Sudden Foot Pain After a Concert Becomes Debilitating
DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter and her friend went to a concert and had to climb stairs. They ended up walking about 2.5 miles in total. After returning home, my daughter had severe pain in both of her feet and was unable to stand or walk on them. She said it felt like someone was crushing them.
The pain did not get better, so she went to the emergency room a few days later. A doctor there performed an X-ray and said that the pain was due to bunions, although they did not even look at her feet. She also saw a foot specialist who told her that the diagnosis was neuropathy of the feet and recommended Neurontin for pain. He asked her if she has diabetes, but she does not. They told my daughter that she will have to live in pain for the rest of her life. The doctor recommended getting some tests done on her nerves at the hospital, but she doesn’t have money to pay for these tests. What can be done to help her? How is it possible that the pain started so suddenly? She is in constant pain and is unable to walk. — K.B. ANSWER: “Neuropathy” is not a diagnosis; it’s a name for a diverse group of diseases that cause damage to the nerves, specifically signifying the nerves in the brain and spinal cord or those outside of them. The recommendation of getting nerve testing done is correct. This does sound like neuropathy from the little bit of information I have, although neuropathies do not typically begin with exercise the way you described. I have seen several cases where muscles have become terribly inflamed and even break down after a period of unusually strenuous exertion (this usually gets better with time), but I would have expected the doctors to make that diagnosis. There is a compressive neuropathy in the foot (tarsal tunnel syndrome) where the nerve is damaged by pressure from muscles, bones and connective tissue, but this happening to both feet at the same time would be surprising. Metabolic neuropathies, like B12 deficiency, cause symptoms on both sides but do not begin suddenly. I’d be worried about her lower spine. I don’t know what your daughter’s financial situation is, whether she might be eligible for Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act, or whether there is a free medical clinic near you. I have had many patients make just enough money that they don’t qualify for Medicaid, but are unable to afford commercial insurance and don’t get it through work. • • • DEAR DR. ROACH: What is your opinion of laser therapy for joint pain? What are the risks and benefits? — M.J. ANSWER: Low-level laser therapy, sometimes called cold laser, is thought to improve circulation, lessen inflammation and decrease pain sensitivity when applied to the skin over a joint with osteoarthritis, such as the knee. In several reviews of small studies, laser treatment provides a modest benefit in decreasing pain, disability and stiffness when compared to a treatment that appeared the same to the participant but did not use the same kind of laser. (In the most stringent studies, even the person using the laser didn’t know whether it was set to the effective treatment or not.) Muscle strength was also increased. In these studies, no adverse effects were noted. However, this therapy is still regarded as experimental, so it is not usually covered by insurance. Generally, insurance companies will cover treatments once enough evidence accumulates to prove them effective. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer
individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. © 2024 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved Acts of Kindness Improve Wellbeing
Did you know that engaging in acts of kindness may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety? “Acts of kindness” can be described as those helpful actions that are intentionally directed towards someone else that are motivated by the desire to simply help another person and not to gain anything or avoid punishment. Researchers at The Ohio State University conducted a study with individuals that had elevated levels of anxiety or depression symptoms. In this study, individuals were randomly assigned to three groups that each had an intervention strategy to engage with to see which intervention produced the best improvement outcomes for individuals. The three groups were divided into the group that engaged in acts of kindness, a group that engaged in a specific number of social activities in a week, and a group that engaged in a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) technique of cognitive reappraisal. While all three interventions were found to improve wellbeing, the group that engaged in acts of kindness saw the most improvement.
