We’re on our feet every day, but we rarely give them much thought, that is until they start hurting!
Caring for the health of your feet is an important part of life. Reading up on these 5 foot health facts is a good place to start.
1. Foot Changes May Point to Bigger Health Problems
Oddly enough, our feet can sometimes be a good indicator of our overall health. Changes in our feet can point to potentially bigger problems. These changes can be red flags that tell us we should see a doctor.
Examples of feet conditions that point to major health problems:
Swelling – If your foot is swelling inexplicably, it may point to high blood pressure, or even heart or kidney disease.
Numbness & Tingling – Burning, tingling, and numbness can be indicators of nerve problems or diabetes.
Joint Stiffness – Experiencing joint stiffness in your feet may be an early sign that you have arthritis.
Whatever the case, if you are experiencing any of the above conditions, a trip to the podiatrist will either put your mind at ease or help you strategize a treatment plan for any underlying conditions.
2. Feet Have 250,000 Sweat Glands
As one of the sweatiest parts of our bodies, it can be tough to keep our feet fresh and dry. Excessively sweaty feet may be part of a condition known as hyperhidrosis and is often paired with sweaty hands.
There can be a social stigma around sweaty extremities, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Here are some tips for handling feet sweat.
How to reduce sweaty feet:
Choose the right socks. Light cotton socks in summer and wool socks in winter can wick away moisture much more effectively than synthetic fabrics that tend to lock in moisture.
Wear breathable shoes. Find well-fitting shoes with proper ventilation to air out your feet in case they begin to sweat.
Use antifungal powder. Sprinkling some antifungal powder in your shoes can help soak up excessive moisture. Cornstarch will work in a pinch, but won’t ward off fungal infections.
3. Feet Don’t Like High Heels
From smushed toes to aching arches, high heels are a foot’s worst nightmare.
“Pain is beauty!” you may be arguing, but your foot would tend to disagree with those sentiments.
Women are more prone to certain foot problems, mainly from years of walking in narrow-fitting shoes and high-heels that squeeze the toes and cramp the forefoot.
High-heels are especially dangerous when they are loose-fitting. The foot can slide around, throw off your balance, lead to blisters, and make you trip.
Poor footwear choices can increase the risk of ankle sprains, bunions, heel pain, and other foot-related health problems. Other footwear such as ballet flats and flip-flops may also create foot pain.
Choosing comfortable, well-fitting shoes is crucial to short and long-term foot health.
4. Seniors With Foot Conditions Have Increased Risk of Falling
If you are caring for an elderly loved one, preventing them from falling is likely one of your biggest concerns.
“Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older,” says the Centers for Disease Control.
One important step to reducing the risk of a fall is screening elderly family members’ feet for existing health conditions. Even minor podiatric issues such as bunions could throw off their balance.
Vigilance in finding and fixing any foot problems is crucial to helping seniors keep their mobility and stay safe.
Regular trips to a trusted podiatrist clinic, such as Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle is a great first step to helping keep your loved one on their feet.
5. Feet Take 3 Million Steps Each Year
It’s true!
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society reports that “The average person takes approximately 10,000 steps per day, which can add up more than 3 million steps per year. Each step can place 2-3 times the force of your body weight on your feet.”
That is a whole lot of wear and tear on your feet every year! Thankfully, our feet were made for walking.
Still, it’s important to take steps to maintain healthy feet, so you can stay active throughout your life.
Take care of your feet, and they will faithfully carry you just about anywhere you want to go for years to come.
Fresno, CA Podiatrist
These foot health facts are great, but what is even more helpful is seeing a doctor who can help tailor solutions to your specific needs.
With three locations here in the San Joaquin Valley, Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle is on a mission to provide quality podiatric care with compassion and efficiency.
We have over 30 years of experience, over 4,000 patients we’ve helped, and 247 successful surgeries. You can count on us to help you get your feet in good shape.
