Men Need Calcium, Too

Much has been written about the importance of calcium for women's health, but men need calcium, too. Although osteoporosis is more prevalent in women, it can strike men. And recent studies have suggested that calcium may play some role in controlling blood pressure for some people--something that's worth asking your physician about.

In addition to eating foods high in calcium--like fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt--you can protect your bones by performing a weight-bearing exercise like walking regularly, by avoiding over-consumption of alcohol, and by getting your fair share of vitamin D (from either fortified milk or sunshine).

Medications like cortisone or Dilantin can interfere with calcium absorption, so if you're taking these medications, find out if you should also take a calcium supplement.

Stop Snoring for Good

You've probably heard funny stories about snorers. On camping trips they are forced to sleep in their own tents. At home, neighbors make them close their windows. Spouses sleep in separate beds or even separate bedrooms.

Well, snoring isn't so funny if you're the one who's ostracized--or if you have to put up with someone who snores. (Nine out of ten snorers are men, and most of them are age 40 or over.)

Here are some tips to help you stop snoring--and help others get a good night's sleep again.

**Sleep on your side. Prop an extra pillow behind your back so you won't roll over. Try sleeping
on a narrow sofa for a few nights to get accustomed to staying on your side.
**Use over-the-counter "nasal strips" like Breath Right. These keep the nasal passages open while
you sleep.
**Sew a marble or tennis ball into a pocket on the back of your pajamas. The discomfort it causes
will remind you to sleep on your side.
**If you must sleep on your back, raise the head of the bed with bricks or blocks. Elevating the
head in this way can prevent the tongue from falling against the back of the throat, which can
cause snoring.
**If you are heavy, lose weight. Excess fatty tissue in the throat can cause snoring.
Don't drink alcohol or eat a heavy meal within 3 hours before bedtime. For some reason, both seem
to foster snoring.
**Take an antihistamine or decongestant before retiring to relieve nasal congestion (which can also
contribute to snoring).

Athlete's Foot

what is this?
[attachment=1843]
Athlete's foot is a fungus infection of the toes and foot, characterized by an itchy, scaly, odorous rash between the toes. Cracks, irritation, redness and bacterial infections may complicate the picture. There are special forms which cause yellow blisters and can involve the soles and sides of the feet. Athlete's foot is not limited to sports enthusiasts! Hot weather and wearing shoes which do not allow the feet to breathe are two predisposing factors. Most susceptible are people who have previously had the infection, adult men, those whose feet perspire and persons with a weakened immune response, but children, women and persons who go barefoot do not often contract it. Internal treatments do little, unless it is an expression of immune system problems.


It smells bad. It's itchy. It's persistent. It's contagious. And it attacks the skin between the toes (usually the third and fourth).

Athlete's foot has these signs and symptoms:
*Moist, soft red or gray-white scales on the feet, especially between the toes.
*Cracked, peeling, dead skin areas.
*Itching.
*Sometimes small blisters on the feet.
*Avoid walking barefoot; use shower shoes.
*Reduce perspiration by using talcum powder.
*Wear light and airy shoes.
*Wear socks that keep your feet dry, and change them frequently if you perspire heavily.


Self-Care Tips
If you get athlete's foot:

--Wash your feet twice a day, especially between your toes, and dry the area thoroughly. Do not, however, use deodorant soaps.
--Apply an over-the-counter antifungal powder, cream, or spray between your toes and inside of your socks and shoes.
--Wear clean socks made of cotton or wool. (Natural fibers absorb moisture). Change your socks during the day to help your feet stay dry. Wear shoes that provide some ventilation, like sandals or canvas loafers, whenever you can.
--Alternate shoes daily to let each pair air out.

Consult Your Podiatrist

If an apparent fungus condition does not respond to proper foot hygiene and self care, and there is no improvement within two weeks, consult your podiatrist. The podiatrist will determine if a fungus is the cause of the problem. If it is, a specific treatment plan, including the prescription of antifungal medication, applied topically or taken by mouth, will usually be suggested. Such a treatment appears to provide better resolution of the problem, when the patient observes the course of treatment prescribed by the podiatrist; if it's shortened, failure of the treatment is common.

If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics, such as penicillin, that are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria may be prescribed.

Your podiatric physician/surgeon has been trained specifically and extensively in the diagnosis and treatment of all manner of foot conditions. This training encompasses all of the intricately related systems and structures of the foot and lower leg including neurological, circulatory, skin, and the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves.