Five Health Conditions Your Feet can Indicate

You are only partially right, if you think God gave you feet just to support your body weight, and help you in running, walking or moving about.

Perhaps, you may not be aware of the fact that your feet can be an amazing diagnostic tool, providing clues to potential health problems you might face sooner than later.

Why should you rush to the doctor only when an affliction has firmly set in? Why don’t you give a little attention to the tell-tale signals of your feet, warning you of a few serious health issues?

Discussed below for your benefit are five health conditions that can be predicted on the basis of warning signals of your feet.

Dry and flaky foot

Dry, flaky or cracked skin around your heel or on the ball of your foot might indicate a thyroid condition.

Malfunctioning of the thyroid gland can lead to serious problems like high blood pressure, rising metabolic rate, harmful tissue growth, and disorder of the nervous system too.

You need to consult a doctor if your foot skin becomes dry, accompanied by weight gain, vision problems or numbness of hands.

Bald toes

If your toes start losing hair and turn completely bald, poor blood flow might be the cause. This may indicate Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD); if left untreated, it can cause sudden stroke or heart attack.

PAD can be effectively combated by giving up smoking, controlling diet, doing regular exercise and managing diabetes or hypertension.

Benumbed foot

Foot numbness again may indicate Peripheral Arterial Disease or Peripheral Neuropathy (malfunction of damaged nerves).

It is very important that you seek prompt medical advice if you experience: frequent numbness of feet in spite of staying active; wounds on your feet which don’t heal easily.

Regular exercise and healthy diet are recommended to normalize blood flow to your feet.

Black Spots under toenails

Black spots or lines under toenails can happen due to fungal infection. In severe cases, this may indicate melanoma, a kind of skin cancer. This condition is due to genetic mutation of a type of skin cell called Melanocyte.

Hidden melanomas often remain undiagnosed and untreated; this is not at all desirable. Do consult an expert podiatrist, if you experience toenail discoloration every time you cut nails.

Foot pain in the morning

You may experience shooting foot pain in the morning when you take the first few steps after getting up from bed; it can indicate a health condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis or muscle cramp.

You need to consult a foot care expert in case you suspect having rheumatoid arthritis symptoms; the podiatrist will suggest necessary medication and suitable exercise.

Appropriate stretching exercises can provide gradual relief from pain caused by undue pressure on plantar fasciitis, a thin web-like shock absorbing ligament in your foot.

The same holds true for muscle cramps as well; you need to switch to a balanced diet and increased water intake to treat the problem.

The warning signals of your foot described above may not always point to serious health ailments, of course! However, you should not risk ignoring any of these signs. Do consult a foot specialist to ascertain whether these symptoms contain a warning or not!

Protect Your Feet by Shedding Weight

You have every reason to worry when the weighing scale starts tilting beyond normal level – not because you look no more attractive, but for the more alarming reason that it can lead to several health problems. The one body part that gets immediately affected is your foot. You gain weight, and you might find your mobility the first casualty. Obesity can and does wreck your foot health.

Discussed below are a few helpful facts that would enlighten you on the significance of shedding weight to keep your foot health.

Relationship between body weight and foot health

It is the foot which bears the entire body weight. Gaining even an extra 25 pounds can tip the scale, and cause painful foot and ankle conditions. This is because the extra weight gain changes automatically your body posture while walking. Your knees come closer, and the body weight shifts to the insides of your feet triggering various problems.

Obesity-caused specific foot problems

Obesity makes you susceptible to several health conditions like diabetes, high uric acid, peripheral arterial disease and so on. High uric acid in turn causes gout, a painful condition which affects foot and ankle joints. Due to diabetes you might experience numbness of feet, often leading to sudden injuries. Sometimes, accumulation of plaque in the arterial walls of your legs can lead to reduction of blood flow to the feet.

In serious cases, amputation of toes or feet is not improbable. Apart from these, tendon inflammation, swelling and tenderness of the plantar fascia and osteoarthritis are a few common outcomes of obesity, which can affect normal, active life.

Damage control

When overweight is the root cause of your foot problem, you need to lose weight undoubtedly to handle the situation. Intense physical activity is the best solution; but if you start working too hard all of a sudden, you might end up with foot injuries.

That is why doctors suggest low-impact aerobic activities, most preferably water aerobics. Start exercising gradually; avoid too strenuous activities, which can aggravate your foot condition.

Before starting any new exercise regime, seek your physician’s guidance to ensure that your heart and lungs are strong enough to endure the activity. Besides, you need to keep a close watch on the diet: include healthy food items to prevent fat accumulation.

