If you suffer from diabetes, the option of surgery for treatment may not be in your best interest. Patients with diabetes, who suffer from obesity with uncontrollable blood sugar levels, are looking to bariatric surgery.  Bariatric surgery is a weight loss operation that staples the stomach and reroutes the small intestine to help with weight loss issues. Although studies have shown that surgical treatment such as bariatric surgery leave patients more likely to have complete diabetes remission, demand less medication, and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, there are major risks involved that may eliminate surgery from your list of treatment options.

 Bariatric surgery is a procedure that is very expensive and requires a recovery span up to several months. Only patients with a body mass index of over 35 can be considered as a candidate for the surgery, but even then, extreme risks are involved that may include long term nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis and even possible death.

Although surgery can help manage and possibly cure diabetes, it’s important to know that there are other standard methods of treatment used to successfully control your blood sugar levels and to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. The following treatment and care options are important to know about so you can consider, along with your physician, the best treatment for your personal and unique care.  They include:

• Medication. Depending on your diabetes symptoms or complications, oral or injectable medication can be an important part of your treatment plan that will help regulate your blood sugar levels.
• Oral health and hygiene. Brushing up on your dental skills can not only keep your mouth healthy, but help control blood glucose as well.
• Lifestyle changes. Of all of the diabetes management options, diet and exercise are the most important to manage your blood sugar levels. Exercising daily and eating healthy foods will help your diabetes tremendously.

No matter what treatment options are available, it’s critical to talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for your unique diabetes type and situation. With medical options and support, you can manage your diabetes. For more information, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Danciger, contact our office today!

If you think running a marathon through trails is tough, think again. The Barkley Marathons, held in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee annually during the month of March, consists of a trail route 100 miles long.  It’s a marathon that only 8 participants have completed in the past 25 years!

The Barkley Marathons have changed their route, elevation and course throughout the park many times since its establishment in 1986, which leaves the selectively picked 35 participants each year running without any forewarning of what’s ahead. With no aid stations along the route, and the only directions being a map and a compass, it’s no surprise that less than one percent of participants have accomplished the 100 mile race.  The race is to be completed in 60 hours through Frozen Head Park. The Barkley Marathons are considered to be one of the most challenging ultra-marathons held in the United States and quite possibly even the world.

If you’re not quite up to the challenge of the Barkley 100 mile trail marathon, we understand. However, trail running in general can increase your risk for injury and foot complications if you aren’t mindful out on the trail. Podiatrist Harvey Danciger recommends these tips to ensure your trail running safety.

• Choose your trails wisely. Pick your trails based on your fitness training level. If you’re a beginner, don’t expect to tackle a mountain on your first run. Stick to more flat trails until you build up your endurance for more challenging hilly trails.
• Get the right footwear. Trail running shoes provide the traction and support needed to help keep your feet stable on uneven trail surfaces. Invest in a pair that fits your foot type and running style.
• Pay attention. Keep your head up and your eyes straight ahead on the trail in front of you so you can watch for obstacles, such as roots or rocks, which may cause you to trip or misstep.
• Think time, not distance. Trail running can double the normal amount of time it takes you to cover a mile due to the tough terrain. Consider the amount of time you want to be out running versus how many miles you want to cover.

By following these guidelines, you can keep your feet safe and build up your trail running endurance to possibly even take on the Barkley Marathon challenge! Are there any trail running tips you engage with? Please share by commenting below!

As members of the health care team, podiatrists are especially concerned about hypertension and vascular disease that may be affecting your health. As doctors, we are interested in all aspects of your health and it is important for us to be informed if you have high blood pressure so we can provide detection, treatment, and control for your health.

It’s important to inform Dr. Harvey Danciger if you have any of the following cardiovascular related conditions:

• Hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease. Examination can determine if there are lower than normal temperatures in your feet, abnormal foot skin color, or diminished pulse in your feet, which can be caused from decreased circulation due to hypertension. Occasional swelling in your feet is important to notice because it may mean that hypertension has contributed to heart disease.
• Rheumatic heart disease. It’s important to tell your podiatrist if you are taking medication for this condition to ensure that it does not conflict with any medications that may be prescribed for foot treatment.
• Diabetes. This disease often affects the feet with decreased circulation and sensation. Let your podiatrist know if you have been diagnosed with diabetes and if you are taking medication or insulin for the condition.
• Ulceration. Open sores that do not heal or heal very slowly, can be symptoms of anemia, hypertension or certain inflammatory conditions. Be sure to speak up if you have ever had this problem.
• Swollen feet. Persistent swelling of the feet may be due to heart, kidney or circulatory problems.
• Burning feet. A burning sensation in your feet is often caused by diminished circulation.

