Plantar Fasciitis Archives - Mobility Center

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a condition caused by impairment of the airways or other areas of the lung that obstructs airflow making it difficult to breathe.

Discover who is at risk for COPD, what symptoms to look out for, and how the disease impacts the lungs.

COPD can cause coughing that creates large amounts mucus. It can also cause breathing issues, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, and other symptoms. Since COPD is a progressive disease, its symptoms usually develop gradually but get worse over time and can restrict your ability to do normal activities. Serious COPD may top you from doing even simple activities like walking, taking care of yourself or even cooking.

In the US, the term COPD is in reference to two primary conditions.

Emphysema emerges when there is impairment to the walls among the air sacs in the lungs. Typically, these sacs are flexible or stretchy. While breathing in, each air sac fills with air, similar to a small balloon. While breathing out, they empty, and the air gets dispelled. In emphysema, it is more difficult for your lungs to push air out of your body.

Chronic (long-term) bronchitis is caused by repetitive or persistent inflammation and irritation in the lining of the airways. A lot of thick mucus is produced in the airways, making it difficult to breathe.

A lot of people that have COPD have a mixture of both conditions in various scopes, and how serious each ailment is differs by individual.

In the US, COPD impacts almost sixteen million adults, and a lot more are unaware they have it. More than fifty percent of those tested positive are women. COPD is a primary cause of disability, and it is the sixth major cause of death in the US as reported by the CDC.

The positive news is that COPD can usually be prevented, primarily by not smoking. In the US and other higher-income countries, cigarette smoking is a main cause of COPD in which most people that have COPD smoke or smoked in the past. In the developing world, nevertheless, air pollution plays a much bigger role, and fifty percent of all cases across the world are not associated with tobacco. An uncommon genetic condition known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency could also be a cause of COPD.

Even though there is no cure, treatments, and changes in lifestyle like quitting smoking could help you feeling better, staying more active, and slow the advancement of the disease. You might also need pulmonary rehab, oxygen therapies, or medicines to treat hindrances.

Symptoms of COPD

The more common symptoms of COPD are having trouble breathing, persistent cough (occasionally with phlegm) and feeling exhausted.

COPD symptoms can worsen quickly. These are known as flare-ups. These typically last for a couple of days and usually require additional medicine.

Those with COPD additionally have a higher risk for other health problems. These comprise of:

lung infections, such as pneumonia or flu
lung cancer
heart issues
weakened muscles and fragile bones
anxiety and depression.

Typical symptoms of COPD develop from middle age onwards. As COPD advances, people find it more challenging for carrying out their normal day-to-day activities, usually due to shortness of breath. There may be a significant financial burden because of limitation of workplace and home productivity, and expense of medical treatments.

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The plantar fascia is a dense membrane underneath the feet. It attaches the calcaneus (heel bone) to the toes, creating the foots arch. When this membrane becomes painful or inflamed, it is referred to as plantar fasciitis.

Causes

Swelling happens when the dense band of membrane underneath the foot (fascia) is overextended or overworked. This can be agonizing and make walking more challenging.

You are more prone to pick up plantar fasciitis if you:

Have foot arch issues (both high arches and flat feet)
Run great distances, downhill or on irregular surfaces
Are overweight or gain weight abruptly
Have a firm Achilles tendon (the tendon attaching the calf muscles to the heels)
Are wearing shoes with inadequate arch support or softer soles
Alter your activity levels

Plantar fasciitis is seen in men as well as women. It is one of the most typical orthopedic foot grievances.

This condition was commonly believed to be initiated by a heel spur. Nevertheless, research has established that this isn’t the case. Through x-ray, heel spurs been observed in individuals with, as well as without, plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms

The most typical symptom is pain and rigidity underneath the heel. The heel pain could be dull or severe. The bottom of the foot could also burn or ache.

The pain is typically worse:

In the morning when you are taking your first steps
Following standing or sitting after awhile
When going up stairs
Following intense activity
Through walking, running, and jumping activities

The pain could develop gradually over time or come on abruptly following intense activity.

Exams and Tests

The specialist is going to perform a physical exam. This may show:

Pain on the bottom of your feet.
Pain along the sole of the feet.
High arches or flat feet.
Moderate foot redness or swelling.
Stiffness or rigidity of the arch underneath your foot.
Stiffness or tension with your Achilles tendon.

X-rays may be taken to leave out other issues.

Treatment

Your specialist is going to often recommend these steps first:

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy with focus on foot and heel stretching exercises.
Night splints to wear when sleeping for stretching the foot.
Resting as much as possible for a minimum of a week.
Wearing shoes with proper support and cushioning.

You also can put ice on the painful area(s). Do this at a minimum of two times a day for ten to fifteen minutes, more frequently in the initial couple of days.

Should these treatments not work, your specialist may suggest:

Wearing a boot cast, kind of like a ski boot, for three to six weeks. It can be taken off for bathing.
Custom-fitted shoe inserts (orthotics).
Steroid injections into the heel.

Occasionally, foot surgery is required.

Prognosis

Non-surgical treatments most of the time improve pain relief. Treatments could last from several months up to two years before symptoms improve. A lot of people recover within six to eighteen months. Seldom, surgery may be required to alleviate the pain.

What is COPD?

Symptoms of COPD

Mobility Center In Mesa, Arizona

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Causes

Symptoms

Exams and Tests

Treatment

Prognosis

Mobility Center In Mesa, Arizona