Stress isn’t fun, but it's not all bad. This physiological response releases hormones that change how the body functions. It keeps you alive in survival situations and motivates you to do your best. However, the stress response was meant to last in short bursts. Chronic stress keeps the body in...
How (Diabetic) Skin Works and How to Keep It Happy Your skin accounts for 15 to 16 percent of your body weight. That’s a big organ that plays a vital role in protecting you from infection and disease. At its most basic, the skin consists of three main layers—epidermis, dermis,...
For people with amputations, the combination of a prosthesis with heat and perspiration equals chafing. Whether it’s a change in the weather or an increase in daily activity, painful chafing on your residual and around your prosthesis can put a stop to your favorite activities (or at least make them...
The amputation of a limb brings monumental changes, but there’s one that catches some amputees by surprise—excess perspiration (aka, too much sweat). Amputees often report that they perspire more than usual, especially in the first few months after amputation. For a person with limb loss, perspiration management is an essential...
Running and chafing go together, unfortunately. The heat, sweat, and friction of physical exertion combined with the repetitive motion of running put delicate skin to the test. Chafing can get bad enough to slow your pace or even sideline you from a race. Treatment and prevention, especially for long-distance runners,...
