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By drjacob
February 20, 2012
Category: Uncategorized
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LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR FEET ARE "SAYING TO YOU"

Your feet can tell you some really important things about your health, if you look for the signs and heed the messages they are sending.  Over the next few blogs, Madison Podiatry Associates and Dr. Jacob will share these “foot messages” with you.

"You can detect everything from diabetes to nutritional deficiencies just by examining the feet," says Jane Andersen, DPM, president of the American Association of Women Podiatrists and a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Your feet contain about 25% of the body's bones, and each foot also has 33 joints; 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments; along with countless nerves and blood vessels that link pathways to the heart, spine and brain.

Foot problems may foretell unexpected consequences. Pain can cause a person to move less and gain weight, for example, or to shift balance in unnatural ways, increasing the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

If your feet are sending out some of these messages, it is important to listen.  Usually it means something important is going on.

1. Toenails with slightly sunken, spoon-shaped indentations

This may be an indication of anemia and can often show up as a concave or spoon like shape to the toes' nail beds. It's an indication of not having enough hemoglobin in the blood cells that transports oxygen to all areas of the body. Anemia could be caused by internal bleeding (such as an ulcer) or other similar condition.

The skin and nail beds on your fingers and toes appear pale and/or the nails are brittle, and your feet may feel cold. Fatigue is the biggest indicator and sign of anemia, along with shortness of breath, dizziness when standing, and headache.

In these cases a foot exam may be required and then complete blood count is often used diagnose anemia.

 

2. Hair loss on feet or toes

If you had hair on your feet and toes (and it has disappeared) poor circulation can be the cause. Poor circulation is usually caused by vascular disease.  When the heart loses the ability to pump enough blood to the extremities because of arteriosclerosis (commonly known as hardening of the arteries), the body has to prioritize its use. Hairy toes are one of the first areas to get affected.  Reduced blood supply also can make it difficult to feel a pulse in the feet and when the person stands up, the feet may be bright red or dusky; when elevated, they can lose all color and the skin can be shiny.

 

3. Foot cramping (commonly called charley horses) occurs frequently.

The sudden stab of a foot cramp which is strong contraction of a muscle can be triggered by fleeting circumstances such as exercise or dehydration. If these cramps happen frequently, you may lack sufficient calcium, potassium or magnesium in your diet.  Pregnant women in the third trimester are especially vulnerable thanks to increased blood volume and reduced circulation to the feet.

"Charley horses" can happen out of nowhere. They can be a single sharp muscle spasm or come in waves. Either way, soreness can linger for a longtime after the event.

When they happen, flex the foot and massage the painful area. You may also be able to relax the muscle by applying a cold pack or rubbing alcohol. To prevent cramps, stretch your feet before you go to bed.  Drinking a glass of warm milk or talking a calcium supplement could help.

Remember foot and ankle pain is not normal.  If you are experiencing pain please contact us:

Madison Podiatry Associates, P.C.,Stering Heights MI

(586)-997-5000

or click here: Contact Us

 

 

 

 

 

  

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