Spring is right around the corner, and many people are pounding the pavement hoping to get bathing-suit ready. As you rev up your fitness routine, here's something you should keep in mind: Your shoes won't last forever! Older shoes may look fine on the outside but be completely worn on the inside. And continuing to exercise in worn-out footwear can lead to conditions including tendonitis, stress fractures, shin splints and joint or muscle injuries.

So, here are some tips to keep your shoes up to date and help you avoid preventable injuries:

Walkers: Podiatrists suggest replacing your walking shoes after every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. So, for example, if you walk 4 to 5 miles a day, that averages out to about every six to nine months.

RUNNERS: Runners need to be even more vigilant because the foot experiences more shock. Podiatrists suggest replacing running shoes every 350 to 500 miles, or about every three to four months.

No matter what sport you choose, it may be time for a new set of athletic shoes if:

1) the shoe tilts to the outside or is uneven on flat surfaces
2) the rubber outer sole on the heel of the shoe is significantly worn
3) you can see the outline of your toes on the front or side of your shoe
4) you experience pain in the lower back, the arch or heel

Also, remember, not all shoes are created equally. The technology used to construct athletic footwear varies by function. So, before you make your next purchase, check out the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine's list of shoe recommendations.
AAPSM evaluates various brands on criteria such as comfort, flexibility and durability, and can tell you which shoes are best for runners, walkers, hikers, mountain climbers and more.

Recycle: One final thought: If you're looking for something to do with your used tennis, consider these green options that help others stay healthy too. Nike takes used shoes and grinds them to help build playgrounds. Also, a Colorado program known as Charm turns hard-to-recycle items such as tennis shoes into materials used to resurface athletic fields, tracks and playgrounds.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

Dandruff. It’s not the most popular water cooler topic but it affects almost all of us from time to time. An itchy scalp and the white flakes that follow are a nuisance and can hurt your confidence. The good news is that dandruff rarely is a sign of a serious medical condition.

Experts aren’t entirely sure what causes it, but the flakes you see are excess oil or dry skin. It develops most often on the scalp in infants and adults. Some studies show men are more likely to have dandruff than women.

Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity of dandruff.

Get some sunshine: Outdoor activities, especially in the sun, have been proved to help reduce the signs of dandruff. Take advantage of the sunny days to come.

Eat vitamin-rich foods: Research shows that people who eat foods rich in zinc, omega-3 and vitamin B, they are less likely to have dandruff. Pack your diet with delicious foods including lean meat, yogurt, and nuts, seeds, avocado and fish.

Cut back on your hair products: Using styling creams and sprays in your hair can irritate the scalp and cause dandruff. Also, if you are prone to oily hair, be sure to wash often to avoid buildup.

Most cases of dandruff go away on their own or can be cleared up with over-the-counter medicated shampoos. The National Institutes of Health suggest shampoos that include salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc, resorcin, ketoconazole, or selenium. But dermatologists warn that all skin types react differently.  A person may need to switch between two different kinds of anti-dandruff shampoos and also wash with a regular shampoo from time to time. Check with your physician if unclear what the best method is for your skin type.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

It can make a person dread a favorite dinner. Often just 20 minutes after eating, your chest hurts, your throat starts to burn. These are the classic heartburn symptoms 60 million Americans experience each month.

Heartburn occurs when certain foods irritate your stomach. The food is not processed properly, causing stomach acid to build up, burning your esophagus along the way.

The good news is, there are ways to limit your heartburn symptoms.

Know the triggers: Spicy foods, garlic, chocolate, fried foods, and even caffeine can trigger heartburn. You don’t have to eliminate these items altogether, but try to eat smaller portions. Selecting low-acid alternatives can help cut your risk.

Check your meds: Check with your physician to determine whether medications you take are causing heartburn. According to the National Heartburn Alliance, some drugs that treat asthma, cancer, osteoporosis and depression may contribute to heartburn.

Get relief fast: Refrain from lying down right after eating. And don’t smoke — it increases the amount of acid in your stomach. Over-the-counter antacids can provide relief after a meal.  An OTC proton pump inhibitor is beneficial when taken 60 minutes before eating.

It’s normal to develop occasional heartburn, but if you get it more than twice a week it may be a symptom of reflux disease. Don’t ignore these signs;  left untreated, reflux disease can damage the esophagus. Talk to your doctor if your heartburn symptoms are chronic.

