication. It’s also a good idea to get yourself checked regularly if you have more than one sexual partner to ensure that you do not have the disease. But if the test comes out positive, don’t despair. Here are a few things you can do-

What to do if you have had a positive test? As soon as your test comes out positive there are chances that your stress levels will soar. After all, it isn’t good news is it? You will feel scared, all alone and worried about a lot of things. But please remember that its not all bad. With greater advances in the field of medicine, antiretroviral therapy has now made several new drugs available to the common person to prolong life. Get in touch with an AIDS support group so that you can find out what to do to make your life a much better experience.

Choose a good doctor! Getting AIDS is not your fault. You could have got it due to several reasons like blood transfusions, injections or even from a careless partner. But no matter how you got it, no one has the right to judge you. Find a doctor who is considerate enough to care for you and your needs at this sensitive time. If he is critical of your case, your care and your lifestyle, then you need to find another doctor.

Getting information about the disease! AIDS is undergoing changes by leaps and bounds. There are so many new articles on the disease that it can be confusing. But no matter what happens, you have to keep updated on the disease and the latest medications, preventions and lifestyle changes that other patients have tried. Try joining online support groups to ensure that you have the latest information and news about the disease to ensure a longer life.

Do you need to tell the world you have AIDS? I personally don’t think anyone has a right to find out personal information about anyone unless it is authorized. That means, if you do not want to tell anyone about your disease; it is your legal right to do so. But you do require the support of your family as you struggle through the complications that the disease will bring. Tell your family, they will support you.

Diagnosehivsymptoms.com is a health related blog dedicated to provide all the information about HIV and AIDS. Check out this blog to know more about Hiv Facts and Diagnosehiv symptoms

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By: Abigail Aaronson

A tummy tuck, also referred to as abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure, which creates a firmer and more defined abdomen area. As long as the patient chooses a doctor who they can trust and follow all instructions, they usually have desired results.

Most people desire a tummy tuck to remove excess fat and skin in the stomach and abdomen area. The ultimate goal is usually to adjust and tighten the walls of the abdomen. Many candidates get a tummy tuck after pregnancy while others choose to get abdominoplasty after they have undergone a major weight loss regime and want to remove sagging or loose skin.

If you want to get a tummy tuck, you should choose a doctor who you can trust. This doctor should have years of experience performing a tummy tuck and receive regular training. If you are unsure what doctor to choose, asking friends or relatives if they have any recommendations.

Once you have decided on a few doctors, they will ask you to come in for a consultation. During the consultation period the doctor will ask you many questions about your medical condition. If you smoke, you should stop several months before the procedure.

The doctor will ask you also about your goals and expectation so this is the time to explain what you like and do not like about your body. Since abdominoplasty can vary depending on the body structure, you and the doctor will determine together the appropriate procedure.

The procedure should take anywhere from one to five hours to complete if it is a full abdominoplasty and from one to two hours if it is a partial abdiminoplasty, which is also called a mini-tuck. This is also the time to ask the doctor plenty of questions regarding the procedure and about his experience. The doctor will then give you a few directions to follow to prepare for the surgery.

During the full tummy tuck, the doctor will make an incision from one side of the hip to the other side. The doctor will also cut free the belly button and he or she will detach the skin from the abdominal walls. He or she will tighten the muscles and the fascia and will remain any skin and fat. The doctor will then put the old belly button back on the skin. Occasionally the doctor will use liposuction to refine certain areas.

During a partial abdominoplasty, the doctor usually makes a smaller incision. This procedure is usually less invasive and is used when a full tummy tuck is not needed. Finally, with both procedures the doctor will put dressing or a compression garment on the patient and fluid is soon drained. The recovery period can usually last between one to four weeks and if all advice is followed there should be minimal swelling, bruising and discomfort.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, you should research the procedure thoroughly. Make sure you choose a doctor who can trust and follow all instructions to insure minimal risk and complications.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
* About Abigail Aaronson

For creating a firmer and more defined abdomen area try Tummy tuck. San Francisco plastic surgeons remove excess fat and skin in the abdomen area and tighten the walls of the abdomen. Consult one at http://www.drkim.com.