From pediatric questions to general medical queries, our panel of experts is here to answer your questions….
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
The question: I have recently developed plantar fasciitis for which I am taking medication. Is there anything else I can do to alleviate the pain?
Cristina Craciun,
Senior Physiotherapist responds, “Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia which is the layer that covers the foot arch muscles and tendons. Apart from taking anti-inflammatories,
rest and ice the foot arch. Change your shoes and avoid extremely rigid or soft shoe soles. Select shoes with proper arch support. Wearing a night splint will help speed up the healing process. Stretch your calves, hamstrings, and foot several times a day. Foam roll the same muscle groups. Also, try to lose excess weight if you had a sudden gain.This condition could last for months if left untreated. Consult a physiotherapist for a professional assessment to find and tackle predisposing factors including a weak core, flat feet, or pronation. Special orthotics could be suggested
or even a visit to the podiatrist. You will be advised on appropriate activity modification and home exercises including strengthening and stretching.”
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
The question: When is the earliest that ADHD can be diagnosed? My 11-month-old son does not act like his siblings; he avoids eye contact and rarely interacts willingly.
Dr. Salman Wahid,
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist responds, “ADHD affects children and can continue in adulthood. In this condition, children will have difficulty paying attention, may have hyperactivity, and will engage in impulsive behaviors. There are no set criteria to diagnose infants and toddlers with ADHD. The average age of diagnosis is around seven years, with earliest diagnosis given around five years. Some of the symptoms include lack of attention and focus, inability to listen, and follow directions, easily bored, forgetful, fidgety, impulsive, inability to wait for a turn, inability to play quietly, disruptive, impulsive, and low frustration tolerance. The description of a child not making eye contact can be due to excessive shyness, hearing issues, speech issues, or learning issues. The best advice at this stage is to make an appointment with the primary care doctor to rule out common medical issues, and if there is a suspicion of psychiatric illness, then have the child evaluated by a child psychologist/psychiatrist/speech pathologist/pediatric neurologist, depending on the issue at hand.”
TREATMENTS FOR DARK CIRCLES
The question: No matter what I do I can’t get rid of my under-eye circles. What causes this and what are some non-invasive techniques I can use safely to get rid of this once and for all?
Dr. Sanjay Parashar,
Consultant Plastic Surgeon responds, “Under-eye circles is a very common problem with young men and women. Under-eye circles have three important componentsdark/pigmented eyelid skin which is normally thinner than cheek skin and the demarcation may be significant. Also, resorption of fat and cheek drop is also a common cause and may occur in individuals as young as 23 to 24 years of age. The third cause is underlying veins that give a bluish and dark discoloration to the area. Hereditary tendencies are one common denominator in all people with under-eye circles. Other factors include lifestyle, irregular sleeping hours, smoking, or sudden weight loss. Treatment depends upon the problem; it may require a combination of treatments such as skin peeling and topical creams to improve the color. The use of a vitamin C serum can also help in improving the color. Carboxytherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that delivers carbon dioxide gas under the skin and promotes increased oxygen supply. More long lasting results can be achieved by using filler material to fill the depression in the tear trough area. Fat grafting is also a very useful procedure that adds volume and reduces the visibility of veins through the skin.”
