Preventing Common Problems
The pain of ingrown nails and unsightly appearance of nail fungus are the most common problems people experience. Both can be dealt with through cautious hygiene and basic nail care. The best treatment for any condition is always prevention, and ingrown nails can be prevented by trimming nails regularly, wearing comfortable shoes, and protecting the feet and hands from trauma.

Nail fungus can also be prevented, though it does require more diligence. Washing the feet regularly and keeping nails trimmed is the most important step. This will allow for early detection and treatment in case of fungal infection. Fungus prefers warm and damp conditions for growth, so every effort should be made to keep feet dry. Changing socks or hosiery more than once a day, wearing breathable shoes, and avoiding tight socks and hosiery will all help keep the feet dry. Minimizing exposure to fungal pathogens in public places, by wearing shower shoes for instance, and disinfecting nail care instruments will reduce risk of infection.

Treating Ingrown or Infected Nails
There are products available to treat ingrown nails at home, but any sign of infection should be seen by a doctor. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes or circulatory disorders, make it important to see a doctor before the risk of infection. First aid should consist of soaking in warm salt water followed by application of antiseptic and bandage.

Fungal infections can be extremely persistent. Though there are at-home treatments, many doctors now use laser treatment, which is proven safe and effective.

Regular anorectal examinations can alert your doctor to any signs or symptoms of the disease. Typically, an examination of this type includes a visual inspection, palpation test and anoscopic assessment. The patient lies on his or her side while the doctor looks at the anal polyp, external hemorrhoids and anal fissure. A digital examination can be used to detect masses in the anorectal canal. Finally, an anoscopy can be used to diagnose a host of anorectal diseases.

Any unusual symptoms in the anorectal area should be examined by a doctor. Itching is a common symptom of anal rectal disease. The act of scratching may additionally harm the area and makes symptoms worse. The sensitive skin surrounding the anus can be very agitated by substances like fabrics, soaps and perfumes. Scratching may only cause further irritation and result in fissures surrounding the perianal area. Anal itching is often treated with antihistamine but may require the use of a topical corticosteroid. Even if the itch is relieved, an underlying problem such as hemorrhoids may still be present. The proper anorectal care is required to diagnose and treat this symptom.

Anal pain may also indicate anorectal disease. Discomfort may be caused by anal fissures, infection, hemorrhoids or advanced rectal cancer. An anorectal examination is the first step toward diagnosing the cause of this symptom.

Anorectal diseases may also cause lumps to form in the anal area or rectal bleeding. These symptoms may indicate fissures, polyps, hemorrhoids or cancer. Once again, an anorectal examination is the most useful tool for diagnosing the cause of these symptoms.

Treatments for hyperhidrosis include prescription antiperspirants, anticholinergic drugs, iontophoresis, laser therapy, surgery and Botox. For light to moderate hyperhidrosis, prescription antiperspirants with aluminum chloride are the first choice. The antiperspirant is applied to completely dry skin each night and washed off in the morning. Anticholinergic drugs block acetylcholine, a chemical in your body that stimulates the sweat gland. Anticholinergics may have side effects such as dry mouth or constipation. Intophoresis is a procedure that delivers a low level of electrical current to the hands, feet or armpits while the body is immersed in water. It is performed for about 15 to 30 minutes daily for two weeks and then less frequently for maintenance, which can be done at home. Botox can block the nerves that make the sweat glands work. It can be painful and the results last about four months. Side effects such as weakness of the hand muscles may occur. Laser therapy is used to destroy sweat glands in the armpit area and may be as much as 90% effective.

Venous disease is one of the most common medical conditions affecting millions of people. About half the U.S. population has venous diseases, with about 25% of all women and 15% of all men having significant varicose veins. The traditional treatment for varicose veins was surgical stripping and ligation, a surgical solution many patients found painful and long recovery time. One Stop Procedure Clinic is offering a far simpler, minimally invasive treatment calleqd Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA).

Using today’s most advanced medical laser technology, EVLA makes varicose veins vanish without the disadvantages of older treatments. It’s a fast, effective office procedure that involves minimal discomfort and site effects. This new laser treatment is perfect for today’s busy lifestyle. The patients can go back to work next days after the EVLA treatment.

EVLA is a no surgery, no general anesthesia, no hospitalization, and no scars procedure to eliminate the varicose veins. The treatment lasts less than an hour. The treatment is 93%-98% effective.

Now we can provide one stop vein care in combination with EVLA, sclerotherapy, and mini phlebectomy.

Summary of EVLA include:

• Performed in a doctor’s office
• Done under local anesthesia
• Use the laser energy to seal the varicose vein
• No surgery, no general anesthesia, and no hospitalization
• No pre-treatment preparation
• Patients can resume normal activity after the treatment
• No post-treatment scarring, possible minor soreness or bruising
• 93-98% effective

Dr.Steven Shu, MD, MBA, is a board certified laser surgeon who specializes in office procedures. He provides a wide range of procedural services above and beyond typical medicine and does about 2000 office procedures every year. Dr. Shu developed all new protocols and standards for the office procedures, thereby distinguishing himself as a specialized surgeon with a vast amount of experience in the office based procedures and surgeries.

After graduating in 1984 from the distinguished Shanghai Medical University, Dr. Shu completed his surgical residency and worked as a surgical attending physician until arriving in the United States in 1991. After completing a surgical internship at Flushing Hospital in New York, he followed with office procedure orientated residency training at Michigan State University from 1996 to 2000. He obtained his Physician E-MBA from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2005.

Dr.Shu is board-certified through the American Board of Laser Surgery and the American Board of Family Practice. He is the member of the following professional organizations.

• American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
• American College of Phlebology
• American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
• International Society of Cosmetogyncology
• American Medical Association
• American Academy of Family Practice
• American Association of Primary Care Endoscopists
• Minnesota Medical Association

On top of his clinical work, Dr. Shu is an Assistant Professor of Medical School at the University of Minnesota and on the medical staff at Southdale Hospital, North Memorial Hospital, and Fairview Medical Center, teaching office procedures to resident physicians weekly.

Over the last decade, Dr. Shu has consistently promoted the concept of procedure-oriented one stop care. He strongly believes in the numerous benefits of office procedures, including the low cost, convenient, efficient, one stop and high quality care.

Outside the office, Dr. Shu dedicates his time to community activism. After forming the Minnesota Chinese Physician Association (AMCP) in 2003, he led its members and community volunteers in establishing the Minnesota Chinese Health Center (MCHC), a free clinic for disadvantaged Chinese in the Twin Cities. He is also publisher of Minnesota Times, the most widely circulated Chinese newspaper in Minnesota. Moreover, he established One Stop Charity Fund in his clinic in 2010 and donates 10% of profit every year to non-profit organizations in the Chinese community.