Harvey R. Danciger, DPM
74-000 Country Club Drive, Suite A-2
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 568-0108

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Posts for: February, 2012

By Dr. Danciger
February 25, 2012

Cleo Berry of New York  is a struggling actor who took a job posing for stock photos for $500. He was shocked when he found out his picture was being used for a public service campaign to raise awareness for dangers and high risks of type 2 diabetes in New York City. What was even more shocking was what was missing in the print ad: his leg.

The campaign was used to emphasize how consuming too much fast food or sugary sodas can lead to diabetes and the amputation of limbs. Berry was astonished to find the company had used Photoshop to crop out his right leg, making it look like he had an amputated leg. They had even added crutches in the background. Berry supported New York City’s efforts to educate people about the risk of developing diabetes, but he disagreed with the use of a manipulated picture of an able-bodied person, instead of a picture of a real victim suffering with diabetes.

A spokesman for the health department stated, “This issue isn’t about one actor but rather the 700,000 New Yorkers who struggle with diabetes, which kills 1,700 people a year and causes amputations in another 3,000. Advertising to warn the public about health concerns saves lives, and we will continue our efforts to warn New Yorkers about diabetes.”

Although the misunderstanding between Berry and the New York advertising company is complicated, the underlying purpose of the advertisement is true and beneficial for society to know about. Eating high calorie or high-sugar foods will increase your risk of developing diabetes. Obesity is a huge determining factor when it comes to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. When you put your health at risk by consuming unhealthy foods, you also risk damage to your feet. Diabetics have poor circulation throughout their feet which is called neuropathy. This causes blockage of blood flow and circulation decreases to the point where amputation may be necessary.

To prevent this tragic end, make sure you maintain a healthy weight and diet, whether you have diabetes or to lower your risk of developing the disease. Over 25 million Americans have diabetes. By health departments spreading awareness of the risks and dangers of the disease, hopefully we can help prevent this number from increasing.

If you’d like to get more information about the risks and dangers of diabetes, please call our office.


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By Dr. Danciger
February 22, 2012
Tags: NFL   Ahmad Bradshaw   Superbowl 46  

NFL player Ahmad Bradshaw of the New York Giants takes pride in his tough personality; so much so that he continues to play football with a broken bone in his right foot. He has played the past nine games with this injury, including the Super Bowl, where Bradshaw celebrated with his team their win against the Patriots. Bradshaw wouldn’t miss playing the Super Bowl with his team for anything, even if that meant enduring pain.

Jerald Ingram, one of the Giants’ coaches adds, “The guy has an unbelievable threshold of pain. He has played with broken bones, cracked this, and cracked that. His game is football. That’s what he has been doing all his life. When he gets on the field, he is mean. He takes that pain.”

Bradshaw obviously has a high pain tolerance. Back in 2009, he played the season while suffering with two injured feet after having multiple surgeries to insert screws in his feet. This player knows pain, and seems to enjoy it. His teammates recall that his foot would be causing him so much pain during the week that he wouldn’t attend most practices, but come game day he seems to block out his discomfort and plays like a completely different person.

His toughness is what makes up his personality, what makes Bradshaw a great NFL player. No doubt he is inspiration to his team as well. Everyone would think twice about complaining when there is someone on your team playing with a broken foot? However, this decision made by Bradshaw to keep up his tough act and continue to play is most likely doing incredible amounts of consequential damage to his feet.

The fact that Bradshaw suffered serious foot injuries back in 2009, and keeps having issues almost every season since, is reason enough for why he shouldn’t ignore enduring foot pain. Playing any competitive sport, much less the NFL, when your foot injury is not fully healed will only worsen damage and make your foot more vulnerable to further injury, as in Bradshaw’s case. Be sure to get the okay from your podiatrist before participating in physical activity after recovering from a foot injury.

Ahmad Bradshaw may have the reputation of a tough NFL football player, but eventually his pain tolerance will give out. We hope it’s before his feet do.


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By Dr. Danciger
February 18, 2012
Tags: Weight Loss   Shoe size  

Just as our bodies can become larger or smaller with weight gain or loss, our feet are capable of increasing or decreasing in size as well. How is this possible? Weight gain, medication, and pregnancy are all factors that can affect the size of your foot, along with the genetic makeup.

Genetics play a main role in the making of how big or small your feet are due to the size of your parents’ feet. If your parents are taller with larger feet, you will most likely have bigger feet. If your parents are short or petite, you’ll tend to have smaller feet. This genetic makeup of bone structure in your feet will remain the same whether your feet enlarge or decrease in size throughout your life.

Medication you are taking might cause your feet to become larger. Check that you are taking the correct dosage. In some cases decreasing the amount of medicine you take will cause your feet return to their normal size. A swollen or large foot due to pregnancy is very common for women. After birth, foot size will return to their size pre-pregnancy.

Weight gain is a huge factor that can contribute to your feet getting bigger. Your feet store fat just like the rest of your body, so the more body fat your body is storing, the larger your feet can become. A large foot due to obesity is very unhealthy, as it is to the rest of your body. The good news is you can control this. It’s very important to establish healthy eating habits that reduce intake of fatty foods. 

Stick to lean meats, whole grains, and a good amount of fruits and vegetables. Exercise is a key component to reducing body fat including your feet. A balance of the two habits will ensure healthy weight loss and you will notice your feet becoming smaller with less fat being stored. One hour of physical movement each day will make sure your body stays in check and your feet stay fit!

However, if you start to notice strange unexplained changes in your feet, do not hesitate to call Dr. Harvey Danciger. Size changes in your foot may be related to weight loss, but other changes may be a sign of something wrong. Don't live with foot pain--call our office!

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By lhibma
February 13, 2012
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Untagged

Chinese researchers have discovered there may be reason to believe people who drink three to four cups of coffee each day have less chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. They have found three compounds in coffee that help prevent the toxin hiAPP from forming. This toxin increases the risk of developing diabetes. The three compounds in coffee that decrease the development of hiAPP are caffeine, caffeine acid, and chlorogenic acid. Decaffeinated coffee may even have greater effects of decreasing the hiAPP toxin since there are more acids and less caffeine in the substance.

There are many more ways you can reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Staying physically fit is one of the most important factors. Incorporating daily exercise, even if it is only walking, can significantly decrease the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Eating healthy is also key. The less sugary or fatty foods you consume, the less chance your body has to develop problems digesting sugars.  Smoking can also affect a patient's chances of developing diabetes. Patients who smoke almost double their chances of developing the disease compared to non-smokers. Alcohol consumption comes into play as well. Drinking heavily causes inflammation of the pancreas which decreases the ability to secrete insulin, and therefore can result in diabetes. Reduce alcohol consumption to one or two drinks per day at the most to prevent your development of diabetes.

Researchers are constantly making new discoveries regarding diabetes prevention. Staying informed works in your advantage; diabetes prevention may be as easy as drinking coffee every morning!


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Podiatrist - Palm Desert, Harvey R. Danciger DPM, 74-000 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert CA, 92260 760-568-0108