By letting Dr. Danciger know if you have been diagnosed with the above conditions or experienced any of the above symptoms, he can help provide you the service needed to control the problem. There are three major areas in which he can provide help:

• Detection. Taking your blood pressure can help determine if it is elevated.
• Treatment. After confirming that there is an elevation in blood pressure, Dr. Danciger may refer you to your primary care physician for evaluation, diagnosis and proper treatment.
• Long-term control. Dr. Danciger can facilitate long-term control of high blood pressure by encouraging adherence to treatment, and monitoring reductions of blood pressure and side effects to treatment.

Let us help you control your blood pressure by informing us if there are any existing cardiovascular conditions or

symptoms!

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html

Have your toes been painful and irritated lately? Have simple, everyday activities been causing your foot pain throughout your toes? Overstretching or strained toes often can occur resulting in a painful condition called capsulitis. When a ligament (a band of tissue that keeps joints held together) becomes inflamed due to overuse or strain, painful inflammation creates capsulitis. Redness and swelling are common symptoms as well. Metatarsal joints in the toes are the most commonly affected by the painful condition. Joints can easily become overstretched and inflamed due to abnormal foot functions, or even everyday physical activities such as climbing a ladder or stooping low to the ground.

So what can you do if you’re suffering from capsulitis? Fortunately, Dr. Harvey Danciger can help! Noninvasive treatment including one or all of the following is recommended to relieve your painful condition.

• Avoid wearing high heels. High heels add stress and strain to your toes, which can worsen your capsulitis pain. Wear low-heeled shoes with firm soles that fit properly. Flat shoes are recommended best.
• Decrease or temporarily discontinue the activity responsible for your condition. If a certain physical activity creates the onset of inflammation, it is important to stop the activity to lessen symptoms and pain.
• Oral anti-inflammatory medication. Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
• Orthotic devices. Adding orthotics to your shoes can add extra padding, providing your feet and inflamed joints the support and relief they need.
• Cortisone injections. Cortisone treatment can help reduce inflammation and decrease pain.
• Surgery. If noninvasive treatment is not effective for treating your condition, surgery may be needed.

Contact our office to set up an appointment with Dr. Danciger to receive the best treatment specific to your capsulitis condition.  Icing the affected areas, elevating your feet, and resting are also great recommendations for home treatment as well.

Don’t ignore the warning signs of capsulitis! Let us help you alleviate your foot pain!

People that get capsulitis may report pain, swelling, redness and the ...

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Are you craving your favorite sweets, but are concerned about your sugar levels? Fortunately, there is good news for your sweet tooth! Although watching your sugar intake is serious for controlling your diabetes, allowing yourself to indulge in a small portion of your favorite dessert is completely doable. The key is moderation.

Dr. Harvey Danciger recommends following these guidelines when it comes to including sweets into your diabetes-friendly diet:

• Hold back on the carbohydrates if you want dessert. Eating sweets adds extra carbohydrates to your regular diet. Try to avoid eating big portions of pasta, rice, or bread during your meal in order to save room for dessert.
• Add healthy fats to your dessert. Healthy fat sounds like an oxymoron, but certain fats can help slow down your digestive process and make blood sugar levels not spike as quickly. It all is in moderation, however, so don’t go reaching for the donuts. Instead, try foods that are filled with healthy fats such as yogurt or peanut butter.
• Eat sweets with a meal, rather than as an individual snack. If you eat sweets as a stand-alone snack, they can cause your blood sugar to spike. Eat them along with other healthy foods that are a part of your meal so your blood sugar won’t rise as quickly.
• Savor every bite of your dessert. Make your indulgence count by eating your sweet slowly. By taking your time, enjoying the flavor and richness, you’re less likely to overeat and overload on sugar.

For desserts that are just as healthy as they are delicious, check out: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Healthy-Eating/Diabetic-Recipes/Diabetic-Desserts.

Although it’s alright to let yourself eat your favorite sweets in moderation, it’s important to try and cut out as much sugar in your diet in order to manage your diabetes and keep healthy. Try incorporating these tips to decrease your risk for a sugar level spike.

• Reduce soda or juice intake.
• Reduce the amount of sugar you add to recipes by ¼ to 1/3.
• Find healthy ways to satisfy your cravings. Instead of ice cream, try a smoothie or eat a piece of dark chocolate instead of the usual milk chocolate.
• Eat half of the dessert you normally eat and replace the other half with fruit.

Don’t deprive yourself of enjoying dessert now and then. With moderation, you can satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!

What healthy dessert recipes do you enjoy? Please share by commenting below!