Did your shoe size change during pregnancy? Do you suffer from pain and swelling of the feet during pregnancy? Is swollen feet during pregnancy common for all of these changes to happen? And the most important question is how to overcome this problem? To begin, we must acknowledge that pregnancy is a challenging experience in which many physiological changes occur, and women confront several health issues that must be addressed to protect their health and the health of the fetus.  One of the most common problems is swollen feet during pregnancy. Swollen feet during pregnancy! We must first understand the reasons behind this problem before we can assess whether or not it is preventable. Is it normal? Yes, it is normal for a pregnant woman to have some swelling during pregnancy, especially in the legs, ankles, feet, and toes. Swelling occurs because there is more water than usual in the body. Excess water tends to collect throughout the day in the lower extremities, especially if the weather is hot or you have been standing for long periods. The pressure of the growing uterus can also affect blood flow in the legs, causing fluid to build up in your legs, ankles, and feet. It is often worse at the end of the day and in the last months of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia It is true that swelling that occurs gradually is not usually harmful, but it can be annoying. In contrast to the sudden swelling that may be a sign of preeclampsia! At that time, you should monitor the situation and consult a doctor as soon as possible. Tips to reduce swollen feet during pregnancy Try these simple steps to help reduce swelling: Avoid standing for long periods. Raise your feet as much as possible when sitting and avoid crossing your feet. Stretch a lot after sitting for long periods. Lie on your left side when sleeping. Drink plenty of water. This advice may sound strange, but if your body feels dehydrated, it will try to retain more fluids. Wear comfortable shoes and socks and avoid tight clothing or anything that may put pressure on your feet. Exercise regularly. Try to walk regularly during the day or do simple foot exercises such as: Bend the feet and extend them up and down 30 times. Rotate each foot in a circle 8 times in one direction and 8 times in the other.

With the development of technology and changing our lifestyles, we spend a lot of time sitting whether we are at home or work. Sitting too much is an addiction now! The majority of the routine has come to be linked with sitting. For example, we wake up in the morning, we sit down for breakfast, then we sit in the vehicle on our way to work, and then we sit at work all day before driving home and sitting on the sofa watching TV or browsing the Internet. The numbers don’t lie Do you really sit for long periods? Or it’s several times but for short periods. Let’s put that into numbers. Suppose you sleep eight hours a day and there are sixteen hours left. Often your routine includes: It takes about 45 minutes to drive to work Work at the office for 8 hours You eat lunch in 45 minutes or an hour It takes about 45 minutes to get home Eat dinner in 30 minutes Watching TV, reading or browsing the Internet and social networking sites for 3 hours The total sitting time during the day is approximately 14 hours! But what is the problem with sitting?! Sitting too much and for long periods can affect your health and research has shown that it can lead to many health problems such as: Being overweight or obese Unhealthy levels of blood sugar and type 2 diabetes. Research indicates that people who spend more time sitting have a 112% risk of developing diabetes. Increased risk of heart disease because your heart and cardiovascular system work more effectively when standing. Weakness and atrophy of the muscles of the legs. If these muscles are weak, you can hurt yourself by falling and straining when exercising. Increased risk of anxiety and depression in people who sit more. This may be because people who spend a lot of time sitting miss out on the positive effects of physical activity and fitness. But fortunately, it has been proven that if we watch TV for less than two hours a day, we can reduce the risk of developing pre-existing health problems. Exercising regularly – at least 150 minutes a week – and reducing sitting time will also help.

You might think that falling is not a big problem that needs steps and tips to avoid, but numbers have another opinion; nearly 36 million falls occur among the elderly every year, and a large number of them need treatment in emergency departments and may cause death! That’s why the need for fall prevention tips is rising. What are the factors that increase the risk of falling? Certainly, some factors can greatly affect our balance and increase the risk, such as: Your general health. Deformities in the foot. Foot pain because it is difficult to walk swollen or injured feet. Wearing ill-fitting or worn-out shoes may make you more prone to slipping or tripping. Getting old! Because it can change the shape of our feet and cause losing some of their flexibility, change the way we walk and affect our balance. Tips to prevent falls Yes, fall prevention needs special care and can be done through the following tips Taking care of your feet Consult a podiatrist at Health and Style Medical Center if you have achy or swollen feet, feel tingling or pins in your feet, or if you notice any changes in the shape of your feet. Ask a podiatrist about ways to improve blood circulation and reduce pain in the legs and feet, you can also find out some tips here. When buying a shoe Make sure that The sole is not slippery. You can walk around in the store for a while The shoes are suitable and the heel does not slip Trying both soles Buying shoes at night because the feet swell during the day For more tips on choosing the right shoe. Safe home Some home changes may also help in fall prevention at home Wipe up spilled liquids on the floor immediately Remove excess wires and worn carpets Use durable non-slip rugs Ensure that all rooms, corridors and staircases are well lit Do not walk on slippery floors with socks Avoid wearing loose clothing as it may cause you to stumble Wear well-fitting shoes, in good condition and that support the ankle Add grab bars in the bathroom Exercising Regular strength and balance exercises help improve your strength and balance and reduce the risk of falls. But you will need to consult your doctor to determine the activities that you can do, and you can ask him about some activities that you can do at home. Eye tests Impaired vision greatly increases the likelihood of falls, so get regular eye exams.

