Health and Wellness 21

Why Women’s Feet Hurt More in Autumn and What You Can Do About It

By d-mars.com News Provider

Ts the weather cools and women switch from open to closed shoe styles, the transition can be painful.

According to Dr. Thanh Dinh, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon and president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) two of the most common types of pain women feel in their feet in autumn come from bunions and hammertoes.

The ACFAS offers the following insights into treating these conditions and easing associated pain:

Understanding Bunions

A common myth is that tight-fitting or narrow shoes cause bunions. The truth is, bunions are genetic. However, symptoms occur most often when wearing high heels or other styles that crowd the toes.

“A bunion is a change in the bony framework of the front part of the foot and is most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot,” Dr. Dinh explains.

“When the big toe leans towards the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead, it throws the bones out of alignment and produces the all-too-familiar, bunion bump.”

Pain from bunions most often occurs along the side of the foot near the big toe. Women sometimes describe it as a throbbing that continues even after taking off their shoes and putting up their feet. The site of the bunion can also be inflamed or red and can feel numb or have a burning sensation.

Demystifying Hammertoes

“A hammertoe is a ‘bending’ or contracture deformity of one or both joints of a toe,” Dr. Dinh says. “The abnormal bending puts pressure on the toe when wearing shoes and causes problems to develop -- which can start mildly and worsen over time.”

Women with hammertoes can experience pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes. Corns and calluses (a buildup of skin) on the toe, between the toes or on the ball of the foot can occur from the constant friction against the shoes with hammertoes. Inflammation, redness or a burning sensation are also possible and in severe cases, open sores may form.

Next Steps

Proper shoe selection and conservative

treatments can go a long way in managing pain from bunions and hammertoes. Foot and ankle surgeons recommend avoiding high-heeled shoes and styles that crowd the toes together, as well as using padding and taking anti-inflammatory medication. While these techniques address pain, they don’t generally stop bunions or hammertoes from getting worse. Surgery is commonly performed by foot and ankle surgeons to both correct the deformities and alleviate pain. Those who suffer from both ailments can have surgery to correct the foot deformities at the same time.

“Recovery time varies based on the procedures performed, the advancement of the deformities, the number of toes involved, age and other factors, but the success rates for the surgeries are encouraging,” says Dr. Dinh. “Plus, the advanced procedures foot and ankle surgeons perform today to fix bunion deformities reduce the likelihood of a recurrence,” she adds.

Experiencing increased foot pain? Make an appointment with a foot and ankle surgeon to see how they can help alleviate pain. Visit FootHealthFacts.org to access the Find an ACFAS Physician Tool. While everyone loves fall fashions, certain shoe styles for women can exacerbate painful foot conditions. Taking steps to manage these conditions can make for a pain-free autumn and beyond.

Source: StatePoint

The ACFAS offers the following insights into treating these conditions and easing associated pain:

Creating a Satisfying Marriage

Tami V. Allen, MS, LPC Contributing Writer

Falling in love is easy, but staying in love is where the work begins. The ideal goal of marriage is to find your soulmate and live happily ever after. While the fantasy of “happily ever after” is not always reality, creating marital satisfaction is. Here are four tips to consider as the foundation for a satisfying marriage.

Tip One: Establish a Covenant, Not a Contract

A contractual marriage is where a couple enters a marriage, expecting personal needs to be met. Spouses agree to remain committed if the feeling of love is present and needs are met. Most couples unconsciously enter marriage with this thought process, and when these factors are no longer present, divorce becomes an option. Once divorce becomes an option, one or both spouses emotionally leave before physically. A covenant marriage is biblically established where divorce is only considered for abandonment, abuse, or adultery. Couples establish a commitment for the longhaul and exhaust every option to make things work. Even with difficulties, covenant marriages can lead to overall marital satisfaction. The key to satisfaction is to make sure the two of you have the same marital views, values, and level of commitment.

