Your Feet and Overall Health

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Nola Aronson M.A., CCC-A Serving the Santa Clarita Valley community for the last 35 years

scvadvancedaudiology.com | 661.302.4483 23822 VALENCIA BLVD. | SUITE 103 | VALENCIA

SENIOR LIVING

What Your Feet Can Tell You About Your Health

PHOTO CREDIT GETTY IMAGES

If you are living with pain and discomfort in your feet, legs, thighs or butt, it may be a sign of a serious health problem. Many adults in the United States are suffering and may be at risk of amputations of their toes, feet or legs as a result of an undetected disease known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD affects the blood vessels outside the heart, reducing blood flow to the area with the diseased blood vessel. In the most common type of PAD, lower extremity PAD, blood flow is reduced to your legs and feet.

Learning more about PAD is important for detecting problems and getting early treatment so you can avoid devastating complications such as amputation or even death. Learn more about PAD, including symptoms, risk factors and treatment, from the experts at the American Heart Association:

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of PAD are burning, aching, numbness, fatigue or discomfort in your leg or hip muscles while walking. The symptoms are caused by your legs not getting the blood they need. This pain usually goes away with rest and returns when you are active again.

“These symptoms can impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to walk and hard to do usual activities at home and work,” said Amy W. Pollak, MD, American Heart Association volunteer expert serving as a leader of the national PAD Collaborative and cardiovascular medicine physician at Mayo Clinic. “For some, PAD can progress to cause pain when you are resting and even amputation of your toe, foot or leg.”

Risk Factors

PAD affects more than 8.5 million people in the U.S., the majority of whom are 65 years and older, according to the American Heart Association. Approximately 46-68% of patients with PAD also have coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease.

“We see PAD more commonly in people living with diabetes, people who smoke and people with other common risk factors for heart disease, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity,” Pollak said.

Prevention and Treatment

While some causes of PAD are beyond your control, the best method to prevent PAD is managing risk factors by making lifestyle changes including quitting smoking, managing diabetes and high blood pressure, staying active and eating a heart-healthy diet.

Working closely with your health care professional at the first sign of PAD is an important step in achieving the best treatment outcomes and avoiding serious complications like amputation.

“PAD is a lifelong medical condition, but people with PAD can lead active and long lives,” Pollak said. “If you notice walking is more difficult, keeping up with others is hard or you have pain when you walk, talk with a doctor and describe when it happens and how it feels. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.”

Visit heart.org/PAD to learn more. (Family Features) 

HEALTHY LIVING

Healthy Habits for a Healthy Weight

Physical activity is key to improving your health and preventing serious illness. You may want to forget juicing, fasting, and fad diets, and instead focus on being healthy and fit.

“When you eat right and exercise regularly, maintaining a healthy weight can happen naturally,” said Alyssa Bartholomew, a registered dietitian and health educator at Kaiser Permanente in Panorama City. “If you’re not active right now, start small and build up over time — moderate activity is safe for most people.”

Fill Up With Fiber

High-fiber foods fill you up without filling you out. Getting enough fiber each day can help you lose weight, regulate your blood sugar, and lower your cholesterol — all without counting calories

Make Time to Move

Cutting calories can help you lose weight but keeping it off long-term is a different story. Exercise is a must — aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity, 5 times a week, to keep lost pounds from coming back.*

Rethink Your Drinks

There’s more to maintaining your weight than watching what’s on your plate. Calories from soda, juice, and alcohol add up fast. Switch to mostly water to help keep your weight from creeping up over time.

Finally, remember it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.

For more information about weight management, visit the Kaiser Permanente website at kp.org/weight. *American Heart Association Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults and Kids, American Heart Association, 2018, heart.org. 

HEALTHY LIVING

Comfort Keepers In-Home Care

Comfort Keepers has been caring for seniors in their home for over 21 years. They’ve earned the reputation as a premier provider of quality in-home care. In fact, readers of The Signal have voted Comfort Keepers BEST In-Home care for 12 consecutive years!

Comfort Keepers is a licensed Home Care Organization (HCO) locally owned and operated by Myles McNamara, certified senior advisor. Their goal is to enable seniors remain in the privacy and comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Often, all that’s needed is a helping hand with daily tasks, including but not limited to, medication reminders, bathing/showering assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, transportation (beauty salon, doctors, etc.), grocery shopping, companionship, grooming guidance, recreational activities and more.

Comfort Keepers is also crucial after discharge from a hospital stay to safely transition home and avoid a preventable readmission. They are also instrumental in lowering stress for family members juggling their own busy lives and work schedules around attending to a loved one’s needs.

