Health Exposed

If you don’t pay attention to your feet, you could be risking a host of wider health issues. For example, if foot pain prevents you from exercising, obvious consequences will follow. So in this episode, Matthew Fitzpatrick, consultant podiatrist at the College of Podiatry, tells us how important it is to normalise regular visits to the podiatrist. He talks about how the field is misrepresented and under appreciated, and about the need for improved policy and a wider recognition of foot care. He also offers up useful advice on a range of ailments, from questions on athletes foot to flat feet – and whether we should be wearing high heels… or not!

Did you know, visits to nail salons have led to infections, amputations and even blindness? Three recorded deaths have even made it into the news, all as a result of unsafe practices and dirty equipment. In this episode Gemma speaks to Dr Robert Spalding, author of Death By Pedicure, a book which uncovers the “dirty secret of nail salons”. Dr Spalding says health violations are far too frequent, and the services offered at salons should be treated as medical procedures, not just cosmetic. Find out how you can protect yourself from harm, the tell-tale signs you should look out for and how the industry should change to reduce the risks.

Thousands of people with diabetes are having limbs amputated in surgeries that could have been prevented. Life expectancy plummets following these surgeries - so why aren’t we working harder to stop them from being necessary? In this episode Gemma speaks to two podiatry experts from the University of Malta, associate professor Cynthia Formosa and senior lecturer Dr Alfred Gatt. They explain how a united front from healthcare professionals across the world is needed to combat the issue. Discover how improved screening procedures, earlier diagnosis and better patient awareness are vital components in saving people from amputation, and how podiatrists need to be seen as the key person in the life of someone living with diabetes.

The risk of infection in podiatric procedures is high, and the consequences can be grave, from simply needing antibiotics to needing a limb amputated or, most worryingly, death. In this episode, Dr Lee Rogers, member of the American board of podiatric medicine, explains the importance of dumping reusable instruments and switching to single use ones instead. He also talks about the diabetic foot and the significance of using the correct monofilament tool for testing sensitivity, and describes how the wrong instrument could cause misdiagnosis, leading to unnecessary treatment for patients who don’t need it – and no treatment for those who do. Dr Rogers ends with advice if you want to treat yourself at home: be careful about the products you use on your feet!

Leonardo da Vinci referred to the foot as the most marvellous of machines and a work of art. In this episode, expert podiatrist Dr Dave Dunning explains how our feet are one of the most complicated and interesting parts of the body, and the one thing roboticists can’t get right! He discusses the importance of looking after your feet, and explains how diabetic foot disease kills more people worldwide than the two main cancers put together. He also addresses issues with flexibility, inappropriate footwear and proper hygiene – and reveals the shocking fact that poor foot health can cause depression.