Scientific research has proven that our foot health is connected to the health of the entire body. When feet are not functioning optimally, it affects other joints and muscles in ankles, knees and spine. Flat feet is one of the foot conditions that not only causes leg fatigue and discomfort, but can eventually lead to development of a host of more serious foot problems. Flat feet are caused by excessive pronation (feet rolling inwards) which make arches susceptible to collapsing. The first line of defense and usually the best alternative for correcting flat feet is wearing supportive shoes which also include arch support.
If you have flat feet, insoles that support the arch and stabilize the heel need to be worn at all times, irrespective of what kind shoes you wear. Insoles are available in many materials, sizes, and widths, so you can choose the best fit for your foot’s contours and dimensions. If you choose to obtain regular, off-the-shelf insoles, you ideally need to have a pair for each piece of footwear you own, since many tend to wear out quickly.
If you order a custom orthotic insole to provide flat foot support, you should consider including an arch brace. It offers additional support and further minimizes foot discomfort. For those who prefer to wear high heels, you need to obtain insoles which transfer body weight from the ball of the foot to the heel. For footwear which has small toe boxes, ¾ insole length is typically required to leave extra space for placement of toes.
The rigidity of shoe insoles varies depending on how your foot reacts to them. Insoles made from rigid material typically have plastic shells, while others have a spring system or are made from softer, more flexible materials which provide greater cushioning. If you choose insoles with plastic shell, you need to ensure they fit your footwear correctly to prevent the weight from transferring to points on your foot that would cause you more discomfort. Most people choose insoles made from softer materials to treat flat feet.
Custom-made orthotic insoles used to be available by prescription only at your podiatrist’s office. Today, you can order pre-made orthotic insoles online and achieve a similar result as with those designed by a podiatrist. However, keep in mind that if you choose to obtain insoles from your podiatrist, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 – $400 per pair. Whichever option you choose, remember to do some comparative shopping before investing in them, as prices vary between manufacturers.
For anyone who has had a previous diagnosis of cancer, or who has just freshly been diagnosed, there is a lot of fear of what you can and can’t do. This article will give you some advice on how to deal with your cancer and the myriad of issues that come with it.
If you have cancer, join a support group. A support group can offer you valuable information, advice, and assistance. It also helps you to realize that you’re not alone in this battle. Support groups are available across the country, for every type of cancer. A simple Internet search should help you to locate one quickly.
It is important to work as much as possible while you are battling cancer. Many people are able to work their regular jobs even while they are getting treatments for their cancer. It is possible to live a very normal life with cancer as long as you try to live normally.
If you are being treated for cancer, be sure to keep all of the follow up appointments with your doctor. Even if you start to feel like you’re improving, it is still necessary to continue treatment.
As a preventive measure against the formation of certain cancers, stay away from pesticides. People such as farmers and crop-dusters, who are frequently exposed to these carcinogens have a higher rate of cancers, such as stomach, lung and skin cancers, among others. Try to find natural alternatives to chemical pesticides.
Let your loved ones do your housework for you. You need to preserve your energy for your battle against cancer. They are sure to happily take care of all of the housework for you during this time. Do not hesitate to take advantage of anyone’s offer to help you with the things that need done.
Don’t treat your diagnosis as a death sentence. There are many types of cancer that are highly treatable. Even if yours isn’t one of them, there are always a percentage of people who beat the odds – that’s why they’re presented as percentages. Follow your treatment plan and take loving care of yourself. Aim for the highest quality life attainable to you.
Older adults are at higher risk for developing certain types of cancer. Approximately 75% of cancers are diagnosed in people aged 55 and older. As the risk rises, so does the importance of staying healthy and physically fit. Regular doctor visits, normal body weight, a healthy diet, self-exams and cancer screening tests can all help to reduce the risk.
Always consider that a doctor you like, might not be the right doctor to help you beat your cancer. Sometimes, you have to go the extra mile and seek out a specialist in the field with more expertise than your current oncologist may have. It’s all about getting better and experts can help make this happen.
You should always seek second opinions, even if you believe your oncologist is the best in his or her field. It’s only an opinion you’re seeking; you never know when someone made a mistake or failed to mention a possible treatment option to you. Getting multiple opinions will simply give you multiple sources of information.
For cancer patients who are not satisfied with their current treatment, know that you can get a second opinion. Sometimes, another oncologist may know of treatment options that can help you. If you are unsure where to go for treatment, you can look online for good cancer treatment centers in your area.
You should always seek second opinions, even if you believe your oncologist is the best in his or her field. It’s only an opinion you’re seeking; you never know when someone made a mistake or failed to mention a possible treatment option to you. Getting multiple opinions will simply give you multiple sources of information.
Medical treatments have come a long way in the last 20 or 30 years, and an increasing number of people are overcoming the disease to live lives that are long and healthy. Your oncologist will discuss all of the treatment options for your specific kind of cancer with you.
Always consider that a doctor you like, might not be the right doctor to help you beat your cancer. Sometimes, you have to go the extra mile and seek out a specialist in the field with more expertise than your current oncologist may have. It’s all about getting better and experts can help make this happen.
Jan 13
21
Once you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, time is of the essence. In that vein, I will not waste your time discussing issues that are not focused purely on the treatment options you have at your disposal to manage the illness. There are 6 kinds of standard treatment methods used for prostate cancer patients.
Active monitoring
If the illness is in its infancy, a patient is closely monitored. At his stage, treatment is not given until symptoms change or the test results indicate that a more aggressive treatment is necessary. During active monitoring stage, a patient undergoes various examinations and analysis, including a specific number of biopsies over a set period of time.
Surgery
Pelvic lymphadenectomy is a surgical procedure where the lymph nodes and tissue surrounding the pelvis are extracted and analyzed for suspected growth of cancer cells. If cancer cells are present, other forms of treatment may be considered. In this case, however, the prostate is not removed. Radical prostarectomy is a procedure whereby the entire prostate, including the tissue surrounding it, are surgically extracted. Side-effects of surgical treatment for prostate cancer may include leakage of urine from the bladder and impotence.
Radiation therapy
This form of treatment uses x-rays to destroy cancerous cells and prevent them from spreading to the rest of the organs. The radiation therapy that uses an external machine to kill cancer cells is known as external radiation therapy. Internal radiation therapy utilizes substances which are radioactive in order to treat the illness. They are contained in catheters, needles and wires and are injected near the area where cancer cells are located.
Hormonal therapy
Treating prostate cancer by eliminating hormones or neutralizing their effect is another method that has entered mainstream medicine. For example, testosterone, a main male hormone, may actually promote the growth of cancer cells in the prostate. Therefore, specific methods are used to offset the effect of hormones on cancer cells:
*Luteinizing hormones which are used as agonists to block the production of testosterone.
* Anti-androgens which block the effect of androgens (hormones that support physical characteristics in males).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a recognized method of prostate cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop and prevent further growth of cancer cells. When the drug enters into the bloodstream, it can either have a local effect on cancer tissue around the prostate gland (known as regional chemotherapy) or it can spread to many other areas in instances where the cancer has metastasized to other organs (known as systemic chemotherapy).
Biologic therapy
Biologic therapy is a form of treatment that uses body’s natural defenses to minimize the effect of prostate cancer. It consists of using compounds that body already produces on its own. It is why it’s often referred to as immunotherapy.