Our feet take a beating every day. We exert a lot of pressure on them, walking here and there, running up and down stairs, sometimes carrying heavy loads, showing them no mercy. Many of us spend more hours on our feet in a given day than off of them. At the end of a long day of being on our feet, the next best thing to a warm bath and something good to eat is a luxurious foot rub to release the tension and restore the comfort. That usually does the trick for me. However, unusual or intense foot pain can signal a serious medical condition.
Many diseases can lead to harmful changes in the feet. For example, if your thyroid is not working properly, it may contribute to problems with your nerves that can affect the sensations in your feet. Also, if you are experiencing degenerative issues in your lower back, the nerves that come off of the spinal cord can become irritated, which could adversely affect the health of your feet. The three most common conditions that can result in foot pain and unhealthy feet are peripheral arterial disease, arthritis, and diabetes.
Roughly eight million Americans suffer from peripheral arterial disease, also known as PAD. With this condition, plaque builds up in the arteries in the legs, which reduces the blood flow to the lower legs and feet. Calf muscles may begin to cramp while you move around, and foot pain may also come into play, including foot wounds that are slow to heal. Of course, this disease also affects the heart and the brain, posing a much greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
The Arthritis Foundation indicates that there are 46 million American with arthritis or other long-term conditions affecting their joints. For those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis – about 1.3 million Americans – roughly 90 percent will develop symptoms in their feet and ankles.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack the joints, making them painful and swollen. This can include severe foot pain. The pain usually begins in the toes, eventually spreading to the rest of the foot and the ankle. The resulting joint damage can even cause a change in the shape of the foot and the toes. For some people, the foot symptoms are their first clue that they might have rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, this disease can often be effectively treated with certain medications, exercises, and, when necessary, surgery.
Gout is another form of arthritis associated with foot pain. Gout is the result of a large accumulation of uric acid in the body, deposits of which collect in the joints, mainly in the big toes, causing intense, episodic pain. I have a friend who suffers from this periodically, and the pain it causes him is quite unbearable. It literally keeps him down for a few days. He cannot even walk. If too much uric acid builds up, it can cause kidney stones.
Doctors can treat this condition with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other types of medications. Drinking plenty of water, getting adequate exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can greatly reduce the risk of gout attacks.
Statistics indicate that about 24 million Americans have diabetes, and six million of the group aren’t even aware they have it--yet. If you have this condition, the blood sugar that your body would normally use as fuel can build up in your blood. The excess sugar can cause nerve damage and damage to the blood vessels in the feet, which can eventually lead to a loss of sensation and a decrease in blood flow.
The symptoms of high blood sugar can include numbness or tingling in the feet and severe foot infections. In fact, diabetes is a major cause of foot problems in the U.S. today, and it can lead to the possibility of having a toe or perhaps even parts of the foot or lower leg surgically removed. Regular foot exams are necessary for those suffering from diabetes.
Sure, a long day on your feet can naturally make them feel sore and tired, but if you notice any foot pain that seems unusual or not in line with your normal level of physical activity, please consult your doctor. It could be a warning sign that something is not right. A minor foot problem today could become a major health issue in a heartbeat.
When you have this information in your arsenal, you can always stay one step ahead!
(Information for this article was found at http://www.everydayhealth.com/foot-health/foot-pain-can-signal-serious-conditions.aspx)