How to Treat Plantar Fasciitis About 1% of American adults experience plantar fasciitis each year. In fact, about 1 in 10 individuals will experience this condition at some point during their life, so knowing how to treat plantar fasciitis, both medically and naturally, is important. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed and irritated. Typically, the main sign of plantar fasciitis is heel pain. As such, this condition can make it difficult to walk, leading to frustration and a decreased quality of life. Luckily, plantar fasciitis is a treatable condition. Most people recover within a matter of months. In this article, we are going to offer a brief overview of the signs and symptoms of plantar fasciitis, as well as the treatment options available. Plantar Fasciitis Signs and Symptoms The most common signs of plantar fasciitis include: Pain in the heel, or near the heel. Increased pain after walking or exercise. Pain in the arch of the foot. Increased pain in the morning. Swelling in the heel. Pain in the heel that goes on for months at a time. A tight Achilles heel or calf muscle. Plantar fasciitis can occur due to several reasons, such as: Wearing improper footwear. Carrying excess weight. Running, jumping, working or walking on hard surfaces. Standing for long durations. Exercising without properly stretching the calves. 7 Best Treatment Options So, you have got heel pain. Now, what? You actually have quite a few options. Below offers an outline of some of the most popular ones. 1. Calf Stretching In many cases, plantar fasciitis can be caused by tight calves or a tight Achilles heel. This usually happens due to high levels of activity without adequate stretching. Thus, part of your solution to plantar fasciitis may be stretching your calf muscles regularly. To do so, find a wall nearby. Place both your hands on the wall and extend your affected foot back, pressing the heel down into the floor. As you do this, lean forward into the wall. You should feel a gentle stretch on your back leg. Hold here for about 20 to 30 seconds. Make sure to do both sides (this can actually help prevent plantar fasciitis from developing in both feet). 2. Use Custom Insoles Custom insoles are fitted to your feet. This offers the support your feet and body needs, including abnormal foot motion or collapsed arches (flat feet). Often referred to as orthotics, you will need to go to a clinic or center that specializes in making these. You’ll usually go in for making the mold, then have a follow-up appointment to ensure the insoles fit correctly. 3. Wear Proper Footwear Walking in high heels or flip-flops can lead to improper gait and foot movements. As a result, you are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis after doing so. A quick fix (and preventative tactic)? Wear proper footwear! If you are planning on walking for a set duration, put on sneakers or shoes suited to the activity. This may further involve wearing insoles made specifically for you, as mentioned above. [youmaylike] 4. Ice the Painful Area Icing can help reduce pain and decrease inflammation. Aim to ice your affected foot for about 10 to 15 minutes, about three to four times each day. Ensure you place a cloth between your skin and the ice pack to prevent any damage caused by the cold. It may further help to roll a cold water bottle along the bottom of your foot (this can help release tension and knots in that connective tissue). However, if this causes more pain, don’t continue. 5. Limit Physical Activity Unfortunately, the main treatment for plantar fasciitis involves resting. This means no walking or running. Yet, you can still exercise, but you may simply need to explore different options, such as floor movements or sitting exercises over standing. Ideally, you likely want to limit your physical activity until the pain subsides. 6. Lose Weight If excess weight is a contributing factor to your plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend losing weight and working toward a healthier weight. As such, you may need to change certain lifestyle habits. This may involve eating healthier and cutting out processed foods. When it comes to exercise, you may opt for options that don’t put pressure on your feet, such as swimming or biking. The key is to start slow and gradually build up your resistance, frequency or intensity. 7. Physical Therapy Physical therapists are knowledgeable when it comes to the musculoskeletal system and biomechanics of the body. They can help determine the reason why you are experiencing plantar fasciitis, helping you come up with strategies to reduce your pain and prevent it from happening again. As part of your physical therapy treatment, you may undergo manual therapy, be given prescribed exercises and stretches, as well as be provided with advice on types of shoes to wear or what type of activities you can do. In Review All in all, plantar fasciitis is treatable. You don’t have to experience ongoing heel pain for the rest of your life, nor do you have to experience recurring heel pain. Taking proper care and the proper measures to prevent it go a long way, as well as help you maintain your health well into the future.
Do I Have Lupus?
