Protect the Health of Your Family Through Food

There are many choices your family makes that won't be left up to you. Every time they take a risk or choose something unhealthy, it may not be under your control. Think for a minute about spinach muffins making headlines because they looked so good; in fact, a true story the muffins were loved until the word spinach was mentioned. Seriously, healthy does not mean the food has to be unappealing or taste bad.

If you're the one who does the shopping and cooking in your family, then you can help your family achieve better health. Recently, there have been many books that teach moms and dads how to "sneak" healthy ingredients into meals, like blended vegetables going into brownies, for instance.

What's going to happen as your kids get older? They'll just reach for a brownie - because they're not being led in how to make healthier options. The problem for most families occurs when one member (usually the one who shops and cooks) declares some sort of health-fest for the family, resulting in groans and backlash.

Instead of making this a punishment, help your family make smaller tweaks to their diet that build up into lifetime better nutritional habits. For example, instead of having a platter of brownies on the counter, have a bowl of fresh, organic fruit.

If your kids want something fun, then find ways to make it fun, like creating a shish kabob with fresh fruit that they can dip into Greek yogurt, filled with probiotics. Or use special fruit-cutting tools to make shapes.

If your kids are used to eating a favorite meal, but you think it's unhealthy, look for ways to improve the health of the meal instead of throwing it out for good permanently.

For example, if they love it when you make fried chicken, mashed potatoes and rolls, just make some basic swaps. Take the skin off the chicken add red and green pepper rings on top, drizzle it in olive oil and bake. Make it fun for the kids now it is Christmas tree chicken.

For the mashed potatoes, try sweet potatoes or red potatoes with skin instead. Or bake potatoes and vegetables with the chicken with some spices and herbs.

If rolls or any type of bread are a mainstay at your dinner table, switch to rolls made with whole grains. It's best if you bake it from scratch - a bread maker can even do the job for you!

And add more to your meals, too. Add leafy greens to the mix so that your kids learn to enjoy the right kinds of vegetables. Sauté them in a little drizzle of olive oil and garlic and let the kids enjoy the flavor.

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Three Tips to Avoid Plantar Fasciitis - Learn More About How to Prevent This Common Running Injury

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful foot injury that can sometimes become a chronic condition. It is especially common among runners and other athletes who engage in activities that require a lot of running, walking or time spent standing.

The plantar tendon spans from the base area of the toes all the way down to the heel. This important tendon is responsible for supporting the foot's arch from becoming flat when the foot experiences the impact of weight. The plantar tendon serves as a shock absorber and cushion when people are engaged in physical activity.

Sometimes people experience inflammation in the plantar fascia. This painful inflammation is called plantar fasciitis. The pain from a strain in the plantar fascia may cause swelling and often results in discomfort in the heel and foot, especially when running, walking or standing.

Causes of plantar fasciitis are varied and may include repetitive heal impact while running - sometimes referred to as heel striking. Stiffness in the Achilles tendon can also lead to plantar fasciitis, as can tightness in the calf muscles.

Other factors that may cause plantar fasciitis include standing for long periods of time, overuse in certain sports like long distance running, having extremely high arches or no arches and wearing shoes that do not have good arch support or that are very stiff.

There are things you can do in order to try to prevent plantar fasciitis from occurring. If you want to prevent plantar fasciitis, consider trying the following three things:

1. Wear shoes with adequate arch support; consider orthotics if necessary
2. Avoid wearing worn out shoes, shoes without arch support, or shoes that are too stiff
3. Gently and consistently stretch out your toes, feet, ankles and calves when you get up each day, before engaging in physical activity.

As with any sports related injury, it is advisable that you address this type of discomfort very quickly in order to minimize damage. The sooner you deal with a sports related injury, the more likely you can find a remedy to get you back to your sport of choice, injury-free.

If you ignore strain in your plantar fascia and it goes on for an extended period of time, you may end up with ligament tearing which can cause added pain and take longer to heal.

If you are suffering from foot pain or a foot injury, you may want to consider seeing a board certified orthopedic physician with a specialty in sports medicine and sports injuries.

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Onychomycosis - What You Need To Know About Nail Fungal Infection

Nail fungus is known by physicians as Onychomycosis which is also known as "Ringworm of the nail". Nail fungus is a fungal infection of the nails or toenails where the actual infection is on the bed of the nail and of the plate under the surface of the nail. This is the most common of all the nail abnormalities. This affects about half of Americans when they reach the age of 70. 90% of the elderly may be affected by this type of infection and men are more commonly affected than women.