When to consult a podiatrist?

Often you may fail to recognize the culprit – the pair of shoes you wear. If your foot condition does not improve, in spite of reducing body weight and exercising regularly, then you need to visit a podiatrist: you need to make sure your shoes are of right size and shape.

If your shoes do not support properly your body weight, that would impact directly your feet. In such a situation, your podiatrist can suggest a pair of shoes that would best complement your feet for safe mobility and good health.

To sum up, track your body weight regularly. Take prompt action the moment you feel something is wrong with your feet.

Selecting the Right Shoes to Ease Your Heel Pain

The need to excel in every sphere of life keeps us on the move all the time. It

leads to overexertion, which can become manifest as heel pain. You may love greatly certain activities like high-intensity treks or long walks: heel pain can be a spoil sport and hinder not only those passionate activities but also simple everyday routine.

Let not your heel pain get in the way of a normal life. Here, for your benefit, is a brief on the problem of heel pain, an effective solution and the precautions you can take.

Heel pain

There is, in your foot, a thick flat band of tissue (ligament) called plantar fascia; it serves to link your toes to the heel; it extends from the heel to the front of the foot, and supports the arch. Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition wherein the plantar fascia gets damaged due to excessive strain; the ligament is weakened, swollen and inflamed.

As a result of this condition, you may experience shooting heel pain as soon as you get down from bed in the morning.  Sitting or standing for long periods can cause the pain too. Placing excessive weight on the inner side of the feet (pronation), weak calf muscles, walking barefoot and wearing incorrect shoes are some other causes of heel pain.

The shoe connection

Wearing the wrong shoe is one of the major reasons of heel pain. If your shoes are ill fitting, or do not offer good support and grip, then your heels are bound to become sore. It stresses basically the arch of the foot resulting in flat feet – lowering of the arch than normal. If you have very soft soles in your shoes, the situation can get worse.

The wrong shoes

If you’re already suffering from heel pain, then it’s time to examine closely the kind of shoes you wear, and the kind of support it gives the arch of the feet. You should make every effort to avoid using all kinds of shoes that stress overly the arch, heels and inner side of the feet. The culprits include high heels, stilettos, flip-flops, platform shoes, shoes with pointy toes, celebrity trendsetter shoes, and wrong-sized shoes,

The right shoes

When you buy new shoes, necessitated by heel pain, make sure that the back of the shoe that wraps your heel is firm. This ensures adequate ankle and foot support. Secondly, the sole should also be firm and sturdy. This prevents any overstretching of your feet. Shoes must also have heel-to-toe-rocker sole which helps your feet move forward.

Also, make sure your shoe has heels elevated by about an inch. This relieves pressure off the heels and absorbs any impact on strike. Finally it’s prudent to wear shoes with lace rather than slip-ons for a better grip. In addition, you will find different types of insoles that can be purchased separately and placed in shoes for greater comfort.

Apart from these measures, anti-inflammatory medications, calf stretching exercises and natural home remedies should relieve you of the pain to some extent. However, it’s advisable for you to check with your podiatrist to get prescriptions of appropriate medications and remedies for nagging heel pain.

Winter is Coming: Five Foot Problems You should Beware

With winter knocking at the door, you must have already started taking out warm clothes, woolen socks and snug shoes. This is one season which can be actually felt by every part of the body, often resulting in certain discomfort. Since your feet remains maximum exposed to the chilling weather, it can lead to several painful conditions.

And so, if you want to enjoy a pain-free active winter, here are listed five common foot conditions you need to be careful about.

Heel spur

The comfortable cold weather encourages you to become over-active. You want to make up for those gym sessions or jogging schedules you missed during sweaty summer months. This is the time when team activities and organized sports get arranged too. Such activities can result in injuries like heel spur, runner’s knee, and shin splints.

Ingrown toenails

You start wearing closed-in shoes during this season to keep your feet warm. And it can aggravate ingrown toenails condition, if you are already suffering from it. Even the pressure of your heavy blankets can sometimes irritate those ingrown toenails! Consult a podiatrist to manage this problem better, which would guarantee a good night’s sleep.  

Dry cracked skin

You just can’t avoid dry cracked skin as it starts losing moisture during winter months. Foot skin gets affected the most, as it can peel and develop cracks too. In severe situations, the skin crack opens very badly and starts bleeding, especially in areas where the pressure is highest, i.e. the heel. Wash your feet daily with gentle pumice stone or loofah. Then apply a good moisturizing cream. Consult a podiatrist for remedial measures, if the painful condition persists still.

