OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, September 3, 2009 · 12 A Step Beyond In Care SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST TRAFALGAR RIDGE OPT0METRY 2387 Trafalgar Rd. Oakville (HomeSense/Winners Plaza) Dr. Lesley Naumowich 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 Q: A: My feet are covered with areas of skin that are thick and painful. Why do these form and how are they treated? Areas of thick skin on the bottom of feet are called calluses. Callus forms when there is more pressure than normal on the joints of the foot. Your body responds to this extra pressure by producing more skin under the joint(s) in question. There are a variety of reasons why callus forms. Most joints have a layer of natural cushioning which moves forward with activity or age. This results in the joint/bones in the area taking more pressure with each step and the formation of callus. Another reason callus can form is a change in walking pattern. This change could be gradual over time or can be due to trauma in the hip, knee or ankle. Your body will naturally compensate for this trauma by putting more pressure on the opposite limb/foot. Callus is the end result. Once the cause of the callus is determined, treatment options vary from ongoing care to more permanent solutions such as Custom Made Foot Orthotics. Orthotics realign your walking pattern to redistribute high pressure areas. This will reduce callus formation by placing your foot in its optimal position. Visit your Chiropodist to answer any foot related questions or for a thorough foot examination to determine the cause of your callus and a discussion of the various treatment options available to you. 905-338-0377 Q: What Makes a Great Basement? A: In a word, design. Design is truly what makes or breaks the basement you will either choose to spend time in or not. The design of the basement should be an extension of the rest of the home. Thus providing a continuous flow from the main floor carrying it right through to your unfinished storage space in the basement. 905-338-6179 Question: Why do my children need an eye exam if a vision screening is performed at their school? Answer: A vision screening does not replace a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. According to the Ontario Association of Optometrists, as many as 43% of children with vision problems are able to pass a vision screening. Secondly, considering that 80% of learning is done through the eyes, it is important to have your child's eyes examined before they start school in order to give them the best opportunity to succeed. As well o well, vision screening programs are no longer as common as they once were and it is possible that they aren't even in place at your children's school. In Ontario, OHIP covers children 19 years of age and under for an eye exam every 12 months. It is in your child's best interest to see an optometrist and have a comprehensive eye exam. To schedule an appointment for an eye exam call 905-338-0377 The process begins with the expertise of a professional structural engineer who will aid you in the elimination of some, if not all of those annoying jack posts, or load bearing walls. It is from this point that the great room of the house begins to unfold. Open concept basements, that begin at the foot of the stairs, allows for multiple uses in one large space. Home theatres, bars, gyms and spas are just some of the ways people are utilizing their new found living space. Basements are no longer the cold un-inviting storage spaces they used to be. The basement has become a new dynamic living space in its own right. Call to Book your Appointment Today at 905-632-1414 NEW PATIENTS & WALK-INS WELCOME The Basement Space.com would be more than happy to assist you in planning your basement renovation. Please contact Ashley Trapman at 905-338-6179 Making Lives Better One Visit At A TimeTM Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Inc. Office: 905.257.3452 Website: www.nursenextdoor.com Lori Paton RN, RRT Nurse Next Door's services range from a 3 hour a week concierge service to an onsite 24 hr per day Registered Nurse. Q: As a family caregiver, how should I prepare for providing end of life care at home? A: As a family caregiver, you may be required to help with bathing, toile ng, li ing, and turning a person in bed. The physical work and emo onal drain of providing care can be ring, par cularly if you are living with your own health concerns. Plan ahead to have friends and other family members ready to help or to give you a break when you need it. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance from health care providers, friends, family and perhaps your faith community and place of work. Pallia ve care is most e ec ve when there is a team approach. Dr. Rosenblat D.D.S. Hopedale Shopping Centre Suite 220, 2nd Floor 905-827-0301 Q: A: What causes bleeding gums? While there are many reasons for gums or what dentists call "gingiva" to bleed, the most common cause is inadequate cleaning of your teeth. Proper brushing and flossing will remove soft deposits on teeth called "plaque". Plaque irritates and inflames the gums and this is called gingivitis and it looks like red puffy gums and they bleed easily. As the plaque hardens into "calculus" (or tartar) and the gingivitis becomes an infection of the gums and bone around teeth called "periodontitis" - bleeding is common. Brushing with too hard a toothbrush or flossing the wrong way can cause trauma & bleeding as can ill fitting dentures. There are other important causes for bleeding gums. Hormone changes such as pregnancy can often cause bleeding gums. Bleeding disorders like Hemophilia, vitamin deficiencies -K or C (scurvy) and medications like blood thinners and even aspirin can be a cause too. Medical conditions like Leukemia can have bleeding symptoms too. While good oral hygiene and diet can prevent or correct inflammatory causes of gum bleeding, prolonged bleeding can be controlled with pressure with gauze (soaked in ice water if you can). Avoid smoking and alcohol containing mouthwashes as both aggravate bleeding gums and most importantly see a dentist to find the cause. Any kind of chronic bleeding of your gums is just not healthy. If you would like more informa on regarding Pallia ve Care op ons please call Nurse Next Door or visit www.ontariopallia vecare.org Making Lives Better One Visit At A TimeTM Great things start with a warm healthy smile. the dentist@dentistry4.com www.dentistry4.com To advertise in Ask the Professionals call 905-845-3824 If you have any questions these professionals can answer, please write to: "Ask the Professionals" c/o The Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Road, Oakville L6K 3S4 or fax to: 905-337-5568