Month: January 2022

Signs That You Need to See a Foot and Ankle Specialist

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Foot and Ankle Specialist

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, swelling, or discoloration of the foot and ankle, this article may be helpful. The foot and ankle can be troublesome sites of discomfort for those living with chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and vascular diseases, among other things. These common conditions often go undiagnosed for long periods because the sufferer may not know precisely what they are feeling. This critical article discusses recognizing when you need to seek care from Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates.

1. You Have Chronic Foot or Ankle Pain

If you or someone you know has been experiencing pain in the foot and ankle for over a month, it’s time to seek help. In addition, if your pain worsens as time goes on instead of going away, this could indicate that something is not correct. Many conditions can lead to chronic pain, such as nerve damage, tendonitis, arthritis, and fractures, to name a few. A doctor may make these diagnoses during the initial examination, so it’s best to catch them early.

2. You Have Unexplained Foot or Ankle Swelling

Many conditions can cause foot and ankle swelling, especially high blood pressure, clogged arteries, or diabetes. However, when the swelling does not go away after taking medication or if it is accompanied by pain, you might have an infection in your foot. This is why you need time to visit a foot and ankle specialist, where experts will conduct a thorough examination, including lab work or x-rays.

3. You Have New Shoes But Since Wearing Them Your Foot or Ankle Has Swelling and Pain

Wearing new shoes can be a great experience, especially when they make you feel even more fabulous. However, it’s essential to give your feet time to adjust to them before wearing them for long periods. If you have just purchased a new pair of shoes and within a short period, your foot begins to swell, or you experience pain, this could indicate that the shoes are too small. Don’t panic because seeing our specialists can make all the difference in the world, mainly if they diagnose something more serious such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or tendonitis.

4. You Have Muscle Weakness, Foot Drop, or Ankle Instability

Many conditions can lead to muscle weakness in the foot and ankle, including diabetes, stroke, or arthritis, among other things. The muscles of the foot and ankle work together to provide stability for your bones while also absorbing impact after you walk, run, or jump. In addition, you have a group of muscles in your foot called the intrinsic muscles that work together to provide stability and maintain proper positioning of the bones in the foot. If these muscles are not functioning correctly, you can experience various symptoms, including foot drop and ankle instability.

In summary, the foot and ankle can cause a lot of pain, so you need to know when to see a specialist. Some of the most common reasons for visiting a foot and ankle specialist include unexplained swelling or chronic foot or ankle pain. You should also see a specialist if you develop pain or swelling after wearing a new pair of shoes. You may need to schedule an appointment for some people if you have muscle weakness, ankle instability, or foot drop.

How to Recognize Common Insomnia Symptom

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Insomnia

Sleep is a necessity for everyone, and you should strive to get quality sleep every day. But you can develop sleep complications like insomnia where you can’t fall asleep or are getting problems staying asleep. Health practitioners offering sleep medicine in Rockville, MD, can help you understand how to get better sleep. Many people fail to seek help in advance as they do not understand when lack of sleep becomes a problem. Let the following tips help you assess if you have insomnia.

Evaluate How Long You Take to Fall Asleep

Sleep patterns differ from one person to another. But many people have a routine of falling asleep within 30 minutes after they get to bed. If it takes you over 30 minutes after your head hits the pillow and you put the lights off to sleep, you might have insomnia. Sometimes it can take up to four hours to fall asleep after you go to bed, indicating you might have insomnia. Also, you might experience lots of turning and tossing in bed while you try to sleep.

If you become anxious or frustrated because you are not falling asleep, it can worsen your situation and take longer to fall asleep. Although this can occasionally happen due to illnesses or stress, it is considered a problem if it happens three times a week.

Understand What it Means to Have a Healthy Sleep

People have different sleep routines depending on their lifestyles and occupations. However, doctors recommend everyone to sleep continuously for about 7-9 hours per night. However, some people can need about 10 hours, and other rare persons can go with less than seven hours of sleep without experiencing negative health complications. Therefore, estimate the time you are getting to sleep every day to tell if you have insomnia. In most cases, those with insomnia sleep for less than six hours even if they want to sleep more hours.

Note If I Get Up at Night.

