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The Benefits of Berries

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Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? For patients with arthritis, adding a handful of blueberries to cereal or yogurt may help to reduce symptoms. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. Among other lifestyle changes and treatment options, Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center hopes that you celebrate this month and walk with more comfort.

What is arthritis?

This condition is all about inflammation and swelling of the cartilage and lining of the joints. There are 33 joints in each foot, and each joint can be impacted by arthritis. For patients with this condition, inflammation can make walking very uncomfortable. Symptoms include tenderness and pain. For patients who are seeking treatment, their options range from anti-inflammatory medication to custom orthotics to injections.

What if I don’t like blueberries?

We’d love for you to celebrate National Blueberry Month with us, but we understand if you like another type of fruit. Berries are an excellent source of fiber, and they also have antioxidants that help protect your body against inflammation. Other berry options include strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, and others. The additional fiber helps you to snack on these delicious treats, feeling full and satisfied without having to eat too much.

How does the blueberry compare to other berries?

Berries have antioxidants known as anthocyanin. These antioxidants help to give berries their colors. While other berries may have only three or four types of this antioxidant, blueberries have 20 types. To include these berries in your diet, try to add them to a smoothie or put them on top of your bagel with cream cheese.

If you’re having worsening foot and ankle pain because of your arthritis, we are here to help. We continue to follow CDC guidelines to protect you and our staff. We encourage patients to use our telemedicine option, and we will continue to provide excellent care. Call us at (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

June is Men’s Health Month

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June is here! For many, this means the start of summer and fun outdoor activities. Summer snacks and sports are included, too. While this season may look a bit different as we are slowly returning to normal activities, let’s not forget to use this month to raise awareness. June is Men’s Health Month. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center has a few simple ways to celebrate this month with the special men in your lives.

Make an appointment

Is it time for a visit to the doctor? Talk with the men in your life about their health and if they are maintaining a regular schedule with annual appointments. Prevention is a powerful tool. Knowing risk factors or detecting problems early can save your life. If you’re free, tag along for the visit and provide encouragement — and accountability.

Talk about the past

Sometimes we forget to talk about our past health issues. They can have an impact on our future if we don’t make lifestyle changes. For the men in your life, learn more about health issues that may be commonly diagnosed in families. This can be high blood pressure or diabetes. Also, be careful not to skip over mental health. Be a good listener and provide resources for support.

Don’t forget about feet

It happens more than you think — people overlook their feet. When considering health, don’t forget about foot and ankle health. From discolored or brittle toenails to slow-healing wounds on your feet or ankles, there are clear signs of the health of your body. While encouraging men to make an appointment, don’t exclude a visit to the podiatrist.

We’re still practicing social distancing to protect our neighbors from COVID-19. If you are concerned about the health of your feet or ankles, call us at (469) 998-3668. We also encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We are committed to answering your questions and providing great service during this time. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Bring the Family Picnic Inside

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What’s one way to avoid weather interruptions for your picnic? Bring it inside. That’s right — try to create a picnic experience in your home. We’ve all had to get a bit more creative these days. Find your picnic basket, favorite cutlery, snacks, and more. Of course, you must have a blanket. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center sees the value of sharing a meal with your family, so try a picnic with a twist.

Plan the menu

When you’re planning your picnic, spend some time creating a menu. Be intentional about this picnic. If your family wants to get involved, invite them to offer some suggestions. They can even help to prepare the dishes. Keep healthy items on the menu, but also feel free to bring out some of your other favorite treats.

Find an activity

Whether it’s an indoor scavenger hunt or a game of Scrabble, select an activity. You can either do your activity while eating or after you’ve taken your last bite. Since you’re indoors, find the best ways to maximize your space. If your activity requires extra movement, be sure to move items in advance. This helps to prevent any bumps or bruises.

Keep it simple

A lot is going on these days. Don’t let this picnic become a stressor. If you end up ordering a pizza, enjoy your time. If you prefer to cook a meal, that’s fine, too. Consider this as an opportunity to try something new while spending quality time with your loved ones. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just be open to trying something new.

