General Health Articles

Healthy Living What Your Feet Say About Your Health

As odd as it may seem, your feet may be the window to your overall body health. Here are some things to look for regarding your feet that will give you clues that there may be other important body issues to investigate.

Thick, yellow toenails 

Toenails are not supposed to be thick and/or yellow.  Thick, yellow nails are most often an indication of a fungal infection living beneath your toenails.  People that have other medical conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other immune deficiencies are more likely to get a fungal infection than those that do not have these conditions.  To treat thick, yellow toenails, you will need to consult a podiatrist.  While there are plenty of over-the-counter treatments for thick, yellow toenails, by the time your nails are already discolored and thick it is too late for any over-the-counter creams or medicines to work. You must discuss your options with a professional.

No hair on your feet or toes 

If your feet or toes are lacking hair, it can be a sign of having poor circulation because of vascular disease.  If you notice that your feet and toes do not have any hair on them, you will want to consult your doctor to find out ways to improve your circulation thereby reducing your risk of acquiring vascular disease.

A wound that won’t heal on your foot  

Wounds on your feet that just won’t heal could be an indication of diabetes.  Over time, elevated blood glucose levels can lead to serious nerve damage in your feet and because of this damage you may not feel when you have a sore or a wound on your foot.  If your wound continues to go unhealed there could be major problems, including amputation.  If you notice a wound that won’t heal on your feet, be sure to contact your doctor to discuss your wound.  If you are currently living with or being treated for diabetes, be sure to check your feet often and mark any changes.

In the News Best Resolutions for 2023 – Part II

(Continued from Part I…)

• Enroll in courses to gain more knowledge and to learn new skills or improve your current one.
• Start your own business.
• Get out of your shell, make new friends, and find ways to become more confident.
• Travel more, even if that means taking short trips or traveling within the city in which you live.
• Make better financial decisions this year by saving money, becoming more conscious about your spending, budgeting, investing, etc.
• Reduce social media use.
• Quit bad habits that have been holding you back like substance abuse, procrastination, and self-sabotage.
• Let go of toxic friends and unhealthy relationships.
• Read more books.
• Adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Give back to the community through donations, volunteering, and doing random acts of kindness.  

New Year’s Resolutions act as a guide for how you want your life to be for the next 365 days. You can also adjust as the year goes along. If you find something you can do to improve your life in the middle of the year, you don’t have to wait until next year to implement it. 

Happy New Year and Here’s to a Successful 2023.

In the News Best Resolutions for 2023 – Part I

Every year when the calendar flips to January 1, everyone starts thinking about their New Year’s Resolution. For the past couple years though, many people have given up on resolutions because the pandemic caused many to think that it was pointless to make a resolution when life is so unpredictable. 

Experts say though that it is still important to make resolutions. They say that you should adjust your expectations, be realistic and make achievable resolutions for 2023. 

Here are some of the best resolutions you can make for a successful New Year. 

• Get more organized at home and at work.
• Stop worrying about what others think and things you cannot control.
• Start living in the moment.
• Establish a work-life balance and spend more time with family and people who mean the most to you.
• Lead a healthier lifestyle by starting a fitness program, eating a healthier diet, and protecting your mental health.
• Start standing up for yourself.
• Become more optimistic.
• Quit an unfulfilling job and change careers.
• Make yourself a priority this year by giving yourself a makeover, learn how to put yourself first more often, and taking time off work for “me time”.
• Stop holding grudges, forgive others and let go of the past.
• Try new things even if they seem scary.
• Learn when to say yes and, also when to say no. 

(Continued in Part II…)

Winter Remedies 101: Chapped Lips Tips

Tis the season for chapped lips. While they can be quite a bother, there are some easy remedies to rid yourself of those pesky signs of winter- chapped lips.

• Don’t lick your lips. This makes your already chapped lips worse.
• Use a lip moisturizer with sunscreen.
• Avoid washing your lips with harsh cleansers.
• Sleep with a humidifier.
• Avoid allergens like perfumes and dyes.
• Stay hydrated.

In the News Top Health and Fitness Discoveries in 2022

Over the past twelve months, there have been many top health and fitness discoveries made in thousands of labs across the country.  Here we will look at some of the top discoveries that will lead us to a happier and healthier 2023.

• Chrono nutrition. “There has always been a two-sided debate over whether the time of day makes a difference in maintaining a healthy body weight. Classic scientific discourse has been the calories in vs calories out as the main factor, rather than timing, and often things like eating less in the evening or eating a large breakfast were dismissed as myths. However, a new study was published to show both are correct. While energy intake vs energy expenditure is crucial in weight management, when eating smaller or larger meals affects your appetite and blood sugar regulation, it is more about regulating how hungry you are throughout the day. You are less likely to overeat later in the day if you eat a larger (balanced) breakfast in the morning.”
• Social media dietary advice.” A survey showed that 47% of people take health and nutrition advice from social media. However, worryingly especially on TikTok aimed at younger users, much of this information was incorrect and misleading, promoted by unqualified individuals and the platforms' algorithms promoting a toxic diet culture, contributing to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction.”
• Sweeteners are terrible for your health. “Once promoted as a healthy alternative for those with a sweet tooth, artificial sweeteners have garnered significant controversy as synthetic food sources. Previous studies have shown that they can promote appetite and sugar cravings and contribute to higher body weight. However, this year saw a large-scale study, of more than 100,000 participants that linked their artificial sweetener intake (notable additives like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose) to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.”