Causes:

The infection is caused by three types of fungi:

• Dermatophytes
• Yeasts
• Nondermatophyte Molds

Fungi are parasitic plant organisms that do not need sunlight in order to grow. This fungus may be picked up in damp areas like public gyms, shower stalls, locker rooms or swimming pools. This kind of infection can be passed on among family members. The condition can also spread from one toe to another or even to other parts of the body.

Symptoms:

• Swelling of the nail
• Yellow to Yellowish brown nail
• Thickening or crumbling of the nail
• Foul smelling debris may occur
• Streaks down the side of the nail
• Complete loss of the nail can happen

Risk Factors:

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Aging is the most common factor
• Psoriasis
• Perspiring heavily
• Moist environment
• Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation
• Long-term steroid use
• A weakened immune system due to cancer, AIDS, or immunosuppressant medications following an organ or bone marrow transplant
• Vascular disease
• Barefoot in damp public places
• Having Athlete's Foot
• Minor skin or nail injury
• Circulation problems
• Damaged nail

Treatment:

• Oral medication - Systematic antifungal medications:

1. Clotrimazole
2. Itrafconazole
3. Terbinafine
4. Fluconazole

This medication when taken orally for 12 weeks can bring better cure rates. Patients who are taking oral antifungal medications should have a complete blood count (CBC) and liver enzyme workup every 4-6 weeks. One side effect upon taking this medication is an upset stomach. Treatment should be continued until microscopic exam or culture shows the fungal infection is gone.

• Topical medication - This is just for controlling the infection not completely curing it. Lotrimin cream should be thoroughly rubbed into the nail daily to control the infection. This medication is available over the counter.
• Antifungal Lacquer - This is prescribed for those with less severe cases. Penlac (ciclopirox) is an anti-fungal nail polish would be prescribed.
• Surgery - In very severe cases, surgery to remove the complete nail will be performed by the doctor.
• Photodynamic Therapy - This treatment is known to be effective. This is a laser treatment which uses intense heat generated by light to get rid of the nail after acid-treatment.

Prevention:

• Wash your feet regularly and dry them thoroughly when they get wet.
• Avoid putting on nail polish as it can seal in fungus and allows it to grow.
• Keep toenails trimmed and clean.
• Make sure to disinfect pedicure tools before using it.
• Wearing shower shoes whenever walking or showering in public places.
• Wear appropriate socks.
• Wear rubber gloves.

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How to Tape Your Foot for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the ligaments by causing microscopic tears and causes a lot of pain. In the last couple of years, the number of people suffering from this condition has risen and this is due to the fact that they don't know how to control the same. Yet, all it takes is wearing a good pair of shoes throughout the day. There are plantar fasciitis shoes which are designed to address this problem through provision of ideal support. While this is the case, it is essential to get a clear understand of what this kind of footwear has to offer and how you can choose the best.

What the Footwear Offers?

Before you go out and buy shoes, it is essential to look at some of the benefits they have to offer. Top on the list, these are designed to fit well and what this means is that they will address any complications that are caused by ill fitting footwear. They also have excellent heel and forefoot cushioning as well as arch support that is padded for increased benefits. What is more, these come with structural assistance which is perfect for providing support to the mid foot and arch. For the purpose of ensuring you get the most out of this footwear there are a couple of things you need to consider as well and some of these are as highlighted below.

• Should Fit Well

Ideally, wearing ill fitting shoes is known to aggravate this condition and as such, when making your pick, it is important to ensure you settle with options that fit well. Consider shopping in the evening since the feet tend to swell in the course of the day and as such, shopping early in the morning can only inconvenience you. It is better to end up with sandals that are slightly bigger than the opposite.

• Features to look for

When shopping for stylish footwear there are a couple of features you need to be on the lookout for. Be on the lookout for footwear that offers great padding for the front of the feet and the heel bone. It is ideal to note that comfort should be on top of your list and for this reason you should not experience any pressure on the feet. The footwear you select should also have a toe region that is bigger in order to avoid problems associated with bunions and other types of toe conditions. At the same time, you should ensure they have been designed with proper treatment needed to address this problem.

• Design

When shopping you should note that some have a distinct design which helps apply appropriate pressure to the fascia and as such, reduce inflammation. For this reason, it is crucial for you to take into consideration the design of the shoes before you make your final decision on whether to make the purchase.

