I’m puzzled why my big toenails seem to grow faster than my other toenails.

It could be an illusion, but every couple of weeks I need to cut my big toenail, whereas the other toenails are happily subdued.

Maybe it’s because I can peel all of my nails except the big toenails. Perhaps I subconsciously groom the other nails and just notice the big fellas when they start to annoy me.

I either need scissors to cut them or ask my wife to kindly trim them using clippers. My toes are a long way from the rest of me and not easily accessed.

Apparently nails grow faster than they used to. According to this report, that’s because of the modern diet.

Big toenails now grow by more than 2mm a month, compared with 1.65mm in the thirties.

And 2mm when you have a large big toe, like I do, is significant.

Some people have tiny toes, like little stumps. I have long toes, which could possibly play a piano if they were trained to do so, except they tend to act collectively, rather than independently.

Nails can be an indicator of overall wellbeing. Brittle nails can supposedly be caused by lack of iron, thyroid malfunction, poor circulation and kidney function.

My nails seem healthy enough. I would just prefer the big toenails to not grow as fast as they do.

That includes Linear Park, where we like to walk, between the Tapleys Hill Road bridge and the river mouth.

This picture shows the river, looking towards the sea from the bridge, at a time of greater flow last year.

According to Wikipedia, blue-green algae is the common term for cyanobacteria.

Originally a building block of life, promoting biodiversity, cyanobacteria has evolved and can be found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat, from oceans to fresh water, from bare rock to soil.

“Cyanobacteria reproduce explosively under certain conditions. This results in algal blooms, which can become harmful to other species if the cyanobacteria involved produce toxins.”

The SA Health warning advises people to avoid contact with water in the River Torrens, downstream from the Torrens Lake Weir, due to the detection of blue green algae.

The warning follows detection of increased numbers of blue-green algae in samples collected from the lake this week.

SA Health’s Director of Public Health, Dr Kevin Buckett, said people should avoid direct contact with the water between the Torrens Lake Weir through to the river mouth at Henley.

“This includes avoiding swimming or putting your feet in the water to cool off. People should also stop their dogs or pets from swimming or drinking the water,” he said.

“Dogs are particularly at risk as the organisms can stick to their coat and owners should keep them away from affected water.”

The algae present produces a toxin that can affect the nervous system and can cause nausea and gastrointestinal upsets if ingested. It can also cause skin rashes and eye irritation.

I have never seen people in the river, except at the mouth, where fishing is popular. Maybe it’s tempting on a hot day for kids to play in the water further upstream.

Horses graze along the river bank. The warning doesn’t mention if they are vulnerable or not.

It’s similar this time. I’ve been taking a half-hour walk every day so far this year, in addition to my usual treks across the city with work.

The weather has also been very dry and, more recently, quite hot as well.

My left heel, in particular, has become cracked and sore.

Last time I had this problem I applied some heel balm and saw rapid improvement. Late last week I picked up some Neat Feat heel balm from a pharmacy.

I don’t mean to directly promote the brand, but rather the idea that a topical cream can fix a relatively significant health issue.

According to this podiatry website, cracked heels are a common foot problem that are often referred to as heel fissures.

“Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin (xerosis), and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick (callus). For most people this is a nuisance and a cosmetic problem but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on …”

Apparently, some people have a naturally dry skin that predisposes them to the cracks.

“Applying an oil-based moisturising cream twice daily is really important to get on top of this problem.”

Neat Feat Heel Balm is an oil-based product containing urea, lanolin and petrolatum.

The manufacturer says urea facilitates the absorption and retention of moisture by the skin. Lanolin mixes with and entraps particles of water, thereby mimicking the action of natural skin lipids.

Petrolatum is the technical term for Vaseline, which forms a barrier layer on the skin and reduces moisture loss.

This all sounds very practical and effective, which it is.

The cream itself is thick and sticky. It needs to be applied twice a day, morning and night.

I find it sticks to my fingers for a while after being applied because the Vaseline makes it difficult to wash away.

Happily though, I’m starting to notice an improvement with my heels.

I have a problem with allergy-related red eyes. It’s pretty much constant, but peaks in the spring from late August to mid December.

