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Allergies: The Unbearable Sniffing, Sneezing and Drainage

My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.

Allergies: The Unbearable Sniffing, Sneezing and Drainage

Unsteadiness On Your Feet May Be Ankle Instability

by Clifton Davidson

If you find yourself watching your feet as you walk because you frequently feel like your ankle is giving out and may sprain, you may have an unstable ankle. There are several medical causes for this and it can be treated. Here is what has happened to your ankle and what help is available so you can be steady on your feet again.

Why Your Ankle Makes You Feel Unsafe

Various ligaments in your foot and ankle hold the bones together. They allow you to bend and flex your foot, but within limits. The muscles and tendons in the foot also support your arch and the movement of your foot. They keep your ankle aligned properly to support your weight when you stand.

Should any of the muscles, tendons or ligaments become injured, your ankle can slip beyond the healthy limits. People with ankle instability feel that their ankle might slip out from underneath them when they put weight on it. If you slip and fall when your ankle does this, you could develop a sprain, which makes the instability worse.

Why Your Ankle Developed This Instability

A visit to a podiatrist for X-rays and an examination of your ankle can help pinpoint the problem to one of these common causes:

  • Genetics- You may have been born with a tendency toward having weak ligaments in your foot and ankle.
  • Foot and ankle injuries - A sudden tear of a tendon or ligament that doesn't heal properly can reduce their support of your ankle.
  • Repeated sprains - Each time a sprain occurs, tendons may become stretched. Repeated sprains that don't heal properly can leave the tendons unable to support your ankle.
  • Bone diseases - Diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis can wear away bone tissue in your ankle, causing it to become unstable.

Treating Your Unstable Ankle

Your podiatrist will first recommend non-invasive treatment options to give your ankle additional support. These treatments include:

  • Physical therapy - A physical therapist will work with you to strengthen the tendons and muscles in your foot and ankle to better support you.
  • Orthotics - Shoe inserts, foot and ankle braces can be tried to keep your foot in the proper position to support your weight without your ankle giving out.

Should these non-invasive approaches not give you relief, your foot doctor may suggest one of these surgical options:

  • Ligament and tendon repair - An orthopedic surgeon will repair torn ligaments and tendons, or shorten ones that have previously been injured. The surgeon may reposition these tissues on the bones to create better support.
  • Joint replacement - Your existing ankle joint can be replaced with an artificial one made of plastic and metal components. This option is most useful when you have a degenerative bone disease.

For more information about treating your weak ankles, contact a company like Advanced Foot Clinic. 

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