Tip Two: Address Your Own Shortcomings

Many shortcomings originate from childhood and do not show themselves until in relationships with others. Controlling behavior, defensiveness, passive/aggressive behaviors, over-independence, and abusive behaviors are just a few which may not get addressed before starting a relationship. Each individual needs to be accountable for the toxic “stuff” they bring into the relationship. Healing your weaknesses allows you to see your individual role in conflicts and develop compassion for your mate. Most conflicts arise out of individuals pointing out the problems in the other instead of looking at the self. Lack of accountability creates a vicious cycle of negativity which can be difficult to get under control. Make sure to seek personal counseling to address your own behaviors before blaming your spouse for theirs.

Tip Three: See Your Spouse as Your Equal

Sharing power and making decisions together indicates that you view each

other as equals. Occasionally, there is one spouse who is assertive and imposes their opinions on the other spouse who may be passive and give in easily. This imbalance of “power” can lead to discord and resentment. Be aware of these behaviors, and strive towards developing balance where both feel heard and respected.

Tip Four: Develop Emotional Connection

Couples have no trouble developing a close bond in the beginning of a relationship but after years together, the relationship takes a back seat as other life events become priority. One of the primary ways to deepen an emotional connection is to learn your spouse’s love language. Love languages are communicated in the form of compliments, physical affection, sexual/emotional intimacy, spending time together, and/or random acts of service. Regularly speaking, a spouse’s love language communicates genuine love and desire to make the other happy. The most damaging circumstances are when spouses start taking each other for granted by prioritizing work, children, outside activities, etc. Learning effective communication and conflict resolution skills from a relationship specialist is crucial to developing a deeper intimacy and emotional bond. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a read I recommend, outlining five general ways that romantic partners express and experience love.

For couples to remain in love, both must work on incorporating some of the above tips. Holding regular check-ins with each other builds strong bridges of communication that leads to everlasting love.

For more information about me and my services, please visit my website at www.AllenCounselingGroup. com. You can also reach me by email at Tami@ AllenCounselingGroup.com or by phone at (713) 597-4499. Visit me on the web at www.AllenCounselingGroup.com.

Tami Vienn Allen is the owner of Allen Counseling Group and specializes in relationship counseling.

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After RapperLaunches Anti-Mask, Anti-Vaccine Rant, Black Doctors Speak Out

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor

In a culture that worships celebrities and amplifies their words and actions, the coronavirus pandemic has presented an opportunity for some to apply and others to confuse.

Even after over 635,000 have died in the U.S. as a result of the coronavirus, some celebrities have continued to loudly protest against the advice of doctors and other medical professionals. Over 4.5 million around the world have died as a result of the pandemic.

Recently, anti-mask and anti-vaxxer celebrity Eric Clapton wrote a song entitled “This Has Got to Stop” to express his dissatisfaction regarding government mandates on masks. “I’m used to being free,” Clapton sings in his new track.

A week before Clapton’s song dropped, rapper Busta Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, had something to say on COVID on August 24.

“It’s called the God-given right of freedom, right? No human being is supposed to tell you that you can’t even breathe freely,” he said, speaking against wearing a mask.

His comments went viral and so did the reaction against them. On Roland Martin Unfiltered, the daily digital broadcast hosted by Martin, three Black doctors were featured to comment on what the rapper said and anti-vaxxer efforts in general.

“A throat doctor later discovered that there were polyps in his throat, restricting 90% of his breathing and he had to have emergency surgery.”

<—You’d think Busta Rhymes would be more concerned about a virus that attacks your respiratory system given his history.

“Confirmed: Busta Rhymes is better when he’s rapping too fast for us to really understand what he’s saying,” wrote Brandon Kyle Scott on twitter. Then came the medical professionals.

“It angers me, and it vexes my soul when I hear entertainers and other people who have mass followings say ignorant things such as Busta Rhymes. I was telling my students today about wearing a mask and getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Kristy McDowell in a recent interview on Roland Martin Unfiltered.

It’s an entirely other thing when you take a public platform, and you use your celebrity to get up there to tell other people that it’s OK in the middle of the deadliest pandemic since 1918. Those people who die because they listened to a video. Despite misinformation, political discord and political policy changes, 51 percent of the American population is vaccinated.

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association

“If you don’t get the vaccine you are gambling with your life,” she added.