We encourage you to be mindful of your space while enjoying your indoor picnic. However, if a bump or bruise is a cause for concern, call us at (469) 998-3668. We’re doing our part to flatten the curve, so we encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We’re still here to answer your questions and provide excellent care during this time. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Make Room for Exercise

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To practice social distancing, we’re all at home much more these days. We’re working from home, teaching from home, and finding new activities to enjoy. Even more, we’re finding creative ways to exercise. Dr. Naghmeh Lilly Khavari of the Carrollton Foot Center wants to help you stay fit but injury-free. As you’re making room for movement in your home, here are some ways to protect your feet and ankles from an injury.

Wear socks

As you’re moving furniture in the living room, your room, or even the basement, protect your toes. Wearing shoes is best, but socks are also a great layer of protection. From your big toe to your pinky toe, watch out for sharp corners. Stubbed toes are a common injury.

Stretch before you move

Even if you’re moving your couch to the other side of the room, you’re still doing some form of movement. To avoid injuries and best prepare your body, take time to properly stretch. You will also want to stretch after you move items around. If you experience any pain while moving, it’s important to stop. Also, be sure to rest and hydrate.

Don’t do it alone (if possible)

If you live with family members or friends, ask them to guide you or even help you carry the load. It will go much faster, and you won’t have to carry as much weight. If you live alone, be sure that you can safely move an item of furniture before committing. If you previously experienced a foot or ankle injury, our office recommends that you avoid moving furniture. You can worsen the injury or create a new one.

Have fun with moving some things around! Open space allows you to exercise safely and without fear of bumping into that special vase or sharp-edged coffee table. If you experience an injury or are concerned about your foot health, call us at (469) 998-3668. To practice social distancing, we encourage patients to use our telemedicine option. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, STE 450, Carrollton, TX.

Dear Patients, Families, and Friends

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News of the novel 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused great concern. Here at Carrollton Foot Center,  we consider your health and safety a top priority.

As of now, we will provide our services as normal with the following considerations:

  1. If you are experiencing or have experienced within the last two weeks a cough, runny nose, or difficulty breathing, please call in to reschedule your appointment at 469 998 3668 (**please note that last-minute cancellation fees will not apply in these situations)
  2. If you or anyone in your family has traveled outside of the US and/or cruised in the last two weeks and/or been around someone possibly infected with the virus, please reschedule your appointment
  3. We are requesting only the patient enter the office, and encourage the parent/family member/friend(s) to stay in the car (this does NOT apply to minors)
  4. Our front office team will continue to check you in manually and will ask you to use our portal on your phone to complete your history and physical information
  5. Please use the hand sanitizer at our front desks upon your arrival and again upon leaving. In addition, we recommend you wash your hands in the exam room prior to leaving.
  6. The magazines and our coffee machine will be out of commission for the time being to limit contact on shared surfaces
  7. Our Physician and Medical Assistants will sadly no longer shake your hand when introducing themselves but will ALWAYS deliver exceptional care with a smile
  8. We are encouraging our team members to stay home if feeling ill and to do so for at least 24-48 hrs or longer depending on their signs and symptoms
  9. We are wiping down the door handles after each patient. We will wipe down counters, keyboards, office areas, and high touch surfaces continuously throughout the day
  10. Should you arrive in our office and begin to cough or sneeze we will kindly ask that you place a mask over your nose and mouth and wear gloves– understand that we may also reschedule your appointment
  11. We kindly ask that all reps limit their visits to our office at this time and consider calling the office with questions/concerns/product information
  12. We will be starting telemedicine visits for our qualified established patients starting 3.25.2020. You will receive information about this on your upcoming appointment reminder text message.
  13. Finally, we kindly ask that patients/visitors to our office not ask to take home gloves, masks, or hand sanitizer as we need to conserve these for our dedicated medical team especially in light of the recent shortages.
  14. We will be contacting our non-urgent patients and rescheduling them for a later visit in the upcoming weeks.

Carrollton Foot Center will continue to follow the recommendations from the CDC, state and local officials regarding COVID-19. We will also continue to follow the recommendations of our affiliated hospitals and surgical centers in regard to elective surgeries. We appreciate your understanding at this time. We ask that each and every one of you stay safe.

Further, to provide you means to obtain your podiatry focused products, we now offer option to purchase online and have products shipped home. Vist our store here.