The treatment is to use over-the-counter eye drops, usually Naphcon, which is moderately effective.

This year I suffered extreme redness in both eyes for about three weeks and had regular headaches for most of that time as well.

There was no sign of improvement, so I asked a pharmacist if I should try different drops. She took one look at my “angry” eyes and said I should see a doctor.

I managed to see a general practitioner that evening.

He ruled out an eye infection and said he suspected allergic conjunctivitis. He prescribed some new drops for me to try and gave me a referral to a specialist if they didn’t work.

I tried the drops for 36 hours, but they didn’t make any difference, so I made an appointment with the opthamologist.

In the meantime I consulted Dr Google.

The problem with doing this, as a friend pointed out to me, is that Dr Google normally lists 10 possible causes for a problem, two of which result in death.

In my case, the extreme scenario was glaucoma.

Anyhow, one of the 10 web-listed possibilities was “frequent use of eye drops”.

Indeed, a pharmacy website warns regarding Naphcon: “Overuse of this type of medication may result in increased eye redness (rebound effect when drug wears off). If this occurs, tell your doctor. Do not use this medication for longer than three to four days at a time. If your condition persists or worsens after 72 hours, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, stop using this medication and seek immediate medical attention”.

I stopped using eye drops and noticed a significant improvement within 48 hours.

I went ahead with the specialist appointment on Tuesday to confirm Dr Google’s diagnosis and to rule out impending death.

It surprised me the eminent doctor was in denial about overuse of eye drops as a possible cause of the problem.

He said he couldn’t rule it out, but was less than enthusiastic about accepting it as a likely factor.

He confirmed I had allergic conjunctivitis, but said the apparent improvement was probably coincidental with the end of the hayfever season.

Maybe.

He effectively reprimanded me for only using the GP’s prescribed eye drops for one day.

I don’t really care why my eyes are no longer extremely red or why I no longer have regular headaches (the specialist thought that might have been a sinus issue related to hayfever).

But it seems to me the eye drops themselves are a prime suspect as to why the redness became so severe.

I’m happy to try the prescribed eye drops next time I have a major issue, and I welcome the specialist’s offer to see him again during spring next year to try a steroid-based solution if they don’t work.

In the meantime, I will avoid using eye drops of any kind.

I have no idea what I ate for the entree, apart from prawns, which I recognised.

The main course was sublimely delicious, featuring southern bluefin tuna steak from Port Lincoln. I had never eaten a tuna steak before, but now I’m looking for more.

We had a Japanese “executive” chef, who obviously knew what he was doing, for if it was me cooking I wouldn’t have had a clue how long to grill the fish. It seemed pretty rare inside and looked something like this (pictured).

Tuna is said to be an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, potassium, selenium, and vitamin B12. It’s also a good source of niacin and phosphorus.

Tuna supposedly reduces the risk of stroke and helps prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease.

And it tastes good.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
And suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
And suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
And suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
And suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats
And suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

I had never experienced this pain before, which was most discomforting, and had no idea of the cause.

On Friday it was difficult to walk, so I took the bus to and from work, and hobbled around the office.

There is a podiatrist just across the road from where I live, but I was unable to get an appointment on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

Having consulted Dr Google, I’m fairly certain I have a metatarsal stress fracture.

This site explains the cause:

A stress fracture is a break in a bone caused by repetitive stress. It may occur in any bone, but it is quite common in the metatarsal bones of the foot. There is often no recollection of injury. The patient may simply develop a painful forefoot after some activity, such as walking, sports, or stooping down onto the ball of the foot.

Another reference says patients usually report having increased the intensity or duration of their exercise regime.

This week I did more exercise than any other week since I left Porepunkah in 2005.

From Monday to Thursday I walked about 35km. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights I went for a short jog around the neighborhood.

The only treatment for a metatarsal stress fracture is rest. Apparently it will take three or four weeks before I can walk as much as I have been and maybe six weeks before I start running again.

I’ll still aim to see a podiatrist next week to confirm the diagnosis and possibly get some padding to help with essential walking.

