The Mayo Clinic states that gout is a special kind of arthritis that causes intense bouts of pain in the joints, most often around the big toe. Gout is a problem that affects over 8 million Americans. Emax Health writer Tracy Woolrich suggests a homemade remedy for this condition made of healthy foods and vitamins.

Apples and bananas are helpful in counteracting uric acid, one of the causes of gout, and liquidizing it to make it easier for it to leave the body. Woolrich suggests supplements of herbs, topical applications, and Vitamin C as well. She places total belief in her home remedy system, but acknowledges that it might not work well for everyone. If the gout gets too severe she recommends seeing a doctor or other medical professional right away.

Gout is an extremely uncomfortable but avoidable disease.  If you are worried about getting gout, see podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your feet and ask you about your diet to determine if you are at risk for getting this condition.

What is gout?

Diseases of the feet can affect the whole body, and symptoms usually arise within the feet. A condition like gout can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable.  The pain caused by this disease is often so agonizing that it requires elevation of the feet and some time off for them to fully recover.

Known in the past as “the disease of kings”, Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. This buildup of acid is typically seen on the big toe of the foot and can cause inflammation, redness and swelling. Although these are common symptoms of the diseases others include joint pain, extreme fatigue and a high fever. 

Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

For more information about Gout, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

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College athlete Tyreek Duren continues to play for La Salle despite suffering from plantar fasciitis. Although Duren has been contending with what normally is an adverse, painful condition, according to Duren the pain is generally minimal.

 "The first couple of games, I was OK," Duren said. "I didn't know when it was going to hurt. . . . Say for the first 10 minutes, I was fine. Then I didn't know. Then I'd come down on it awkwardly."

However, Duren did acknowledge that his condition could potentially slow him down. "One play I could go fast, then I'd play for it the next couple of possessions. Going for a layup, I'd always come down hard. The next couple of plays on defense, I'd go, 'I've got to take it easy.' Fortunately, Explorers coach John Giannini believes that Duren’s condition is continuing to improve.  

If you are experiencing pain from plantar fasciitis, be sure to consult with podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein will examine your heel and treat the pain and symptoms of all of your foot and ankle problems.

The Condition Known as Plantar Fasciitis

An inflammation of the connective tissues on the bottom of the foot, Plantar Fasciitis can cause a great deal of pain in the arch and heel of the foot.

Treatments That Can Help Plantar Fasciitis

· Shockwave Therapy- works by sending sound waves to the sites where pain is being experienced. Commonly used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis, shockwave therapy usually requires multiple sessions
· Ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injections into the plantar fascia. This is from a relatively smaller new study but shown to be effective in most cases treated
· Conservative Measures- ice packs, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, physical therapy and/or anti-inflammatory medication

What Can Cause Plantar Fasciitis?

· Excessive running
· Lack of adequate footwear
· Bad foot support
· Overpronation
· Obesity

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

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Seventh-grader Lauren Kiachian of St. Nicholas School attended one of her brother’s soccer games last fall. She then noticed that the opposing team kept sliding around the field because some of the players were not wearing proper cleats.

Knowing that her brother often grows his sports shoes, she decided to put his fairly new conditioned shoes into good use. Lauren held a youth sports-shoe drive. There she was able to donate shoes to charities and non-profit groups for children who might not be able to afford proper sports footwear.

It was then Lauren who decided to team up with Jeff Maier sports director in YMCA in Mountain View, to find L.A.C.E.S.(Let All Children Enjoy Sports). They held a drive. and now Lauren and L.A.C.E.S have a partnership where used donated sports shoes will be distributed to those children in need.

Properly fitted shoes are important to prevent injuries or other conditions to your feet.  For more information, be sure to pay a visit to podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your feet and provide advice for proper shoe fitting.   

Proper Shoe Fitting

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are come factors to consider when it comes to investing in properly fitting shoes:

• Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away
• Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes
• Even though they may look fashionable, improperly fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have
• Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, keeping properly fit shoes is vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.

In Merced County, 70 students from the Alicia Reyes Elementary School were recipients of free pairs of socks and shoes. The benefactor was a Merced-based nonprofit organization known as the Happy Feet Foundation, which provides footwear to children from low-income households.

The foundation’s president, Brynn Wolcott, said that “the purpose is to give children confidence so they feel good about themselves.” School learning director Lil Ayala added that “for some, it’s a big deal,” and that these new shoes fill an important need. Due to the success and financial backing, the organization expects to double, possibly even triple, the amount of recipients next year.

Take care of your children’s feet, and their feet will take care of them for a lifetime. To keep your child up to date on his or her foot health, be sure to pay a visit to podiatrist Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can examine your child’s feet and keep them in good shape.  

How to Keep Your Child’s Feet Healthy

Throughout childhood, it is crucial for children to have and maintain good health and proper care of their feet. With good foot health starting at an early age, foot problems and diseases can be prevented in the future. As children continue to develop so do their feet, and require different techniques of care and maintenance.

Even though babies do not begin walking until later stages, their feet should be taken care of properly:

· Stay away from socks that are too tight for your baby’s feet. This can cause pain and decrease circulation
· Encourage your baby to move their feet as much as possible so they feel comfortable with them

When your baby begins to learn how to walk, don’t panic if they are unsteady on their feet. Toddlers are just getting used to the way in which their feet work so wobbliness is completely acceptable.

When your child grows out of their toddler years, here are a few steps they should take to stay with good health within their feet:

· Practice proper hygiene with them
· Be observant of any injuries that might occur
· If an injury occurs, get it checked by a doctor

To learn more about Keeping Your Child’s Feet Healthy, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

Read more about Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy.

Asjha Jones, a WNBA player for the Connecticut Sun, has ruptured one of her Achilles tendons and won’t be able to play for the upcoming basketball season. The injury occurred during a game she was playing in in Russia.

This is the second season Jones has had to miss in a row due to disability. “We are saddened to hear of Asjha’s injury,” said Chris Sienko, Vice President and General Manager of the Sun. “...However, we know Asjha to be strong and determined and hopefully she will be afforded another opportunity to play the game she loves in the future.”

Achilles tendon injuries need special time and care to heal properly. If you are experiencing pain in your tendon, visit a podiatrist like Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Dr. Stein can take a look at your injury and provide you with an array of options to help you recover.

Facts to Know about Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. Since this tendon is important to walking and movement, any injuries inflicted to this tissue should be immediately brought up with your podiatrist to prevent further damage.

What Are the Most Common Injuries to the Achilles Tendon?

Tendon Ruptures:One may hear a popping or snapping sound if their Achilles tendon ruptures.  Symptoms are swelling, pain, and difficulty walking or bending the foot forward. There are surgical and non-surgical procedures available, and depending on the treatment you take, recovery can last up to a year from treatment.

Achilles tendinitis:Achilles tendinitis is the milder of the two injuries, and can be recognized by the following symptoms: inflammation, dull to severe pain, an increased flow of blood to the tendon, portions of the tendon growing in thickness, and a slower movement time. Tendinitis can be treated in many different ways and is often diagnosed by an MRI.

How Can I Avoid Injuries?

• Stretch before exercising, running or walking
• Calf raises, squats, leg curls, leg extensions, leg raises, lunges, and using the leg press
• Work out on a floor that is cushioned to relieve pressure on your heels.

If you have any questions, feel free to call one of our offices in San Leandro, CA, Pleasonton, CA, or Los Gatos, CA. We offer the best in diagnostic and treatment technology for any complication you might have.

Read more about Achilles Tendon Injuries.