Head to Toe Healthcare's Blog on Eye & Foot conditions

Skin Care for Men!

2011-12-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

Looking good and staying young isn’t just for women. Men have just as much pressure to look good and make lasting impressions in both the business world and personal life. When it comes to skin care, men often have different goals from women. Men’s goals include the need to appear well-defined, vibrant, charismatic, and handsome rather than beautiful.

Years of enduring the elements can give men’s skin a wrinkled, leathery appearance. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and monthly facials combined with advanced, high grade skin care products can give your skin back its healthy look. Chemicals peels resurface the skin and allow your skin to look its best. Through a series of treatments, the process stimulates production of a new layer of skin cells, bringing with it an increased level of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of healthy skin. A chemical peel can also help ease razor burn in men and reduce inflammation. Microdermabrasion can also resurface the skin, bringing with it a healthy appearance and deep cleansing facials can help remove deep impurities such as black heads around the nose, forehead and chin.

Today we live in a world where health and fitness are major priorities. Eating right, proper exercise and total body health are important factors in our everyday lives. In an effort to remain healthy and young looking, many men have turned to skin care specialists to help them look and feel their best. The rise of male skin care services continues to grow, affording men the same age-defying benefits as women.

Holiday Cellupulse Blog

2011-11-02T14:22:00.001-07:00

Do you want your body to look great for the holidays but don’t want the down time of invasive surgery? Cellupulse, a skin tightening and cellulite reducing treatment could help you look your best for those special holiday events. This innovative cellulite treatment is designed to help you lose that “cottage cheese” around your stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks and arms and tone up your skin to help you achieve a more streamlined figure.

Cellupulse utilizes acoustic wave therapy to impact the major causes of cellulite. These waves are manipulated to alter the connective tissue underneath the skin; the acoustic pulses that pass through the skin release the clumps of fat that are "trapped" underneath the skin. In addition to treating cellulite, this procedure increases circulation, collagen production, and tissue elasticity. The final result produces noticeably smoother skin.

Treatment sessions generally last about twenty minutes per treatment area and there is no down time. For best results two treatments a week for three weeks is recommended. So if you want to show off sleek, sexy arms and legs in your new party dress this season, consider Cellupulse for a quick fix cellulite treatment before the holidays!

NBA Laker's star Kobe seeks PRP treatment

2011-07-01T10:04:00.001-07:00

Lakers star Kobe Bryant was reported by the Los Angeles Times to have undergone an innovative procedure in Germany about a month ago to seek Platelet-rich plasma therapy- PRP for his knee. PRP is not a brand new procedure, we reported on this treatment in our Winter 2009 Health Report, click the link to access your free copy.

http://www.headtotoehealthcare.org/library/Head_to_Toe_Health_Report_Winter_2009.pdf

While scientific evidence is immature, our clinic has found this treatment to be helpful. This treatment has allowed some patients to avoid surgery. This is one of many exciting advances for active people. This treatment uses your own body to help heal yourself. Other players such as tennis star Rafael Nadal, golfer Tiger Woods and star NFL receive Hines Ward have reportedly used this treatment.

Winter-proofing Your Skin

2009-11-24T10:14:00.001-07:00

Ever notice how your skin changes in the winter? The most common complaints are of dry skin, rough texture, and even an increase in acne breakouts. Below we will tackle some of the common myths of skin winter rescue.

Myth …The thicker the cream, the more moisturizing it is.

Fact… Thick doesn’t equal moisture. The heaviness of a cream is often due to the lipids and emulsifiers in the formula, and sometimes heavyweight creams can leave skin looking dull while trapping dead cells and affecting skin function. Layering fluids and moisturizers is often the best remedy. Look for products containing ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, which holds 1000 times its weight in water, as well as great hydrators including Oil of Evening Primrose, Sodium PCA, Shea Butter, Colloidal Oatmeal, Algae, Panthenol, Vitamin E, Borage Oil, and Jojoba Seed Oil. These ingredients help keep your protective barrier intact and help skin to function normally.

Myth …You don’t have to apply sunscreen as obsessively in the winter as you do in the summer.

Fact… Winter, spring, summer or fall: if there is daylight, you’re still exposed to UV light and free radical damage. And if sunscreen helps prevent the signs of aging, why wouldn’t you want to wear it every day? A minimum of SPF15 is suggested for everyday use, and skin showing the signs of aging or experiencing sensitivity should wear an SPF30.

Myth …Skip exfoliation so you don’t dry everything out.

Fact… Quite the opposite! Exfoliation causes a burst in cell renewal, moving newer, moisture-rich cells to the surface. Exfoliation also removes old dead cells and dry skin, providing a smoother, brighter surface while enabling effective penetration of hydrating ingredients into skin. Just be sure to not over-exfoliate, as this will break down the skin’s protective barrier. Don’t forget the rest of your body could use gentle exfoliation as well.

