The weather is getting warmer... and you're thinking about your vacation. While you are planning, you need to plan on how your feet will do during this much deserved and most of the time, expensive venture. Here are some tips on getting your feet ready for your vacation:
*Get your feet in walking shape. If you have a sedentary job or life style, you need to exercise your feet. Start walking about 3 to 4 weeks before your trip. It is especially important to wear the shoes during this exercise period that you will be wearing on your trip. NOTE: as I have mentioned in the past... flip flops, sandals, and high heels are 'specialty' shoes and still should be worn for limited amounts of time.
*Take care of any pre-existing conditions. If you have any soft tissue problems like cysts, neuromas, warts, painful callouses... you need to get these examined at least 4 weeks before your trip. If you have painful bunions, hammertoes or any other painful joint or boney problem... these need to be evaluated a minimum of 8 weeks and preferably 12 weeks before you go on vacation.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Magic Mushrooms
I am not talking about the kind back from the '60's. I'm talking about the kind you buy in the grocery store.
You don't have to have a lot of knowledge about cooking to know the benefit's of mushrooms in addition to their lush, earthy flavor. But whether you go for the exotic like smoky morels to the familiar like buttons, you'll get some newly discovered health benefits.
* They safeguard against cancer. Mushrooms are rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals, and eating them regularly has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in studies of Chinese and Korean women. Mushrooms also prevent prostate cancer cells from multiplying in mice - and might do the same in men.
*They supply hard-to-get nutrients. One medium portobello mushroom supplies 21 percent of the recommended daily intake of selenium and one third your need of copper; it also has as much potassium as a medium-sized banana. Other varieties are just as rich in minerals, recent analysis has found. What's more, mushrooms retain their nutrients when stir-fried, grilled, or microwaved.
* They help you cut calories. When ground beef was swapped out for mushrooms in lasagna, sloppy joes, and chili, adults consumed 400 fewer calories per day, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers estimate that if you sub mushrooms for ground meat in one meal every week, you can lose five pounds in a year. Just don't sabotage this fringe benefit by preparing mushrooms with loads of butter. Instead, toss them into a nonstick pan that's been lightly sprayed with oil, then saute' on low heat until they soften.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
You don't have to have a lot of knowledge about cooking to know the benefit's of mushrooms in addition to their lush, earthy flavor. But whether you go for the exotic like smoky morels to the familiar like buttons, you'll get some newly discovered health benefits.
* They safeguard against cancer. Mushrooms are rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals, and eating them regularly has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in studies of Chinese and Korean women. Mushrooms also prevent prostate cancer cells from multiplying in mice - and might do the same in men.
*They supply hard-to-get nutrients. One medium portobello mushroom supplies 21 percent of the recommended daily intake of selenium and one third your need of copper; it also has as much potassium as a medium-sized banana. Other varieties are just as rich in minerals, recent analysis has found. What's more, mushrooms retain their nutrients when stir-fried, grilled, or microwaved.
* They help you cut calories. When ground beef was swapped out for mushrooms in lasagna, sloppy joes, and chili, adults consumed 400 fewer calories per day, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers estimate that if you sub mushrooms for ground meat in one meal every week, you can lose five pounds in a year. Just don't sabotage this fringe benefit by preparing mushrooms with loads of butter. Instead, toss them into a nonstick pan that's been lightly sprayed with oil, then saute' on low heat until they soften.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Laser treatment for fungal nails...
I have been asked by three of my patients over the last month what I thought about a new laser treatment for fungal nails. I had not heard of it... so I decided to do some research. Here is what I have come up with:
From MedicalNewsToday.com (March 8, 2009): A company called Nomir Medical Technologies (nomirmedical.com) has developed a "near-infrared" device for the treatment of onychomycotic nails. Nomir Medical Technologies is an optical energy technologies company developing products for medical application. The system called Noveon is a light based system that photobiologically targets bacterial and fungal infections. A study conducted by one of the co-founders of Nomir Medical, Dr. Eric Bornstein, D.M.D. has conducted a trial of 32 patients with confirmed onychomycosis of nails by culture. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study at multiple U.S. sites. 120 day evidence indicates that 76.3 percent of those in the trial showed clinical improvement with 74 percent showing a significant drop in positive cultures. The patients received 4 treatments over a 4 month period. The company is trying to get FDA approval for use in Podiatry for the treatment of onychomycotic nails.
