Displaying items by tag: peripheral artery disease

November is the month of the Great American Smokeout and here at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we want to alert patients to the fact the quitting smoking can improve foot health. While most people are aware that stopping smoking will greatly reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, they may not realize the role that smoking plays in other aspects of their health, including their feet.

When you smoke, your blood vessels constrict and your circulation is reduced. Quitting will bring the following benefits:

• Faster healing of foot infections and injuries
• Reduced down time after podiatric surgeries
• Decreased risk of complications accompanying other diseases that affect the feet such as diabetes
• Lower risk of developing peripheral artery disease

Most people who resolve to quit will hit points where the physical or mental craving for a cigarette can be intense. Here are some suggestions from the American Cancer Society on how to tame cravings:

1. At least in the beginning avoid being in places where people are smoking. Spend as much of your free time as possible in public places where smoking is prohibited—movie theaters, libraries, malls, church, restaurants and museums.
2. Take good care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
3. Cut yourself some slack. Smoking is an addiction and it’s natural to feel irritable, depressed, angry or other negative emotions. Plan ahead to have ways to deal with the stress: exercise, a hot bath or shower, positive imaging and mediation.
4. Switch from 1 or 2 big meals a day to 4 to 6 small ones. This will help keep your blood sugar up, your energy level balanced and reduce the urge to smoke.
5. If you miss the physical aspects of having a cigarette keep oral substitutes handy such as lollipops, carrot or celery sticks or hard candy. Have a pencil, smooth stone or paper clip at the ready to hold in your hand.
6. Keep a photo of those you love with you at all times. Look at it when you are tempted to smoke to remind yourself of why you want to reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and other health problems associated with smoking.
7. Phone a friend or a smoking cessation hot line when you need extra support or someone to talk to as you battle.
8. Celebrate milestones—one day, one week, one month—that you go without a cigarette.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy but the benefits to your feet (and the rest of your body) are well worth it. If you have questions about other conditions that affect your feet, contact our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas at our Long Beach office by calling: 562-420-9800.

February is National Heart Month and here at Superior Foot & Ankle Center we want patients to understand the vital connection between heart and podiatric health. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major contributing factor to heart disease. Hypertension can lead to peripheral artery disease and other circulation problems which can have a significant impact on your feet. Poor circulation, particularly in patients with diabetes can lead to sores and ulcers forming on your feet and increase the risk of amputation. Here are some other facts about hypertension:

• 90 percent of American adults are expected to develop high blood pressure during their lifetimes
• It’s the number one risk factor in women’s deaths in the U.S. and the number two for men
• High blood pressure is more prevalent in blacks than whites and also develops earlier in life

Fight Back

There are a number of ways that you can help reduce your risk of hypertension:

• Know your numbers—get your blood pressure checked regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight—add more colorful fruits and vegetables to your plate, reduce carbs and sugars
• Exercise regularly—look for small ways to increase activity: park farther away from your office entrance, pace while you talk on the phone
• Reduce sodium in your diet—read labels and make more meals at home using herbs, non-sodium seasonings, citrus fruits and other flavorful ingredients to spice up your dishes
• Limit alcohol intake
• Don’t smoke
• If your doctor prescribes medication for hypertension take as directed

If you have not been diagnosed with hypertension but you are experiencing cramping in your feet or changes in feet’s skin color or temperature, make an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: to see one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas. These may be early warning signs of high blood pressure or another condition that the foot doctor will want to evaluate.