Health Tip: Battle of the Bulge!

Have you ever wondered why those veins around your legs are progressively bulging and protruding from the skin?  These varicose veins and they can be unsightly and bothersome.  Normally, these veins have valves to prevent the backflow of blood to the heart.  In varicose veins, the valves become weakened which causes blood to pool within the veins.  Hence, you will see varicose veins as being gnarled and enlarged.

They tend to occur most often in the legs and feet due to increased pressure to the lower portion of your body.  Some of the risk factors include age, pregnancy, family history, obesity and prolonged standing and sitting for long periods of time.  Varicose veins as well as spider veins can sometimes be just a cosmetic issue; however, for others, it can present to be painful, aching and uncomfortable.  They are also a sign of circulatory problems and can lead to more serious problems in the future.

While there is no way to completely prevent varicose veins, compression stockings can help to improve blood circulation to the feet and prevent blood from pooling at the legs.  They can also help to prevent blood clots and help to relieve symptoms of heaviness, swelling, aching and pain.  Compression stockings come in a variety of different styles, strengths and sizes.

For further information, please book a consultation to see Jennifer Lam, Chiropodist at the Form and Function clinic.

Health Tip: Battle of the Bulge!

Have you ever wondered why those veins around your legs are progressively bulging and protruding from the skin?  These varicose veins and they can be unsightly and bothersome.  Normally, these veins have valves to prevent the backflow of blood to the heart.  In varicose veins, the valves become weakened which causes blood to pool within the veins.  Hence, you will see varicose veins as being gnarled and enlarged.

They tend to occur most often in the legs and feet due to increased pressure to the lower portion of your body.  Some of the risk factors include age, pregnancy, family history, obesity and prolonged standing and sitting for long periods of time.  Varicose veins as well as spider veins can sometimes be just a cosmetic issue; however, for others, it can present to be painful, aching and uncomfortable.  They are also a sign of circulatory problems and can lead to more serious problems in the future.

While there is no way to completely prevent varicose veins, compression stockings can help to improve blood circulation to the feet and prevent blood from pooling at the legs.  They can also help to prevent blood clots and help to relieve symptoms of heaviness, swelling, aching and pain.  Compression stockings come in a variety of different styles, strengths and sizes.

For further information, please book a consultation to see Jennifer Lam, Chiropodist at the Form and Function clinic.

Tips for High Heel Wearers

High heels make the girls look taller, slimmer as well as look good with any outfit they wear.  However, the newest trend of heels are creating more compression and pain to the sides and the balls of the feet.   As you increase the number of hours you wear heels, you are increasing the risk of getting hammer toes and bunions to your feet.  The bunions don’t just occur to the inside of the feet but also to the outside of the feet.  Although bunions are mostly hereditary, they are usually exacerbated by tight-fitting shoes.

If you are spending most of your time standing on your feet and wearing high heels that day, it would be better to have a pair of flat shoes or walking shoes so that you can change into when you are off your feet.  Even wearing flat shoes the next day would help to relieve pressure to the toes.

Of course, wedge heels are always better than stilletto heels as they provide more stability to the feet and are able to distribute pressure evenly at the front of the foot.

For further information, regarding the health of your feet, please book an appointment with the Chiropodist, Jennifer Lam at the Form and Function Clinic.

Safety Tips When Doing a Pedicure

A pedicure is always a great way to pamper and groom your feet.  Be aware as you can walk out of the salon with an infection due to improperly sterilized tools and contaminated footbaths.

The American Academy of Dermatology is warning consumers about the health risks associated with pedicures.  These health risks include athlete’s foot, nail fungus, bacterial infections such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) which is a potentially serious antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection.

Before you decide to indulge in a pedicure, take note of the following tips:

1) book your appointment in the morning as the instruments and footbaths are typically the cleanest at the beginning of the day.

2) pedicure disinfectants usually take at least 10 minutes to work so ask the person booking your appointments the gap they have in between appointments.  If the footbath is being used on one person after the other, you may be vulnerable to infections.

3) don’t shave your legs right before your pedicure as slight nicks and cuts may leave your skin at risk for bacterial and fungal infections.

4) don’t let them cut your cuticles as they are a protective barrier that prevents bacteria and fungus from entering into the body.

5) bring your own nail polish as the brushes are rarely sterilized.  You may be putting yourself at risk for getting fungal toenails.

Finally, salons may not be able to properly smooth down calluses (the dead skin on your feet) and corns.  They may create open wounds/sores that are prone to infection.  Especially if you are diabetic, it may be best to be treated by a Chiropodist/Foot Specialist.  For more information, book an appointment with Jennifer Lam, the Chiropodist at Form and Function Clinic.