Thank you for your patience, 

-Your Carrollton Foot Center Team

What’s On Your Plate?

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Before you take that next bite, think twice. During March, we want to bring awareness to nutrition and how a healthy diet and exercise routine can reduce your chances of foot and ankle complications. Dr. Lilly Khavari of Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, wants to share three conditions that are greatly impacted by your food choices and ways you can make lifestyle changes. March is National Nutrition Month, which focuses on what you eat and how you choose to move while exercising.

Gout

There are many forms of arthritis, and osteoarthritis is among the most common. There is also a form known as gout. When the amount of uric acid increases in the body, the result is intense pain along with redness and inflammation in the big toe joint. This condition is painful, and certain foods can become a trigger. These foods include red meat, certain types of alcohol, seafood, and sugary foods like juices or candy. Gout can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications.

Diabetes

We describe this condition as a diabetic foot. This keeps in mind all of the foot issues that may come along as people are diagnosed with diabetes. When glucose levels become too high, there are serious complications. Damage to the nervous system and poor circulation are a few examples. Other complications include peripheral neuropathy, slow-healing wounds that develop into ulcers, and more.

Plantar fasciitis

Simply, plantar fasciitis is heel pain. It is one of the most common conditions and impacts a variety of patients. The pain and discomfort occur because the tissue that connects the heel bones to the toes becomes inflamed. Weight gain is one change that can cause this tissue to become inflamed, so we encourage patients to maintain a healthy diet and remain active.

Schedule an appointment today by calling (469) 998-3668. We are located at 4221 Medical Parkway, #450, Carrollton, TX 75010. Dr. Lilly Khavari of Carrollton Foot Center, PLLC, is a board-certified foot and ankle specialist, and the office serves patients from Denton, Dallas, and Collin counties. She focuses on pediatric and diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and more.

 

 

Foot Pain is to Blame

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What if you could go to bed knowing that the activities you participated in today wouldn’t result in aches and pains to deal with tomorrow? For every 1 in 3 people, there’s someone with an undiagnosed foot or ankle conditions that cause pain and discomfort. Podiatrists like Dr. Lily Khavari find this unsettling and want to do everything in their power to help people feel more comfortable and at ease enjoying their everyday activities. Did you know that unaddressed foot and ankle pain can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of falling? This only leads to a snowball effect of more and more issues to come, like weak ankles or fallen arches, unless it’s addressed and treated by a foot doctor.

 

A recent study found that 20% of their patients had fallen one or more times within the last 12 months. Those who fell more than once within the last twelve months were much more likely to report experiencing daily aches and pains they thought were simply something they should ‘deal’ with. This is where podiatry teams come in with their favorite mantra: foot pain is not normal! If you’re experiencing foot and ankle pain regularly, and it hasn’t been addressed by a foot doctor, you’re very likely at a higher risk of both gaining excess weight and injuring yourself as a result.

 

Foot pain understandably makes us less likely to participate in physical activity because of how uncomfortable it is! Similarly, painful feet are much more sensitive and can lead to weakness in the lower extremities when pain is inflicted (such as walking on uneven surfaces), which in turn can lead to falling and hurting yourself further. Don’t let yourself become a part of the statistic! Have your foot and ankle pain addressed at Carrollton Foot Center by calling (469) 998-3668 to set up your consultation.

6 Warning Signs for Baby’s Feet

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There is so much involved when planning for your first child that it can be overwhelming to cover everything before the baby comes! With so much planning to do and so little time, we thought it would be helpful to go over our favorite tip when going over what to look out for as your new addition grows at home. Your baby’s health overall is important, but taking a close look at their whole body is something that can be glossed over – especially when it comes to their feet, ankles, and toes. The best habit you can develop isn’t just to snuggle up as often as you can while they’re still tiny but to keep a close eye on how they change physically over time.

