Items filtered by date: November 2017

While not widely known, falls are the leading cause of accidental death among those aged 65 and older and the number one cause of hospitalizations. It is estimated that 31 billion dollars are spent annually on medical costs related to fall injuries. While it may seem that falls are inevitable among the elderly, they can be prevented. Discuss with a doctor any potential side effects of medication you are currently taking, as certain drugs may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo that can lead to falls. Enrolling in an exercise program is a great way to not only retain but gain strength, balance, flexibility, and durability. Avoid living a sedentary lifestyle; if a fear of falling is preventing you from going outside, it is recommended to talk to someone. Wear shoes that are properly fitted and provide traction. Make sure your home is clear of debris on the floor and has good lighting and handrails. During the winter months, it is also recommended to keep a cell phone on you. If you need to prevent ice buildup on your outdoor pathways, use plenty of salt or ice-melting products to get rid of ice. Finally, letting someone know where you are going in the winter and giving them an estimate of how long you will be is a good idea.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

While generally only a minor health concern, a foot blister can cause enough pain and discomfort to stop one from doing any activity that puts pressure on it. There are some effective methods one can take to help prevent blisters from appearing on the foot. Wear shoes that are comfortable and provide enough room to prevent friction against the foot. Synthetic socks are generally better at preventing friction and wicking away moisture than cotton socks are. Be sure to keep any debris out of your shoes, as this can also cause friction. Foot powders or lubricants can help as well. Finally, keep your feet dry by changing socks when they are wet. If you have a blister on your foot and you are a diabetic, it is recommended to see a podiatrist who can keep an eye on the blister so that it does not become an ulcer.

Blisters are prone to making everyday activities extremely uncomfortable. If your feet are hurting, contact one of our podiatrists of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Foot Blisters

Foot blisters develop as a result of constantly wearing tight or ill-fitting footwear. This happens due to the constant rubbing from the shoe, which can often lead to pain.

What Are Foot Blisters?

A foot blister is a small fluid-filled pocket that forms on the upper-most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid and can lead to blood drainage or pus if the area becomes infected.

How Do Blisters Form?

Blisters on the feet are often the result of constant friction of skin and material, usually by shoe rubbing. Walking in sandals, boots, or shoes that don’t fit properly for long periods of time can result in a blister. Having consistent foot moisture and humidity can easily lead to blister formation.

Prevention & Treatment

It is important to properly care for the affected area in order to prevent infection and ease the pain. Do not lance the blister and use a Band-Aid to provide pain relief. Also, be sure to keep your feet dry and wear proper fitting shoes. If you see blood or pus in a blister, seek assistance from a podiatrist.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Our feet are extremely important and allow us to do so much with our lives. Making sure our feet are healthy and being on the lookout for any potential ailments is recommended. Here are some relatively common foot symptoms and what they might mean. If you are experiencing tingling sensations in your feet, it may be a sign of diabetes. A common condition caused by diabetes is neuropathy, which damages the nerves in our body, especially in the legs and feet. If your toes are numb, that can also be a cause of neuropathy or Raynaud’s disease, a condition which causes poor circulation in the hands and feet. It may also be a sign that your feet are cold, so be sure to keep them warm in cold weather. Finally, if your nails are brittle, it may be a sign of vitamin deficiency or of toenail fungus. In all these cases, it is recommended to see a podiatrist since they could be symptoms of serious conditions.

Everyday foot care is very important to prevent infection and other foot ailments. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Everyday Foot Care

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. Without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks.

It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before. For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops. Wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent Athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

While it may seem obvious how to clip your toenails, many people clip them the wrong way. Clipping your toenails improperly can cause the nail to become ingrown. While generally not serious, it can cause pain and discomfort. If you are a diabetic, an ingrown toenail can be a serious health risk, and it is advised to see a podiatrist if you have one. To help prevent ingrown toenails, cut them straight across and not as a rounded edge. Furthermore, do not clip them too short as this can also increase the risk of an ingrown toenail. Lastly, wearing shoes that don’t press against your toenails can help prevent the nail from becoming compressed and ingrown.

Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.

Causes

• Bacterial infections
• Improper nail cutting such as cutting it too short or not straight across
• Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, which causes the nail to grow back irregularly
• Ill-fitting shoes that bunch the toes too close together
• Genetic predisposition

Prevention

Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.

Treatment

Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Cypress Cove, Shellpoint, Naples, and Carlisle, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.