Often times when people visit the beach their primary health concern (assuming they have any cares besides enjoying themselves) is applying sunblock over the major surfaces of their body-while it certainly seems logical to cover the larger surfaces first, many forget their feet altogether. In fact, we’d go as far to estimate that one would be hard-pressed to find a person who has never had a bad sunburn on the top of their feet given they’ve spent time in the sun at some point.
What’s worse is the mortality rate seen with melanomas of the foot. According to a Medical News Today article, “half of the people who learn they have melanoma of the foot die within five years because the cancer had already spread throughout their body by the time it was diagnosed”. The same reason that people seem to forget to apply sunblock to their feet, may also be the reason why people neglect to perform routine self-examinations on their feet. What podiatrists recommend is that every time you clip your toenails, examine your entire foot, including the web spaces for anything that appears irregular or new. Visit this resource for the criteria on which characteristics prove to be synonymous with cancer.
*Above is an example of a melanoma type on the plantar foot
**The information in this blog is made possible by Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Dr. Garvin has been practicing board certified podiatry for over 20 years, and accepts new patients to his state of the art private practice. For directions and contact information click here.
25.8 million, or 8.3% of the American population (Children & Adults) are currently suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. Awareness and prevention of diabetes mellitus
is finally starting to rise in America, however, the incidence of the
disease is still increasing. With that said, the role of a podiatrist
in a diabetic’s overall health care cannot be understated. To quantify
that; more diabetics die every year due to complications that arise from
diabetically induced ulcers than prostate and breast cancer each.
In 2010, at the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) annual scientific meeting Vicky Driver, MS, DPM introduced a study conducted by Thomson Reuters, showing that care by a podiatric
physician (defined as at least one preventative, pre-ulcer visit) was
associated with a nearly 29 percent lower risk of amputation and 24
percent lower risk of hospitalization.
If you’re a diabetic, and annually visiting a podiatric physician isn't part of your overall health care plan please reconsider this practice. Dr. Michael Garvin
of Port Saint Lucie, Florida has been treating diabetic patients for
over 20 years. He is a board certified podiatric physician and is
accepting new patients. His goal is always to provide the most
comprehensive care possible for diabetic patients as he understands the
pitfalls of miscare for these patients. For information and directions
to his office please click here.
Sources cited: 1.http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/News/New-Study-Proves-Care-by-Podiatrists-Dramatically-Decreases-Lower-Limb-Amputation.aspx2. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/
As
most savvy golfers know, the proper form needed for a smooth, accurate
swing starts from the ground up. Both feet are the contact points
between a golfer’s swing and the ground. Both golfers and podiatrists
agree that a stable base is needed to contact the ball well. What
golfers sometimes don’t recognize is that even minor foot pain can
affect a golfer's entire form, and therefore swing and follow through.
The body's first instinct when pain is encountered is to adapt to the
pain if it’s not immediately alleviated. Golfers will unknowingly try to
adapt to the pain by altering their golf swing to help compensate. In
the short term this can help ease the pain, however this will
drastically reduce the quality of performance. Additionally, it’s a sign
that some kind of foot pathology exists that needs medical attention.
Injuries of the foot that golfers commonly encounter are, but not
limited too; neuromas, arthritis, and fallen arches.
If
you have experienced even minor foot pain, and have noticed a drop off
in your golf game, consider making an appointment to see a podiatrist. Dr. Michael Garvin of Port Saint Lucie, Florida has been practicing board certified podiatry
for over 20 years. He has treated a variety of athletes, including
golfers. For office directions and contact information regarding
appointment scheduling click here.
Sources Cited:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1005-painfree_golf_swing.htm
