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Common Cold Myths
5 Most Common Myths About the Common Cold
1. A bowl of chicken soup helps fight a cold?
True; Some research suggests it could relieve inflammation.
2. I should feed a cold, and starve a fever.
False. Being sick often kills your appetite and force-feeding won't help. What will help is staying hydrated and getting enough calories.
3. You'll get sick if don't wear a coat.
False. Colds and flu are caused by viruses. They do circulate during cold-weather seasons, but you're more likely to pick them up inside than out. In fact, going outside and getting more physical activity-and not just during cold and flu season-may help prevent sickness.
4. Going outside with wet hair will make you sick.
False. You'll probably feel chilly if you skip the blow-dry on a cold day, but not much else will happen. Again, colds are caused by a virus. Unless you are so cold that you get hypothermia, which could make you susceptible to infection, wet hair or clothes won't increase your vulnerability.
5. Wearing garlic prevents colds.
False. The pungent odor may keep germ-spreading friends and coworkers away, but you have to actually ingest it for the health benefits. Garlic is rich in antioxidants, which boost immunity and fight inflammation.
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Did You Know?
Dietary Fats Can Help -or Harm-Your Heart
Many people with heart disease try to banish fats, but they're missing out on lots of foods that can protect the heart. Avocados, nuts, fish, olive oil-they're all fatty, and they can all help keep you alive.
But other fats act as napalm to the heart.
Fats to avoid:
Trans fat: An artery-clogging element of partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats are found in many fried foods, commercial baked goods, and stick margarine.
These fats increase your LDL (bad cholesterol) while lowering your HDL (good cholesterol), weakening your natural defenses against heart disease. Harvard researchers have estimated that banning trans fats from the American diet could prevent some 228,000 heart attacks each year.
Saturated fat: While it isn't quite as destructive as trans fat, saturated fat is much more abundant. The saturated fat in meat or dairy products encourage a buildup of plaques in the arteries by increasing LDL (bad cholesterol) levels in the blood. A recent study found that saturated fat also inhibits the anti-inflammatory benefits of HDL (good cholesterol).
Heart-healthy fats
Unsaturated fats: The types of fats found in olive oil, canola oil, nuts, avocados, and fish can actually clear LDL while boosting HDL. An unsaturated fat diet decreases blood pressure, increases HDL, causes no significant increase in LDL, and lowers triglycerides.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in cold-water fish, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure, and slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Large studies suggest that this fat can lower the risk of heart disease by more than 35% and can reduce the risk of sudden death from heart attack by more than 50%. | |
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Fashion Goes Beyond Comfort in the New Bella from Z-CoiL®
Now pain relief not only feels good-it looks good!
The Bella, a new women's shoe from the pain relief footwear industry leader, Z-CoiL, is now appearing in Z-CoiL shoe stores around the country. This trendy shoe not only improves poise but also maximizes comfort.
Supplies are not expected to last, however, as the Bella was produced as a limited-edition style, fated to arrive suddenly on the scene and vanish just as quickly.
A fun and flirty shoe in beige with mulberry accents, the Bella combines split cowhide leather and breathable mesh, along with (naturally) Z-CoiL's unique, shock-absorbing technology. Two adjustable velcro® straps and a padded, anti-bacterial insole add to the comfort and ease of wearing this shoe.
Now women everywhere will be able to stay active on their feet all day long, with far greater comfort and less fatigue.
"Beauty is pain" no more!
Enjoy comfort and confidence with the new Bella Z-CoiL shoes!
As always, customers receive a personalized, custom fit and free footwear adjustments for the life of their footwear in order to achieve the greatest comfort possible in their Z-CoiL shoes. |
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Health Buzz: What is Haglund's Deformity?
Haglund's deformity is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that most often leads to painful bursitis, which is an inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac between the tendon and bone). In Haglund's deformity, the soft tissue near the Achilles tendon becomes irritated when the bony enlargement rubs against shoes.
Haglund's deformity is often called "pump bump" because the rigid backs of pump-style shoes can create pressure that aggravates the enlargement when walking. In fact, the deformity is most common in young women who wear pumps.
