Home Remedies to Prevent Nail Fungus in Minnesota

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One Stop Medical Center in Edina and Shoreview, MN has been treating nail fungus with modern laser technology for 4 years now. Nail fungus is a source of embarrassment to many of the people who have it. Some patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas have tried many home remedies before they come into our clinic. I’ve heard of people in Minnesota soaking their feet in bleach, some have used tea tree oil, vinegar and even Vic’s Vapor Rub. On mild cases these home remedies my work but if the fungal infection is very advanced, they won’t touch the fungus. For the dry skin on the toes, heels and bottom of the feet an over the counter medicated lotion, such as Lotrimin, is recommended as that could be athletes foot. Usually if there is a nail fungus, there is athlete’s foot fungus as well. Laser is still one of the best ways to treat the Nail fungus.

Some things you can do at home are:
• Using a Sterishoe UV light to sterilize your shoes. The light will kill the fungus and bacteria in the shoes. That helps prevent re-infection and you don’t have to go out and buy all new shoes if you don’t want to. You can get your Sterishoe Light from One Stop Medical Center or any clinic that treats nail fungus in your area.
• Clean your sheets in hot water and dry them on high heat.
• Wear socks that are made of natural fibers and not synthetic material. That will allow the feet to breath and help with moisture.
• Make sure your feet are dry and not in a warm and moist environment which allows fungus to thrive.
• Don’t use a nail polish or gel or acrylic nails until the fungus has completely cleared up.
• When the nail can’t breath the fungus will keep growing.
• Don’t walk barefoot in public places. There are people who even wear flip flop style sandals in a hotel room and even in the hotel shower because they don’t want to catch anything.
• If you suspect a nail fungus the best thing to do is get it checked out right away by a physician who specializes in treating it. The earlier you start your treatments, the better your results will be. You will feel so much happier when you can show your toes and fingers again.

There is Treatment for Excessive Sweating at Shu Procedure Clinic in Minnapolis/St. Paul Area

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Many people suffer from excessive sweating in Minneapolis area. In fact, it is estimated that approximately three percent of people in the United States have this problem. The medical term for excessive sweating is hyperhidrosis. This condition occurs as the result of an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which is the system that regulates sweat production. An overactive sympathetic nervous system increases the amount of the sweat that the sweat glands produce.

The face, underarms and palms are some areas of the body that are commonly affected by hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis can be classified as being primary or secondary. Primary hyperhidrosis is triggered by body stimuli. Family history often plays a role in the development of primary hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as a spinal cord injury or endocrine disorder.

The good news is that there are a number of treatments available for this embarrassing problem. One of those treatments is a procedure called LaserDry. LaserDry involves using a laser to destroy the sweat glands in the armpit. This procedure is very effective. Most patients will notice anywhere from an 80 to 90 percent improvement after getting this treatment. One of the disadvantages of this procedure is that it can only treat excessive underarm sweating.

Botox is another treatment that is available for hyperhidrosis. It can be performed on the face, feet, hands and underarm. Botox works by blocking the sympathetic nervous system’s nerve endings. It also prevents the body from releasing acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that activates sweat production.

There have been studies done to show that Botox can help prevent underarm sweating for up to six months. One study showed that over 80 percent of patients noticed a 50 percent reduction in sweat production after six months. Half of the patients reported a significant reduction in sweat production after seven months.

Nail Fungus Complications | Minneapolis & St. Paul

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Many people in Minnesota think that the nail fungal infections are mostly an aesthetic problem, they don’t realize that nail fungus can also lead to several health problems. It is important to treat nail fungus as quickly as possible as it may cause permanent damage to the nail and more serious complications in the certain immunosuppressed peoples.

If the patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas have a suppressed immune system due to medications, diabetes or other conditions such as, AIDS, leukemia or have had an organ transplant, you are at more serious risk for an infection that can spread beyond your toe nails.

A person with diabetes can have issues with their blood circulation and nerve supply to their feet. They are also at greater risk for getting a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis. With diabetes any minor injury to the feet or a fungal infection, can be serious and potentially lead to major health issues and extensive medical treatment. If you suspect a fungal infection, please come to see us, the laser treatment is new effective way to treat nail fungus.

