In the past several weeks, we’ve seen some great examples of Americans taking charge of a challenging situation. They knew it was coming. And they prepared themselves well.
First, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency decided not to wait until hurricane season to get their act together. One month before the start of the season, various state agencies and volunteer groups gathered in nearby Clanton to run a series of simulations designed to prepare them for effective action when a storm actually hits. Anyone who lived through Hurricane Ivan 7 years ago is no doubt grateful for these drills!
Another example of Americans being prepared came one letter at a time at the National Scripps Spelling Bee. What really impressed us was what this year’s winner had to say. When asked why she was eliminated early on in the 2016 competition but went all the way in 2017, 12-year old Ananya Vinay said simply, “I was more prepared, more confident…more focused.”
Out of the mouths of babes comes wisdom that we can apply to our own lives. Here at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists, Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts totally buy in to the idea that you should be prepared for what lies ahead.
What lies ahead for your feet
Unless you’re prepared for it, you’re going to be surprised by what can go wrong with your feet, especially as you age. Year after year, your feet carry you for miles and eventually they begin to wear out. Some common conditions of the aging foot that we see at our practice are
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Ingrown toenails
- Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)
- Toenail fungus
- Diabetes
- Flattening arches
You can avoid many of these foot ailments simply by preparing yourself to maintain a healthy weight. Keep healthy foods handy and exercise, because when your feet are called upon to support more pounds than they should, arches flatten out, heels cry out in pain, and blood sugar reels out of control, leaving you at high risk for diabetes and all the foot problems associated with it.
Similarly, be prepared to buy shoes that fit well. Steer clear of the pain from arthritis or ingrown toenails by wearing shoes that don’t squeeze, pinch, or otherwise mash up your toes into a small space.
Your forethought, focus, and preparedness may not win you a $40,000 prize as it did for Ananya, the spelling champion, but it could save you thousands in future medical care. Contact us whenever you have questions or if you think a storm might be brewing somewhere in your feet. Our number in Montgomery is (334)396-3668.