Our feet really should be given super-hero status. After all, they possess a super power that is often overlooked. They are able to reveal health problems long before we may experience symptoms of those problems. Here are some ways your feet look or feel when they are trying to tell you something else may be going on…
- Having frequently cold feet may be indicative of hypothyroidism, peripheral vascular disease, or poor circulation.
- Sores that do not heal within a few weeks could indicate high blood sugar levels due to diabetes.
- Loss of hair on the toes may suggest that your toes are not getting enough blood due to poor circulation that accompanies vascular disease or heart disease.
- Foot pain could be a sign of obesity, the onset of arthritis, or low bone density.
- Rounded or turned up toes due to digital clubbing can be signs of lung cancer, pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal issues, and cystic fibrosis.
- Dry, flaky skin on the feet of a person who has another disease or condition can be a sign of a more serious condition.
- A red, swollen, or painful big toe is a sign of gout, an arthritic condition caused by a buildup of uric acid.
- Swollen ankles or feet are symptoms associated with diabetes, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, liver failure, or high blood pressure.
- Burning, numbness or tingling in the feet, or peripheral neuropathy, could signal diabetes, liver or kidney disease, an autoimmune disease, certain viral and bacterial infections, or tumors.
- Toe cramps might be indications of dehydration or low potassium.
- Soreness in the joints of the foot is sometimes the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Toenails tell many things. Pitted toenails are symptomatic of psoriasis. Pock-marked, thick, and yellow or brownish toenails can come with psoriatic arthritis. Pale and spoon shaped or sunken toenails are signs of anemia. Brittle toenails can be caused by vitamin deficiency or a lack of essential fatty acids. Lung conditions, tuberculosis, Raynaud’s disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, and hypothyroidism are conditions that can cause nails to be brittle.
- Toes that become white and numb before returning to a normal color are symptoms of Raynaud’s disease.
So our feet are not only super heroes, they are could be life savers as well. “Listen” when your feet look or feel differently. Symptoms such as those previously mentioned should not be dismissed. Dr. Jeffrey Burmeister, DPM, and his experienced staff are ready to help you determine and deal with what your feet are telling you. Schedule an appointment by completing an online appointment request at www.jacksonvillefootandlaser.com/contact.html or by calling (904) 765-8889.