Following are some of the risks and complications associated with them. The list illustrates why early and effective treatment is so important.
• Deformity. The deformities could be in the form of ridges in the nail as it grows out or a bend in the middle of the nail that is not going away.
• Pain. The deformities lead to ingrown toenails that cause pain and nail fold infection (paronychia).
• Emotionally distressing. Almost half of people with nail fungus said the condition had negatively affected their self-image.
• A spreading of the fungual infection. Without treatment, your nail fungal infection is likely to spread to other nails—and to other people in your household.
• Cellulitis with a bacterial infection. Fungal nail infections leave skins more susceptible to bacterial infections – cellulitis, the immunosuppressed patients are more vulnerable.

Treatment Options of Nail Fungus in Minnesota

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Nail fungus can be treated many ways in Minnesota, but if you don’t maintain the health of your nails, you could get a repeat infection. Your physician will give you instructions on how to take care of your nails to keep them free of fungal infection after treatment. Keeping your feet clean and dry is one of the best ways to prevent another infection. Below is information on treatment options for nail fungus.

Laser treatments
Using a laser to treat nail fungus is very popular in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas now. Many people in Minnesota are coming to their physicians to learn more about this process. It can be a little uncomfortable for some people but the results are amazing. Laser is able to treat the existing nail and the nail matrix. Laser treatments in Minneapolis require more 3 treatments to get the best results. It could take up to 12 months for the new healthy nail to grow.

Oral Medications
Your physician may prescribe an oral antifungal medication. These oral medications will help the nail grow out into a new healthy nail. It is a long process for the nail to grow out so patience is required. It could take up to 12 months. The down side of oral medications is that they can cause liver damage. Skin rashes are also a possible side effect. People with liver disease or heart failure should not take these medications. You need to do lab tests to monitor the liver function during the treatment. The efficacy of oral medications is lower than the laser treatments.

Surgery
In some cases the nail fungal infection is so advanced that causes severe nail deformity and ingrown toenail, both situation are painful with walking, The physician would then recommend removing the nail so that a new healthy nail will grow in its place. It could take up to 12 months for the nail to regrow. Again patience is required. Nail removal may correct the nail deformity and cure ingrown toenail, it is necessary to cure nail fungus. In the most time, you still need the laser treatment or oral medication to clear the fungal infection.

Topical treatments
Along with laser treatments in Minneapolis you physician many recommend over the counter topical ointments such as Lamisil and Lotrimin to help with the surrounding skin tissue as many times there is also athletes foot as well as the nail fungus. Penlac may be prescribed to help with the effectiveness of the nail treatment. It is brushed on like a clear nail polish every day for a week and then taken off with alcohol on the 7th day. It is then repeated for up to 6 months. The efficacy of topical agents alone to treat nail fungus is very low, typically less than 10%, so it is not recommended to use any topical agents alone to treatment nail fungus.

If Your Family is Complete Then Consider a No-Scalpel Vasectomy | Minneapolis

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If you are a male who is not interested in having any more children, then you may be interested in getting a vasectomy in Minneapolis. A vasectomy is a form of sterilization that involves blocking the vas deferens, which are the tubes that carry sperm. This procedure also prevents sperm from entering the semen. The no needle, no scalpel vasectomy is the most popular form of this procedure.

One of the many great things about this vasectomy is that it does not take that long to perform. In fact, this procedure can be completed in just 20 minutes. Discomfort, tenderness and swelling are common side effects of this procedure, but they usually go away within a few days. You can return to your regular routine in about seven days.

The effective rate of the no scalpel vasectomy in St. Paul area is nearly 100 percent. However, before you decide to have sex with your partner without using contraceptive, a sample of your semen will have to be tested to make sure that it is free of sperm. You can still get your partner pregnant if your semen has sperm in it. The cost of a vasectomy ranges from $700 to $1,000. You may not have to pay anything out-of-pocket if this procedure is covered by your health insurance.

This procedure will not have an effect on your ability to enjoy sex. The production of male hormones will continue after you get this procedure. A small percentage of men do experience problems with ejaculation or erections, but doctors believe that is most likely an indication of a psychological problem.

It is possible to reverse this procedure if you change your mind about having children. However, it is important to be cognizant of the fact that a reversal may not restore your fertility. The effectiveness rate of a vasectomy reversal is only around 60 percent.

Nail care and Nail Fungus | Minnesota

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Have you ever been told during a pedicure that you may have nail fungus? Maybe the nail tech notices some discoloration and they ask you to monitor it. If that discoloration doesn’t grow out with the nail and it gets worse you may have a nail fungus. I have been in the situation where a nail tech mentioned something she saw on my toe nails. It is a little alarming to be told you may have a nail fungus. The nail tech asked me if I had had recently stubbed my toe. In that case I had stubbed my toe and the trauma to my nail had left a mark. I would notice that as the nail grew, the spot on my nail would go away. If this is not the case, have the nails checked out right away. The longer you let nail fungus go, the harder it will be to cure.

