Pay Attention to These Foot Symptoms for Better Health
Although “my feet are killing me!” is one
of the most overused exaggerations in the entire world, the truth is
that the condition of your feet can say a lot about the overall state of
your health, as well as indicate any underlying issues you may have.
Reflexologists and massage therapists have
been proponents of manipulating points on the feet to improve the health
of internal organs for a very long time. Although the evidence to prove
this is somewhat scant, it's true that a person’s state of health can
be expressed through their feet.
In addition to containing a quarter of the entire human body’s bones,
the feet also bear its entire weight. There are no less than 33 joints,
100 tendons, muscles and ligaments in them, as well as countless nerves
and blood vessels that link to the heart, spine and brain.
Taking the above into account, it perhaps isn’t a surprise to know that
if there is something wrong with someone’s feet, the likelihood is that
their entire body will be affected as well.
Let’s take a look at 10 things about the human body that can be revealed
by the condition of the feet:
1. Foot Cramping and Spasms
If you happen to get cramps and spasms in your foot, it could be a sign
of a deficiency in your body. Spasms can be caused by dehydration, which
occurs as a result of the muscles not getting enough oxygen. Another
reason for muscles spasms could be that there is a lack or imbalance of
electrolytes or nutrients in your body.
If you experience spasms specifically when
walking, then this could indicate a circulatory problem.
A further reason for spasms to occur is overexertion, or failing to
stretch adequately prior to exercising. Last but not least, the type of
shoe you’re wearing may be causing you discomfort. If you’re a lady who
happens to enjoy wearing sky-high heels, for instance, you should look
more closely at your choice of footwear to see if they’re to blame for
the spasms.
2. An Enlarged Big Toe
Gout is the most common type of
inflammatory arthritis in men, and it can cause the big toe to become
red, hot, swollen and extremely painful. Gout occurs as a result of too
much uric acid building up in bodily tissues and fluids. It’s also to
blame for an increased risk of developing kidney stones.
This type of inflammatory arthritis usually manifests itself in the big
toe because uric acid crystals tend to collect in the coolest part of
the body. Overweight or obese people are more at risk of developing
gout, as well as those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol and/or
consume lots of meat. Furthermore, certain medication can exacerbate the
risk.
3. Cold Feet, Warm Heart?
Do your feet to tend to be abnormally cold? If they do, it could
indicate that you have poor circulation, diabetes, hypothyroidisim or
anemia.
In addition, if your feet change color from red, to white, to blue, it
could be a sign of Raynaud’s disease, which is a narrowing of the blood
vessels when nerves overreact to the cold.
Primary Raynaud’s sufferers are advised to avoid the cold and smoking
tobacco, however 20% of all cases stem from an underlying disease.
4. Swollen Feet
Swollen feet can be indicative of numerous
health problems, and if you happen to have this symptom you should most
definitely get it checked by a doctor – it could be life-threatening.
Poor circulation and related heart failure, kidney or liver disease
could all be behind swollen feet, as could deep vein thrombosis, a blood
clot, lymphatic build-up and cellulitis, among others.
Try raising your feet when sitting down, exercising your legs, reducing
your salt intake and avoiding tight clothes, if you happen to have
swollen feet.
5. Spoon-Shaped Toenails
Concave-shaped toenails aren’t just unsightly – they could also be a
sign of something underlying. The primary thing it’s associated with is
nutritional deficiencies. They’re also associated with genetic
disorders, circulatory problems, autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal
conditions.
6. Colored Toenails
Conditions such as tuberculosis, jaundice
due to liver problems, thyroid gland information and even sinusitis
could all cause the toenails to yellow.
Yellowed toenails can also be symptomatic of bronchiectasis, a lung
condition that causes breathing problems.
Different nail colors and textures could also indicate a whole range of
various systemic problems. If you have toenail discoloration or
deformities, you should seek medical advice immediately.
7. Pins and Needles
Circulatory problems, peripheral nervous system damage, a trapped nerve
and a range of other ailments can lead to numbness or tingling in the
feet.
Diabetics who are exposed high blood glucose for an extended period can
also experience nerve damage, which in turn leads to tingling in the
feet. Pins and needles in the body’s extremities can also be one of the
first symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
8. Aching Toe Joints
Some 90% of people who have rheumatoid
arthritis will experience aching toe joints. The disease makes the
lining of the joints swollen and inflamed. As a result, the joints and
supporting ligaments and tissues are damaged, which ultimately leads to
decreased mobility.
Numerous anti-inflammatory foods can be consumed to help relieve these
symptoms, and also provide pain relief. Furthermore, shoe inserts can
help minimize pressure and correct the shape of the foot. Some people
also have braces that they wear on their feet.
9. Foot Drop
If you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot, this could
be a sign that you have drop foot, which is normally indicative of an
underlying muscular, neurological or anatomical problem.
Nerve or muscle damage as far up as the neck or shoulder could be
causing the problem, causing your foot to drag when walking.
Foot drop can occur as a result of a leg injury, or damage during a hip
operation. It can also be the result of a neurological disease such as
polio, as well as a brain or spinal cord disorder.
A brace or splint can be used to help maintain a normal foot position,
whereas nerve stimulation can also alleviate drop foot to a certain
extent. Surgery can also be undertaken to treat nerves, fuse bones or
correct the position of tendons.
10. Persistent Sores
If you have diabetes, it’s possible that
you have experience nerve damage to some extent. Nerve damage, or
neuropathy, results in people being unable to feel or notice injuries
such as blisters.
A foot injury that hasn’t been seen to appropriately can lead to ulcers
and gangrene, which, in a worst-case scenario, could lead to a food
being amputated. Nerve damage can also cause feet and toes to change
shape.
Dry, cracked and peeling skin on the feet can also be a sign of
diabetes, as can calluses and poor circulation.
Conclusion
If you have a seemingly minor problem with your feet, it might warrant
more attention than you first imagined. Keep all of the above in mind
and seek medical advice should you feel the need to.