Your feet are probably one of the most
overworked yet under appreciated parts of the body. You may not realize how
important they are until they suffer from dysfunction, discomfort or pain. Suddenly,
even walking may seem like an uphill task. Most people do not see a podiatrist
until the problem becomes unbearable. But this delay can spell trouble for your
feet, and at times, even to your overall health. Here are five indications that
need the immediate attention of a podiatrist:
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1. Conditions affecting your
normal activity:
If you experience pain in your feet every
time you move around to perform normal activities, you may have a foot injury
that has not healed properly. Without prompt and proper treatment, this injury
can get worse over time and may make it increasingly difficult to live your
normal, active life.
2. Structural problems with
bones, muscles and more:
Structural problems with bones, muscles and
different connective tissues do not heal themselves. Instead, they only get
worse if left untreated. These problems often happen due to mechanical
dysfunctions that can lead to protruding bony prominence and gradual shift in
the bone alignment. Once these things happen in one part of your body, they can
impact other areas significantly, especially when they are connected just like
how your feet, knees, ankles, and hips are. These appendages can trigger
crucial discomfort in your overall health, since you walk upright on the feet.
3. Numbness, tingling or
burning sensations:
These things can be symptoms of neuropathy
that can trigger decreased sensation in the feet. If your feet feel numb
rarely, it should not be a big cause for concern. But if they are happening
quite regularly, you should head straight to a podiatrist. If the numbness is
accompanied by burning or tingling sensation, it can be a sign of nerve damage
– a condition that diabetics are particularly susceptible to. Diabetic
neuropathy is something that needs immediate attention of a podiatrist. Or
else, it can put you at a higher risk of developing foot ulcers.
4. Sore or wounds that refuse
to heal
If you have a wound or an open sore on the
ankle or foot, you should see your podiatrist. This is particularly important
if you have diabetes because such conditions would then take longer to heal. You
will have a better chance of timely healing if you consult a podiatrist
immediately and get the recommended treatment started. If you have an open sore
for a prolonged time, your risk of getting a bone or skin infection increases.
5. A lump/bump/mole that
grows or hurts
A mole that bleeds, gets bigger, or changes
color needs to be examined by a podiatrist closely to identify the key reason.
A bump or lump that hurts and grows should also be looked at by a podiatrist.
It may turn out to be a sort of cyst, but there is also a probability of it
being something more hazardous like a tumor. Though tumors in the feet are
rare, they do occur sometimes.
The health of the feet is crucial to your
overall wellbeing. Podiatrists have years of professional training under their
belts, making them highly qualified to care for your feet. No matter how small
your ankle or foot condition is, if you observe any of these conditions, it is
important to have your podiatrist diagnose the problem right away so as to that ensure your quality of life doesn’t
get comprised.