Fungal infections

Many are of the opinion that fungal infections are the same as dry cracked skin, since both foot conditions appear to be the same, to start with. If the problem is ascertained to be fungal infection, then soon you will notice redness, itching and scaling. In severe cases, open wounds appear on the bottom of your feet. Check between your toes as these are the common hiding spots for some types of fungal infections. Application of Tea tree can prove to be helpful; or else seek guidance of a foot specialist.

Chilblains

It is a common foot problem which is triggered by cold weather. You have chilblains, if you notice small red-colored swellings along with itchiness. When your foot remains exposed to cold weather for long, blood vessels in your toes tend to get smaller in size. Keep your feet warm and these cold-affected blood vessels will return to normal size.

In case your toes become warm too fast, that can cause pain, swelling, redness, and blistering, typically associated with chilblains. It can be treated by applying the right kind of lotions and creams as prescribed by your podiatrist. If left untreated for long, chilblains can prove to be harmful and can lead to ulcers too.

As evident from the above discussion, most of these foot conditions can be prevented or managed by adopting simple measures. If you feel that your foot problem is chronic and refuses to subside, then do get in touch with a reputable podiatrist before it is too late.

How You can Prevent Foot Drop

Keeping your feet firmly on the ground – literally – can become difficult if you suffer from certain painful conditions. Foot drop (sometimes called drop foot) is one such ailment which makes it difficult for you to lift the front part of your foot, particularly the toes upwards. It is not a disease in itself. Rather it is a symptom which points towards some basic ailments or medical conditions.

If you suffer from foot drop, you need to address conditions like tendon, muscle or nerve injuries. This foot problem can arise from multiple sclerosis, injury to the spinal cord or a sudden stroke. Sometimes drug reactions can also cause the condition. It can be hereditary too. Some may experience foot drop for a temporary period, while for many it can turn out to be a permanent problem. Discussed below are a few facts which would help you prevent foot drop.

What causes foot drop

Try walking on your heels for a few minutes and if you experience some difficulty, then there is every chance that you suffer from foot drop. As already mentioned, this particular condition arises from tendon or muscle damage which can happen from a sudden injury or some other medical condition. A hip or knee surgery can directly cause foot drop. Disorder of the central nervous system might also lead to this foot condition. Adverse reaction of some drugs especially the ones used during chemotherapy can cause the illness, though for a temporary period. Alcohol can be the reason too.

How to treat foot drop

Surgery is the only option if foot drop is the direct outcome of muscle or tendon injury or a herniated disc (sometimes called a slipped disk or a ruptured disk). In certain cases, podiatrists suggest nerve stimulation by surgically implanting a small device below the knee; it is done if nerve damage is the prime cause. This device generates small electrical pulses which stimulate the nerves to function normally while walking. Physical therapy and exercises are commonly suggested which help strengthen muscles and tendons, thereby preventing recurrence of foot drop.

Accessories that help reduce discomfort due to foot drop

A number of devices are available to reduce discomfort caused by foot drop. You can opt for blanket lifters which protect sensitive feet from excessive weight of the blanket or heavy sheets. It is particularly advised after foot drop surgery. A splint or brace can help stabilize and soothe foot and ankle joint. Mostly designed like a boot, the brace supports your foot while walking. Then there are other devices such as foot positioner, heel guard, foot elevator and foot lifter, each of which is specifically designed to prevent further damage to and stress of tendons and muscles.

When to seek medical advice

If you suffer from foot drop, then it would be the right thing to seek immediate medical advice. You can consult a qualified foot specialist to follow the right course of treatment and to check whether you need any surgery. If any medical condition is the cause of the problem, that needs to be attended too.

Preventing foot drop is not that tough. Do not make things tougher for you, if you already suffer it: you just need to be aware of the right solution that works best for you.

4 Foot Problems and Solutions Bodybuilders should be Aware of

Bodybuilding is almost like constructing a house which demands a well-designed and solid foundation. If you are a bodybuilder, your foot is undoubtedly that foundation which supports the entire symmetrical structure of your body. During the bodybuilding process if your foot is injured or tendon is overstretched, that will automatically affect other body parts.

Weightlifters usually face a few common foot problems which in turn can cause hip, knee or back pain. If you have been experiencing a forefoot shooting pain, or find it difficult to squat or perform leg press, these are then telltale signs that you need to consult a podiatrist immediately. Discussed below are four common foot problems and solutions which every bodybuilder needs to be aware of.

