UTIs and Your Shoes

What makes a person susceptible to a urinary tract infection? Many times, there is no obvious reason for a UTI. A urinary passage may be partially blocked, or bacteria may spread from the lower bowel or from the vagina during intercourse. Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection, thanks to hormonal and physical changes. One other factor? Your shoes. If you wear high heels frequently, you could be putting yourself at risk for a urinary tract infection! Here’s why: wearing high heels can make your pelvis tilt forward and your back curve outwards. This can … Continue reading →

Hypothyroidism

What is your thyroid, anyway? The thyroid is a pretty important gland — it influences metabolism. That means your thyroid is in charge of calorie burning, your heartbeat, and even your breath. Hypothyroidism — when your thyroid is underactive — is the most common thyroid disorder. Millions of people may have undiagnosed thyroid disease, according to experts at the New York Thyroid Center at Columbia University. If your thyroid is underactive, your body produces more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in an attempt to make your thyroid work properly. A blood test can measure the levels of TSH in your body … Continue reading →

Dealing With Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes a rash on the skin of the foot. It may appear between the toes, on the sole, on the heel, on the instep, or in multiple locations. The fungus is easily spread but can be easily treated at home. Natural remedies include: Mix fungus fighting essential oils like lavender, tea tree, clove, and eucalyptus into a carrier oil. Keep your feet dry — wear cotton socks and/or open shoes and use foot powder. Sweat and a lack of air circulation can encourage infection growth. Make your own foot powder from cornstarch with … Continue reading →

Different Types of Athlete’s Foot

There’s more than one type of athlete’s foot, and the treatment for each can vary. Toe web infections (also known as interdigital infections) are the most common type of athlete’s foot. The infection appears between the toes, most often between the fourth and fifth toes. Toe web infections can often be treated using nonprescription antifungal creams and/or lotions. Keeping your feet clean and dry can help the infection clear up faster — and stay away afterwards. For a severe infection, you may need a prescription antifungal medication from your doctor. A moccasin-type infection leads to scaly, thickened skin on the … Continue reading →

Lyme Disease: Treatment

Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics. As with many diseases, the sooner you catch the disease and begin treatment, the smoother the recovery will be. Oral antibiotics (like doxycycline, penicillin, and amoxicillin) can speed the healing of the circular, red EM rash and prevent symptoms (like arthritis and neurological problems) that may show up if the disease were to go untreated. If the initial rash is missed and other symptoms develop, it isn’t too late to treat Lyme disease effectively. Lyme arthritis is also treated with antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the arthritis, the antibiotics may be … Continue reading →

What is Lockjaw?

Just my luck… I get bit by a dog at the local dog park and my last tetanus booster shot was in 1999. Though the vaccine can last as long as ten years, experts suggest a booster every seven or eight years to be on the safe side. Tetanus — also known as lockjaw — is a disease caused by bacteria that can be found in dust, soil, and manure. These bacteria live all over the world and can enter the human body through even the tiniest wound. You may associate the disease with stepping on a rusty nail — … Continue reading →

Your Genes and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A recent study from Harvard Medical School says that your genetics may play a bigger role in carpal tunnel than repetitive motion or too much keyboard time. So what is carpal tunnel syndrome? Your arm has a nerve called the median nerve that runs down the arm and into the hand, controlling some of the sensations to thumb and your first three fingers. At the wrist, the median nerve passes through a space called the carpal tunnel. If the nerve becomes compressed or squeezed in the carpal tunnel, you can experience tingling (like pins-and-needles when a limb falls asleep), pain, … Continue reading →

Kidney Disease: Eating Right

If your doctor tells you that you are in the early stages of kidney disease, it’s time for you to make some changes! Other health considerations — like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure — may take priority in your diet choices. Incorporate the following tips into your diet if you are in the early stages of kidney disease: Choose smaller portions of meats. Men should eat six ounces or less of meat every day; women should eat four ounces or less. Restricting protein in your diet can help slow the progress of kidney function loss. Limit dairy foods, … Continue reading →

Kidney Disease: The Basics

Your kidneys have a pretty important job: they remove waste products and extra water from your body. And they work pretty hard, too. In a minute, a healthy kidney filters about a half a cup of fluid (between 88 and 137 milliliters) — that makes for some 200 quarts of liquid filtered every day. Kidney disease means that your kidneys have been damaged and can no longer perform their usual functions. It can develop for a variety of reasons, and may be mild or severe. There are several stages of kidney disease; the early stages may have few or no … Continue reading →

Preventing UTIs

A urinary tract infection refers to an infection in the urinary bladder. Your doctor may call this cystitis. An infection that spreads to the kidneys is called pyelonephritis. If the infection spreads to the prostate, it is known as prostitis. Urinary tract infections are extremely common in women between the ages of twenty and fifty. Read about other UTI risk factors. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that are normally found in the digestive system, like: Escherichia coli Staphylococcus saprophyticus Proteus Klebsiella Enteroccus Some sexually transmitted organisms (like Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma) can also contribute to bladder infections in … Continue reading →