Rogue Unicorn – Page 11 – Military Veterans and Patriots

QUIZ: When did THAT happen?

If you are good at memorizing famous historical dates, then there is hope yet that you will remember important birthdays and anniversaries

Or so the theory goes….🙄

Take the quiz below and share your results!

[HDquiz quiz = “761”]

9 September 2020

QUIZ: All About Labor Day

We all know Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, and a great day for barbeques with friends and family.

But how much do you really know about Labor Day?

Take the quiz below and share your results!

[HDquiz quiz = “747”]

7 September 2020

This Week in Health: Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis

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Overview

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes (plantar fascia).

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that usually occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.

Plantar fasciitis is more common in runners. People who are overweight and those who wear shoes with inadequate support also have an increased risk of plantar fasciitis

Causes

Your plantar fascia is in the shape of a bowstring, supporting the arch of your foot and absorbing shock when you walk. If tension and stress on this bowstring become too great, small tears can occur in the fascia. Repeated stretching and tearing can irritate or inflame the fascia. Sometimes the development of a bone spur on the heel (calcaneal spur) can contribute to the inflammation, although the cause remains unclear in many cases of plantar fasciitis, and often these spurs remain completely asymptomatic

Diagnosis & Treatment

Initial Diagnosis

Plantar fasciitis is typically diagnosed based on your medical history and physical examination. During the exam, your doctor will check for areas of tenderness in your foot. The location of your pain can help determine its cause.

Advanced Diagnosis

Usually no tests are necessary. Your doctor might suggest an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make sure another problem, such as a stress fracture, is not causing you pain.

Sometimes an X-ray shows a piece of bone sticking out (spur) from the heel bone. In the past, these bone spurs were often blamed for heel pain and removed surgically. But many people who have bone spurs on their heels have no heel pain.

Initial Treatment

Most people who have plantar fasciitis recover in several months with conservative treatment, including resting, icing the painful area and stretching.

Medications

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) may ease the pain and inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis.

Therapies

Stretching and strengthening exercises or using special devices may relieve symptoms. They include:

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can show you a series of exercises to stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon and to strengthen lower leg muscles. A therapist might also teach you to apply athletic taping to support the bottom of your foot.
Night splints. Your physical therapist or doctor might recommend that you wear a splint that stretches your calf and the arch of your foot while you sleep. This holds the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon in a lengthened position overnight to promote stretching.
Orthotics. Your doctor might prescribe off-the-shelf or custom-fitted arch supports (orthotics) to help distribute pressure to your feet more evenly.

Advanced Treatment

Injections

Injecting steroid medication into the tender area can provide temporary pain relief. Multiple shots aren’t recommended because they can weaken your plantar fascia and possibly cause it to rupture. Using ultrasound imaging, platelet-rich plasma obtained from the patient’s own blood can be injected to promote tissue healing.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

In this procedure, sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain to stimulate healing. It’s usually used for chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to more-conservative treatments. Some studies show promising results, but it hasn’t been shown to be consistently effective.

Ultrasonic tissue repair

This minimally invasive technology was developed in part by Mayo Clinic doctors. It uses ultrasound imaging to guide a needlelike probe into the damaged plantar fascia tissue. Using ultrasound energy, the probe tip vibrates rapidly to break up the damaged tissue, which is then suctioned out.

Surgery

Few people need surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone. It is generally an option only when the pain is severe and other treatments have failed. It can be done as an open procedure or through a small incision with local anesthesia.

Prevention

To reduce the pain of plantar fasciitis, try these self-care tips:

Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on your plantar fascia.
Choose supportive shoes. Buy shoes with a low to moderate heel, thick soles, good arch support and extra cushioning. Don’t walk barefoot.
Don’t wear worn-out athletic shoes. Replace your old athletic shoes before they stop supporting and cushioning your feet.
Change your sport. Try a low-impact sport, such as swimming or bicycling, instead of walking or jogging.
Apply ice. Hold a cloth-covered ice pack over the area of pain for 15 minutes three or four times a day. Icing can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Stretch your arches. Simple home exercises can stretch your plantar fascia, Achilles tendon and calf muscles.

Primary Source: Mayo Clinic

So tell us YOUR story!

Ask questions!

Disclaimer: This is an informational post designed to foster discussion. It should not substitute for the advice of your doctor.

5 September 2020

QUIZ: Are You Nuts???

Sometimes you feel like a nut….

Sometimes you don’t!

Sorry Hunters, this one is for the Gatherers.

Are you smarter than an average nut?

Take the quiz below and share your results!

[HDquiz quiz = “720”]

4 September 2020

QUIZ: What is your animal personality?

I fell into an exhausted sleep last night, forgetting to make a quiz for today.

So I will fall back to bad habits and send you to another site for today’s quiz

It is a fun one, or supposed to be…..Not sure I agree after seeing MY answer. 😎

So, what is your animal personality?

Take the quiz below and share your results!

Animal Personality Test: What Animal Are You?

2 September 2020

QUIZ: General History

This quiz covers a broad spectrum of historical trivia.

Are you smarter than the average Joe?

Take the quiz below and share your results!

[HDquiz quiz = “687”]

31 August 2020

HEALTH: Computer Ergonomics

Ergonomic Tips for Computer Users

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Overview

Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between people, their work tasks, and their physical work environment. It attempts to reduce strain, fatigue, and injuries by improving product design and workspace arrangement. The goal is a comfortable, relaxed posture.

Many people spend hours a day in front of a computer without thinking about the impact on their bodies. They physically stress their bodies daily without realizing it by extending their wrists, slouching, sitting without foot support and straining to look at poorly placed monitors.

These practices can lead to cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive stress injuries, which create a life-long impact on health. Symptoms may include pain, muscle fatigue, loss of sensation, tingling and reduced performance.

Compare These Two Workstations

Adapt Your Workspace

Posture And Positioning

Maintain good posture when working at the keyboard. Utilize a chair with back support.
Keep your feet supported on the floor or on a footrest when you work to reduce pressure on your lower back
Avoid twisting or bending your trunk or neck. Frequently used items should be positioned directly in front of you and angled upward on a copyholder when working.
Keep your shoulders relaxed with your elbows close to your sides.
Avoid resting your elbows on the hard surface or edge of your table. Pads can be used to protect your elbows if necessary.
Elbows should be positioned at 100 to 110 degrees when working in order to keep a relaxed position at the keyboard. This could require a slight negative tilt (front of keyboard higher than back) when working in upright positions. If reclined in your chair, the keyboard could be at a positive angle to maintain this relaxed position.
Your wrists should be in a neutral or straight position when keying or using a pointing device or calculator. Wrist rests can assist you in maintaining a neutral position when used properly during pauses. Float your arms above the keyboard and wrist rest when keying. Avoid planting your wrists on the table or wrist rest. This can result in bending the wrists either up and down or side to side.
Take breaks. These breaks can be brief and should include stretches for optimal results. If possible, take a one or two-minute break every 15 to 20 minutes, or a five-minute break every hour. Every few hours, get up, move around, and do an alternative activity.

Laptop Considerations

Laptop computers are not ergonomically designed for prolonged use. The monitor and keyboard are so close together that they cannot both be in good positions at the same time. For prolonged use, it’s best to add a separate monitor and keyboard. The laptop can be planced on books so the top of the screen is at eye level, then use an external keyboard so that your elbows can rest at 90° by your side.