Here some important signs to look for when it comes to baby’s feet, ankles, and toes:

  • Discoloration in the toenails or skin on the feet
  • No response to the physical touch of the feet
  • Baby avoiding anything touching their feet at all
  • Swelling or decreased mobility of their feet and ankles
  • Scrunched or cramped looking toes
  • Slow toenail growth or no growth at all

Peeping in on your baby’s toes daily can help avoid letting one of these 6 warning signs silently developing or worsening. It’s so much fun to play and bond with your baby, you can even incorporate these feet, ankle, and toe check-ups during diaper changes, bathing, or snuggle time. This can mean the difference between your baby later on developing issues like bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, or plantar fasciitis, and having healthy, happy feet and ankles. If and when anything catches your eye, be sure to reach out to Dr. Lily Khavari at Carrollton Foot Center. It’s never too early to start a relationship between your child and a trusted, kid-friendly podiatrist! Call us today at (469) 998-3668 to schedule your consult.

Consider This When Considering Orthotics

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If you’re not sure it’s time to switch over to orthotics, this blog is for you! In every podiatry practice, you’re bound to overhear a conversation about orthotics, but not all orthotics are created equally. With so many different options and offices to choose from, how do you know what’s right for you? At Carrollton Foot Center, we make it easy. Orthotics are an investment for your health today, tomorrow, and beyond – it’s no small decision to make! Dr. Lily Khavari is here to help clear up any confusion surrounding orthotics.

 

It’s a common misconception that orthotics are something that only older people need. To the surprise of many, orthotics are much more widely used across all different ages than you might think. Many young athletes utilize the support and stabilization of their trusty orthotics to keep the structures of their feet and ankles in the right places at all times.

 

Even if you’re not an athlete, or if you’re not young, orthotics can still be right for you. For those of us with family members who have foot problems, orthotics aren’t a bad idea to start with. At the earliest signs of any irregular foot pain or discomfort, introducing orthotics can help soothe, slow down, and potentially even stop the development of certain foot and ankle problems.

 

For those of us who wish we had started orthotics years ago, we’re probably already plagued with daily foot and ankle pain and discomfort. In these instances, it’s never too late to start. Let’s say you have a history of sprained ankles or you’ve broken parts of your feet or toes in the past. Over time, multiple sprained ankles weaken the tendons and can lead to a higher risk of repeated injury. Even if a broken bone is fixed, the likelihood of it developing arthritis later on in life is much greater due to breaking. Regardless of if your symptoms have yet to develop or have already developed, orthotics can help take the edge off and give your feet less work. Call us at (469) 998-3668 to schedule an appointment at our location in Carrollton, Texas today!

Diabetes Awareness Month

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The month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and our team at the Carrollton Foot Center wants to kick it off right by talking about the top 3 myths of diabetes. As a prevalent disease, with two known types of diabetes that affect an accumulative 30 million people in the United States alone, diabetes is subject to speculation and rumors. Among all the different ideas that can spread due to misinformation and a lack of education, we’ve picked out the top 3 myths about diabetes that can make diagnosis especially difficult to process:

Diabetes Myth #1:

They put you on a boring diet once you’ve been diagnosed and you won’t enjoy food again. This is most definitely false! When you’re on a diabetic diet, you’re simply following similar (if not the same) guidelines from the FDA on how to nourish your body daily. We advise straying from foods marketed as diabetic dietary foods. These foods are often no different or better for you than other foods.

Diabetes Myth #2:

A high-protein diet is better for diabetic people than other diets. There are two falsehoods in this statement alone! A high-protein diet is not better for diabetic people, nor is any fad diet good for anyone to follow. The only diet you need is the one that is right for you and your body. High-protein diets have been linked to insulin resistance in diabetic patients, so stick to your balanced regimen!

Diabetes Myth #3:

Sugar and carbs are completely gone from your life once you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. Again, absolutely false! Sugar and carbohydrate intake simply needs to be limited and planned for in advance. Whole-grain starches are best since they are higher in fiber and digest slowly, and sugar can typically still be enjoyed in small amounts.

When it comes to being diagnosed with diabetes, looking closely at what you eat can help you avoid podiatric issues that diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing, especially when uncontrolled. These can include non-healing ulcers and nerve damage. Call us today at (469) 998-3667 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lily Khavari in Carrollton, Texas.

Contact Us

We’d love to hear any question or concern you have.

4221 Medical Parkway
STE 450
Carrollton, TX

(469) 998-3668

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