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When was the last time that you changed your brand or type of contact lens? If you have been using the same brand and type of contact lenses for several years, it may be time for you to learn about the newer versions that are on the market today. You may find that there is no longer the need to struggle with putting your lenses in each day, cleaning them, and messing around with those little storage containers. Extended wear contact lenses may be an option for you like they are for me. After being told five years ago that I could not wear extended wear lenses, the design of them have changed and I now wear them for an entire week before removing them! Learn more about the various contact lenses on the market today to help yourself, find some that are perfectly comfortable and less of an inconvenience!

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what are your options in contact lenses?

What's Causing That Sharp, Burning Pain In The Ball Of Your Foot?

by Elmer Perry

Does the ball of your foot burn and feel unusually painful, especially when you walk? You may also get the sensation that there is something in or on the ball of your foot, and your toes may feel numb. These symptoms are usually caused by a condition called Morton's neuroma, in which inflamed tissues place excess pressure on the nerves in your foot. Luckily, understanding the causes of Morton's neuroma will help you rid yourself of this irritating condition.

Causes of Morton's Neuroma

Morton's neuroma does not just arise out of nowhere. Usually, something you do or have done in the past with your feet causes the condition. Common culprits include:

  • Wearing heels that force you to support all of your weight on the ball of your foot.
  • Wearing shoes with too narrow of a toe box.
  • Injuring your foot while playing soccer, running, or participating in another active game.
  • Wearing shoes that are not made for your foot type. For instance, wearing shoes with high arches when you have flat feet.

How to Deal With Morton's Neuroma

The first step in dealing with Morton's neuroma is to identify the cause. Ask yourself which of the possible causes above most likely applies to you, and then make respective changes to your lifestyle.

For instance, if you wear heels, switch to flats. If you've been running in shoes with no arch support when you have flat feet, visit a running store and find shoes that actually fit. If your toes are crunched into the toe box of your shoe, toss them and purchase shoes with a wider toe box. Of course, if you think your Morton's neuroma was caused by a traumatic injury when playing sports, using caution to avoid injuries in the future is advised. You should also visit a physician to have the injury properly diagnosed and treated.

Once you've eliminated the root cause of your condition, there are a few treatments you can use to alleviate the discomfort. Icing your foot may reduce the swelling. You can elevate your foot and apply an ice pack to it for bout 20 minutes at a time. Make sure you use a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin to avoid developing frostbite. Soaking your foot in Epsom salts may also ease the tension and relieve inflammation.

If your foot does not feel better after one to two weeks of changing your routine and icing your foot, it's time to contact a podiatrist. He or she may recommend more advanced treatments, such as:

  • Fitting your shoes with specialized orthotics
  • Taking medications to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Having the area injected with corticosteriod medications

Morton's neuroma is a rather common condition, and most patients recover quite easily if they're willing to stop wearing heels or shoes that don't fit properly. Start treating this ailment at the first sign of pain, and you'll increase your chances of getting rid of it completely. Contact a local podiatrist, like Family Foot Center Podiatry Group Inc, if you have questions.

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