Myth Hot… steamy showers are great for skin.

Fact No… especially in winter! Hot water causes a stripping effect to delicate barrier lipids in-between the cells; when the lipids are removed, essential moisture below evaporates out. Combine hot showers with irritation caused by winter wardrobe made of synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester and you’ve got an itchy, irritated skin situation! Warm water is best for skin when used together with a soap-free body wash.

Myth… Oily skin types don’t need moisturizing.

Fact… You can have oily skin and still experience dehydration, which is a lack of water in skin. This means even the oiliest of skin conditions should moisturize. Again it is back to using fluids with ingredients that are rich in humectant properties that will help protect and relieve skin from dehydration.

Myth …For dry lips, just apply more lip balm.

Fact… Some lip balms can create more bad than good. Mineral oil (petroleum jelly) creates an artificial film on the lips, and this gives the skin the illusion that it doesn’t need to produce lipids. These ingredients together with artificial flavors, colors, and fragrances can dry out the skin. Use lip healthy alternatives, containing Shea Butter, Silicones, Cocoa Seed Butter, Avacado Oil, and Wheat Germ.

Lips can use a little exfoliation, too!

Another tip: stop use of lip plumpers and long-lasting stains for a few days.

Myth… Let your skin hibernate and cut back on treatments.

Fact… Winter is actually the best time to take care of your skin with professional treatments. Skin may need more help, especially dry, sensitive/sensitized, and rosacea prone skins. Professional oatmeal masques are wonderful during the winter season.

If you have questions or concerns about your skin, schedule yourself a free face mapping with a certified Skin Therapist. They love to help!

DON'T LET YOUR FEET RUIN YOUR DAY AT THE BEACH

2009-05-08T15:43:00.001-07:00

As millions of Americans hit the beach this summer, Head to Toe Healthcare, PLC shares these safety tips for your feet.

Puncture wounds and cuts: Wear shoes to protect your feet from puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other sharp objects. Don’t go in the water if your skin gets cut – bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection. To avoid complications from a puncture wound, see a podiatrist for treatment within 24 hours.

Sunburns: Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur on the foot. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.

Burns: Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun. Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if you have diabetes.

Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain: Walking, jogging and playing sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.

Vision Loss is a major contributor to Falls for Older Adults

2009-03-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

Many Arizona transplants from colder climates migrated to warmer weather to avoid bone chilling weather, shoveling snow, slippery sidewalks, as well as other hazardous road conditions. However, while Southern Arizona may have less ice and snow, substantially reducing the likelihood of slipping and falling, loss of vision can be a major component to increased falls for older adults.

A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science, revealed that peripheral visual field loss is the primary vision component that increases the risk of falls. The article, "Visual Field Loss Increases the Risk of Falls in Older Adults: The Salisbury Eye Evaluation" examined which visual deficits were most closely associated with falls. The study was primarily conducted at John Hopkins School of Medicine's Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, MD. This study found that for each 10 percent loss in visual field, study participants had an 8 percent higher likelihood of falling.

The other visual components tested were visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and stereoacuity. The authors concluded that visual fields were associated with falling risk, while the other components were not relevant. The central vision, which primarily indicates macular health, was not statistically significant. Only the peripheral vision, which indicates health of the retina, the back of the eye, was associated with fall risk.

Dr. Zuraida Zainalabidin states possible symptoms of a patient with a retinal detachment may include stumbling, general clumsiness, often running into the wall, and difficulty walking in a straight line. There are certainly a myriad of other possible causes, but the best way to rule out a retinal detachment is by a dilated eye exam. The Phoenix Suns NBA star Amare Stoudemire was recently lost for the season, due to a partially detached retina that required surgery.

If one experiences 'Floaters and/or Flashes' they should contact an eye care professional right away, as this may indicate an abnormality of the retina. Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cellular debris within the vitreous, the clear, jellylike fluid that fills the inside cavity of the eye. Flashes are an illusion created in your eye when layers in the retina separate.

These conditions typically start during the earlier stages of a retina hole or tear, and usually worsen with a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and can result in permanent vision loss. If you or anyone you know experience any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment right away.

Retinal detachments can occur at any age, but are more common after 40 years of age. Factors which are more likely to increase the likelihood of a retinal detachment are being extremely nearsighted, a family history, cataract surgery, inflammatory eye conditions, and an eye injury.

Decreased Daylight during Winter affecting your driving?

2009-01-30T11:07:00.001-07:00

With shorter daylight hours during the winter months, many of us are forced to drive at night. Many Americans experience difficulty driving at night or in the evening hours.

Actual night blindness is atypical. Night blindness can be caused by alcoholism, diseases of the liver, long-term vitamin A deficiency, chronic starvation, and deficient fat absorption. Ocular conditions that may cause night blindness are glaucoma, drug toxicities and some hereditary disorders. A condition that may mimic night blindness is night myopia, which may also reduce night vision. Considerable variability among people exists in retinal sensitivity to light. Additionally, as people age, night vision diminishes.