OK... here is my opinion:
#1: I am leery about any study conducted by someone who has a financial interest in the company. I have concerns about how controlled this study actually is and how the data may be skewed.
#2: The results state, "76.3 percent clinical improvement with 74 percent significant drop in positive cultures." Notice it does not say... CURED.
#3: There is no indication that this treatment will be reimbursed by insurance companies. Most insurance companies are not paying for oral or topical medications currently due to the low success rate of treating onychomycotic nails.
#4: What will be the cost to the patient? New technology, not very many people using it... I anticipate quite a hefty per cost treatment for this technology.
I will maintain an open mind about any new scientific breakthrough in medicine. But until I see randomized, double-blinded studies conducted by others than the people who develop the technology... I will take a wait-and-see viewpoint and not endorse it.
Until then, I feel I get 75 - 85% improvement in my patients using current topical or oral antifungal products and will continue recommending and using them.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
From MedicalNewsToday.com (March 8, 2009): A company called Nomir Medical Technologies (nomirmedical.com) has developed a "near-infrared" device for the treatment of onychomycotic nails. Nomir Medical Technologies is an optical energy technologies company developing products for medical application. The system called Noveon is a light based system that photobiologically targets bacterial and fungal infections. A study conducted by one of the co-founders of Nomir Medical, Dr. Eric Bornstein, D.M.D. has conducted a trial of 32 patients with confirmed onychomycosis of nails by culture. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study at multiple U.S. sites. 120 day evidence indicates that 76.3 percent of those in the trial showed clinical improvement with 74 percent showing a significant drop in positive cultures. The patients received 4 treatments over a 4 month period. The company is trying to get FDA approval for use in Podiatry for the treatment of onychomycotic nails.
OK... here is my opinion:
#1: I am leery about any study conducted by someone who has a financial interest in the company. I have concerns about how controlled this study actually is and how the data may be skewed.
#2: The results state, "76.3 percent clinical improvement with 74 percent significant drop in positive cultures." Notice it does not say... CURED.
#3: There is no indication that this treatment will be reimbursed by insurance companies. Most insurance companies are not paying for oral or topical medications currently due to the low success rate of treating onychomycotic nails.
#4: What will be the cost to the patient? New technology, not very many people using it... I anticipate quite a hefty per cost treatment for this technology.
I will maintain an open mind about any new scientific breakthrough in medicine. But until I see randomized, double-blinded studies conducted by others than the people who develop the technology... I will take a wait-and-see viewpoint and not endorse it.
Until then, I feel I get 75 - 85% improvement in my patients using current topical or oral antifungal products and will continue recommending and using them.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Make walking a healthy habit.
Everyone knows walking can help with your health, controlling weight, and even effect your mood, but sometimes taking that 'first' step can be a problem. Try walking to your computer. Starting April 8, you will be able to create a personalized walking program on the American Heart Association's Start! site (heart.org/start).
You take a ten-question quiz; the site selects one of seven walking plans matched to your fitness level, goals, and lifestyle. You can even plug in your zip code to find a walking buddy and beginner-friendly local route maps.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
You take a ten-question quiz; the site selects one of seven walking plans matched to your fitness level, goals, and lifestyle. You can even plug in your zip code to find a walking buddy and beginner-friendly local route maps.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Monday, March 16, 2009
Log on to cheer up
When economic security leaves you feeling anxious, depressed, or sleepless, you may feel unable to spend money on therapy. New research however points to an inexpensive and effective way of relief - do it online.
