In stressful times, are we making our pets anxious? Causes and cures for pet anxiety
In this age of heightened anxiety , many of us turn to our pets for emotional support. But is our behavior increasing our furry friends' fears?
The answer isn't simple, says Frankie Jackson, a veterinary nurse and animal behavior consultant, and the owner of Canine Counseling in Smyrna, Georgia. She said she's seen an increase in anxiety among her animal and human clients, but that it's hard to unwind the cause and effect.
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Washington Post
10 minutes ago
- Washington Post
What to know about states blocking Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that states can bar Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. The federal government and many states already block using Medicaid funds to cover abortion. But the state-federal health insurance program for lower-income people does pay for other services from Planned Parenthood, including birth control, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
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The best shoes for arthritic feet for 2025, according to experts
There's no sugarcoating it: Having arthritis in your feet is a major drag. After all, the chronic condition causes joint pain and inflammation, which can make it difficult to go about your life as usual. But the best shoes for arthritic feet can make a difference in how you feel. If you have arthritis, know that you're not alone. Up to 18.9% of American adults have some form of arthritis, and it's common to have the condition in your feet. That said, the right footwear can help. Choosing the right sneakers, sandals or slippers can deliver much-needed comfort while helping to improve your mobility. "Typically, the biggest issue with someone who has arthritis in their feet is that they can develop a bump where the arthritis is, which makes traditional shoe gear feel too tight," Dr. Melissa Lockwood, a podiatrist at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, Ill., tells Yahoo Life. As with all health conditions, foot arthritis has a range of symptoms, and not everyone experiences them the same way, says Dr. Richard Graves, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Long Beach, Calif. The biggest key is getting the right fit. "People with arthritic feet may have to look for wide shoes, shoes made out of stretchy or conforming materials or even extra-depth shoes," he says. "Besides that, the amount of support and stability is very important. Usually one of the goals with arthritic feet is to limit foot motion as much as possible." Shoes with stretchy fabrics or adjustable features like velcro straps or laces that can be loosened can help, shares Ashley Rawlins, a physical therapist at Origin in Dallas. "You may also want to consider shoes with a slightly larger toe box so that your foot has space for swelling, without being at risk for compression," she adds. Doctors stress the importance of finding the best shoes for foot arthritis. "I've seen how the right footwear can make a substantial difference in patient outcomes when dealing with orthopedic issues," Dr. Robert McLaughlin, an orthopedic surgeon at Boston Concierge Orthopedics, tells Yahoo Life. To better understand the needs of people with arthritic feet, our team spoke with four experts across a range of specialties who treat individuals with the condition. We also researched the market to better understand available options, as well as which products can help meet those needs. With that in mind, these are the best shoes for arthritic feet, whether you're in search of a running sneaker, dressy shoe or something in between. Best shoes overall for arthritic feet More shoes for arthritic feet we like for 2025 Factors to consider when buying shoes for arthritic feet How we chose the best shoes for arthritic feet FAQs Meet our experts Update, June 2, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best shoe for arthritic feet was updated because our previous pick, the Kizik Roamer, has been discontinued. There are several features to keep in mind when shopping for shoes for arthritic feet. Experts suggest considering: Support and cushioning: "The best shoe for a patient with arthritis is one that has a supportive bottom and a very soft upper part of the shoe that would allow for any swelling," Lockwood says. Arch support and extra cushioning in the midsole and outsole can also be helpful. Fit and comfort: A wide toe box is ideal. "Wide toe boxes give toes room to move," McLaughlin says. Stability and motion control: Every foot and gait is different, but you may benefit from features that control overpronation or supination, which can make arthritis pain worse. Adjustability: It's usually helpful to have adjustable features. Those can include lace-up closures, Velcro straps or adjustable buckles to customize your fit and allow extra room in case of swelling. If you prefer a slip-on style, look for shoes with a soft and stretchy upper. Breathability: Moisture-wicking materials can help keep your feet dry and prevent fungal growth. They also lower the risk your feet (and shoes) will stink at the end of the day. Lightweight design: A lightweight shoe is ideal to lower the risk you'll develop fatigue and strain on your joints. Heel height: A low to moderate heel height of less than 1.5 inches is often ideal to to maintain proper foot alignment. To choose the best shoes for arthritic feet, we consulted with four experts across a range of medical disciplines. These include podiatrists Lockwood and Graves; physical therapist Rawlins; and orthopedic surgeon McLaughlin. After receiving the experts' input, we reviewed dozens of products and evaluated each for elements like materials, support, cushioning, toe box size, weight and adjustability. Because everyone's feet are different and symptoms for arthritis can vary, we carefully analyzed reviews from real customers to see how these shoes perform in the real world, over time. Author Korin Miller is a health and commerce writer with more than a decade of experience reviewing footwear. If you have arthritis, it's important to look for special features in your shoes. However, you don't necessarily need special arthritic shoes. "People with arthritic feet really only need 'special' shoes if the arthritis is severe and/or causing a major deformity," Graves says. "Shoe considerations may have to be made if the arthritis necessitates using a brace or special insole." Yes, the right shoes can help with arthritis pain in your feet. They can also lower the risk of issues in the future. "Comfortable, supportive shoes can help preclude the need for surgery down the road," Lockwood says. Graves agrees. "Proper shoes and insoles can play a key role in helping to