Dr. Joseph Graves, Jr. said, “It’s one thing to do stupid things that put your own life at risk…

Photo Source: iStockphoto/NNPA

How a Simple Tape Measure May Help Predict Diabetes in Black Adults

By Thor Christensen American Heart Association News

Measuring waist circumference may be an essential way to help predict who will develop diabetes among Black people with normal blood sugar levels, according to a new study. The problem is, researchers say, waist size often is overlooked at health visits.

The study, published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association , focused on how to best determine the risk of diabetes in Black populations. The condition causes blood sugar to rise and can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have diabetes, but the numbers are higher for Black men (14.7%) and Black women (13.4%), American Heart Association statistics show. According to federal data, Black people are twice as likely as their white counter-

parts to die of diabetes and three times as likely to end up hospitalized for uncontrolled diabetes.

Researchers looked at nearly 4,000 Black adults without diabetes who had their waist circumference and body mass index measured and received different types of blood and imaging tests to assess body fat. Participants had either normal blood sugar levels or prediabetes, a serious condition when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to qualify as diabetes.

After about five years, the study found a simple A1C blood test was the best marker for predicting future diabetes in those who had prediabetes. The test measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

However, for participants with normal blood sugar, the researchers found it was better to measure waist circumference as well as liver fat and visceral adipose tissue, a type of fat that surrounds abdominal organs deep inside your body.

Measuring visceral and liver fat can be complicated and costly, but measuring waist circumference is simple and inexpensive, said the study's lead author Dr. Joshua J. Joseph.

"All you need is a good old-fashioned tape measure," said Joseph, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

"Waist circumference measurement has fallen off in recent years during office visits. Our (study) is a big reminder about the importance of actually doing that, and considering waist circumference alone, as well in the context of other conditions" such as obesity, he said.

About 55% of Black women and 38% of Black men have obesity, AHA statistics show. Since obesity is a key driver of diabetes, Joseph said it's important to maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet and be physically active.

But making and sustaining those changes isn't easy, Joseph acknowledged. "The bigger question is how do you get these individuals into programming that will actually help them improve their waist circumference and improve their life?"

Possible solutions, Joseph said, are for doctors to prescribe

physical activity courses and training for their patients, and encourage them to enroll in nutritious cooking classes and take part in community gardens.

"We also need to address barriers that cut across all racial and ethnic groups. If you don't have a sidewalk in your community, it's much tougher to go outside and take a long walk," he said.

"To make sure everyone can lead longer, healthier lives, we have to work intensively as academic, corporate and government institutions, along with community stakeholders, to really address these social determinants of health."

Dr. Michelle Kelsey, who was not involved in the research, said the study was limited by its focus on Black adults in Mississippi. "The results may not be generalizable to all African Americans," she said.

In addition, she said, although everyone in the study had their waist size and BMI measured, not everyone received the same blood and imaging tests.

Still, Kelsey called the study "an important paper that helps us better understand who is likely to develop diabetes. If we can identify people at high risk earlier, we can intervene earlier to improve exercise and dietary habits, so those individuals don't go on to develop diabetes and all of its complications."

Kelsey, a cardiology fellow and researcher at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, said while it's still important to measure a person's BMI, the study is a reminder that not all body fat is created equal.

"We know that some of the markers of increased visceral (belly) fat are associated with development of diabetes," she said. "Waist circumference may tell us more about someone's risk for diabetes in the future than body mass index on its own."

“The American Heart Association in Greater Houston works closely with hospital systems and clinical sites through our Inpatient and Outpatient Quality Improvement Programs like Target Type 2 Diabetes and Know Diabetes by Heart to tackle Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. The challenge of diabetes in our community requires comprehensive solutions. The American Heart Association is driving change through our Clinic to Community Partnerships as we improve the social determinants of health such as food insecurity, education, access to care through collaborative partnerships in communities across Greater Houston,” said Verónica Sánchez, Senior Director of Healthcare Systems and Community Impact, American Heart Association Greater Houston.

For more information, please visit heart.org.

Source: American Heart Association

Photo Caption: Verónica Sánchez, Senior Director of Healthcare Systems and Community Impact, American Heart Association Greater Houston