Programs based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can rapidly deliver some impressive results. One Web-based program for depression and anxiety gave as much relief as typically gained with face-to-face therapy (people with serious depression may need face-to-face help). Studies also suggest that CBT works as well as pills for most sleep problems, with no side effects. Here are some research backed programs that may help:
* MoodGYM: blends CBT and problem-solving therapy for depression but may work for other conditions as well. Free at moodgym.anu.edu.au.
* MySelfHelp: has Web-based CBT programs for insomnia, depression, eating disorders, and more. Fee of $20 per month at myselfhelp.com.
* The Good Days Ahead DVD-ROM: written by a team of doctors, addresses depression and anxiety. $99 at mindstreet.com.
* Blues BeGone: uses cartoon talking heads to deliver CBT for depression. $185 at bluesbegone.com.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Programs based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can rapidly deliver some impressive results. One Web-based program for depression and anxiety gave as much relief as typically gained with face-to-face therapy (people with serious depression may need face-to-face help). Studies also suggest that CBT works as well as pills for most sleep problems, with no side effects. Here are some research backed programs that may help:
* MoodGYM: blends CBT and problem-solving therapy for depression but may work for other conditions as well. Free at moodgym.anu.edu.au.
* MySelfHelp: has Web-based CBT programs for insomnia, depression, eating disorders, and more. Fee of $20 per month at myselfhelp.com.
* The Good Days Ahead DVD-ROM: written by a team of doctors, addresses depression and anxiety. $99 at mindstreet.com.
* Blues BeGone: uses cartoon talking heads to deliver CBT for depression. $185 at bluesbegone.com.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
How much more do we have to take?
I know... with the recession and people losing their jobs everyday... you are going to say I don't have a right to complain. But as an American... I do have right to complain.
CMS (Medicare) is proposing a whopping 21% pay cut in physician reimbursement for this year. TWENTY-ONE PERCENT. Physician reimbursement is already lower than reimbursement levels in 1991. Even by cutting reimbursements to physicians, health care spending by the government is expected to double between 2009 and 2018.
The problem is not what physician's are reimbursed, it is people wanting Medicare or Private Insurance to pay for everything. I will repeat... insurance was never, ever designed to pay for everything. It was designed to keep people from facing economic financial devastation.
I am having to spend $20,000 on my wife's teeth. Do you think this is a financial burden on me? You better believe it is. It is putting a major dent in my lifestyle. But I have choices. To be responsible for my health care which is part of my everyday living, or have our government, which can't run anything efficiently, to provide it for us.
If reimbursements keep diminishing as they are, you are going to be left with inadequate physicians treating major diseases and trauma as those with intelligence and abilities will find other endeavors to pursue.
It should be noted that with the physician cutbacks that health care costs would increase 4.6% in 2009 - 2010. But if Congress averts this paycut proposal, health care costs would only increase 0.8% to 5.4%. Isn't your physician worth 0.8%. I certainly hope so.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
CMS (Medicare) is proposing a whopping 21% pay cut in physician reimbursement for this year. TWENTY-ONE PERCENT. Physician reimbursement is already lower than reimbursement levels in 1991. Even by cutting reimbursements to physicians, health care spending by the government is expected to double between 2009 and 2018.
The problem is not what physician's are reimbursed, it is people wanting Medicare or Private Insurance to pay for everything. I will repeat... insurance was never, ever designed to pay for everything. It was designed to keep people from facing economic financial devastation.
I am having to spend $20,000 on my wife's teeth. Do you think this is a financial burden on me? You better believe it is. It is putting a major dent in my lifestyle. But I have choices. To be responsible for my health care which is part of my everyday living, or have our government, which can't run anything efficiently, to provide it for us.
If reimbursements keep diminishing as they are, you are going to be left with inadequate physicians treating major diseases and trauma as those with intelligence and abilities will find other endeavors to pursue.
It should be noted that with the physician cutbacks that health care costs would increase 4.6% in 2009 - 2010. But if Congress averts this paycut proposal, health care costs would only increase 0.8% to 5.4%. Isn't your physician worth 0.8%. I certainly hope so.
"The journey of life is taken one step at a time... none of them should be painful." G.M. Barclay, DPM, AACFAS
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