Contact us to get on the path to happy, healthier feet!
We’re on our feet every day, but we rarely give them much thought, that is until they start hurting!
Caring for the health of your feet is an important part of life. Reading up on these 5 foot health facts is a good place to start.
1. Foot Changes May Point to Bigger Health Problems
Oddly enough, our feet can sometimes be a good indicator of our overall health. Changes in our feet can point to potentially bigger problems. These changes can be red flags that tell us we should see a doctor.
Examples of feet conditions that point to major health problems:
Swelling – If your foot is swelling inexplicably, it may point to high blood pressure, or even heart or kidney disease.
Numbness & Tingling – Burning, tingling, and numbness can be indicators of nerve problems or diabetes.
Joint Stiffness – Experiencing joint stiffness in your feet may be an early sign that you have arthritis.
Whatever the case, if you are experiencing any of the above conditions, a trip to the podiatrist will either put your mind at ease or help you strategize a treatment plan for any underlying conditions.
2. Feet Have 250,000 Sweat Glands
As one of the sweatiest parts of our bodies, it can be tough to keep our feet fresh and dry. Excessively sweaty feet may be part of a condition known as hyperhidrosis and is often paired with sweaty hands.
There can be a social stigma around sweaty extremities, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Here are some tips for handling feet sweat.
How to reduce sweaty feet:
Choose the right socks. Light cotton socks in summer and wool socks in winter can wick away moisture much more effectively than synthetic fabrics that tend to lock in moisture.
Wear breathable shoes. Find well-fitting shoes with proper ventilation to air out your feet in case they begin to sweat.
Use antifungal powder. Sprinkling some antifungal powder in your shoes can help soak up excessive moisture. Cornstarch will work in a pinch, but won’t ward off fungal infections.
3. Feet Don’t Like High Heels
From smushed toes to aching arches, high heels are a foot’s worst nightmare.
“Pain is beauty!” you may be arguing, but your foot would tend to disagree with those sentiments.
Women are more prone to certain foot problems, mainly from years of walking in narrow-fitting shoes and high-heels that squeeze the toes and cramp the forefoot.
High-heels are especially dangerous when they are loose-fitting. The foot can slide around, throw off your balance, lead to blisters, and make you trip.
Poor footwear choices can increase the risk of ankle sprains, bunions, heel pain, and other foot-related health problems. Other footwear such as ballet flats and flip-flops may also create foot pain.
Choosing comfortable, well-fitting shoes is crucial to short and long-term foot health.
4. Seniors With Foot Conditions Have Increased Risk of Falling
If you are caring for an elderly loved one, preventing them from falling is likely one of your biggest concerns.
“Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults age 65 and older,” says the Centers for Disease Control.
One important step to reducing the risk of a fall is screening elderly family members’ feet for existing health conditions. Even minor podiatric issues such as bunions could throw off their balance.
Vigilance in finding and fixing any foot problems is crucial to helping seniors keep their mobility and stay safe.
Regular trips to a trusted podiatrist clinic, such as Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle is a great first step to helping keep your loved one on their feet.
5. Feet Take 3 Million Steps Each Year
It’s true!
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society reports that “The average person takes approximately 10,000 steps per day, which can add up more than 3 million steps per year. Each step can place 2-3 times the force of your body weight on your feet.”
That is a whole lot of wear and tear on your feet every year! Thankfully, our feet were made for walking.
Still, it’s important to take steps to maintain healthy feet, so you can stay active throughout your life.
Take care of your feet, and they will faithfully carry you just about anywhere you want to go for years to come.
Fresno, CA Podiatrist
With three locations here in the San Joaquin Valley, Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle is on a mission to provide quality podiatric care with compassion and efficiency.
We have over 30 years of experience, over 4,000 patients we’ve helped, and 247 successful surgeries. You can count on us to help you get your feet in good shape.
Contact us to get on the path to happy, healthier feet!