What Your Feet Say About Your Health

Since your feet are often one of the first places that exhibit signs of other health issues, your foot doctor can tell you a lot about your overall health by examining your feet. Since your feet are so far from your heart, problems with your circulatory system will often show up in your feet first, making them look or feel different.

Other foot symptoms that may reveal overall health problems include:

●Swollen ankles—These can be a sign of water retention that may be indicative of kidney problems.

●Foot cramps—This can indicate a dearth of minerals in your system. You need potassium and calcium for proper tendon, ligament, and muscle functioning.

●Open wounds—Sores on your feet that are not healing properly may be an indication of diabetic nerve issues or immune system difficulties.

●Overly dry skin—An allergic reaction in a different area of your body may cause skin to dry out. Diabetic neuropathy can also cause skin drying.

●Your toes look different—Loss of hair on the toes can be a sign of poor blood circulation. Lung cancer and pulmonary dysfunction can cause your toes to take on a more round shape.

●Numbness and tingling—The feeling of pins and needles is another sign of the peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes.

If you notice any abnormalities in your feet or ankles, contact your foot care professional. At Fit Feet for Life, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies and years of experience to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including heel pain, sports injuries, toe deformities, nail fungus, and plantar warts.  Bonnie Sanchez, DPM, and Gregory Cook, DPM, provide high quality foot and ankle care to patients in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area at our five offices conveniently located in Sun City Center, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and our two Tampa locations. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.