Many kids find clipping their nails too challenging, resulting in behaviors to avoid such as yelling, tantrums, running, and pulling their hands or feet apart.  Clipping a kid’s nails could be a big challenge for many mothers and their kids, but it is an essential step of foot care that must be done periodically and correctly. So, in this blog post, we will show you how to properly clip your kid’s nails. First, know your child’s fears Nail clippers may be frightening. Try purchasing a more appealing one that is more appropriate for kids; select a nail clipper with cartoon characters or shapes that your kid likes. If your kid hates using nail clippers, baby nail scissors or a nail file may be useful. File nails indeed take longer, but your kid may accept it as an alternative. Help your child manage their tension before clipping their nails by applying pressure to the putty or stress ball. Distract your kid by letting them play with a toy before and during nail clipping. You could even let them watch their favorite TV show while you trim their nails. Ask your child to trim their nails; obviously, this may vary depending on your kid’s age. But the kid’s ability to handle the situation might aid to minimize sensitivity to nail clipping. Your kid’s problem may be due to discomfort after cutting their nails, so try not to shorten the nails too much. Sometimes kids hate the sound that nail clippers produce when trimming their nails. Then it will help to let your kid listen to their favorite song while clipping nails or use scissors. It’s time to clip your kid’s nails After you have identified your kid’s fears and figured out how to overcome them, here are a few tips for clipping kids’ nails without causing a major meltdown. Before cutting nails! Choose a place with adequate lighting and plenty of light. Wash your kid’s feet and soak them in a bowl of warm water before clipping their nails, because softer nails are easier and faster to trim. Make nail clipping a fun game. For example, let your kid choose the next nail. Cut nails properly Cut the nails straight Do not cut the sides of the nail and do not make them sharp, because this may cause an ingrown nail. Do not shorten the nails too much because they may blister. If you notice any signs of infection such as pus, redness, swelling, pain, or heat around the nail, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Are you considering purchasing new shoes? That should be awesome, but wait 5 minutes only! Do you know that ill-fitting shoes can cause many foot problems such as pain, deformities of the feet, and even falls?! Unfortunately, it’s true. So, buying shoes should no longer be dependent just on fashion, but there are other factors to consider before making a decision and purchasing a new shoe. You will find a great solution in this blog post. Checklist before buying shoes You should ensure that the shoes meet these standards before purchasing them. The heel is less than 2.5 cm. The shoe has laces and stays firmly on your foot. There is about 1 cm between your longest toe and the shoe when you stand. The shoes have a well-cushioned sole. Made from a breathable material. Protects your feet from injury & keeps your feet safe from harm. It has the same shape as your foot. The heel provides the required protection. Don’t forget to check through the previous conditions and make sure that all of them are fulfilled in the new shoes, because if they aren’t, the shoes won’t provide the necessary protection and support for your feet. But why all this long list? Because choosing proper fitting shoe aid in the maintenance of its health & minimizing foot discomfort. Each criterion has a purpose, for example High-heeled shoes may cause sores and calluses due to increased pressure on the ball of the foot. The higher the heel, the greater the stress and damage. If the shoe does not provide the necessary support for your feet, your toes will twist to stabilize it. This can cause the upper part of the shoe to rub against your toes. This can cause corns and calluses and affect the muscles in the feet. Friction between your toes and the end of the shoe can cause toe damage and toenail pain. Shoes with a cushioned, supportive sole absorb any shock and reduce pressure under the feet. The material from which the shoe is made is very important, for example, those that do not allow the passage of air may cause fungal infections. Protecting the feet from entering foreign bodies that can hurt the feet is the main function of shoes. It is necessary for diabetics to wear closed shoes. You can consult a podiatrist at a Health and Style Medical Center to see if you are wearing the right shoes for you and to discuss more information if necessary.