Frequently waking up from your sleep at night is a common hallmark sign you might have insomnia. Healthy people mostly do not wake up at night, but those with insomnia will often do so, especially in the late night and wee hours. You might get out of bed due to frustration from not getting sleep, the urge to go to the bathroom, or due to physical discomfort. Therefore, understand that getting up at night is not healthy to sleep habits, and you should seek help if you do so.

Look Out for Morning Tiredness

Feeling tired in the morning should not be a normal consequence. If you are getting quality sleep at night, you should be less tired in the morning. If you have insomnia, you might feel unrefreshed every morning, and you might even feel more tired than when you went to bed. You might experience less strength, reduced coordination, slower reflexes, and headaches.

Assess Your Mood Changes

If you continue lacking enough sleep, it affects your immune system, causes physical side effects, and affects your emotions and moods. You can experience irritability, anxiety, depression, poor memory, reduced concentration, and reduced attention span. Also, you can become more aggressive or impulsive if your condition worsens.

Reach out to Sleep Services of Maryland if you have trouble falling or remaining asleep. Your provider will evaluate your symptoms and diagnose insomnia. They will also help you understand how to better your sleep.

Everything You Should Know About Dermal Fillers

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Unpleasant consequences of aging include facial volume loss, resulting in deep folds and sunken cheeks. Thankfully, you can maintain a youthful appearance with proven treatments. To receive exceptional dermal fillers in Willowbrook, partner with the professionals of Elite Dermatology. With the highest level of care in administering non-invasive procedures, you can be sure to attain the look you desire with minimal fuss. Call or go online to discover how fillers can remedy your condition.

Definition

Dermal fillers refer to injectable materials that aim to add volume and fill in wrinkles in target areas. Presently, the majority of dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid-based.

Hyaluronic acid is readily present in your body’s subcutaneous skin. However, its production declines with time. This compound works jointly with your skin’s support network to maintain your skin smooth and supple.

When you experience hyaluronic acid depletion, dermal fillers can kick in to grant you a natural-looking, eye-catching appearance.

Which Areas Can Dermal Fillers Address?

Nearly every part of your body that lacks volume or has wrinkles can benefit from dermal fillers. Typical areas include:

  • Lips
  • Marionette lines on the chin
  • Cheeks
  • Lines around the lips

For How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

The longevity of your treatment depends on the type of dermal filler and the area of injection. Dermal fillers in the Juvederm and Restylane class normally last six months to one year. They can however last longer.

Fillers’ effects linger longer in the midface, particularly the cheeks. With Juvederm Voluma® XC, you can enjoy significant results for almost two years on the cheeks.

Since the lips move more frequently than other parts of your face, fillers on this part tend to disappear quickly. Nonetheless, you can be sure to receive at least six to twelve months of remarkable results with fillers on your lips.

What Should I Expect During Recovery?

With dermal fillers, recovery is a quick and easy process. You will need no downtime at all. After a treatment consultation of fifteen to thirty minutes, you will be free to resume your regular daily activities.

While you may suffer some minor bruising, swelling, and redness a few days after treatment, these effects will dissipate hastily. You can also apply makeup to the treatment area, albeit in moderation.

When Do I Get to Witness Dermal Filler Results?

One of the weightiest upsides of dermal fillers is the immediate results. Your results will be evident before stepping out of the Elite Dermatology office. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that initial results are somehow overrated due to swelling. In a matter of days, the swelling declines leaving behind the final results.

Potential Side Effects of Dermal Fillers

Just like any other medical procedure, dermal fillers do have some risks. Most of these effects appear shortly after injection and subside within a few weeks. Occasionally, side effects may occur weeks, months, or some years later. Such risks include:

  • Itching
  • Tenderness
  • Bruising
  • Rash
  • Pain

Do you seek to eliminate facial folds, add volume to your lips, or restructure your cheekbones? Dermal fillers can help your dreams come true. Call the office or arrange an appointment online with Elite Dermatology experts today.

Exceptional Cardiology Services in Texas

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

High blood pressure may trigger severe medical complications, including stroke and heart attack, without proper intervention. Sadly, you may fail to notice this developing condition unless you screen regularly for hypertension. If you need top-notch Tomball cardiology, Northwest Houston Heart Center can help. Your elite providers deliver regular blood pressure tests to ensure that you stay healthy and avoid serious issues. Call or arrange an appointment online with the nearest office today.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, often known as high blood pressure, is a major health concern that can lead to a life-threatening heart attack, renal failure, or stroke without you even realizing it. Some people with high blood pressure may experience migraines, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds. The symptoms are not specific and do not appear until your high blood pressure has grown to a severe level.