Your body has an immune system that defends it from germs and foreign bodies. Sometimes, your body’s defense system mistakes some of the cells in your body for germs and begins to fight them. This is called an autoimmune disease, and lupus is just one example.
Lupus is a long-term autoimmune condition with alternating periods of mild to severe symptoms that cause pain and inflammation within your body. The most commonly affected areas include the skin, organs such as the lungs, kidneys, heart, and joints.
The Lupus Foundation stated that about 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. However, the figure might be higher if you consider cases that have not been reported. Lupus affects all age groups but has been found to have a higher incidence among women between the ages of 15 to 44, individuals with a family history of other autoimmune conditions or lupus, and some ethnic groups, including Hispanic, Native American, African American, and Asian American.
Types of Lupus
This article focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as it is the most common type. When someone is talking about lupus, they are usually referring to SLE. However, there are four different types:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most common type, affecting 70% of people with lupus.
- Cutaneous — limited to the skin, causing rashes or sores (lesions). Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop a form of cutaneous lupus.
- Drug-induced — a lupus-like disease caused by certain prescription medications. This type is more common in men.
- Neonatal — not true lupus, but a rare condition that affects the fetus and infant of a mother with lupus.
Symptoms of Lupus
The symptoms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) include:
- Body weakness
- Loss of hair
- Pain and swelling in the joints
- A characteristic rash that spreads across the nose and cheeks commonly referred to as a “butterfly rash”
- Headaches
- Delayed wound healing
- Raynaud’s phenomenon in which the fingers turn blue or white when exposed to cold
The symptoms may develop slowly, and no two cases are exactly alike. They may be temporary or permanent, and they can range from mild to severe. The signs and symptoms are similar to those of other systemic conditions, so careful assessment is needed to diagnose properly.
Causes
The cause of this condition is still unknown, but some factors have been linked to the condition.
Estrogen Hormone
Lupus has been noted to occur more in females than males with worsened symptoms during menstruation and pregnancy. These findings have prompted clinicians to link estrogen with the condition.
Heredity
Although no gene is associated with the condition so far, it has been observed that individuals with this condition tend to have members of their family who also have other autoimmune issues.
Environmental Triggers
These can be from physical or emotional trauma, infections, medications, and radiation.
How to Manage Lupus
Management begins with an appropriate diagnosis. This usually includes your doctor taking a medical history to determine when the symptoms started, their frequency, duration, and severity.
A thorough physical examination is then conducted to identify the signs of the condition, such as:
- Thinning or loss of hair
- Tenderness and joint swelling
- Butterfly or malar rash
- Oral or nasal ulcers
- Pain or difficulty breathing which may indicate lung involvement
- Irregularities in heartbeat or function which could indicate heart involvement
Several screening tests may be done, including a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), urinalysis, blood tests, and tests for other specific areas that could be affected, such as the abdomen.
Treatment Options
As of today, there is still no cure for lupus. The condition can only be managed long-term through:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and antimalarial medications to relieve joint pain and tenderness
- Corticosteroids to stabilize the immune system
- Steroid-based creams for butterfly rashes
- In severe cases, medications that specifically target the immune system are often prescribed
You may also get referred to specialists who will help manage affected parts of your body, such as a cardiologist or rheumatologist. You should also ensure that you modify your lifestyle to reduce stress and environmental triggers and drink lots of water.
Complications
Lupus can cause severe pregnancy complications, sometimes resulting in miscarriage, so it is essential to involve your doctor throughout your pregnancy and delivery process. Since the condition affects the immune system in various parts of the body, long-term effects can manifest in several ways, such as:
- Blood clots could get dislodged and block narrow blood vessels leading to loss of function of the affected organ
- Inflamed blood vessels, lungs, and kidneys
- Lung or Kidney failure
- Memory loss
- Alopecia or baldness
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Seizures
What is the Prognosis?
The prognosis for lupus varies because it affects everyone differently. Nonetheless, it is crucial that you begin managing the condition early. Do not hesitate to let your health care provider know about any new symptoms, pregnancy, or issues that may be bothering you.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a long-term condition, and managing it can sometimes negatively affect mental health. Make sure to seek counseling and support when necessary, and try not to work under stressful conditions or in environments that can be detrimental to your health and well-being.