Take Charge of Your Health - Happy Feet. Healthy Feet.
Updated information and links on COVID-19 are now available on the
Health-E³ website's new resource page on COVID-19
We are continuing to provide information on the myriad of health matters that can impact our daily lives.
For many of us right now, this includes walking...a lot of walking!
Whether we are #WFH or trying to reduce our stress levels, walking is up dramatically. So let's take care of our feet.
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Power and speed be hands and feet.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Happy Feet. Healthy Feet.
We often take our feet for granted, especially given the daily use (or abuse) they endure. Did you know that on average we walk over 100,000 miles in our lifetime? This is equivalent to walking around the Earth approximately six times. Our feet allow us to stand, balance, walk, and contribute to the alignment of our skeletal system.
The condition of our feet is important to our physical and emotional well-being. Feet need to be kept strong, healthy and comfortable. They are highly susceptible to injury because of constant use. With 26 bones in each foot, connected by many joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, the foot is one of the most complex and susceptible parts of our body.
Structural, systemic and infectious problems with our feet impact our mobility as well as our overall health, which is why it is important to develop healthy foot hygiene habits. These include:
Use a gentle soap, rinse your feet well after washing them, and dry them before putting on your socks.
Apply quality moisturizer before going to bed.
Trim your nails regularly, but don’t cut them too short to prevent ingrown toenails.
Wear well-fitting shoes.
Foot problems range from common issues such as blisters or athlete's foot to bunions and “flat foot” to even more significant conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, gout and plantar fascitis. Our feet are highly susceptible to bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Many foot remedies are available at local pharmacies.
Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection of the skin and is commonly associated with fungi and is often contracted from swimming pools, showers or locker rooms. Athlete's foot often appears as a red, scaly, itchy rash that can spread by touching the infection and then other areas of the body. Over the counter anti-fungal creams may help or if the problem persists, an anti-fungal medication can be prescribed by a podiatrist.
With bunions, a bump develops on the joint of the large toe and causes tenderness around the big toe and often pain when walking. Bunions may be common in your family health history or could be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow. In some cases, a bunion pad can help alleviate pressure and icing the foot may help the inflammation. In more severe cases, surgery could be required.
Flat foot is among the most common structural deformities of the foot in which the arch is collapsed or begins to collapse when the ligaments can no longer support the structure. Treatment can includes supportive shoes, inserts, orthotic devices or in some cases surgical intervention.
Diabetic neuropathy is caused by a group of conditions. People with diabetes often have fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. High sugar levels can damage nerves in the feet causing numbness, pain and a tingling “pins and needles” sensation. Treatment includes managing blood sugar levels, making healthy food choices, staying active and exercising on a regular basis, and taking prescription medications to help relieve the pain.
Gout is a form of arthritis and very often affects the big toe, but can also present in the knee, ankle and/or foot. Gout is caused by uric acid which forms crystals in the joints and can be very painful. The condition is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines that lower the uric acid level.
Plantar Fascitis is an inflammatory condition on the bottom of the foot that causes heel pain. Resting the foot, icing, taking anti-inflammatory drugs and stretching the foot before activity may be helpful. Foot orthotics (custom foot supports) can be helpful in supporting the arch of the foot and distributing the weight placed on the heel. In more acute cases, physical therapy or steroid injections may be necessary.
Since three out of four Americans will suffer from a foot ailment in their lifetime, it is vital we give our feet the care and attention they deserve.
As always, join us on the Health-E³ website blog page. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to ask questions about anything on the website or suggest ideas for additional helpful information. And remember, it's up to you to Take Charge of Your Health.