Your blood pressure level is measured by checking the blood flow force through the arteries and around the body. If your blood pressure becomes too high, the power with which your blood flows might trigger major medical issues.

Sadly, high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, so if you don’t get your blood pressure checked regularly, you won’t know there’s a concern until you have a severe health crisis.

As a result, regularly having your blood pressure tested by your medical team at Northwest Houston Heart Center is vital.

Causes of Hypertension

High blood pressure can result from underlying health problems such as hormonal imbalances, kidney disease, or diabetes. However, most people who have high blood pressure have at least one, if not more, risk factors due to their lifestyle. Among these elements are:

  • Being overweight
  • Chronic stress
  • Overconsumption of alcohol
  • High-fat diet
  • High-salt diet
  • Smoking
  • Insufficient exercise
  •  High levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol

Because blood pressure increases with age, the impacts of an unhealthy lifestyle grow more powerful as you become older.

How is My Blood Pressure Measured?

Checking your blood pressure is a quick and painless process that only takes a few minutes at the Northwest Houston Heart Center office. Your physician wraps a blood pressure cuff around your arm and inflates it. They collect two readings that reveal how much pressure there is when the heart is pounding (the systolic reading) and in-between beats (the diastolic reading).

These two digits add up to reveal your blood pressure reading.

  • Healthy blood pressure is below 120 systolic and below 80 diastolic
  • High blood pressure occurs over 140 systolic or over 90 diastolic.
  • Raised blood pressure comes between 121 and 140 systolic, or 81 and 90 diastolic.
  • Dangerously high blood pressure: 160 or above systolic; 100 or above diastolic

At Northwest Houston Heart Center, your care team takes your blood pressure at your yearly checkup and normally checks it anytime you visit the clinic.

Available Treatments for Hypertension

In some circumstances, high blood pressure may require medicine. Regardless, the best method to control it is to make lifestyle changes. Northwest Houston Heart Center’s specialists can assist you with healthy eating regimens, diet and exercise, and smoking cessation.

Call Northwest Houston Heart Center today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about high blood pressure management.

Expertise with a Touch of Care

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Personalized and comforting care in any medical facility always improves your moods, attitude towards treatment and even helps you relax regardless of the illness. Combining this type of care with high expertise and years of experience gives you a top-notch physician who guarantees you nothing but the best experience while in their care. This is the kind of care specialists at StatMD Urgent Care Inc offer you. They provide people from Bakersfield urgent care medical services, general physical diagnosis, sports injury treatments, vaccinations, women health specialists, and many other primary care services. There is no option for one-size-fits-all treatment in their facility regardless of the service you require. Below is a broader view of some of these institutions’ services and how they are handled.

· Sports Injuries

Sports injuries arise when a person engages in physical exercise and gets hurt. Normally, sports injuries are treated with home remedies, but it is advisable to seek professional medical attention when the pain persists.  To diagnose your sports injury, the doctor will ask you a series of questions as the first step to diagnosing your injury. To determine the intensity of your injury, you will undergo a comprehensive physical examination starting with the affected area. The doctor may also require you to get a scan so that he can be able to rule out significant disorders such as fractures or internal bleeding.  Sports injuries are treated differently depending on how severe the injury is and the body part that the injury has impacted. Some of the treatments offered are physical therapies and, in extreme cases, surgery. Treatment aims to alleviate discomfort, enhance movements, and avoid additional problems.

· Physical Exam

A physical exam is an excellent way to protect your wellbeing in the long run and has no recovery time. The physical exam involves asking a series of questions and conducting a diagnosis to identify whether you have any allergies or any underlying conditions. The specialist asks questions about your lifestyle like eating habits, fitness plans, and whether you consume alcohol or other harmful substances like tobacco. The doctor will then examine your breathing patterns, skin, and sensitive body parts like your ears, eyes, and heart rate. Lastly, your joints and muscle reflexes are analyzed. If the examinations reveal something unusual that is not clear, they will perform a deeper scan like an x-ray to better grasp your condition and accord the best treatment plan. The doctor may also prescribe laboratory tests as a part of the diagnosis. You will then receive personalized treatment concerning the condition that they identify. They may also recommend that you have your immunizations updated. It is important to express your concerns, especially if you have distinctive signs and symptoms that are not responding to home therapies.

