6 Health Problems Your Feet Could Be Telling You

 “Your feet essentially give you a window into your health,” says Burlington podiatrist Dr. Todd Hyatt at Triad Foot Center. “Your feet are the first part of your body to show signs and exhibit symptoms of larger problems, like nerve problems, because they’re the farthest away from the heart and spine. They’re also the first to lose blood flow if your body detects a threat, as the body will redirect more blood to the internal organs and away from your extremities.”

The following are some common foot symptoms that may be displayed if a bigger problem is lurking in your body:

Hairless Feet and Toes:

Hairless feet and toes could be a result of serious circulation problem. Sudden baldness on your feet can mean that there isn’t enough blood flow to promote and sustain hair growth.

Frequent Foot Cramping:

Frequent foot cramping could mean anything from dehydration and nutritional deficiencies to genetics and circulation issues.  While random foot cramping could simply be a result of your genetics, it could also spell out nerve problems.

Make sure you drink plenty of water while exercising to prevent dehydration and foot cramping. Increasing nutritional supplements like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, with your doctor’s guidance, can also help alleviate symptoms.

A Sore That Won’t Heal:

Sores that won’t heal can mean that you’re suffering from diabetes or skin cancer. Uncontrolled glucose levels can result in nerve damage in your feet. Because of the nerve damage, sores or ulcers can appear on the bottom of your feet without you even realizing it. Failing to treat a sore or ulcer can result in an infection and gangrene, or even worse, amputation.

Cold Feet:
Constant cold feet could mean hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can also cause hair loss, fatigue, unexplained weight gain and depression. A simple blood test can tell you if you’re suffering from hypothyroidism and daily medication can help keep your toes toasty.

An Enlarged Big Toe:
If you suddenly experience a red, hot, swollen and painful joint in your big toe, seek medical attention immediately. Gout, inflammatory arthritis, infection or trauma could be behind it.

Numbness:
Diabetes, chronic alcoholism and chemotherapy treatment often results in peripheral neuropathy , which causes numbness in both feet. If there is numbness in only one foot, a pinched nerve in the foot, ankle or back could be to blame.

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, you should seek medical attention from your podiatrist and general doctor. To learn more or to book your appointment with the experts at Triad Foot Center, please visit www.triadfoot.com or click here.

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