By choosing the right pair of sandals you can effectively address problems that are brought about by this condition. However, it is essential for you to take time to carry out thorough research before you decide on the type of plantar fasciitis to buy.

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What to Expect From Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

What are the advantages of a partial knee replacement?

There are many research studies available that support how a modern partial knee replacement performs superbly for a vast majority of patients. There are many advantages to having a partial replacement versus a total replacement of the knee. These include a quicker recovery time, less blood loss during the procedure, and less pain after surgery. Many report that a partial knee replacement feels more "natural" than a total replacement and the range of motion is often reported as "better".
 
Who is a candidate for a partial knee replacement?

The orthopedic specialist may recommend this procedure if you have severe osteoarthritis of the knee and have tried and failed with nonsurgical treatment measures. A partial knee replacement is only considered if your knee problems affect your quality of life and interfere with your daily routine. Also, your arthritis should be limited to one compartment of the knee, not the entire knee as seen with inflammatory arthritis. Those patients with significant knee stiffness or ligament damage are not ideal candidates.

What should I expect before the surgery?

Your orthopedic specialist, working closely with your family doctor, will determine which type of procedure you need. He may test your range of motion, the ligament quality, and assess your activity status. Patients who have pain located entirely on either the inside portion or outside portion of the knee are good candidates for a partial knee replacement. Those who have pain throughout the entire knee or in the front aspect are usually better qualified for a total knee replacement. You may have additional imaging tests on your knee to determine which surgery suits you best.

Before your operation, a member of the anesthesia team will evaluate you. Anesthesia will either be spinal (you are awake but numb from the waist down) or general (you are completely asleep). The choice will depend on your surgeon's preference and your health needs.

What happens during the surgery?

A partial knee replacement generally lasts 1 or 2 hours. The orthopedic specialist makes an incision at the front of your knee in order to explore the three compartments of the joint space. He uses a special saw to remove the damaged cartilage and knee components and caps the ends of the femur (thighbone) and tibia (lower leg bone) with metal coverings. These metal pieces are connected to the bone with a special type of cement. To create a smooth gliding surface, the doctor places a plastic insert between these two metal components.

What happens after surgery?

After your procedure, you will be taken to a recovery room and closely monitored. Expect to have an IV for around 24 hours to receive medicines for pain control and antibiotics. Once you are awake, you will notice a bandage on your knee and a small drain that collects fluid from the joint space. Some patients may be candidates to have this procedure on an outpatient basis, but most will need to be admitted to the hospital. You can expect to go home 1 to 3 days following a partial knee replacement.

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Cure For Smelly Feet Right At Home

Having smelly feet is unpleasant and embarrassing even though this is not considered a serious condition like diabetes or cancer. While there are many ways to fight foot odor, it is great to know that you can also find a cure for smelly feet at home.

What Causes Smelly Feet?

Before discussing a cure for smelly feet, it is prudent to understand first what causes smelly feet.

While it remains unknown why some people suffer from this embarrassing condition while others do not, foot odor which is scientifically known as bromhidrosis, is believed to be caused by sweaty feet as well as bacteria.

Most of us experience sweaty feet on a daily basis especially after vigorous activity. This sweating usually quickly evaporates. For those with stinky feet, it is believed that they sweat more than average and this excessive sweat does not evaporate as quickly and easily.

This excessive sweat combined with the bacteria on the bottom of the feet as well as some fungus and dead skin cells is believed to contribute to stinky feet.

Cure for Stinky Feet at Home

The first step to being able to find an effective cure for foot odor at home that will work for you is by looking at the shoes and socks that you wear and purchase, as this may make the problem of foot odor worse if you do not choose wisely.

Wear or purchase shoes and socks that are made with breathable materials so that moisture does not collect in the shoes, interact with bacteria and cause stinky feet.

Consider going barefoot or wearing sandals during the summer months to prevent foot odor. If you do wear closed toed shoes, make sure that you air them out frequently for at least a day or two to fully get rid of any moisture or odor. Wash sneakers or canvas shoes frequently and let them air dry.

There are also many home remedies for smelly feet that you can implement at home. Soaking you feet in water combined with Epsom salts, kosher salt, baking soda, black tea, etc, are popular cures for stinky feet at home. They help to control excessive sweating on the bottom of the feet when applied daily for at least a month.

You can also use foot powders that contain moisture absorbing and bacteria killing aluminum chloride hexahydrate. You can also use antiperspirant on the bottom of the feet to prevent excessive sweating and to kill bacteria.