It was a small hospital, but well equipped. The medical and nursing staff were all very skilled and friendly.

Juliet had an epidural.

I was surprised to hear the hospital’s birthing unit had been closed.

However, a media release I received by email this morning offers some hope for the service to be reopened.

Hopefully that occurs, because although Pambula is only 30km from Bega, it’s the closest hospital to Eden, which is further to the south.

MEDIA RELEASE

Local Pambula doctors are pleased with the hearing they and the Pambula community received from the NSW Health Minister and Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt during talks on Wednesday over the re-opening of Pambula’s closed maternity unit.

Local GP obstetrician Dr Frank Simonson attended the meeting with the Minister as part of a Pambula delegation, which included local health professionals, community members and entertainer Frankie J Holden.

Dr Simonson said while the Health Minister had not committed to re-opening the maternity unit immediately, she had listened with interest and indicated she would discuss the issue with the local area health service.

The maternity ward at Pambula Hospital on the far South Coast of NSW was shut down 12 months ago after a decision by the Greater Southern Area Health Service to operate a single obstetric unit at Bega, 30 kms away.

The closure of the maternity service resulted in the loss of four experienced GP obstetricians, and has forced women and their families to travel long distances to received inadequate maternity care. Since the maternity unit closed, there have been a number of close calls involving pregnant women.

Rural Doctors Association of NSW (RDA NSW) encourages Ms Tebbutt to now visit Pambula to see for herself the impact the closure has had on local families.

All four Pambula GP obstetricians are committed to resuming a local maternity service and have the support and backing of the local community.

An alternative maternity model for the Bega Valley which would allow the service to fit local conditions, including the location of doctors should be considered, the RDA NSW believes.

This would allow births to continue in Bega and Pambula. Such models are working successfully in other parts of the State and allow women to continue to have their babies close to home.

Dr Simonson said it is concerning that the Area Health Service has failed to fully implement the Recommendations of its own Review of Maternity Services in the Bega Valley. After 12 months, only 7 of the 13 Recommendations have so far been met.

“This includes the recruitment of medical staff to Bega Hospital – one of the Review’s key recommendations – leaving a maternity system run largely by locums at a cost up to $2500 per day plus accommodation and travel,” Dr Simonson said.

“It is ludicrous that at a time when we are struggling to find enough doctors able to deliver babies in rural areas, that we are not being able to use our skills and experience. It’s important area health services think outside the square and come up with answers that meet local needs and resources,” Dr Simonson said.

Just part of the natural ageing process for people over 40, he politely explained.

I find it easier to read small print without glasses than with them. However, I’m not getting new glasses, or special reading glasses, at this stage.

The problem is irritating, rather than troublesome.

While there, he tested for glaucoma and took a retinal photograph. That was the first time anyone had taken a photo of my eye.

Optometrist said he’s had the machine for two years and it was the first one in South Australia.

According to this site, digital retinal photography produces a detailed photographic image of your retina.

“Any eye examination should always screen for abnormalities or disease including a careful look at the retina, its blood supply, and the optic nerve. The retina and the optic nerve are located at the back of the eye and connect the eye to the brain.

“They are susceptible to a variety of diseases including macular degeneration and glaucoma, which can ultimately lead to partial loss of vision or even complete blindness.”

It’s fascinating they can tell that much from your eyes.

Fortunately, my retinas showed no abnormalities.

That’s not my eye in the picture, by the way. I discovered it on Google and hereby acknowledge Nathan.

After visiting the optometrist I had a hair cut. When the barber was finished I asked him if he’d cut out all the grey hairs.

“Actually, I did,” he replied. “You’re grey hair isn’t that bad yet.”

There you go, I’m still young after all.

I’m seeing the optometrist tomorrow for the first time in several years.

I’m pretty sure my short-sightedness has got worse. I now have trouble reading small text close to my face.

I don’t think my astigmatism is any worse, but I recall an optometrist telling me once the short-sightedness may deteriorate as I get older.

The other reason I thought about my eyes today was they woke me up last night. Itchy, hayfever eyes for the first time at night this spring.

I’m trying a new hayfever spray. Hopefully it will kick in quickly and give some relief.