Feet are often thought of in two ways: either really cute or really unpleasant. They’re just not an appealing part of the human body. It’s funny because feet often tell important stories about your health. Hearing that must sound silly; how can your feet possibly tell if you have a fever or the flu? The answer is, they can’t. But they can reveal a number of other health concerns you should be in tune to.
Changes in your feet can vary from physical changes in the skin and nails to differences in how they feel. Be alert; some symptoms can be early signs of larger health concerns. Frequent foot cramping, for example, could be a sign of dehydration, nutritional deficiencies or something as serious as circulation and nerve issues. Drink plenty of water to help ease muscle cramping and boost your diet with vitamin/mineral rich foods. Bananas, beans, nuts, and yogurt are all good choices. If the cramping becomes chronic, call your doctor to rule out circulation issues or nerve damage.
How about stinging heel pain? The unmistakable sharp sensation that hits the bottom of your heel. If you experience this pain on a regular basis, don’t brush it off - it could be Plantar Fasciitis. Plantar Fasciitis is when you strain the ligament that supports your arch. Believe it or not, this can happen from something as simple as walking in flip-flops! If by any chance you think you may be a victim to Plantar Fasciitis, call a podiatrist. It will take longer to heal if you ignore it and your doc can certainly help you implement a stretching plan to ease the pain.
Be cautious of foot sores that don’t seem to heal; this is typically a warning sign for diabetes. What should be considered “normal” wound healing time is in fact a much longer, drawn out process. Even a blister on your foot can become a real problem. So, if you notice impaired foot sensation, circulation changes or abnormal healing time, don’t wait - call your doctor.
When abrupt pain, redness and swelling strikes your big toe - pay attention. Gout may be the cause and is a common form of arthritis that can affect anyone - often the joint at the base of the big toe. Not only could Gout be the root cause of this pain, it could be turf toe. Athletes who play on hard surfaces are subject to turf toe more than anyone as it is caused by an injury to ligaments surrounding the joint. At any rate, if pain like this appears, don’t delay in getting it checked out.
Don’t ignore what could be lurking behind your most common foot concerns. If you notice anything unfamiliar about your feet, get it checked by your doctor or podiatrist before attempting any self-treatment. At Touchette Regional Hospital, we employ a number of physicians, including podiatrists that are board-certified and credentialed in numerous health plans. Our podiatrists deal with the diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention of the human foot. For more information, call us at 618.857.2700.