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10 Things to Do at Home When Recovering From an Injury

You are likely used to being up on your feet, but when you have to have surgery on your foot or you experience an unexpected injury, you might find yourself stuck at home for several weeks or more. Since you are not used to being at home and lounging around, you might enjoy the time at first. However, once you have spent a little time alone, you might get bored. There are plenty of things you can accomplish with your time, even if you do not feel up to being out and about. Here are ten things you might want to consider doing to occupy your time and enjoy yourself while you are recovering from your injury or surgery.

1. Work on Photo Albums

You have good intentions. You take a lot of pictures and print them out and you mean to file them in the right albums. However, you are busy and time just slips away. When you are on crutches and it is not easy to get around, catch up on your photo albums. The job is something you can easily do sitting down and you will feel wonderful about getting caught up. You can get out your pictures and make scrapbooks or just get out your computer and make picture books online. Don't forget about that youngest child's baby book either.

2. Play One Person Games

You do not likely have a lot of time to play games on your own. With no one home during the day to entertain you, you might enjoy playing solitaire, Sudoku, or doing crossword puzzles.

3. Update iPod

New songs come out all the time, but you likely never have time to add those songs to your personal collection. Sit with your computer and refill your iPod with inspiring music. The new tunes will help get you from place to place as you try out your crutches around the house.

4. Read Classics

In order to keep your mind active, pick up some of the bestselling books and dig in.

5. Play Video Games

Your kids have plenty of time for games, but you never get a chance. During your recovery, get good at the games your kids love and then beat them when they get home from school.

6. Learn Skills

If you have always wanted to cross stitch, play the guitar, or learn some other skill, while you are on crutches at home alone you have the perfect opportunity.

7. Converse

You may have neglected friends and family members because of your busy lifestyle. When you are nursing an injury and are on crutches, send emails to people you haven't talked to in awhile or call them on the phone.

8. Organize

That filing cabinet, Tupperware drawer, or junk corner of your house has been calling to you for years. With time on your hands, it is a great chance to get it all done.

9. Pamper Yourself

You probably never have time to give yourself attention. Enjoy a manicure, facial, or anything else you can do for yourself.

10. Look at Alternatives to Crutches

If you want to get through your recovery without hampering your mobility, you are going to need an alternative to crutches. Take a look at Goodbye Crutches.com for options like the Hands Free Crutch, the Knee Walker and the Seated Scooter to help you get through the recovery process with ease.

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What Causes Cold Feet?

If you are suffering from icy feet, you probably asked yourself the question why are my feet always cold? Here is some information which will answer your question.

Icy feet may be a serious problem that can affect anyone, but is particularly common in women. It can cause immense discomfort to the sufferer. People that are often exposed to cold environments are at a higher risk for developing some sort of icy feet. It doesn't have to be extreme cold for you to feel the effects of what's known as "cold feet."

The problem may arise not only present during the cold winter months, but also during summer. Being aware of what causes cold feet and knowing what to do if they occur are especially important in avoiding serious problem.

There are many reasons such as health problems and lifestyle habits that could also cause or contribute to icy feet. The real cause of the condition can only be found out after making a proper diagnosis. In this article I will attempt to talk about what causes cold feet.

On the whole icy feet occur as a result of low temperature that causes constriction of the blood vessels in limbs and decreases blood flow to the feet.

As well, it is important to remember that the causes of cold feet can stem from underlying medical conditions.

Some of the main medical reasons, leading to icy feet are the following:

• Poor circulation

• The syndrome of Raynaud

• Thyroid problems a poor functioning thyroid

• Hormonal changes therefore, women generally suffer more from cold feet than men

• Some form of diabetes. This reduces blood flow to the extremities

• Rheumatism

• Peripheral neuropathy nerve damage

• Anemia

Other potential non-medical reasons causes of icy feet include:

• The lack of foot care

• The lack of adequate protection

• Wet feet since a wet foot loses heat much more quickly than a dry one

• Cold weather overexposure to cold

• Smoking -smoking makes arteries harden faster

• Some medications which cause unwanted side effects

• Lack of exercise-exercise helps improve blood flow to the feet

• Stress-different emotions affect the body in many ways

This is not a complete list of the possible reasons of icy feet. You may not be affected by any of the conditions listed here, but it is good to know about them so that you can be prepared. The least you can do is, that cold feet is a condition that can be controlled with proper self-care and treatment.

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