” My heels ache as I press them on the ground like while getting up from a chair. I can’t figure the time when it started or the reason why it started. It could be because I started driving recently, which I was not used to. ” My friend and I were having one of our usual chats when he said this. I have heard of my mother complaining of a heel pain long back. But certainly she did not drive and the pain was due to some other reason. On the other hand, my friend’s heel pain turned out to be because of his overweight and his new athletic feat, cricket after work.

Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain

A thick band of tissue covers the bottom of the foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.called the Plantar Fascia. Any irritation to it can lead to the inflammation of plantar fascia and can cause heel pain or Plantar Fasciitis.

Symptoms

1. Sharp excruciating pain in the inside part of the bottom of your heel.
2. Localized pain in the heel when you get up in the morning.
3. It worsens as you climb the stairs or stand on tiptoe
4. Aching heel after sports or athletics like jogging or playing.
5. The pain subsides after a few minutes of walking.
6. Pain in the sole and heels.
7. Mild swelling.

Causes

The causes of plantar fasciitis may vary from individual to individual.

1. Many people suffer from heel pain due to sudden physical activities. If you have been inactive for a long time and all of a sudden when you start some activity like jogging, waking, playing outdoor games, jumping etc you put a lot of weight on your foot. When you do high-impact movements you are in fact exerting yourself. Any physical activity that exerts a lot of pressure on your foot can trigger off the pain. Hence you find housewives who are not engaged in any outdoor activity also complaining of foot pain. This happens when they do any household chores including moving a piece of furniture etc.
2. Overweight and obesity. Your heels carry a lot of weight and this overload may irritate the tissues of the foot.
3. Standing for a long time can also worsen the pain.
4. Arthritis and diabetes also lead to Plantar Fasciitis. Arthritic people have inflamed tendons in the foot leading to Plantar Fasciitis. Relation between diabetes and plantar fasciitis is still uncertain.
5. Some flat-footed people and people with wrong foot mechanics may get heel pain. The abnormal style of walking may put strain on the foot and can cause foot pain.
6. Wrong shoes can cost you a lot. Worn out or poorly supported shoes may fail to support your foot as you run on uneven/hard surfaces.

Heel pain may further lead to health problems like hip pain or back  pain if neglected. There are medications and therapies available for heel pain. You may also wear night splints or orthotics to support your feet. In severe cases, doctors suggest surgery.

Prevention and Care

• Don’t be a miser, buy good shoes. That’s when you really start trusting a brand. I wouldn’t buy branded shoes until I was forced to buy a famous brand walking shoe for my wide foot.
• Don’t skip warm up sessions before an activity. Do some stretching even as you wake up in the morning.
• Lose weight. The ultimatum!
• Use arch supports to lessen pain.
• Use ice packs.
• You can still exercise with plantar fasciitis. But something that does not apply weight on your foot like cycling, swimming and so on.
• Stop all other activities that exert pressure on your foot.
• Even at home use a good sandal or foot wear every time you stand up or walk.

-Aparna K V

Tags: eczema, ayurvedic, homeopathy, herbal, alternative medicine

Dry skin is a common problem and a very irritating one. I have dry skin which can get itchy with no real reason at all. When I apply make-up, my forehead and cheeks show up white dry patches in spite of using a moisturizer. Well, a few years back I was troubled by T-zone and acne which prevented me from using moisturizers on face. Now, my skin tends to gulp down all the moisture fed to it without hesitation. I could not find how this change came about. But I could find remedies for my thirsty skin.

Dry skin can be caused by a change of weather, harsh soaps and cleansers, air conditioning, hot showers and certain medical conditions. Normally, the skin on your hands, thighs and lower legs are the driest. Skin conditions are also influenced by your age, health conditions, your locale and the amount of time you spend outdoors (exposure to wind and sun). As a result, skin can be red, itchy, scaling, tight and lined. Woman have more issues than men as their skin loses moisture faster. Eczema and Psoriasis are skin irritations which can cause dry skin. Eczema is an allergic response to environmental factors while Psoriasis is a life-term skin disease. Remember that dry skin can also occur if you have thyroid, diabetes and as reactions to medications like diuretics, antispasmodics, and antihistamines. You will have to seek medical attention if your skin is dry and itchy and disturbs your sleep, if you are scratching it too much into infection and if you have scaly skin which does not improve at all.

