Did you know your feet could be giving you clues regarding the health of your heart? Your feet are located in the lowest part of your body and if your heart has weakened your feet could be letting you know! Let`s discuss what these signs are and what they could mean.
PAD
One of the more serious conditions your feet could be communicating to you is PAD or Peripheral Arterial Disease. According to the American Heart Association PAD is a condition when plaque restricts or blocks blood flow to the arterial arteries, reducing blood flow. Without proper circulation organs and tissues that require adequate blood flow could be damaged. If left untreated PAD could be a precursor to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits buildup in arteries causing vascular inflammation and blood clots. Both conditions increase the risk for a stroke or heart attack.
If you experience these symptoms you may be at risk for PAD
The good news is there are simple tests that can be done to diagnose PAD.
Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is one of the most popular tests used to diagnose PAD. This non-invasive test involves using blood pressure cuffs to compare the blood pressure of the arm to the blood pressure of the ankle. Watch our recent #TalarTuesday episode that focuses on Padnet from our trusted Talar vendor partner, Biomedix. Watch HERE!
An angiography is a contrasting imaging exam that detects blockages in arteries.
Similar to angiography, an ultrasound uses sound waves to create images that can also detect artery blockages.
Typically, PAD can be managed by making simple lifestyle changes. Eating a well balanced diet, regular exercising, and avoiding tobacco use are all great ways to manage PAD and prevent PAD, especially if you have a family history of heart disease.
PAD can be life threatening so it is important to visit a Podiatric Physician to receive the proper diagnosis and begin a treatment plan
Some might believe it to be no more than a fad, the upward popular trend of CBD has not only begun to explode outside of California but is now related to the 1000’s studies being connected to the benefits of products infused with Hemp CBD.
This is outstanding news for the medical industry because the patient demand to obtain alternative options over medicine continues to grow exponentially however with limited control, guidance, and education.
The studies are sponsored by the US Government, Universities, Clinics, and Organizations are underway include: Appetite, Memory, Analgesia, Metabolism, Nervous System, Sleep, Energy, Stress Response, Balance, Immune, Thermoregulation, Anxiety.
The wide benefits correlate to the newly discovered endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids that bind to cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system (brain and nerves of the spinal cord), while CB2 receptors are in the peripheral nervous system (nerves in your extremities), the digestive system, and specialized cells in the immune system. The system’s primary function is keeping the body at homeostasis. Homeostasis is essential to our health and survival, so when the endocannabinoid system is not working properly, it can cause a lot of problems for you.
The opportunity of newly designed medical protocols that include Hemp CBD products that are natural, non-addictive alternative solutions to help people get off opioids and fight against the epidemic.
Did you know Hemp has been in the diet and used for centuries with no known side effects?
At HillTop we take our CBD infused products seriously. We only use USA grown organic hemp sources and produced in FDA and OTC facilities. We started with an overall outcome objective, added proven formulas, and infused them with Hemp CBD to ensure results.
Want to learn more about what the hype is all about at Hilltop? It’s easy! Schedule a quick training session with one of our experts to learn more about a simple method with Hilltop CBD to address pain, sleep, anxiety, and depression with our structured programs.
The New Year for many signifies a reset, a time when most create goals and long-term plans for self-improvement. Health and fitness come to mind especially as the self-indulgences of the holidays begin to take their toll. As people become more active, conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis become more prevalent in Podiatric physician and surgeon clinics.
Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the plantar fascia, the ligament that runs across the bottom of the foot connecting the heel bone to the toes, becomes inflamed and often painful. Symptoms include heel pain that is worse the first few steps after waking up and after periods of rest. It can also cause redness and swelling at the inflammation site as well as persistent heat.
Most Podiatric physicians and surgeons typically include one or more of the following treatments:
What can you do to achieve your health and fitness goals but remain pain-free? You can start with the correct shoe choice. It`s important to choose a shoe appropriate to your activity. The most important qualities to look for are a shoe with good shock absorbent soles, rigid shanks, and supportive heel counters. Custom orthotics are a wonderful preventative tool and can be placed in any athletic shoe. Also, don`t overlook the importance of proper stretching both before and after exercise. Lastly, listen to your body! Your body needs rest and good nutrition as much as it needs exercise. Pace yourself and don`t overdo it. For more information about Plantar Fasciitis including a suggested treatment plan, recommended billing codes, and supportive videos, visit Talar University– an education resource available exclusively to Talar Medical members.
You may have seen in recent news that President-elect Joe Biden has fractured his foot while playing with his German Sheppard, Major. The next day he visited his orthopedist, who didn't see the fracture initially on x-ray, but discovered a tiny fracture on two small bones in the middle of his foot after reviewing a CT scan. While the health of our future president is everyone's concern, a hairline fracture such as this, is actually quite common.
A hairline fracture or a stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone. This type of injury usually occurs in the bones of foot and lower leg from repetitive jumping or running. However, it can also occur, as in the case with Joe Biden, as a result of an injury. It has been reported that President-elect Biden had not one, but who tiny fractures “mid-foot.” Interestingly, the 2nd and 3rd metatarsals are the most common victims of a fracture because the density of the bone is thin and they absorb a lot of stress during activities.
A good indication of a stress fracture is pain. Pain is your body's way of telling you something isn't right. Other common symptoms include swelling, bruising, and tenderness when touched. These can also be an indication of a sprain so it's important to seek medical attention to ensure your injury heals properly. While we are on the topic of medical attention, if you injure any part of your foot or ankle we highly encourage you to see a Podiatric Physician! Foot and ankle specialists are experts at diagnosing any sports injury that can occur on your foot. Joe Biden had an X-Ray performed on his foot that didn't pick up the stress fracture visually. Thankfully, he also had a CT scan ordered which shows the bones, soft tissue and blood vessels in much greater detail.
I`m glad you asked! Pain and swelling related to a stress fracture can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin. Many Podiatric Physicians prescribe a cast, crutches, or an offloading boot, as is the case with Joe Biden. It`s been reported that President Elect Biden will be in a boot for several weeks. That is because it typically takes 6-8 weeks to completely heal.
Stress fractures are a fairly common condition and can happen to anyone, even the future President of the United States. The key is proper treatment to get you back on your feet and active again.