Health briefs: High heels, ingrown nails

High heels and other snug-fitting or pointed shoes are a leading cause of ingrown toenails, according to podiatrists. By putting constant pressure on the toes, the big toenails can grow into the skin and cause an infection, the experts at Loyola University Health System said, yet many women are unwilling to trade in their heels for more practical shoes. "Ingrown toenails can be painful, but many women are willing to cope with the discomfort in order to continue wearing their high heels," Rodney Stuck, a professor of podiatry medicine, said. "However, more serious complications can arise and cause permanent damage to the toenails, if they are left untreated."

Medical imaging increases with easy access

Doctors are more likely to order imaging and other diagnostic lab tests for their patients if they have computer access to the test results, according to a new study. Although this technology was intended to reduce costs and increase efficiency, researchers from Harvard Medical School found easy access to test results was associated with a 40 percent to 70 percent increase in imaging test orders. Computerization actually could be driving costs up, they said in the study, published in the March issue of Health Affairs.

-- HealthDay