Oh my aching feet!

Oh my _____ feet!  Do you fill in the blank with words like “hurting”, “aching” or “burning”?  Do you find yourself saying those words?  How are your feet doing these days?  Do you take them for granted and assume they will continue to be fine? If so, I hope that works for you.  It has not worked for me. 

This is a shoe I wear; it fits my foot and provides support. It is also one of the shoe brands recommended by my podiatrist.  But my feet are not the same as yours.   You need to find a shoe that fits you and provides the support you need.  You can buy expensive or inexpensive shoes but if the shoe doesn’t fit your foot and provide support, you are no better off.  The next few blog posts we will consider our feet and how to better care for them.

 

March Health Emphasis

"Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older.” http://www.healthfinder.gov/NHO/MarAnnounce.aspx

As with many types of cancer, an early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference in outcome.  Colon/rectal cancer often does not show symptoms and become apparent for a long time so regular screenings are important—especially after age 50.

Risk factors for colon/rectal cancer include being over age 50, smoking, having a family history of this type cancer and being African American. 
For more information, visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation at  http://preventcancer.org/prevention/preventable-cancers/colorectal-cancer/ or the American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/index

Women's heart symptoms explained by Health.com

On Feb 18, I posted about the symptoms of heart attack that women can experience.  A really good article in Health.com explains it better than I did.  I think it’s important that we all recognize women’s heart symptoms so I share this website and ask that you read this article entitled “Heart Attack Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore” at http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20772927,00.html

In the News--Vaccine to Protect against Staph pneumonia

This article brings great news.  Researchers from the University of Iowa are working on a vaccine to protect us against pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) bacteria, including the resistant strain of MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus). 

This new vaccine targets the toxins produced by the bacteria.  The new vaccine has been successful in animals.  The new vaccine isn’t yet available for people but this is exciting news.  This vaccine has great potential to protect us from staph infections.  This article can be found at

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131220143124.htm

 

In the News--12 Reasons to STOP multitasking?

Oh good, I am so glad to read this headline.  Do you sometimes get tired of wearing multiple hats at once?  You may be cooking supper, helping your child with homework and answering a text on your phone at the same time.  If you want to do all those things and juggle all those hats, it’s ok.  However, if you find it stressful and tiring to do multiple things, this article gives you justification to relax and do less multitasking.  Health magazine is giving us research results that show we can go back to doing one thing at a time. As my sister would say, “it works for me.”  This article can be found at http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20707868,00.html

 

Thank you Doctor

Do you ever thank your doctor?  I did today.  Since my knee injury (and surgery) in November, my knee has been improving and today I was released by my doctor.  I told him thank you for taking good care of me. 

Remember doctors are people too.  They are smart, educated and very busy people. How often do we say a sincere thank you for the care we receive?  Try it; it will ‘make’ your doctor’s day.

New blood pressure guidelines

Regarding high blood pressure treatment, an expert panel called the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) has released new guidelines.  The new guidelines are being presented to doctors in an effort to simplify the recommended treatment of high blood pressure.  I mention this to you so you will understand if your doctor changes your treatment or refers to the new guidelines.