Their service provides peace of mind knowing these needs and daily activities are being taken care of. It will allow quality time to be spent with loved ones, rather than attending to chores.

If falling is a concern, hydration, nutrition, medication schedule, etc., just knowing someone is with them can make all the difference. Their Caregivers are also specifically trained for Alzheimer’s and Dementia care.

Although their clients are primarily seniors, services are available for anyone over the age of 18 experiencing difficulties with daily tasks because of illness or injury. Offering In-Home Care for seniors, and anyone 18 and older recovering from illness or injury. Servicing the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, with office in Santa Clarita and Encino.

Comfort Keepers is located at 23900 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita 91321. Their phone number is (661) 287-4200 and the website is ComfortKeepers. com  A person’s habits can have a strong impact on his or her overall health. Unhealthy habits like smoking and living a sedentary lifestyle can increase a person’s risk for various conditions and diseases. On the flip side, healthy habits like eating a nutritious diet and getting enough sleep can bolster a person’s immune system and reduce his or her risk for various ailments.

Some healthy habits, like daily exercise, can

Healthy Habits For Your Daily Life

See HABITS, page 22

Caring. Compassionate. Committed.

henrymayo.com/care

HEALTHY LIVING

Skyline Smiles

Harleen Grewal, DDS, affectionately known by her patients as Dr. Harleen, brings her years of experience and exceptional chair side manner to her practice, Skyline Smiles, in Santa Clarita, California. The practice boasts a skilled team that consists of dedicated individuals who are kind, friendly, and caring.

Dr. Harleen completed her dental education at the University of Southern California, where she was recognized on the dean’s list. She completed her Residency and received her specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry from Lutheran Medical Center in Holyoke, MA.

Being a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and having 2 children of her own, Dr. Harleen understands the importance of making children feel comfortable and look forward to their dental visits. A clean and organized dental office can do wonders for calming anxiety and fear. Her primary goal is to make every visit to the dental office as friendly, streamlined and convenient as possible.

Dental care can often be intimidating for children. Dr Harleen`s comprehensive approach is focused on more than simply providing exceptional care. We are focused on educating parents and children about oral hygiene, treatment techniques, and preventative options.

Dr. Harleen has volunteered at the USC Mobile Clinic during her time in Los Angeles and helped provide children with free oral health services through the ADA Foundation program known as Give Kids A Smile®. She is also proudly a part of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Skyline Smiles is located at 28532 La Madrid Dr Suite B, Santa Clarita, 91350. The phone number is (661) 228-6077 and their website is skyline smile.com 

Bennett’s Honey Farm is a family owned honey processing operation. Visit our retail store and see all of our honey varieties. Similar to shopping for wine, you will find that each honey has its own personality and bouquet.

We offer 100% raw, unfiltered honey from the flowers of Orange, Sage, Wildflower, Avocado, Eucalyptus, Buckwheat and Clover as well as Cactus honey. Additionally, we offer Honeycomb packed in one pound squares and comb chunk in glass jars. Bennett’s Honey Farm is a full service commercial honey packing facility that offers extracting services as well as custom and/or private labeling options.

Produced in the beautiful Heritage Valley of Ventura County, we at Bennett’s Honey Farm have been awarded blue ribbons at both the Los Angeles and Ventura County Fairs. We bottle our honey under the Topanga Quality Honey© label. Find us at Whole Foods Market, Ralphs, Fresh and Easy and many other specialty markets.

Look for us on the web at www.bennetthoney.com where you can see and read about all our products and take a video tour of the facility.

You’ll also have the option to click on our EStore link and shop for our products online. Find our products along the beautiful Heritage Valley Corridor on Hwy 126, between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, at various local fruit stands.

So, look for the bright red, blue and yellow Topanga Quality Honey Tasting Room™ sign and “Come and experience what real Honey is all about!” 

HEALTHY LIVING

Samuel Dixon Family Health Center

Incorporating healthy living changes into our lives can help us and our families feel better, prevent or delay chronic diseases and save us money. Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc., offers the Santa Clarita Valley community two life style change programs facilitated by a bilingual, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.

Our virtual pre-diabetes classes received full National Diabetes Prevention Program Recognition from the CDC and offer weekly education and group support. The classes, geared towards increasing awareness on prevention of Diabetes by setting and meeting goals and incorporating small incremental lifestyle changes, can make a difference in ourselves and our families health.

We encourage participation by providing a safe space to engage and learn from each other to make positive, lasting changes.