Whether you are undergoing a general check-up like a physical or have an illness that demands urgent treatment, expertise with a touch of care always improves your experience at a medical facility. If you are looking for a facility that guarantees you nothing but the best care, look no further. Call or visit StatMD Urgent Care Inc today.

Top 5 Uncommon Ways to Prevent Leg Cramps

Health and Fitness Yuniar Hamond

Leg cramps are common, especially for pregnant women and athletes but painful and debilitating. The cramps tighten the muscles in your curves, quadriceps, or hamstrings and can last anything between a few seconds and fifteen minutes. Although the exact cause of the sudden, painful knots is unknown, medical experts like Michelle Molina, MD, an Ardsley leg cramps specialist, offer quick ultrasounds to get to the root of your situation. Since several factors influence the occurrence of leg cramps, you can try to prevent the recurrence of the condition in various ways. Try the following tips.

Hydrate Yourself

Studies have shown that you can prevent leg cramps by staying hydrated, while others have no connection between the two. Researchers believe that reduced fluid around the cells of the body leads to muscle twitches which cause cramps. Ensure you drink enough water regularly and replenish it after your exercises. Experts suggest that men should consume about 13 cups which is 3.3 liters of total beverages daily, while women drink about 9 cups which is 2.2 liters a day. Factors like activity level and weight determine the amount of fluids needed.

Get More Sodium

Electrolytes are crucial in sustaining the fluid balance in your body and can be lost when you excrete sweat. More than other electrolytes, sodium is mainly lost through sweat. When exercising or you are an endurance athlete and sweating, especially when the weather is hot, sodium loss may lead to cramping and a more dangerous condition known as hyponatremia. You can replace sodium by taking drinks with electrolytes or eating salty foods. You can also try eating sour pickle slices or drinking juice from a pickle to prevent cramping. Additionally, unrefined sea salt is proposed since it contains other mineral deposits beneficial to the body.

Enhance Increment in Your Calcium Intake

Many individuals believe that muscle cramps are triggered by calcium deficiency. Increase your intake of calcium naturally by consuming a diet high in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, or cheese. Also, you can try to take calcium supplements that can be bought online or at your local pharmacy. If dairy products are not available, you can also try beans, dried figs, kale, or salmon or look for calcium supplements that contain vitamin D.

Have Enough Magnesium in Your Blood

Currently, leg cramps are being linked to low levels of magnesium in an individual’s system. However, research is still ongoing, and the magnesium effect is being tested. It has so far been demonstrated to be an active treatment for pregnant women. Magnesium levels suggested vary from 360 mg/day to 420 mg/day depending on age; therefore, you can consult with your doctor about the best dosage.

Increase Your Potassium Levels

The flow of liquids in and out of the body’s cells is regulated by potassium, which also helps conduct nerve impulses and contractions of muscles. Water pills used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure enhance the risk of leg cramping since it increases your excretion of potassium. Most adults require 4700 mg of potassium daily, and you can get it from bananas, milk, peanut butter, spinach, or yogurt.

Leg cramps can make it hard to concentrate on anything else but pain. Contact Wellness and Surgery if you experience leg cramps, especially at night, for more first-hand information on avoiding it. Share your lifestyle information with your provider to help in understanding your condition.

Life is Better When Your Sinuses Are Healthy

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The state of your sinuses is crucial to your overall health because any illness that develops can swiftly spread to other parts of your body. Sinus issues are uncomfortable and may interfere with your quality of life or that of a loved one. Dr. Cecil Yeung, an endoscopic sinus surgery and treatment specialist, together with his team, treats sinus headaches, nasal congestion and snoring, and sleep apnea in Houston, TX. Their facility has highly skilled specialists with years of experience in the field. Let’s dive a bit further into these services.

1. Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches can be very uncomfortable and may interfere with your ability to perform your daily activities. The headaches are caused by a build-up of mucus in painful sinus cavities, which results in pressure and pain similar to a headache. Once the doctor has made a definite diagnosis, he will create a treatment strategy for your needs starting with the least intrusive choices. He can undertake patient-specific procedures as necessary to provide long-term relief from sinus headaches by addressing the condition’s underlying cause. He offers the following treatment alternatives: functional endoscopic sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty, and turbinates or nasal abnormalities surgery. Dr. Yeung and his team are committed to reducing your symptoms and returning you to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

2. Nasal congestion

Nasal congestion is a blockage of the nasal passages that prevent regular breathing and outflow of mucus. It occurs when the blood vessels in your nose become inflamed, causing your nasal tissues to swell. Dr. Yeung adopts a patient-centered, step-by-step approach to treatment, starting with minor intrusive choices for nasal congestion relief. While topical nasal steroid sprays, over-the-counter drugs, allergy medicines, and antibiotics may help in certain situations, getting long-term relief may necessitate a more thorough treatment approach. If nasal congestion is affecting your quality of life, the first step is to figure out what’s causing your symptoms so you can get a correct diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Yeung specializes in diagnosing and treating nasal congestion.

3. Snoring

Snoring, scratchy, raucous sounds may be amusing, but it’s no laughing matter if you or your partner can’t sleep because of loud or chronic snoring. You can discover what’s causing your snoring and get relief by visiting Dr. Yeung. The practitioner starts by figuring out what’s causing your snoring. Mild cases can be alleviated by lifestyle changes such as sleeping on your side, decreasing weight, or medications like nasal decongestants. If your snoring does not improve, you may require additional treatments, such as an automatic positive airway pressure mask to help you breathe continuously or a personalized oral appliance therapy to avoid airway obstruction. Snoring in severe circumstances may necessitate surgery.

Maintaining the health of your sinuses can also save you time and money while allowing you to live life to its optimum. If you have issues with your sinuses, take charge of your health and seek treatment with Dr. Yeung by calling his dedicated team or making an appointment online.

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

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Hormones are the special chemicals produced by parts of our body called glands. They tell the other parts of our body how and when to function. Hormones play a vital role in the growth and breakdown of food, as well as sex and brain function. However, when these hormones are imbalanced, symptoms can occur. This is where Bioidentical Hormone therapy comes in. Here, we will look more into bioidentical hormone therapy and the benefits of New York bioidentical hormone therapy.

What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are manufactured hormones identical to the natural hormones produced by the body. Some of the common bioidentical hormones matched are testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones are used in treating individuals whose natural hormones are imbalanced or very low.

There are other prescription forms of bioidentical hormones customized by a pharmacist based on your doctor’s order (compounding), while other prescriptions are pre-made by a drug company. Additionally, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved various preparations of bioidentical progesterone and estradiol, which are molecularly similar to the natural structure of the hormones produced in the human body. Several tests have also been done to check for purity and safety as well as to ascertain that each prescription has similar amounts of hormones.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Normally, as we age, the levels of some of the essential hormones in our body decrease, such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. This is very common among women who are experiencing menopause. The following are some of the common symptoms of low hormones:

  • Fatigue
  • Problems sleeping
  • Loss of energy
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Night sweats
  • Pain during sex
  • Hot flashes
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Memory loss
  • Mood changes
  • Foggy thinking
  • Weight gain
  • Loss of muscle mass

Administering Bioidentical Hormones

According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), approximately 1.4 million women use bioidentical therapy. Around 40% of all bioidentical prescriptions for hormone therapy are given to US women in menopause. However, the number of men using hormone therapy is not known. There are various ways to get bioidentical hormones, including creams, shots, gels, pills, implanted pellets, and patches.

Should You Get Compounded Bioidentical Hormones?

There are some risks associated with taking compounded hormones, but it is usually the better alternative in some cases. When taking compounded bioidentical hormones, the patient might be needed to take the prescribed dose of hormones, mainly because a patient may react negatively to the pre-made form. Nonetheless, make sure to consult your healthcare provider first.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

You are advised to call your doctor if you notice any side effects after receiving a dose. Persistent side effects or unmanageable side effects result from having too-high hormone levels.

Low production of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone can lead to abnormal menstrual periods, mood changes, reduced fertility, loss of energy, hot flashes, as well as many other symptoms. Dr. Inga Zilberstein, MD, PLLC, provides bioidentical hormone therapy to help manage hormonal imbalance and its symptoms. To discuss more about bioidentical hormone therapy, book an appointment online or call the office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City now.