control foot arthritis pain," he says. "The proper orthotic or shoe insert can also be very helpful." There are a few features to consider in shoes when you have arthritis. Look for shoes with a roomy toe box and flexibility, whether through laces or a stretchy upper, to accommodate swelling in your feet, Lockwood says. A lightweight design is also helpful to avoid straining your joints. Lockwood recommends trying to time when you get fitted for shoes. "The best time to get fitted is in the afternoon when feet are most swollen," she says. It's also a good idea to have a cushioning pair of socks on for additional comfort. Yes, orthotics can be helpful if you have arthritis in your feet. "Orthotics can be very helpful to make a shoe more supportive and fit for your feet," Rawlins says. "There are over-the-counter and custom-made options that can provide additional support to the arches and joints in your feet, so that pressure can be distributed more evenly, without creating pain or limiting the helpful mechanics of your feet." Dr. Melissa Lockwood, a podiatrist at Heartland Foot and Ankle Associates in Bloomington, Ill. Dr. Richard Graves, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Long Beach, Calif. Ashley Rawlins, a physical therapist at Origin in Dallas Dr. Robert McLaughlin, an orthopedic surgeon at Boston Concierge Orthopedics Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Associated Press
17 minutes ago
- Associated Press
What to know about states blocking Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that states can bar Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. The federal government and many states already block using Medicaid funds to cover abortion. But the state-federal health insurance program for lower-income people does pay for other services from Planned Parenthood, including birth control, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The ruling comes at a moment when Congress is considering blocking Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal Medicaid funding, a move that the group says would force hundreds of clinic closings — most of them in states where abortion remains legal. Here are things to know about the situation: Abortion opponents see it as a victory on principle This legal dispute goes back to a 2018 executive order from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster that barred abortion providers from receiving Medicaid money in the state, even for services unrelated to abortion. In its 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court overruled lower courts and said that patients don't necessarily have the right to sue for Medicaid to cover their health care from specific providers. Abortion opponents hail it as a victory on principle. 'No one should be forced to subsidize abortion,' CatholicVote President Kelsey Reinhardt said in a statement. Abortion rights advocates say it will hurt health care access Supporters of Planned Parenthood see the ruling as an obstacle to health care aside from abortion. Planned Parenthood 'provides services for highly disadvantaged populations and this will mean not only that many women in the state will lose their right to choose providers, but it will also mean that many women will lose services altogether,' said Lawrence Gostin, who specializes in public health law at Georgetown Law. For many people with Medicaid, Gostin said, Planned Parenthood is a trusted service provider, and it's often the closest one. Others emphasize that the people who could be most impacted are women who already face the greatest obstacles to getting health care. 'People enrolled in Medicaid, including young people and people of color, already face too many barriers to getting health care,' Kimberly Inez McGuire, the executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equality, said in a statement. 'This decision makes a difficult situation worse.' The implications may be narrow in South Carolina, but broader elsewhere Planned Parenthood has two clinics in South Carolina, one in Charleston and one in Columbia. Combined, they've been receiving about $90,000 a year from Medicaid out of nearly $9 billion a year the program spends in the state. South Carolina has banned most abortions after six weeks gestational age, before many women realize they're pregnant. It's one of four states to bar abortion at that point. Another 12 are enforcing bans at all stages of pregnancy. The bans were implemented after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The most recent high court ruling isn't a guarantee that other states will follow South Carolina's lead, but Republican attorneys general of 18 other states filed court papers supporting the state's position in the case. 'We can imagine that there's anti-abortion legislators in states who are looking to this case and may try to replicate what South Carolina has done,' said Amy Friedrich-Karnik, director of federal policy at the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. The federal government is also targeting Planned Parenthood The U.S. House last month passed a budget measure that would bar all federal payments for 10 years to nonprofit groups that provide abortion and received more than $1 million in federal funding in 2024. A Senate vote on the measure, which President Donald Trump supports, could happen in coming days. Planned Parenthood says that if the measure becomes law, it would force its affiliates to close up to 200 of their 600 facilities across the U.S. The hardest-hit places would be the states where abortion is legal. If the federal effort is successful, Friedrich-Karnik said states that support abortion rights could use their own tax revenue to keep clinics open. On a call with reporters this week, SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said it's a priority for her group to hobble Planned Parenthood. She said starving Planned Parenthood of Medicaid reimbursements would not have a major impact on patients, because other clinics offer similar services without providing abortion. 'Medicaid money is attached to the person, so she'll retain the same amount of money,' Dannenfelser said. 'She'll just take it to a different place.' Abortion funding is already battered The 2022 Supreme Court ruling that ended the nationwide right to abortion jolted the abortion system across the U.S. and left clinics struggling. Women in states with bans in place now use abortion pills or travel to states where it's legal. Surveys have found that the number of monthly abortions nationally has risen since the court ruling. But over the same time period, some clinics have closed and funds that help people obtain abortion have said it's hard to stretch their money to cover the added cost of travel. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