Studies have shown that as little as two to three hours of bright sunlight exposure can delay the onset of dark adaptation, resulting in a delay of full night vision sensitivity for hours. After 10 consecutive days of sunlight exposure, losses in night vision can be as great as 50% loss in visual acuity, visibility range, and contrast discrimination.

Here are some recommendations to protect your eyes during the day and conserve night vision. When possible, remain inside during the day of night driving. While outside, residents should wear dark sunglasses and a hat with a brim, which blocks a considerable amount of solar radiation. Polarized sunglasses that reduce visible light transmision will help prevent degradation of night vision. However, in some people, it may take days to weeks to recover full night vision.

For sunglasses to be effective, the rays of light need to be focused in the eye. Thus, colored visors or spectacles are not always protective during the day. To best protect night vision, while providing good comfort and contrast, dark sunglasses with a neutral gray tint are recommended during the day. Heavily tinted sunglasses that are too dark, may actually reduce visual acuity, especially on cloudy days. Lighter sunglasses may not fully protect your night vision either. Therefore, optometrists generally recommend using polarized sunglasses on sunny days.

One product that pertains to this article is the Night Driving Glasses by Tag Heuer. First off, these should not be confused with thermal night vision. Thermal night vision is commonly seen in action movies, where a few elite or covert special ops take down a bunch of gangsters or thugs. The Dark Knight, aka Batman also employs thermal night vision, plus some other technology to be developed in the future. These glasses were originally inspired and developed for the internationally renowned 24 Hours of LeMans sports car endurance race. These are the same glasses you see on Formula One racer Sebastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 driver Sarah Fisher. Tag Heuer has made these glasses available to the general public. These glasses have been optimized for driving at night, by correcting low-light and short-sightedness situations that oftentimes occurs when driving in the dark. This article should not be substituted for medical advice, as always, seek assistance from a profession eye care specialists.

FOOT PAIN RUINING YOUR GOLF SWING?

2009-01-20T17:16:00.001-07:00

The barrier to a perfect golf swing could lie in your big toe. Or your heel. Or on the ball of your foot. Dr. Alan Shih, Director of Podiatry Services at Head to Toe Healthcare, PLC says these are the three areas of your feet most likely to cause pain that can ruin your golf swing.

Behind these pain-prone spots can lie stiff joints, stretched-out tissues and even nerve damage. But pain relief is possible and frequently does not require surgery.

According to Dr. Shih, the three most common painful foot conditions that can ruin your golf swing are heel pain, arthritis and pinched nerves.

Arthritis can cause pain in the joint of your big toe that makes it difficult to follow-through on your golf swing.
Heel pain typically results from an inflammation of the band of tissue that extends from your heel to the ball of your foot. People with this condition compare the pain to someone jabbing a knife in their heel. Heel pain can make it uncomfortable for golfers to maintain a solid stance during crucial portions of their golf swing.
Neuromas, are nerves that become thickened, enlarged and painful because they’ve been compressed or irritated. A neuroma in the ball of your foot can cause significant pain as your body transfers its weight from one foot to the other in a golf swing.

Several other painful conditions can also cause instability during your swing. With the treatment options available to your foot and ankle surgeon, a pain-free golf swing is clearly in view. When your feet aren’t in top condition, your golf swing won’t be either.

LOVE YOUR EYES-WEAR SUNGLASSES YEAR ROUND

2009-01-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

Love is in the air. It’s time to send cards and wishes to those loved and adored.

Dr. Zuraida Zainalabidin at Head to Toe Healthcare, PLC encourage residents to give a valentine to your eyes this February – in the form of a pair of sunglasses. The sun’s damaging effects are a concern year round regardless of what the temperature is outside.

In addition to visible light, the sun gives off ultraviolet radiation. This radiation is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The earth’s ozone layer absorbs UV-C radiation, leaving sunglasses to protect against UV-A and UV-B rays.

Studies indicate that long-term exposure to UV-A and UV-B can contribute to the development of cataracts; retinal problems; benign growths on the eye’s surface; cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes; and photokeratitis, a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.

The sun’s brightness creates a disabling glare that interferes with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly, says Dr. Zainalabidin. It causes eyes to squint and to water. This glare occurs on cloudy as well as sunny days

The best protection against the sun’s damaging rays is consistent use of sunglasses. Use the following tips when selecting your next pair of sunglasses. For optimum sun protection, the sunglasses should:

w block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation

w screen out 75-90 percent of visible light (fashion-tinted lenses usually do not meet this level)

w be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection

w have gray, green, or brown lenses (gray is recommended)

Give yourself the gift of healthy vision with a great pair of sunglasses—your eyes will love you for it.