Your whole body is great at sending warning signs when something is not quite right. However, it’s very common for people to dismiss the signs your feet are sending you. If you want to learn what signs to look out for, continue reading this blog post.
Foot Numbness
Sometimes after sitting down for too long or positioned in an odd spot, you can experience numbness in your feet and legs that eventually goes away. If you are experiencing numbness in the feet while you’re active and doing normal activities, this is something you can’t ignore.
Foot numbness is due to lack of blood flow, which can be a symptom of two things:
PAD
Peripheral neuropathy (a sign of diabetes)
Not only can this prevent injuries and wounds from healing quicker, but if left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems.
Pain in Arches/Heels
After a long day of walking or standing, it’s normal to experience some achiness in the feet. However, many people experience persistent pain in various parts of their feet due to a lack of support. Everyone has a different arch type which can cause potential problems and constant discomfort.
If you’re experiencing pain in your feet that is consistent, speak to your Podiatrist to see if your arch and shoe type is the cause.
Foot Pain in the Morning
In the morning if you get out of bed with burning or shooting foot pain, this can indicate a lot of potential issues. For starters, it could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. This is when your joints become inflamed and can cause pain even in the small joints of your feet, which is very painful.
It’s also possible that your morning foot pain is caused by plantar fasciitis, which can be from excessive running or walking, inadequate footgear, and jumping injury from landing.
Both of these conditions can be treated with regular exercise, proper foot support, and a visit to your Podiatrist.
Swelling in the Feet
If you’re experiencing swelling in your feet, this can be a sign of high blood pressure. On the more severe side, swelling can indicate illnesses such as congestive heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. Your best bet with swelling in the feet is to see your doctor right away.
Foot Cramps
Cramps can be common during or after exercising, but if you’re experiencing frequent cramping this can be a sign of dietary deficiencies, overwork or something more serious.
On the less severe side, this can simply mean you need to be consuming more calcium, potassium or magnesium. It can also mean you’ve overworked yourself from exercise or walking and need to hydrate more. On the less common but more severe cases, frequent foot cramps can mean a brain or nerve condition.
The Bottom Line
The best thing that you can do for your feet is to be aware of any changes, pain, and discomfort. If you notice any of the signs we listed, contact us and we can help you schedule an appointment.