The most important thing is to not brush off the symptoms. A heart attack can often mimic signs of severe heartburn. If you experience  heartburn in addition to nausea, pain in your arm or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

You may have heard some chatter this week about food allergies. The topic, particularly peanut allergies among children, made headlines after federal health officials announced incident rates are on the rise. Kids. Peanuts. Allergies. Those three words are enough to put most parent in panic mode. I'm a parent, so I get it. It can be really scary when you begin to introduce new foods to your kids and they have an adverse physical reaction.

Here are some ways to limit your risk of a peanut allergy reaction:

Safely introduce peanuts: You should avoid giving peanut and peanut products to your child is at least 2-years-old. If you have a family history of allergies such a hay fever, asthma or eczema, your baby is at higher risk for peanut allergies. Talk to your doctor before incorporating peanuts in their diet.

Read the fine print: You really have to read labels. If you go to any grocery store and look at the labels, there can be small amounts of peanut oil many foods. That's one of the concerns. Because of the nature of peanuts and the nature of preparation if you roast it, for example, you can really elicit a profound reaction so again these reactions they can have can be frightening.

Be prepared: And allergic reaction from food can come on quick. Hives, watery eyes, drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing are all common symptoms. If you are prone to mind symptoms, over the counter medication, such as antihistamines, may help. Your doctor may prescribe you injectable epinephrine if your symptoms are more severe.

One thing to remember is the numbers overall are not huge in terms of deaths, but it does occur. There's also something known as hygiene hypothesis. It is essentially the thought that we keep our kids less exposed to things nowadays as compared to years past. Some believe less exposure might make allergies worse down the line, which could explain the increase in incident rates in past few years.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

There’s been lots of buzz lately about the various medical conditions researchers have connected to our genetics. You’ve probably heard me talking about reporting about it on TV from time to time. It’s a fascinating world and one that may help the medical community develop better treatments or preventive care.

But did you ever wonder how well the ‘consumer’ versions of these DNA tests work? How accurate they are? I did. We found over 30 companies that would test my personal DNA. The costs range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. I took four of the test as an experiment. I wanted to see if my predictions to see if my results come back the same. It was a pricey, yet painless process—cheek swab, spit test and mail it in.

Before revealing my at-home DNA test results, let me share some tips to think about when considering a genetic test.

PROS: You can find out if you're predisposed for something like a blood clots. And knowing this, you may consider taking a blood thinner. Or let's say you find out you have a gene that causes breast cancer in women. It doesn’t guarantee you will get cancer, but you could start getting mammograms earlier.

CONS: The biggest con to these tests is that they aren’t always accurate. Also, a positive result doesn't mean you'll develop a disease. The test can only tell you if you have a genetic mutation associated with the disease. Your likelihood of getting it could be low or high and you wouldn’t know.

As scientists discover more variations in our DNA and what they mean, this technology will be more useful as a health prevention tool.

I will admit, I was curious, and excited to see my results. They showed up a month later with no real surprises as far as my genes go. Although it was fascinating that not all the results gave me the same diagnosis. For instance, one test said I’m higher risk of Crohn’s disease, while another said my risk was small.

So alas, the debate continues on. Perhaps at this point, the golden question to ask yourself may just be, “do you really want to know?” One thing is certain, we live in a world where the advancements in science and technology are remarkable. As genetic mapping techniques get fine tune, the sky is the limit in terms of the potential benefits.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

You’ve probably been told countless times throughout your life that if you want to stay healthy, keep your immune system strong. Think of your immune system as a network of cells, organs and tissues designed to keep good bacteria in your body, bad ones out and quickly destroy the germs that sneak in.

If the immune system is weak, it can’t help fight off the millions of intruders that try to contaminate the body each day. As a result, a person gets sick, and it becomes harder for the body to recover from ailments.

Although many factors effect your "network's" strength, the average person can boost their immunities by making these everyday basics a habit.

MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY: Make an effort to get 8 hours of sleep a night. You may think you function just fine on 5 or 6, but over time your body becomes sleep deprived which compromises your immune system.

EAT COLORFUL FOOD: Load your plate with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Each is unique as they provide the body with antioxidants that boost immunities. Lean proteins also fuel a strong immune function.

DON’T JUST SIT THERE: Daily physical activity is the secret to a healthy life. Walking as little as 20 minutes a day is all it takes to help circulate the cells and antibodies throughout your system and give your immune system the boost it needs to fight off germs.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

Are you already planning your spring vacation? Some of us may choose to  stick close to home,  but others will take advantage of great deals being offered now and travel abroad. It's important when planning your trip to keep your health in mind too. It's estimated  that about 50 percent of Americans traveling outside the country each year will get sick–mostly preventable ailments from mosquito bites or contaminated water.