This aligns with previous studies that show engaging in acts of kindness improve a person's wellbeing. Need some ideas to get started with acts of kindness? Try committing to a few of the ideas listed below this month. Most acts of kindness are low to no cost to you but have a profound impact on your wellbeing and happiness, as well as the recipient’s. • Say something positive to the people you meet in a day. • Have a technology free hour with those in your household. • Open the door for someone else today. • Choose one of your strengths and use it to help someone. • Connect with someone near you by sending a message or a quick call. • Bake/cook something for a neighbor or friend. • Share a note of appreciation with a co-worker. • See how many people you can smile at in a day. • Say hello to a neighbor or colleague. For more ideas or to find a monthly calendar with ideas you can visit actionforhappiness.org. Sources: David R. Cregg & Jennifer S. Cheavens (2023)Healing through helping: an experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions, The Journal of Positive Psychology, 18:6, 924-941, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2022.2154695 Actionforhappiness.org According to the National Safety Council, millions of calls are received each year by poison control centers by people seeking medical help from potential poisonings. Of these, over 90% of poisoning calls happen in the home. This includes both accidental and intentional ingestion of prescription pills, illegal drugs, ingestion of chemicals, inhalation of aerosols and so on. March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month, and in this article, we are going to discuss ways in which you can help prevent an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
Keep an updated list of your current medical history along with an updated list of medications you are taking including supplements. Give a copy of these to a family member. Take these lists with you when you visit the doctor to assure you are not being prescribed more medications or dosages than you should be. Use a pill dispenser/organizer. These organizers allow you to distribute the medications you need into each day of the week as well as times throughout the day when you need to take them. Also, keep a notebook handy with the date, times and which pills you need to take. Place a check mark next to date and time after taking your medications to help alleviate any confusion. Finally, place all medications up high where children can’t get to them. Many pills look like candy to children. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 60,000 children under the age of 5 are treated for unintentional medication overdoses each year. 90% of these overdoses were from children getting into the medications when the adult was not looking. Keep the National Poison Control Center hotline number written down or in your phone where it can be easily found – 1-800-222-1222. If you have any questions or would like further information, I can be reached at 563-589-4195 or at Dpaulson@cityofdubuque.org. |
• From L.D.W. in Illinois: “When I have a recipe, I put all the ingredients on the counter, and as I use each one, I put it away. My daughter and daughter-in-law like the idea, as they at one time or another forget an item.” I like that one, too, L.D.W. A well-prepared cook makes a delicious meal.
• “To wrap a baby gift in unforgettable gift wrap, circle the announcement in the paper with a colorful marker, then use the newsprint to wrap your package. It has always gotten rave reviews from recipients.” — R.L. in Virginia • Another reason to get the newspaper: Crushed newspaper makes a great rag for shining windows in your home and in the car. No lint left behind! • “When thickening soup, don’t overlook instant potato mix. It’s perfect for making a thin broth into a nice, thick stew sauce, and it’s pretty cheap. It only takes a couple of tablespoons.” — I.F. in Utah • Want delicious fried chicken crust but not the dripping oil? Baste chicken pieces with mayonnaise, then dredge in crushed cracker crumbs mixed with a bit of flour. Bake and enjoy. • If your plastic food containers develop an unpleasant odor, never fear: Scrub with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Rinse and air-dry. Send your tips to
Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. Stir Up Some Chicken and Dumplings
PHOTO CREDIT: Donna Erickson
It’s chicken-and-dumplings night at our house. This old-fashioned dish hits just right when it’s damp and chilly outside. While this recipe tastes like it’s been cooking all day, you can actually prepare it with your kids once they get home from school.
And when the yummy dumplings puff up over the thick chicken stew, they’ll know it’s the signal to gather the family ‘round for conversation and a satisfying, hearty meal. CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
Serves 6-8 Chicken:
1 chicken (3 1/2 pounds), cut up into 6-8 pieces Salt and pepper 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large onion, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup flour 6 cups chicken broth 2 ribs celery, chopped 3 carrots, peeled and chopped 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 teaspoon thyme Chopped parsley, for garnish Dumplings: 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk Rinse the chicken and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces until golden, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a large pot or Dutch oven. Over medium to high heat, saute the onion in the skillet drippings until softened, about 5 minutes. Add additional butter if necessary. Stir in flour and continue to stir constantly, until slightly browned, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1 cup of the chicken broth, stirring constantly and letting the mixture bubble between additions to make a gravy. Transfer to the pot of chicken. Add remaining broth, celery, carrots, mushrooms and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the dough for the dumplings. Let your child measure and, using a fork, mix the dry dumpling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add milk and stir just until the mixture is moistened. An adult should gently stir the stew mixture once, then drop the dough in spoonfuls on the simmering liquid. I like small dumplings, about 2 tablespoons each (which yields 18). Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes undisturbed, until dumplings are puffed and dry in the middle. To serve, arrange chicken, vegetables and dumplings in wide, shallow bowls. Ladle gravy over each serving. Let your child sprinkle parsley on top as a fresh garnish. Cook’s Note: If you prefer to serve boneless chicken, remove the chicken pieces from the cooking pot before dropping the dough in. Take the chicken off the bones, shred and return the meat to the pot. • • •
Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com. © 2024 Donna Erickson Distributed by King Features Synd. |