There are actually for classic types of nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis. The most common form of nail fungus in Minneapolis and St. Paul areas is distal subungual onychomycosis which invades the nail bed and the underside of the nail plate. The next type is called white superficial onychomycosis (WSO) is caused by a fungal invasion of the superficial layers of the nail plate and forms “white islands” on the plate. It accounts for only 10% of the onychomycosis cases. Sometimes keratin granulations, which are a reaction to nail polish, can cause the nails to turn a chalky white. WSO can be a misdiagnosis of keratin granulations. A lab test should be performed to confirm.

The third type is proximal subungual onychomycosis which is a fungal penetration of the newly formed nail plate through the proximal nail fold. It is least common in healthy people, but is found more commonly when the person is immunocompromised. Last but not least is candidal onychomycosis. This is a species invasion of the fingernails which usually occurs in persons who frequently immerse their hands in water. It normally requires prior damage of the nail by infection or trauma. I know hair stylists and nail techs in Minnesota that have been diagnosed with this type of fungus.

You are probably asking the question, what am I looking for? A nail fungus infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As it spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges. It is usually not painful, just unsightly. Once a nail fungal infection begins, if not treated, it can persist indefinitely.

Fungus lives in warm, moist environments which include swimming pools and showers. It can invade your skin through tiny cuts both visible and invisible or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. When your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture it is the perfect condition for fungi to grow and spread. Nail fungus occurs more in toenails than fingernails because the toenails are often confined in a dark, warm moist environment where fungus can thrive. Next we will focus on treatments for nail fungus and how to maintain healthy nails.

Varicose Veins Can be Quite Painful- Know the Symptoms and Treatment Options in Minneapolis

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Varicose veins is a condition that affects both men and women. Understanding what causes them and what types of treatments are available will assist you in making the best decision.

Varicose veins develop when valves that control the flow of blood suddenly become weak and stop functioning normally. This causes the veins to bulge and take on a gnarled appearance. As the condition worsens it can cause chronic swelling and pain. Cramping during the night is a common symptom. In most people, they will develop this problem in the leg area. Although, it can appear in other parts of the body as well.

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins in Minneapolis

There are three good options for varicose vein treatment in Minnesota.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (ELA)

A treatment that is often used successfully to eliminate varicose veins is ELA. This is a minimally invasive method that involves inserting a laser fiber or catheter into the affected blood vessel. Once inserted, the fiber is heated. This heat causes the vein to collapse. Eventually, the vein disappears altogether.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical treatment that involves injecting a special solution directly into the targeted vein. After several treatments the vein shrinks away. This has proven to work very well on spider veins.

Micro-Phlebectomy

During micro-phlebectomy the doctor makes tiny micro-incisions into the veins with a special tool. A portion of the vein is removed. This may be done along with other treatments.

When looking for the best treatment for varicose vein in St. Paul, Minnesota seek out a medical professional with a proven record of success. All three of these treatments require skill and proper training. ELA and Sclerotherapy are minimally invasive and do not cause much discomfort. Micro-phlebectomy requires the use of local anesthesia.

You can relieve your suffering from varicose veins and begin enjoying life again.

March Madness is upon us and it brings Vasectomy Madness in Minnesota

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NCAA Basketball tournament time seems to be a very popular time for vasectomies. Some clinics in the nation report a 50% increase in vasectomies at that time. Men in Minnesota can do two things at once; recover from their vasectomy and catch some great basketball action. The recovery time for a no-scalpel vasectomy is usually a day or two of rest and using ice packs. What a great way to watch some guilt free basketball knowing that the “to do” list will need to wait. If March is the month you are looking at getting your procedure done, you may want to set up your appointment early.

It just may become a trend in vasectomies in Minneapolis and St Paul areas. Pick your favorite sport and time your procedure with the games you want to watch. It may be the World Series, The Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup playoffs that you want to watch with your wife’s approval during your recovery time. Dr. Steven Shu, of One Stop Medical Center in Edina, MN said that so far he has not noticed a trend with vasectomies in Minnesota and the NCAA Basketball tournament. Maybe that is something that he will use for advertising down the road for his vasectomy procedures.

