3 Health Issues that Affect Your Feet

Feet are so underappreciated but vital to a normal lifestyle. They are your base and provide a means to get from point A to point B with little to no hassle if they are functioning correctly. Sadly, people don’t even think to be grateful for their feet until they become a problem. If you are someone that takes your feet for granted here are a few health problems that can be a disaster for your body if you don’t have proper foot care.

Diabetes

There are two major problems that diabetes can cause that affect your feet. These two issues can then lead to a host of other problems.

• Diabetic Neuropathy – This is when your nerves become damaged and make it so your feet can no longer feel heat, cold, or pain. They essentially become numb. When you can’t feel pain, then you won’t notice a cut on your foot, meaning you won’t know to take care of it, and then the cut can get infected. Diabetic neuropathy can also make it difficult for the muscles of your feet to function properly because the nerves that help move the muscles are damaged.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease – Diabetes can affect the flow of blood in your body. When your blood flow isn’t great then it is harder for cuts or sores to heal. If your sores and cuts can’t heal then you have a chance of developing gangrene.

Arthritis

There are three major types of arthritis that affect the feet, according to OrthoInfo.

• Osteoarthritis – Also called “wear-and-tear” arthritis, this form of arthritis is common in older people, but that doesn’t mean it can’t affect young people as well. In this form of arthritis, the cartilage in the joint wears away over time, and eventually, the bones are left rubbing against each other.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – This is a chronic disease that can affect joints throughout your body, but it typically starts down at your feet. In this disease, the immune cells attack the synovium covering your joints, causing them to swell. Eventually, this can lead to joint deformity and disability.  
• Posttraumatic Arthritis – Your cartilage wears away because of a previous injury, specifically injuries that damaged the joint surface. Once the cartilage has worn away enough your bones will begin rubbing together.

Obesity

Your feet support your entire body. The more you weigh the more stress is put on your feet with every step you take. Being obese wears down your foot structure over time because the tissues in your feet have to stretch as the pads in your feet get smashed down. With all this happening the muscles in your feet are having to work overtime to move a load that is heavier than they were designed to carry.

Don’t take your feet for granted. They support all of you, from your knees to the top of your head. They are what help you to balance and help you get around. Try and listen to your feet and be aware of what can affect their proper function.