Do you understand when your feet is passing a message?

Emobileclinic Trending Topic : What your feet say about your health?

The role of the feet in human system cannot be underestimated, it is generally known that the feet bear the weight of the whole body when we stand or walk or squat. The feet contain a quarter of the body’s bones. Each foot has 33 joints, 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments; and countless nerves and blood vessels that link all the way to the heart, spine, and brain.

Here are some of the statements your feet condition may be passing across to you:

Foot cramping and spasms:

It can be uncomfortable and also a signs of deficiencies in the body. 

It is caused by dehydration which means that the muscles are not getting enough oxygen and that there is a lack or imbalance of electrolytes or nutrients, especially sodium, calcium, potassium, or magnesium. 

If the spasms happen while walking, it could indicate a circulatory problem.

Overexertion or not stretching enough when exercising.

Shoes size might contribute, for example, changing from flat shoes to high heels.

An enlarged big toe

Gout can cause the toe to be red, hot, swollen and extremely painful. Gout is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis among men.

Happens when too much uric acid, or monosodium urate, builds up in the tissues and fluids of the body.

As uric acid crystals tend to collect in the coolest part of the body, gout normally manifests in the big toe

Overweight or obese, and those with poor circulation, are more prone.

Alcohol, a meat-rich diet, and some medications can add to the risk.

Gout also increases the risk of kidney stones.

 Cold feet

Indicate poor circulation, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and anemia.

Feet that change color, from red to white to blue, may be a sign of Raynaud’s disease, in which blood vessels narrow when the nerves overreact to the cold.

Swollen feet

Indicate poor circulation

Heart, kidney or liver failures

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a blood clot

Lymphatic buildup and cellulitis

Redness, warmth, and inflammation of feet could be an infection.

Bruising and swelling suggests a sprain or fracture.

Spoon-shaped toenails

Sign of systemic disease associated with nutritional deficiencies, and especially iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia is linked to malnutrition, internal bleeding, malignancy, and celiac disease.

Sign of a genetic disorder, circulatory problems, autoimmune diseases, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Colored toenails

Indicate tuberculosis(TB)

Jaundice due to liver problems

Inflammation of the thyroid gland 

Evensinusitis

Bronchoiectasis, a lung condition that can lead to breathing problems.

Pins and needles

Numbness or tingling in the feet can be a sign of circulatory problems or damage to the peripheral nervous system, possibly a trapped nerve or one of a range of diseases.

In people with diabetes, long exposure to high blood glucose can cause nerve damage, and this can lead to tingling in the feet. 

Indicate Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Numbness or tingling can rarely be a sign of a tumor or a stroke.

Aching toe joints

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the bones in the joints. 

Decreasing mobility.

Foot drop

Inability to lift the front part of the foot which may indicate underlying muscular, neurological, or anatomical problem.

Nerve or muscle damage as far up as the neck or shoulder. It may cause the foot to drag when walking

Nerve injury in the leg or damage during a hip operation. 

Neurological disease such as polio

Brain or spinal cord disorder.

Person with multiple sclerosis or stroke may have foot drop.

Persistent sores

A common symptom of diabetes is neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. This means that patients are unable to feel or notice injuries

Nerve damage can also cause the feet and toes to change shape.

Dry, cracked, and peeling skin

Calluses

Poor circulation.

Treatments Options

Seek medical attention when necessary to enjoy proper treatment. Here are some first aid treatment if you are suffering from any of the above listed points:

Home treatment includes raising the feet when sitting down, exercising the legs, reducing salt intake, and avoiding tight clothes. Losing weight may help some people.

Rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help to relieve symptoms and reduce pain and inflammation.

Shoe inserts can help to minimize pressure and correct the shape of the foot, and some people wear a brace.

Steroid injections can reduce inflammation in the early stages, but surgery may be necessary eventually.

A brace or splint may help to maintain a normal foot position, physical therapy can help with gait, and nerve stimulation sometimes helps to lift the foot.

Surgery may be offered to treat the nerves, to fuse the bones, or to correct the position of tendons.

Fast facts about feet

There are around 250,000 sweat glands in a pair of feet, producing around 1/2 pint of sweat daily

When a person runs, their feet bear three to four times their body weight