Fashionistas take note! Trendy skin-tight jeans, platform shoes and even jewelry can sometimes be prelude to oncoming health hazards.  Even the battle to button up pants or knot neckties too tightly might unknowingly cause nerve damage, digestive issues or potential blood clots.

We’ve heard doctors warn that spike-heeled pointy pumps and boots lead to sprains and strains, disfigured toes and arthritis.  Yet with these warnings, it fails to stop many women from taking their chances with styles that could leave them sprawled on a sidewalk.  Blame fashion magazines and celebrity style if we must.  It makes us look good, but is it truly worth the pain?

Combine a hot style trend and a possible health hazard and what do you get?  The answer could be a chance of having any of the following:

  • High Platform Heels, Wedges or Pumps = bunyons, calluses or orthopedic injury
  • Tight Pants or Skirts = Lipoatrophia Semicirularis- a persistent pressure from too-tight material that impairs circulation, especially for those who sit for a long period of time.
  • Tight Skinny Jeans = Meralgia Paresthetica- a condition where nerves running from the pelvis into the outer thigh are affected by tight restriction and can cause tingling, weakness and possible blood clots.
  • Tights, Panty Hose or Spanx = pelvic pain, yeast infections or itching and irritation
  • Tight Neckties and Button Shirts = may restrict blood flow through in the neck and cause musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Waist Cinching or Empire Belts = can compress delicate nerves in the abdomen or constrain breathing and deprive heart and brain of needed oxygen.
  • Large Looped Earrings or Long Necklaces = too much weight that pulls on neck muscles can cause repetitive pain. Ear lobes can be torn accidentally if caught on clothing material.

But wait… let’s stop and think for a moment… Who hasn’t tried to squeeze into a too-small pair of shoes, or wiggle into too-tight jeans? We do it all for the sake of fashion, however, being aware of its extremities is important too. Let’s think that comfortable is what can be healthy.  We can try to remember loose and light fitting with less restriction on clothing is always wise.  We should also remember too small or too tight, doesn’t always make us look our best. With all this in mind, it’s enough to make you think the ancient Romans in their togas had it right the first time, but that may not be the fashion trend any time soon.

 

The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.