Symptoms
Haglund's deformity can occur in one or both feet. The signs and symptoms include:
- A noticeable bump on the back of heel.
- Pain in the area where the Achilles tendon attaches to the heel.
- Swelling in the back of the heel.
- Redness near the inflamed tissue.
What Causes Haglund's Deformity?
To some extent, heredity plays a role in Haglund's deformity. People can inherit a type of foot structure that makes them prone to developing this condition.
For example, high arches can contribute to Haglund's deformity. The Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the heel bone, and in a person with high arches, the heel bone is tilted backward into the Achilles tendon.
This causes the uppermost portion of the back of the heel bone to rub against the tendon. Eventually, due to this constant irritation, a bony protrusion develops and the bursa becomes inflamed. It is the inflamed bursa that produces the redness and swelling associated with Haglund's deformity.
A tight Achilles tendon can also play a role in Haglund's deformity, causing pain by compressing the tender and inflamed bursa. In contrast, a tendon that is more flexible results in less pressure against the painful bursa.
Another possible contributor to Haglund's deformity is a tendency to walk on the outside of the heel. This tendency, which produces wear on the outer edge of the sole of the shoe, causes the heel to rotate inward, resulting in a grinding of the heel bone against the tendon. The tendon protects itself by forming a bursa, which eventually becomes inflamed and tender.
Treatment: Non-surgical Approaches
Non-surgical treatment of Haglund's deformity is aimed at reducing the inflammation of the bursa. While these approaches can resolve the bursitis, they will not shrink the boney protrusion. Non-surgical treatment can include one or more of the following:
- Medication. Anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce the pain and inflammation. Some patients also find that a topical pain reliever, which is applied directly to the inflamed area, is beneficial.
- Ice. To reduce swelling, apply a bag of ice over a thin towel to the affected area for 20 minutes of each waking hour. Do not put ice directly against the skin.
- Exercises. Stretching exercises help relieve tension from the Achilles tendon. These exercises are especially important for the patient who has a tight heel cord.
- Heel lifts. Patients with high arches may find that heel lifts placed inside the shoe decrease the pressure on the heel.
- Heel pads. Placing pads inside the shoe cushions the heel and may help reduce irritation when walking.
- Shoe modification. Wearing shoes that are backless or have soft backs will avoid or minimize irritation.
- Physical therapy. Inflammation is sometimes reduced with certain forms of physical therapy, such as ultrasound therapy.
- Orthotic devices. These custom arch supports are helpful because they control the motion in the foot, which can aggravate symptoms.
- Immobilization. In some cases, casting may be necessary to reduce symptoms.
Many Z-CoiL styles can be used or modified to reduce the pain of Haglund's Deformity, such as our Taos Clogs in either brown or black.
   
You can view our full collection by clicking here.
Prevention
A recurrence of Haglund's deformity may be prevented by:
- Wearing appropriate shoes; avoid pumps and high-heeled shoes.
- Using arch supports or orthotic devices.
- Performing stretching exercises to prevent the Achilles tendon from tightening.
- Avoiding running on hard surfaces and running uphill.
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Featured Testimonial, September 2009
 I just graduated from high school in 2009, and I'd been battling with severe foot pain for about 7 years. It started out as soreness, but got worse each time. It eventually got to a point where I couldn't even walk without pain. I went to a foot doctor, where I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and got two extremely painful cortisone shots in my heel. Though the first helped for a while, the second made me hurt worse. I was in a wheelchair from then on. I went to prom in tennis shoes because heels made me cry. Finally, I went to a specialist. Though I graduated in a wheelchair, I soon moved to a cast and crutches. I was diagnosed with TTS, a nerve problem, and my doctor did surgery on me, which helped a lot. Sadly, my plantar got much worse during that time. I also had a bunion and flat feet, over-pronation, etc. It was still painful to walk, though not as bad. I complained about walking through Wal-Mart enough until my mother told me to try Z-CoiL shoes. I went into the store, put them on, and immediately felt better. I'm in college now, and I know that I would not be here, walking the long distances I am, without Z-CoiL shoes. They really are miracle shoes, and I plan on buying more! Thank you, Z-CoiL!
Samantha D.
San Antonio, TX
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