Just drinking a lot of fluids does not help in this case. You may need an additional supply of Vitamin E and moisture.

1. Break open a Vitamin E oil capsule and apply on face for a light massage. You can follow it with a face pack for oily face. An ideal face pack for dry skin should contain egg yolk, olive oil, honey, (chickpea flour or fuller’s earth) milk cream, almonds, oatmeal and the like.
2. Almond oil and honey can be used as moisturizers. They will also help reduce wrinkles.
3. Use Aloe Vera directly from plant and wash off when dry.
4. Use Petroleum jelly on your body and a hypoallergenic moisturizer on face regularly.
5. Coconut milk and red sandal powder is a great combination to soften skin, hydrate it and get rid of the blemishes.
6. Do not wash your face often. Try to use fertilized water if possible as normal tap water can further dry out your facial skin.
7. Use lukewarm water while bathing and a short shower
8. Use less of soap in winter and pat dry gently.
9. Apply your lotion immediately after your bath.
10. Do not use cosmetics with alcohol. Some of the acne products have alcohol as their main ingredient.
11. Use a humidifier if your room is too dry.
12. A mixture of rose water and glycerin (and avocado oil) can be a soothing night lotion.
13. Chamomile, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood and Ylang-Ylang are essential oil for dry skin. You can use toiletries and cosmetics with these ingredients.

Your dry skin should not deprive you from make-up and beauty enhancements.

1. You can use a souffle foundation or oil-based or water based foundations on dry skin. It will be easier to apply cream or liquid foundation than a paste one. It will give a matte-finish too.
2. Use chap stick or lip balm before applying lip stick.
3. Exfoliate your face and lips gently for good results. Almonds and oat meal with milk cream work as great scrubs.

A positive change in the diet with all the vital nutrients and protection from extreme Sun and wind are all crucial for dry skin.

• Eat a lot of fruits and leafy vegetables for vitamins. You will need Vitamin A, B and E for glowing skin. Apricots, avocado, cantaloupes, wheat germ, natural yogurt, milk are all great to tackle dry skin. Keep aside a little of your fruits for an enriching face pack.
• You will also need beta-carotene present in yellow and orange veggies like carrots.
• Sulfur rich foods like garlic, onions, eggs, and asparagus are great for dry skin. Sulfur prevents drying of skin by stimulating the metabolism.
• Flax seeds are known for their health benefits as well. Throw in a few into your breakfast bowl or add some flaxseed oil into your salad if you can.
• Keep away from alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, chips and sweets.

-Aparna K V

“I am anxious about everything…if my husband is late, if my son has a fever, if nobody is attending the call… I can’t figure out why I worry so much”

Anxiety is normal but it becomes a disorder and a problem when the anxiety and worry become excessive, exaggerated and uncontrollable in normal everyday situations. Everything that comes across in life is seen with fear, worry and apprehension. Many of us do not need a reason to be worried. Even a small harmless traffic block can make a lot many of us anxious and worried for a while. Nevertheless, anxiety is necessary as it motivates and alerts one into action in times of danger. It is just a response to stress and you don’t have to be worried about being worried occasionally.

GAD

When your worry remains the same even after the situation and you cannot relax, you probably have a disorder. If you tend to anticipate about events which are unlike to happen and cannot find piece of mind you have GAD. People with GAD complain that they keep on worrying about something or another and that they cannot remember relaxing. They cannot wait for a loved one patiently who is probably late due to a traffic block without thinking of the worst. They are further stressed by simple real life situations and experience nervousness, edginess, sleep disturbances, headaches, trembling, twitching, irritability, frustration, and inability to concentrate. They also feel tired and restless. GAD is chronic and may persist for several months. It may co-exist with IBS and make matters worse for the sufferer. Having IBS would cause nausea, gas troubles, dizziness, lack of appetite and the like. In short, it highly reverses the