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Inside Health

How shoes affect our bodies and a focus on genital herpes

Feb 25, 2025
Dao Tunprasert, a Principal Lecturer in Podiatry at the University of Brighton, dives into how poorly-fitting shoes can create foot deformities like bunions and impact overall health. He emphasizes the importance of well-chosen footwear for maintaining foot mechanics. Meanwhile, Dr. Vanessa Apea, a Consultant Physician specializing in Genito-urinary and HIV medicine, tackles the stigma surrounding genital herpes, sharing insights about its symptoms and encouraging empathy for those affected. Their combined expertise offers valuable lessons on health and well-being.
28:01

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The choice of footwear critically affects overall health by impacting foot structure, gait, and can lead to chronic pain like plantar fasciitis.
  • Understanding genital herpes from a medical perspective can reduce stigma and provide essential insights for managing this common health condition.

Deep dives

The Impact of Footwear on Gait and Health

The choice of footwear plays a crucial role in determining an individual's walking pattern, or gait, which can have significant health implications. Poorly fitting shoes can lead to deformities, such as bunions and hammer toes, that not only affect comfort but also hinder the natural function of the foot. For instance, wearing narrow shoes can compress the toes, causing permanent changes and pain in the joints. Additionally, the weight and design of shoes can dramatically influence gait, with heavier footwear leading to a compensatory walking style that may strain other body parts, including the knees and hips.

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