Our feet do a lot of tasks in our daily lives such as supporting our bodies and carrying our body weight. Therefore, being overweight or obese causes pain in the feet, because it means increased load and pressure on the joints! So, yes, obesity cause foot problems! Given that the prevalence of obesity is increasing all over the world, resulting in an increased incidence of foot problems, increased joint pain, and damages from being overweight in recent years. Does weight cause foot problems? Indeed, studies have proven that the higher the weight of the individual, the greater the pressure on his feet and the greater the chance of getting foot problems. Obesity and foot problems Being overweight or obese may cause a lot of foot problems, for example: Feet pain due to increased pressure on the joints People who are overweight are more likely to develop flat feet. Obesity and overweight increase the risk of nerve damage and diabetic foot in people with diabetes, and increase the risk of diabetes itself! Obesity and being overweight are among the factors that increase the incidence of gout. Overweight increases your risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Although the causes of osteoarthritis are unknown, obesity increases the risk of it due to the extra pressure it places on your joints, especially the knees. Overweight and obesity? Being overweight or obese occurs as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle that results in an abnormal or excessive buildup of fat. BMI is a cheap technique to determine a person’s weight category, whether they are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. You can calculate it yourself by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by his height in meters squared. If a person’s BMI is more than 25, he or she is considered overweight. Weight loss tips Do not miss breakfast Eat foods rich in fiber and increase fruits and vegetables. Keep healthy food on hand. For example, keep a bowl of fruit on the counter and prepackaged vegetables in the fridge. So, when you feel hungry, you will have a healthy snack. Reduce your temptations If you can’t control yourself in front of sweets, don’t keep stocks at home. Be more active and exercise. In addition to its role in overall health, it helps in weight loss or maintenance. Always avoid eating all of the dishes directly from the bowl or bag because it causes overeating.

There is no doubt that exercising is useful and helps us get healthy, but nothing is perfect! And sports injuries are the dark side. However, most sports injuries are preventable and they usually occur due to excessive exercise or the application of more force than the body can handle. Knowing the causes and home remedies tips can make a big difference, so let’s take a quick look at it: Causes of sports injuries Sports injuries can occur for various reasons such as: an accident such as a fall Not warming up properly before exercise Using inappropriate equipment Exercising a lot Improper training or play Wearing poorly fitting shoes Most common sports injuries Despite that, any part of the body can be affected, but the ankles and knees are more susceptible. The most common injuries include: Ankle sprain Ankle strain Knee Injuries Achilles tendon Bone fractures Treatment If you are injured or experience pain when exercising, stop immediately since continuing to play or exercise will result in more damage. Then follow the RICE method which will help prevent further damage: Rest Avoid using the affected area for 2-3 days. Apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes every two hours for the first 2-3 days. Compression bandage over the area that hurts. Elevate the affected area above the level of the heart at all times and as much as you can. Also, consult a doctor as soon as possible, and do not expose the injured area to heat. Sometimes you may need to take analgesic medications for pain relief, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery! Before you begin exercising again, be sure you are completely recovered. Start gradually and avoid overburdening the injured area. Prevention You can reduce your risk of injury by: Warming up properly and for enough time before exercising Stretching after exercise Using the appropriate tools for the sport you practice, for example wearing running shoes for running, and shin guards for football Following the correct techniques Tell us if you’ve ever had a sports injury.

The Almighty’s best creation is mankind. But in this entire human race, the Supreme Power has taken care to make each individual different. No two people have the same finger prints! Wow! But just as versatile we are as individuals; we seemingly have different foot types. None can be called as a deviancy. It would be better to call it as ‘different’. But our foot types can become painful. Each foot type has different set of problems and requires special care. Keeping this in mind we have a range of orthopaedic insoles available with us. Arch and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other foot problems can be taken care by insoles. All these problems arise from not having enough support while we stand or walk. Your foot doctor will suggest you to go for custom orthotics or insoles based upon the severity of pain. Orthopaedic arch supports can be worn by people who are cautious about not developing any sort of foot problem in future. These insoles are designed by engineers taking factors like balance and cushioning into consideration. Ladies more often cause harm to their foot by wearing heels. Although heels look nice and are high on fashion, they are in no way in compliance with the health of our foot. They can cause much irreversible harm. But with orthotic insoles you can get the stability and support you need. They are mostly semi-rigid in structure for flexibility and cushioning. There is a special heel cradle which gives you extra comfort while walking. Orthopaedic insoles are mostly mobile, which means that no matter which shoe you choose to wear in a particular day, you can always insert them into it. Orthotic insoles are also effective in flat foot problem. Our Podiatry clinic is a one stop solution for all kinds of insoles in Abu Dhabi. Read More: Health Benefits of Foot Massage Gout Pain Causes & Treatment Plantar Fasciitis – Causes and Treatments