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!

Golfers can end up having pain in the feet in many places.  The more common areas are:

1.  The big toe joint.  This is because of the foot motion during the golf swing.  There is increased pressure noted in the big to joint, putting extra stress on this area.  If there are any arthritic changes in the joint, this increased pressure can cause pain.  Over time, bone spurs can form restricting motion further at the big toe joint making normal ambulation painful and at times trying to move the big toe very painful as well.  The golf swing will then exacerbate the problem.
    
2. Heel Pain.  Many golfers experience heel pain.  The motion of the foot during the golf swing can put increased pressure and pulling of the plantar fascia.  This can result in pain overt time.  The plantar fascia is the tight band going from the heel to the ball of the foot.  After playing a round of golf, patients relate increased pain later that night of the next day.
    
3. Toe Pain.  Hammertoes, or the contracture of the toe, can cause pain in golf shoes or other shoes.  There is friction and pressure to the toes causing redness and inflammation.  Corns, or thickening of the skin, can develop and cause pain.

These problems are very common with golfers.  There is no need to suffer; podiatrists can keep you playing golf for many years without pain.   See them early on for the best treatment options.

Children are typically very active.  With this increased activity, injuries are going to happen.  When there is a severe injury to the foot or ankle, your podiatrist should be seen to make sure there is not an injury to the growth plate.

What is the growth plate?  The long bones in the body grow, become larger over time as the kids grow.  The growth plate is at the end of the bone and allows this growth to occur until maturity when the growth plate is now incorporated into the bone and growth ceases.  During the growth period, this area of the bone is softer than regular bone and can become injured.

Injuries and accidents happen in children.  This can cause a separation, compression, deformity or angulation of the growth plate.  This can result in growth disturbances as the child grows.  That is why it is important to have your kids evaluated and treated.   Left untreated, this can cause an abnormality in the length or angulation of the bone growing and cause the child problems for the rest of their life.  The changes which occur due to an injury can be subtle and need the expertise of your podiatrist. 

PT TENDON

Have you known anyone who said they had their foot collapse overnight?  They woke up and their foot was flat.  They had pain on the inside arch area when they tried to stand and walk.  Looking at the other foot, it appears normal.

This is a condition which could be caused by a dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon (PT) or rupture of this tendon.  This tendon runs along the inside of the ankle and into the medial or inside of the arch area of the foot.  The PT tendon can be under repetitive stress with normal ambulation, if there are deformities in the foot which cause the foot to pronate (roll inward) excessively.  Over time, the posterior tibial tendon can weaken and or tear, causing a collapse of the foot and arch.

Many times if the person tries to rise up on their toes, one leg at a time, they are unable to do this on the affected side and foot.

Ultrasonography and MRI can view the tendon and determine any tears or inflammation.  Treatment is aimed at eliminating the pain and can be conservative with orthotics, physical therapy and or bracing.  Surgery is sometimes needed if conservative measures are not enough relief.  The sooner treatment is sought, the better the chance of success.  Dr. Danciger has helped many patients with this condition.

Plantar plate

Do you notice that your toe is lifting up off the ground all of a sudden?  Do you have pain under the ball of the foot?  This may indicate a problem with the plantar palate.  The plantar plate is a ligamentous like structure which is located under the metatarsal phalangeal joint, (MPJ.)  If this structure gets injured or tears, the stability of the MP joint is compromised.  This can allow the toe to move medially (inward) or laterally (outward) on the metatarsal head.  It can also allow the toe bone to lose its stability at the joint and starts to move upwards off the ground.

You can tell if you have this problem by palpating the area.  If the plantar plate is injured, you will have pain on the underside of the toe near the ball of the foot.   A tuning fork can reveal pain in this area.

The podiatrist may try a maneuver to move the toe up and down to evaluate the looseness in the area.  This may cause pain indicating a tear in the plantar plate.

Treatment can be started conservatively with many patients getting better.  Splinting the toe down to relieve stress, using pads to the area, and functional orthotics has been successful for many patients.  Surgery can be done if the above measures fail.  Seeing your podiatrist early for a definitive diagnosis is very important.  X-rays, ultrasonography can be used to help diagnose the problem.