Advice on Foot Care

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Zoloft, Lexapro and Prozac, are commonly used to treat depression and anxiety. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical in the brain that relays messages from one area to another. These chemicals travel between brain cells (neurons), relaying messages. As the chemical is released from one side of the brain cell, [...]

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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common disease, but not well understood by the general population. PAD is atherosclerosis of the peripheral vessels, the vessels in the lower extremities. Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the buildup of plaque on artery walls. The plaque is a composed of cholesterol, triglycerides and calcium deposits. Social Bookmarking [...]

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Capsaicin is an active compound found in chili peppers and a chemical irritant which produces a burning sensation. Capsaicin is used as a treatment for painful nerve conditions, arthritis and muscle aches. Capsaicin works by binding to a protein in specific nerves which transmit pain and heat sensation. Although capsaicin will cause a burning sensation, [...]

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Nitric oxide, a soluble gas produced in the body, plays a valuable role in tendon healing due to it’s ability to increase blood flow and increase collagen production. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine evaluated nitric oxide patch use in patients with Achilles tendinosis, tennis elbow and supraspinatus (shoulder) tendinosis and compared [...]

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According to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Survey, women sustain more total injuries than men during athletic events, this is particularly true for anterior cruciate ligament rupture in the knee, known as an ACL rupture (1). It has been postulated that women are at higher risk of ACL injury due to a wider pelvis causing more [...]

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A DEXA scan, dual-energy X-ray absorbitometry scan, is used to identify low bone mineral density. Identifying individuals with low bone mineral density helps to determine future fracture risk. The calcaneus is the heel bone and a calcaneal ultrasound is a technique used to estimate bone mineral density. It is not as accurate as a DEXA [...]

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Researchers from The University of Sydney, Australia, evaluated ankle instability in 58 participants. Twenty-seven participants were found to have ankle instability as classified by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and 31 participants with normal ankle stability were used as a control group. A landing test was used to evaluate postural control. Participants stood on a [...]

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A discussion in the August edition of Medical Hypothesis contemplates the idea of high heeled shoes contributing to both neurological and psychiatric disorders. The theory is based on the decreased contraction of the calf muscles, associated with wearing high heeled shoes, decreasing the rate of new brain cell formation. Social Bookmarking OptionsBlinklistBloglinesBlogmarksDiggdel.icio.usFacebookFurlMa.gnoliaNewsVineRedditStumbleUponTechnorati

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A study in The Lancet found that treating patients with early rheumatoid arthritis with a short course of methotrexate, followed by a TNF antagonist (such as infliximab) could prevent over-treatment, reduce side effects and costs. This finding was for those patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate alone. Other drugs are commonly used, such [...]

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In the past decade there has been a 150% increase in the number of PE-related injuries in students of all ages. The study, conducted by researches at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the Center for Injury Research and Policy, found lower extremity strains and sprains to be the most common injuries. Lower extremity sprains and strains [...]

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The FDA approved a new drug to treat Type 2 diabetes called Onglyza (generic name saxagliptin) and made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Onglyza is an oral hypoglycemic,  a pill designed to lower blood sugar levels. It is included in the drug class dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. The mechanism of action of this class of drugs is [...]

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A new study suggests cryosurgery is an effective treatment option for chronic heel pain. Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique involving the application of extremely low temperatures to lesions in an attempt to destroy abnormal tissues. In this study, the researchers evaluated 137 patients with chronic heel pain who underwent cryosurgery after failing 6 [...]

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A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports the more you walk, the less likely you are to gain weight as you age. Almost 5,000 men and women were followed for 15 years. The average weight gain was 1 kg per year. The individuals who walked at least 30 minutes a day, [...]

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Polymertronics, a medical electronics company focused on photodynamic therapy, has developed the PDT device to treat a variety of skin conditions. The device can been worn like a plastar bandage and match the shape of the area being treated. Any skin lesion which can be treated with a photosensitive cream, such as acne, actinic keratosis, [...]

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Some of the most serious complications associated with type 1 diabetes include vision loss, severe kidney disease resulting in transplant and lower extremity amputations. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial has been a 30 year ongoing effort to evaluate these risks in association with intensive control and management of blood sugar. The latest results from [...]

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A new study finds that obesity costs the US Health Care system $147 billion. Individuals who are obese spend 42 % more per year than normal weight individuals. The major health concerns and expenses associated with obesity are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Obesity has also been shown to impact the musculoskeletal system. The [...]

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At the recent news conference on health care reform Obama discussed rising health care costs. One contributing factor to the rising cost is the lack of primary health care coverage for millions of Americans. This results in a lack of preventative care and an increased use of emergency facilities for primary care visits. Social Bookmarking [...]

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Varicose veins and superficial vein thrombosis are conditions considered to be benign, but they may mask a more dangerous condition. Deep vein thrombosis, known as a DVT, is a blood clot that forms in one of the deep veins in the legs. The symptoms are redness, pain and swelling. A DVT is considered a serious [...]

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A walking program is standard therapy for individuals with PAD (peripheral artery disease). Peripheral artery disease is the build up of fat, cholesterol and calcium on the artery walls, affecting the smooth muscle within the vessel walls and causing inflammation and restriction of blood flow.  A government funded study found that individuals with peripheral artery [...]

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The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with weight gain. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine followed 336 overweight patients without osteoarthritis for 30 months. At the end of the study period 20% of the patients had some loss of cartilage in Social Bookmarking OptionsBlinklistBloglinesBlogmarksDiggdel.icio.usFacebookFurlMa.gnoliaNewsVineRedditStumbleUponTechnorati

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Fibrin glue consists of fibrinogen and thrombin. Fibrinogen is a glycoprotein and thrombin is a coagulation protein. When the two are combined, the fibrinogen is converted to fibrin, a clotting protein and the fibrin glue is formed. The fibrin glue acts as a tissue adhesive by creating a mesh and forming a clot. In many [...]

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Research published in this month’s issue of Clinical Rehabilitation found balance training to significantly improve stability in those individuals with a history of chronic ankle sprains. Twenty-nine participants with chronic ankle instability were assigned to a 4 week balance training group or a control group. The participants in the balance training group had supervised ankle [...]

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A new study in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association found over-the-counter orthotics increased arch height and decreased arch pain, bunion pain, knee pain and back pain. Orthotics are semi-rigid devices designed to control abnormal motion in the foot, support the arch and reduce pain associated with common foot problems. Social Bookmarking OptionsBlinklistBloglinesBlogmarksDiggdel.icio.usFacebookFurlMa.gnoliaNewsVineRedditStumbleUponTechnorati

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According to a news release on June 16th by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and published in the current issue of JAMA, there is no proof that genetic testing can help prevent blood clots in the legs. Social Bookmarking OptionsBlinklistBloglinesBlogmarksDiggdel.icio.usFacebookFurlMa.gnoliaNewsVineRedditStumbleUponTechnorati

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Healthpoint, Ltd will be enrolling 235 patients into phase II of a study investigating a spray therapy for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The experimental therapy, currently named HP802-247, is a topical spray containing living fibroblasts and keratinocytes, important cells in wound healing. The study is being conducted by 28 investigators in 18 states. [...]

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