You need to pay more attention to the health of your feet. Ignoring foot problems could lead to worse health problems in the future. Conditions such as plantar fasciitis, complications from diabetes, and general foot health can all be helped by the attention of a podiatrist, or foot doctor.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis, And How Can I Get Rid of It?
About 10% of the adult population suffers from plantar fasciitis. What is plantar fasciitis? It’s an inflammation of the plantar fascia that runs the length of the bottom of the foot. The condition causes pain and tightness in the heel and arch of the foot.
The person may find that the pain is worse in the morning, and improves throughout the day. This is because our body’s fascia relaxes a little when it is warmed up. A foot doctor can help treat the issue. The simplest method is to practice gentle stretching in the morning and at night. Rolling the foot across a tennis ball, with a focus on the arch, can be beneficial. The foot doctor might also make recommendations on lifestyle changes that could prevent the condition from occurring again.
People With Diabetes Need to Keep an Eye On the Health of Their Feet.
People with diabetes can develop complications related to their disease. These complications could take the form of peripheral neuropathy or loss of sensation in the feet from less robust blood flow. A diabetic foot care specialist can perform regular examinations to check for problems the client might not notice. These problems could be a small infection from a minor cut, or ingrown toenail. In fact, there are 200,000 cases of hammertoe a year according to the Mayo Clinic.
How to Keep Your Feet Healthy All Your Life.
You don’t need to have a chronic health condition to take excellent care of your feet. Anyone can develop bunions or plantar fasciitis. Wearing properly fitting footwear is always a good idea. If you are unsure of what properly fitting shoes will feel like or what to look for, a good podiatrist can help. Remember that your feet can change over time. Healthy feet require regular, preventive care.
Ignoring your feet can lead to problems. Whether you have diabetes or chronic pain in your heal, it’s important to take care of your feet. Take care of your body from head to toe by getting occasional check ups with a trusted foot doctor.