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Disclaimer: Medical advice provided is for interest only and should never be substituted for seeing a doctor or seeking medical advice. If you have specific medical concerns please seek advice from a qualified medical professional.
Health
INSTANT
appointment
HOW TOÉ
Tony G Founde
Treat constipation
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s are y t, and a or ist can n ne is t iate. ne of sing d effective ying (especially in etween the digits) is essential, and frequent sock and shoe changes will My 11-year-old son reduce the likelihood of the keeps getting athlete’s fungal infection returning. Fungus thrives in dark, foot. What’s the best warm and moist way to get rid of it for good? environments, so try and Jen, Blackpool deny them these key elements for the best success There needs to be an and try and encourage your approach that both reduces the fungal load on son not to scratch the the skin and also prevents it from affected skin, as this can spread the infection. thriving in the future. Topical
Back again
Q A
Reason to worry?
Q
My four-year-old daughter has flat feet. Should I be worried? Ria, Leeds
A
A low arch profile is quite common in children, and if your child’s walking and running development is normal then there is no need for you to be worrying. It takes the foot many years to fully develop, but a podiatrist can assess and let you know if there’s something to worry about.
Sore point
Q
After years of wearing heels I’ve got terrible bunions. The pain is awful. Is there anything I can do? Leah, Somerset
A
Bunions are often painless, and their cause is likely to be genetic and usually not from wearing high heels for long periods of time. If heels are causing you pain then a change of shoe type or heel size is likely the best place to start. A visit to a podiatrist will help in assessing the best footwear option, but wearing wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole could help deal with the pain. You could also buy bunion pads to place in your shoes to help. A podiatrist may also suggest using a splint to help support the toes. There is no evidence that splints can reverse the progress of bunions, but footwear changes and orthoses can reduce any pain that is experienced. If conservative measures don’t work , then an opinion from a podiatric surgeon may be needed.
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Stay hydrated Constipation is related to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water is key to relieving and preventing symptoms.
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Eat lots of fibre Increasing the fibre in your diet will prevent constipation and help digestion.
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Get active A daily walk or run can help reduce the symptoms of constipation and help you go to the toilet more regularly.
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Improve your toilet routine Keep to a regular time and place and give yourself plenty of time to us C the toilet. w hoos
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