How Healthy Feet Can Change Your Life

Posted by Erin Gregory on July 18th, 2021

Many people take their feet for granted. As a result, foot related ailments are often ignored or placed on the backburner. In reality, your feet make up 25% of all of the bones in your body. Foot related problems can affect other vital parts of your body and make performing basic tasks almost impossible.

With that in mind, foot care is critical. There are many simple exercises that you can do to help optimize the health of your feet. Walking, for example, is an easy way to keep your feet in tip-top shape.

It is also essential to keep your feet clean and dry, and to also inspect them regularly. Ensuring that you wear the proper footwear reduces the risk of spurs, spasms, tendonitis, and swelling.

Here’s how healthy feet can change your life.

Importance of Feet Health

Healthy feet are the foundation of a healthy body. When your feet have issues, the rest of your body will also suffer as well. For instance, healthy feet will reduce the risk of leg pain? Healthy feet also reduce the risk of posture and balance issues and minimize the risk of joint and back pain. Maintaining optimal foot health should be a top priority. Even organ functionality may be impeded due to serious foot problems.

Diabetes or gangrene of the foot can lead to amputations that will require a wheelchair for the patient to travel.

Alarmingly, 1 out of 5 North Americans have dealt with at least one foot-related issue in the past year, but many do nothing about it.

Walking Improves Feet Health

There are many mental and physical benefits of walking. You can increase your endurance, stamina, and energy by walking. Regular walking can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and help you sleep better.

Joint pain can also be relieved by walking, and walking may also help people lose weight when combined with a healthy and balanced diet. You will also strengthen your muscles and bones and help promote optimal blood circulation by walking every day.

Complications that Result From Poor Foot Care

1. Foot ulcers

Foot ulcers tend to develop on the bottom of the big toe or the ball of the foot. Poorly fitting shoes may lead to ulcers, and any ulcers should be seen by a chiropodist as soon as possible.

While some ulcers do not cause pain, they should still not be ignored. An ulcer may become infected, and some severe ulcers may lead to the amputation of the infected foot.

If your foot does become infected, your healthcare provider will clean out any infected or dead tissue. You will also likely be prescribed an antibiotic to help you recover and stave off the infection.

You may also be required to wear a cast, brace, or special shoe on your foot, as walking on an ulcer may cause the ulcer to become deeply embedded into your foot.

2. Ingrown toenails

An ingrown toenail may occur due to trauma to the toes. Genetics may also play a role in some cases. However, most ingrown toenails occur due to compressed toes, nails that have been poorly trimmed, or curved nails.

Tender skin and discomfort are the most commonly reported symptoms of minor ingrown toenails. Painkillers, warm soaks, and topical antibiotics may provide relief for some patients.

However, more severe cases will likely become infected and cause pus, bleeding, redness, and severe pain. Some ingrown toenails can only be removed via surgery.

3. Fungal nail infection

A moist environment may cause fungi to grow on your toenail. If you notice yellow spots, crumbling, streaking, or flaking on your toenails, you may be dealing with a fungal nail infection.

Contaminated nail instruments, swimming pools, and locker rooms can cause a fungal nail infection, as can a skin injury to your toes. Most fungal nail infections can be treated with a topical antifungal medication.

4. Flat foot

If you notice a lack of arch in your foot when you are standing on a flat surface, you may be dealing with a flat foot. Flat foot is usually caused by genetic issues and should only be a concern if you have problems when standing or exercising for prolonged periods.

As for treatments, simple changes to your lifestyle, pain relievers, or orthotics may provide relief.

Tips for Keeping Feet Healthy

Try to walk and exercise every day to promote optimal blood circulation. Maintain proper hygiene and clip your toenails whenever you have some free time.

Also, ensure that the footwear that you wear is not too tight. Your feet need ample room to breathe. Moisturizing your feet is also very important to ensure that your skin is healthy and rejuvenated.

If you have diabetes, you should wear slippers or shoes whenever possible. Calluses and corns should also not be treated yourself. Please visit your doctor as soon as possible.

Over-the-counter medications should also be avoided if you are an elderly adult dealing with a foot issue. Again, please speak to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Older adults should also avoid standing for a prolonged period and avoid exposing their feet to very hot or cold temperatures.

You should also have annual checkups with a local chiropodist to ensure that your feet are in perfect condition. The vast majority of foot problems can be treated quickly without the need for invasive procedures or powerful painkillers when they are detected early.

Healthy Feet Improve Your Life

If you want to be proactive and live a long and healthy life, you should make your feet a top priority. An easy way to optimize your feet’ health is to stick to a regular foot care regime. Speak to your chiropodist to determine the best course of action, as each person is different and may have unique needs.