We also offer a bilingual, weekly program to support persons with Diabetes achieve better glycemic control through education. This involves making healthy food choices, becoming more active, learning to monitor glucose levels, taking medication, problem solving, healthy coping and reducing long term risks. We incorporate continuous glucose monitor support, and collaborate with their health care provider to monitor medications. We encourage our members to get involved and be active in their health by addressing misconceptions, becoming familiar with their HgbA1c, blood pressure target, cholesterol/cardiovascular risk, renal function and yearly foot exams.

Our providers and our Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist are here to guide you through your health journey and help with any fears, issues or challenges you encounter along the way.

Please join us!

Samuel Dixon Family Health Center has three locations, one each in Canyon Country, Newhall and Val Verde. For more information, visit https://www. sdfhc.org. 

HABITS

Continued from page 18 be time-consuming. Busy adults may not have time to exercise vigorously each day, though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urges men and women to find time for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. But not all healthy habits take up time. In fact, adults can incorporate various healthy practices into their daily routines without skipping a beat. Take the stairs Taking the stairs instead of the elevator can have a profound effect on overall health. According to Duke University, climbing just two flights of stairs combined per day can contribute to six pounds of weight loss over the course of a single year. In addition, a study from the North American Menopause Society found that stair climbing can help postmenopausal women reduce their risk for osteoporosis. Drink more water The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that water helps the body maintain a normal temperature, lubricates and cushions joints, protects the spinal cord

See HEALTHY, page 24

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE.

As the region’s most preferred orthopedic practice,* our doctors at Southern California Orthopedic Institute provide you and your loved ones with the most advanced bone, joint, and muscle care available—when and where you need it. Call (818) 901-6600 for an appointment and get back to the world that’s waiting for you.

Van Nuys (Main Location) | Bakersfield | Valencia | Simi Valley | Thousand Oaks | Beverly Hills | Porter Ranch

*Independent Market Research

HEALTHY LIVING

Mind Body Infusion

Mind Body Infusion is a full-service wellness resource serving men and women both in and around Santa Clarita, California. The practice, under the leadership of Yuvraj Grewal, MD, is staffed with some of the best medical and aesthetics professionals in the region, all of whom share a dedication to enhancing lives.

It was founded on the belief that vitamin and nutrient infusions can transform health and wellness. Clients can choose from a wide range of infusion options, ranging from treatments to support immunity, detoxification, energy, hydration, fitness, weight loss, digestive health and more. The providers can even create a customized cocktail to address specific needs.

Mind Body Infusion also offers the latest in medical aesthetics. These treatments underscore the belief that looking one’s best often equates to feeling one’s best. Team members are trained in how to assess each client’s features and skin to determine which treatments offer the best results.

From chemical peels to medicalgrade facials and injectables, Mind Body Infusion has the tools needed to create safe, lasting, and gorgeous results. Team members receive ongoing education and hands-on training that allows them to leverage these advanced tools to each client’s greatest advantage.

The office setting is designed for comfort and is intended to provide a peaceful, welcoming environment. Clients are encouraged to relax and enjoy their time at Mind Body Infusion, especially in light of the stress and uncertainties of modern life.

For those in Santa Clarita, who are curious about how infusion therapy or medical aesthetics can play a role in their health and wellness journey, the best way to learn more is to schedule a visit at Mind Body Infusion. The practice is currently accepting new clients and looks forward to welcoming new members into the Mind Body Infusion family.

Mind Body Infusion Med Spa is located at 28532 La Madrid Dr Suite C, Santa Clarita 91350. The phone number is (661) 402-8604; mindbody infusion.com. 

HEALTHY

Continued from page 22 and other sensitive tissues, and helps to rid the body of waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements. Adults who are thirsty can choose water over soda or other sugary beverages. The CDC notes that sugary beverages contain calories but little nutritional value, making water a healthier way for individuals to quench their thirst. Go for daily walks Walking benefits the body in myriad ways. For example, the Harvard School of Public Health notes that women who walk 30 minutes per day can reduce their risk of stroke by 20% and potentially by 40% if they walk briskly. In addition, researchers at the University of Virginia Health System found that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as men who walked less. A 15-minute walk around the neighborhood each morning coupled with a 15-minute walk after dinner can help adults dramatically improve their overall health. Eat more greens Eating more greens is another healthy habit that doesn’t require a major overhaul of an individual’s lifestyle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, are rich in vitamins A,C, E, and K. The Mayo Clinic notes that vitamin E alone can help people maintain their vision and promote a healthy reproductive system while also improving the health of the blood, brain and skin. Adults won’t have to reinvent the dietary wheel to incorporate more greens into their diets, and the results of doing so can have a significant, positive effect on their overall health.

The right habits can help people live healthier lives, and such habits need not require any major life changes. (MC) 