 

Vasectomy Techniques | Minneapolis & St Paul

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There are quite a few vasectomy techniques to choose from – traditional vasectomy, no-scalpel vasectomy, laser vasectomy and clip vasectomy. Below is a rundown of how each vasectomy method is performed in Minneapolis and St Paul areas.

Traditional

The traditional vasectomy is a small surgical procedure performed in a surgical center or doctor’s office that typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. Using a scalpel, your doctor makes 1-2 small incisions in the skin of the scrotum to access each testicle’s vas deferens tubes. The tubes are then lifted, cut, and tied or cauterized. The cut tubes are placed back into the scrotal sac before each incision is stitched up, and the sutures are removed in a week. Patients who undergo a traditional vasectomy typically experience more pain and swelling and longer recovery time due to more trauma, bleeding and sutures. Fewer surgeons learn the traditional vasectomy technique nowadays.

Laser

Most of the steps involved for a laser vasectomy are the same as those of a traditional vasectomy. Incisions must first be made in the scrotal skin so that your doctor can access the vas deferens tubes. After the tubes are lifted, a laser is usually used to cut the tubes or stop any bleeding, or a smaller laser wire is used to coagulate the lining of the vas tubes. However, because a laser is not actually needed, there is no significant advantage to using one for a vasectomy. The name “laser vasectomy” is used more for marketing purposes than for actual procedure benefits. Most vasectomies are usually performed with a battery-operated disposable eye cautery.

Clip

The vas clip idea is not new. The use of clips, or permanent staple-like devices, was expected to shorten a vasectomy’s overall procedure time without actually cutting the tubes. These clips cost the patients extra money, typically a few hundred dollars for titanium clips. Studies have also reported that the Vasclip is less effective than the no-scalpel vasectomy for reducing sperm count. To date, there is insufficient evidence showing that the Vasclip is better than a standard vasectomy or offers any known advantages compared to no-scalpel vasectomy techniques. Some insurance companies consider this procedure to be investigational and will not pay for it.

No-Scalpel

Developed in China in the 1970s, the no-scalpel technique is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require a large skin cut or sutures. In the past few decades, it has become increasingly popular around the world, as it is considered a more gentle vasectomy technique that minimizes bruising and discomfort. Other advantages include less noticeable scars and quicker recovery time.

While a scalpel is not used for this method, an opening must still be made in order to access the vas deferens tubes. Under local anesthesia, your doctor uses a specially designed sharp hemostat to penetrate the skin. After he locates and holds the tubes using a small ring clamp, he uses same hemostat to separate the tissue layers and pull the tubes out; the tubes are cut and cauterized a battery-operated disposable eye cautery, and a tiny metal clip is applied to each vas fascia to separate the ends and improve the effectiveness. After placing the tubes back into the scrotal sac, your doctor usually allows the openings to close on their own since the incisions are significantly smaller than those of a traditional vasectomy procedure.

One Stop Medical Clinic in Edina and Shoreview specializes in the office procedure offering the minimally invasive no scalpel vasectomy. Dr. Shu has performed hundreds of no scalpel vasectomy without any complications. Please call our office at 952-922-2151 to have the initial consultation to answer all your questions.

 

Shu Procedure Clinic Treats Nail Fungus for Minneapolis Residents

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Nail fungus in Minneapolis is a very common problem. Nail fungus, which is also referred to as onychomyosis, can cause the nails to darken in color. The fungus can also cause the nails to develop a foul smell. Even though nail fungus in St. Paul area is very common, many people are embarrassed to seek treatment. However, if you have nail fungus, then you will need to get it treated as soon as possible.

If this condition is not treated, then the fungal infection can spread to the other nails. It can also spread to your skin. Furthermore, if the fungal infection is on your toenails, then you may begin to have trouble putting on your shoes and walking.

The good news is that there is laser treatment available to treat nail fungus. Laser treatment can be completed in 10 minutes. It does not cause any pain. There have been clinical studies done to confirm that laser treatment is about 87 percent effective at clearing up nail fungus. Furthermore, because laser treatment does not require the use of drugs, there are no long-term side effects associated with it.

If you are interested in getting nail fungus treatment in Minnesota, then you should contact Dr. Steven Shu. His office is open Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There are several things that you can do to avoid getting nail fungus in the future. After you wash your feet, you need to make sure that you dry them off thoroughly. Fungus infections can very easily spread in public places, so you should not walk around in any public place without wearing shoes. You will also need to change your socks at least once a day. Furthermore, you should wear shoes that fit properly.