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Podiatrist - Cromwell
162 West St Ste K
Cromwell, CT 06416

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Posts for category: circulation

By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
August 28, 2019
Category: circulation

At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we find that many times patients don’t understand the ramifications of other medical conditions and lifestyle choices on the health of their feet. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition where some of the arteries in your legs become partially or fully blocked due to the accumulation of plaque or fatty deposits. This can have serious consequences for your lower extremities. Good circulation is necessary for healing wounds on your feet and maintaining overall good foot health.

Below are some facts about PAD that you should know:

FACT: One in five people over the age of 70 has PAD. It affects 8 to 12 million Americans currently.

FACT: Medical conditions that are often associated with PAD are:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes

FACT: Patients with PAD are two to six times more likely to die from stroke and heart attack.

FACT: PAD and diabetes are the leading cause of foot and leg amputations in the U.S.

FACT: Symptoms of PAD are:

  • Pain in your legs, thighs or buttocks when you walk
  • Foot or toe pain that wakes you up at night
  • Wounds on the skin or your feet or toes that don’t heal for 8 to 12 weeks
  • Hair loss on your toes and legs
  • Abnormal skin color on your feet

FACT: Our podiatrist Dr. Adam Mucinskas can perform a simple test called an ankle-brachial index to determine if you have PAD. It compares the blood pressure in your arm with the blood pressure in your ankles.

FACT: There are several lifestyle changes that can decrease your risk for PAD:

  • Stopping smoking
  • Eating a healthy diet to avoid obesity and help lower cholesterol
  • Managing high blood sugar
  • Exercising regularly

FACT: Medications and surgical options to treat PAD are also available.

It’s important to pay attention to the condition of your feet and report any unusual changes to the foot doctor promptly. If you have any concerns, contact our Cromwell office by calling: (860) 632-5499.

 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
February 13, 2019
Category: circulation

Do you ever look at your feet after a long day at work and wonder if your feet are swollen -- or have they always looked like that? Ask any adult around you if they have ever experienced swollen feet or ankles and the answer may surprise you; swelling is common! This is especially true for people who regularly exhaust their feet on a daily basis from physical activity. You could have sworn they used to be a bit thinner. Unless it’s due to some weight gain holding on from the holidays, swollen feet and ankles can be a sign of issues to come. Puffy feet or ankles can indicate that you may be experiencing poor blood circulation which can be caused by various underlying conditions and diseases. When should you be concerned and see a foot doctor? Keep an eye out for the following risk factors, especially when two or more apply to you:

  • Standing in one place for long periods of time
  • Having a sedentary job or spending most of the day sitting
  • Holding on to extra weight or being out of shape
  • You have or are at risk for developing diabetes
  • Wearing unsupportive shoes more often than not
  • Regularly consuming unhealthy food, especially those high in sodium
  • Currently pregnant and experiencing related stress on the body

If you find yourself relating to even one or more of these risk factors for developing poor circulation, it’s time to talk to Dr. Adam Mucinskas, DPM. There are several ways to address poor circulation and your podiatrist is a vital part of that conversation.

One of the many ways to address poor circulation, even before you get in to see us at Feet First Foot Care Specialists, is by investing in compression socks. When you wear the appropriate size, compression socks work hard to increase the circulation of blood in your legs, feet, and ankles. As a result, you’re delivering higher levels of therapeutic oxygen and nutrients to the areas that need it most! Compression socks can:

  • Speed up healing
  • Reduce swelling
  • Soothe aching sensations
  • Relieve fatigued feet

Interested in learning more? Call us today at (860) 632-5499 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mucinskas at our great new location in Cromwell, Connecticut. Our team looks forward to helping you! 

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By Feet First Foot Care Specialists, LLC
October 24, 2018
Category: circulation
Tags: podiatrist  

Varicose veins are often seen as mostly a cosmetic issue, but they can come with a whole slew of other problems. As the weather gets colder, here at Feet First Foot Care Specialists we see an increase in the number of patients who are dealing with varicose vein issues. There are plenty of myths that prevent patients from seeking varicose vein treatment when they should. That’s why we put together these facts about varicose veins.

What causes varicose veins?

When blood leaks from a weakened valve and pools, it causes a vein to swell. If you’re someone who is on your feet all day, gravity can play a part in exacerbating it. This is because it strains your veins to pump blood up to the heart from your legs and feet.

Myth #1: Varicose veins never hurt.

Many of our patients with varicose veins do not experience any uncomfortable symptoms, but for a lot of people these veins can cause:

  • Pain
  • Aches
  • A tired or heavy sensation in your legs
  • Dry and itchy skin surrounding the varicose vein

These are the symptoms that most often bring patients in to see a podiatrist. Dryness caused by cooler weather or pain caused by long hours on your feet can make these symptoms even worse.

Myth #2: Varicose veins are just a cosmetic issue; they’re not actually harmful.

While it’s true that varicose veins are completely harmless for most people, they can often signal a circulation or blood flow issue in the body. Diabetes and other diseases often have associated circulatory issues that can present as varicose veins. A foot doctor can help examine your varicose veins and see if there is a link to a more serious medical issue.

Myth #3: You can’t treat varicose veins.


There are actually a number of ways you can relieve the symptoms of varicose veins. Try some of the following:

  • Avoid wearing tight socks or stockings.
  • Change your position frequently – go from sitting to standing a couple times a day; take walks or sitting breaks.
  • Exercise regularly to improve circulation and maintain a healthy weight.
  • In severe cases, a minor surgical procedure can help to eliminate a varicose vein.

If varicose veins are vexing you, make an appointment today at Feet First Foot Care Specialists! Dr. Adam Mucinskas keeps up to date on all the latest podiatric health issues and utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment techniques. Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our conveniently located office in the Cromwell, Connecticut area: (860) 632-5499.

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