SHARES
Taking care of your health starts from the feet up. Our feet are vital to health and mobility, it is designed to support our body weight. They are also an amazing diagnostic tool, revealing a lot about your health. There are signs you must not ignore, it pays to understand what these signs are and seek medical help where needed.
- Cold feet
Are you always experiencing cold feet? One of the reasons could be poor blood flow also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). The restricted blood circulation in the leg arteries, due to PAD, could be the hidden underlying problem of cold feet. Consult your doctor to check this out. - Ulcer which does not heal
If the wound on your foot is not healing, it could be a possible warning sign for diabetes. Diabetes can weaken healing of wounds, worsen blood circulation and decrease sensitivity of the feet. Although the wound might be small, but it can lead to serious infection and amputation, therefore get yourself checked! - Foot spasm
A sudden sharp pain in the foot is known as spasm or also a cramp. It can sometimes last for a few minutes. It can be due to poor circulation of blood or dehydration. It can be also due to imbalance between potassium, magnesium, calcium or Vitamin D in the body. Stretching your feet can help relieve the spasm. Take magnesium or potassium or calcium supplements if you suspect you are deficient in these minerals. - Numbness
If you have a persistent pricking feeling in your feet, it could be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, or damage to peripheral nerves. This may affect sensation, movement, or organ function People with diabetes may develop diabetic neuropathy complications where the nerves in the feet are gradually damaged causing numbness. - Pain in the big toe
Do you suffer from sharp pain at your big toe especially at night, or your big toe swells and feel warm? You might be suffering from gout which a type of inflammation of the big toe joint due to accumulation of uric acid. - Thick, yellow toenail.
Do your toe nails start getting thicker and yellow in colour? You might be having a fungal infection. People who have autoimmune disease on immunosuppressant medicine are at high risk of getting fungal infection. - Claw toe.
This deformity is caused by wearing a shoe which is too tight for a period of time. The toes will bend downward from the middle joint resembling a claw. - Swollen ankles or feet.
If you are not pregnant and your feet are swollen, take note it might be a sign of heart failure, kidney disease or blood clot, therefore get yourself checked immediately. If the swelling is painful, it is a warning sign it might be deep vein thrombosis, again get checked as soon as possible.
Your feet might be just giving out hidden messages warning of serious health conditions. Get you checked if any of these symptoms are bothering you!
A podiatrist (a lower limb healthcare specialist) can help you with common foot problems, including ingrown toenails and bunions. Podiatrists are qualified healthcare professionals who can diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs.
They also prevent and correct deformity, keep people mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections. They can also treat and alleviate day-to-day foot problems, including fungal nail infections, corns and calluses, heel & foot pain:
If you need to consult a Podiatrist: call, send an enquiry or book an appointment on GetDoc
Find a Podiatrist in Malaysia, on GetDoc
Find a Podiatrist in Singapore, on GetDoc
References
- What your feet say about your health? [Internet][cited 2019 February 20] Available from:
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/ss/slideshow-what-your-feet-say
- What your feet say about your health? [Internet][cited 2019 February 20] Available from:
https://www.lifeadvancer.com/what-your-feet-say-about-your-health/
- 5 things your feet tell about your health. [Internet][cited 2019 February 20] Available from:
- What your feet say? [Internet][cited 2019 February 20] Available from:
by Leelah
'' The first step towards a change is awareness !'' The saying which inspired the medical graduate to reach the public through GetDoc. View all articles by Leelah.