Here are some tips  to reduce your risk of getting sick on your next trip abroad.

Get vaccinated: Four to six weeks before your trip, research your destination spot and what vaccinations are suggested by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. In addition to routine U.S. vaccines, getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A, B, and typhoid are frequently suggested. Your family physician may be able to administer the vaccines or refer you to a travel health clinic.

Personal medical kit: It is important to put together a personal medical kit to bring with you on your trip. You may find yourself in a city where you don't have access to medication or the language barrier makes it hard to determine what you need. Think outside the norm when putting your med kit together. Over-the-counter pain medication, sleeping aids, anti-inflammatory are useful but also pack anti-nausea medication, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness pills and water purification tablets.

Know where to go: Spend a few minutes before you leave to locate the nearest U.S. Embassy and medical facilities. Knowing where to go in case of emergency is critical when in a foreign country.

Click HERE to look up medical risks and suggested vaccinations by destination.

You can find the nearest U.S. Embassy HERE.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

What's your cholesterol number? Don't know? Unfortunately, you’re not alone.

Most Americans, especially between the ages of 18 and 45, don’t know their cholesterol levels. The problem with this is that when high cholesterol is left untreated, you are at serious risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, even stroke.

Reducing that risk is as simple as understanding cholesterol, keeping track of your levels and then making small changes to keep them at a healthy level. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Good vs. bad: It's important to understand what is good cholesterol and what is bad. LDL is the bad cholesterol. It can slowly build up in the walls of your arteries, limiting circulation of blood to your brain and heart. HDL is known as the good cholesterol because it helps prevent blockage in your arteries.

Crunch the numbers: When looking at your HDL, or good cholesterol, the higher your number, the better. If your HDL level is less than 50, you are at an increased risk for heart disease. It is the opposite for the LDL, or bad cholesterol levels. The lower the number the better. Strive to keep your LDL level below 130.

Make it a habit: If your cholesterol levels are high, you can often avoid medication by making simple lifestyle changes. Are you a smoker? Do you eat too much saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol? Are you physically inactive? All of these modifiable factors can affect your cholesterol levels and potentially prevent a heart attack.

Adults not only need to pay attention to their own cholesterol levels, but their kids' numbers too! Click here to read my blog about kids and cholesterol.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

A stronger community is not the only benefit of volunteering.  It can also improve your health.  New research from the Mayo Clinic shows that people who volunteer have lower rates of heart disease and live longer. Previous studies have shown that people who volunteer are overall more physically and mentally fit than those who don’t.

Researchers say to reap these health benefits, strive to volunteer 40 to 100 hours a year-that’s breaks down to just a few hours a week.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

Be open-minded: Its important to volunteer service doing something you enjoy, but don’t be afraid to think outside your comfort zone. Volunteer opportunities are available not only in schools, nursing homes and churches but also at your local art center, animal shelter or state park. There are activities that can involve group settings or that you can do privately. There is something for everyone.

Make realistic commitments: Some may think it will be too hard to juggle family, work and volunteering, but if you make realistic commitments, you’ll be able to make a difference while still managing your life. When researching volunteer options, be honest with yourself, and the organizers about how much time you can commit.

Looking for ways to volunteer? Click here to search for opportunities in your local neighborhood.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health

Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially deadly illness. In the United States alone, it kills roughly 36,000 people every year and hospitalizes more than 200,000 – which is why it's so important to get immunized. Viewers often write to me asking if they really need to get a flu shot, or if it will make them sick. If a person gets sick  after a flu shot, its probable that they were exposed to the flu prior to getting vaccinated. You see it takes about two weeks to build up immunity to the virus, so if you were infected before you got the shot, you could still get sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers some tips on who should and shouldn’t get vaccinated.

WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED: Adults over the age of 50; all children between the ages of six months and 18 years;  pregnant women; healthcare workers

WHO SHOULD NOT GET VACCINATED: Children younger than six months; people allergic to chicken eggs; people with past allergic reactions to vaccines

The flu virus is airborne and you can catch it just about anywhere: talking to your neighbor, shaking hands with a colleague, or brushing against a railing at a football game. So be sure to wash your hands often to prevent infection.

Be sure to tune in to Dr. Sanjay Gupta every weekend on HOUSE CALL. You'll find the answers to your medical questions Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on CNN.

Posted by: Dr. Sanjay Gupta - CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
Filed under: Gupta • Health