“Don’t wait until you can no longer walk.”

During the 2012 Olympics, we saw the story of American Manteo Mitchell who broke his leg during a race, and still finished first. However, he was a trained athlete and was 25 years old! As we age, we really need to begin to “listen” to our body and not wait until we can no longer walk. Here are some common issues treated by Dr. Hulon Crayton at The Arthritis and Infusion Center:

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. According to PubMed Health, Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult. You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have:

·         Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)

·         Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces

·         Sudden weight gain or obesity

·         Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)

·         Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles

Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it most often affects active men ages 40 - 70. Treatment may include medication or injections into the problem area.

Bone density should also be carefully monitored as we age. Dr. Crayton recommends a Bone Density Scan in order to determine how fragile your bones are, and then he can recommend treatment according to your test results. 

 Do not ignore your symptoms until you can no longer walk!  Dr. Crayton constantly reminds people:  “Pain is not normal!”  Let The Arthritis and Infusion Center help!

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #3:

Continuing our series regarding “Arthritis Tips for Daily Living,” Dr. Hulon Crayton is always looking for ways to ease the pain for his patients associated with the simplest of daily tasks. The Arthritis and Infusion Center found an article in Significant Living magazine by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the BEDROOM/DRESSING:

  

• Rather than having to pick up laundry, use a wheeled cart to push the dirty clothes to the washer/dryer. 
•  When you are dressing, sit down as much as possible.   
• There are numerous aids to assist you in dressing – for instance, zipper pulls or sock aids. (Just Google “Items for senior citizens” and you will find many sites that offer simple solutions to life’s daily challenges as you age.)

•  It should go without saying that non-skid mats should be used not only in the bedroom, but all through the house. (The use of throw rugs should be discouraged around senior citizens.) 
•  Just as in the bathroom, bed rails will assist you in sleeping more securely and rising in the morning. 
•  Wear clothes that are wrinkle-free so you do not have to iron.

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, you may want to consider a subscription to Arthritis Today magazine, which covers other helpful hints to ease the pain of day-to-day living.

However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. Call us today to see how The Arthritis & Infusion Center can help make your life easier and more pain free!

Arthritis Tips for Daily Living #1

At The Arthritis and Infusion Center, we’re always looking for ways to help our patients cope with Arthritis, while at the same time giving them strategies for daily living.  Recently, we found an interesting article by Dr. Rick Caracciolo, in Significant Living magazine, and have adapted a list of his suggestions regarding things to keep in mind around the KITCHEN:

• Use electric appliances. (Manual options can put stress on your joints.) 
• Use pre-cut vegetables and nuts.(Although a little more pricy, you will be more  likely to eat these health-giving snacks, and your joints will thank you as well!) 
• Keep pots and pans near the stove and try to store them at waist level. (This reduces lifting and stress on hand and wrist joints.) 
• Use large handle kitchen utensils for easier grip. (And, light-weight utensils would also help.) 
• Sit down while preparing meals. (What’s the hurry? With Arthritis, it’s important to lower your stress level.) 
• Install lever faucets, or easy grips, on faucet handles for easier turning to close. 
• Use disposable pans, non-stick pans, foils, and sprays to reduce, or eliminate, cleaning.
• Dispose of all clutter, and set up work stations (cutting area, coffee, etc.). 
• If you use mats in the kitchen, make sure they are the non-slip, industrial variety that provide good support and cushion for your feet and legs. (Rugs should be avoided.)

You may find other information that’s helpful from the National Institutes of Health (www.nia.nih.gov) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov). However, it’s vital that you find a doctor who really listens to you. Dr. Hulon Crayton has garnered a reputation for not only listening to his patients, but working in tandem with them to develop the most effective treatment plan available. In fact, several of his patients have actually moved to this area just because of the level of treatment they receive from Dr. Crayton. Call us today to see how The Arthritis and Infusion Center can make your life easier and more pain free!

Used 2 Use

Dr. Hulon Crayton of The Arthritis and Infusion Center is thrilled to partner with The Bay Education Foundation in a drive to provide local students with musical instruments. If you have unused instruments at home, please consider donating your instrument. Donations can be dropped off at Almega Sports, the Bay County Courthouse or The Arthritis and Infusion Center. You can also drop off the instruments at any of the participating schools below. You will receive a tax letter for your records at the time of donation. Thank you for your support!

School	Address	Need
Bay H. S.	1200 Harrison Avenue	Band instruments
Breakfast Point Academy	601 N. Richard Jackson Blvd	Band instruments, esp. trumpet
Callaway E.S.	7115 Hwy 22	Guitars
Cherry St. E.S.	1125 Cherry St.	Small instruments for demonstration (non-working ok)
Deer Point E.S.	4800 Hwy. 2321	Keyboards
Everitt M.S.	608 School Avenue	Band instruments
Jinks M.S.	600 W. 11th Street	Band instruments
Mosley H.S.	501 Mosley Drive	Band instruments
Mowat M.S.	1903 Hwy. 390	Band instruments
North Bay Haven	1104 Balboa Avenue	Keyboards, hand drums, guiros, claves
Patterson E.S.	1025 Redwood Avenue	Drums, flute, clarinet
Springfield E.S.	520 School Avenue	Band instruments
St. Andrew	3001 W. 15th Street	Cello, violin