1. Tightness of Achilles tendon

It is important to confirm whether the problem is due to inflexibility of gastrocnemius or calf muscle. Stretch that affected muscle for at least 30 seconds. If you are not sure which muscle is actually causing the problem then stretch both. In case the problem persists, you would do well to consult a licensed foot specialist for proper guidance.

2. Plantar fasciitis

If you experience weakness, swollenness or irritation of the plantar fasciitis (i.e. the flat ligament band which connects the heel bone to the toes), that means the balance of the arch of your foot is disturbed. Use of ice pack can relieve the pain, if you apply it every day for at least 10-15 minutes. Do some stretching exercises of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. In case of severe pain, you can try anti-inflammatory drugs, and if the pain still persists, then do seek professional help.

3. Flat feet/High arches

If you are into bodybuilding or any other strenuous sports activities, then you need to be careful of the flat feet and high arches. Those with high-arched feet are most likely to suffer from hammer toes, whereas flat feet can give rise to knee or hip pain.  A gait-analysis should be carried out to determine your specific problem. Based on the result, the podiatrist suggests the right type of sports shoe or orthotic; it can offer necessary support to your strained foot arch or heel. If your foot tends to pronate often, then it becomes even more necessary to invest in an appropriate training shoe.

4. Toe cramps

Generally athletes don’t take toe cramps that seriously. In fact, a study says that around 95% populace worldwide experience muscle cramps at some point. Extreme physical activities and low calcium, magnesium or potassium levels are the prime reasons behind frequent muscle cramps.  Dehydration can also cause toe cramps. If nutrition deficiency is the cause, it can be corrected by revising the diet chart. In case you notice that the toe cramp lasts for more than a few seconds and frequently, then you need to consult a podiatrist.

Always maintain correct foot position whenever you are squatting or leg-pressing. Not only does it ensure better results from the exercise, but also gives complete protection to your feet and knee joints. And most importantly, don’t ignore your foot problems. Seek podiatric help in time, if you don’t want an abrupt end to your weightlifting career.

Five Simple Ways for You to Recover from Metatarsalgia

Foot is an integral body part that often acts as the shock absorber, since it has to endure the cumulative weight of your body. The foot condition can turn graver when your routine includes long hours of running or standing at a stretch. As your entire body weight transfers to your metatarsals i.e. the five long bones that connect the phalanges of your toes to the tarsal bones, this can result in inflammation, pain and irritation. Metatarsal bones being the key parts, which provide proper foot movement by working with ligaments, connective tissues, and tendons, their malfunctioning can pose real problems.

Metatarsalgia also known as stone bruise is a foot condition which basically arises due to uneven distribution of body weight across the feet.  The condition can be detected easily as you start feeling a stabbing, burning, or aching pain just beneath the toes. The symptoms usually take more than a month to build up, which means one can easily prevent and recover from Metatarsalgia, with a little bit awareness. Indicated below are five simple ways following which you can get relief from Metatarsalgia.

Pick the right footwear

If your foot is flat or neutral shaped, then look for shoes that come with wide toe boxes. A dome-shaped metatarsal pad would also help in protecting your metatarsal bones from throbbing pain.

Consider shock-absorbing insoles and extra cushioning

Orthotics or fitted insoles are often recommended by podiatrists as these can distribute foot pressure evenly while improving the function. Shock absorbing insoles can offer great relief while walking, as these help shield the ball of your foot. Doctors recommend arch supports, in case fitted insoles turn out to be ineffective.

Watch Your Weight

This is the most crucial precaution, which you need to take strictly to recover from Metatarsalgia. Check your food habits and change lifestyle as these are the key factors which mostly cause weight gain.  Do some hard workout to keep your weight under control and also to prevent stone bruises.

Rest Your Feet

Your feet need a break if showing signs of Metatarsalgia. Bring down your mileage and try to run on softer surfaces; even better if you can switch to low-impact activities at least temporarily. Applying ice pack during the first 24 hours can provide instant relief. If the pain is too acute, you may start physician-prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.

Consult a doctor or podiatrist

This is the final piece of advice which you shouldn’t ignore, if the symptoms of Metatarsalgia do not subside within a week or so, in spite of adopting all precautionary measures. Your metatarsal pad or orthotic selection might be wrong, or you may need to get rid of the callus. Only a podiatrist can suggest the right kind of footwear matching your foot type, stride and exercise pattern. He carries out a detailed assessment of the foot condition and suggests remedies accordingly.

Don’t take stone bruise lightly as it can lead to painful swelling of joints, stiffness and numbness. If you often have this feeling like “walking on pebbles”, then consult the podiatrist to confirm whether your metatarsal bones are in perfect shape or not.