Why You need to Take Foot Pain Seriously

HOUSTON - Nov. 28, 2016 - PRLog -- Per Dr. Bernard Danna, DPM at Houston Family Foot and Ankle,"Approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from arthritis, according to an estimate by the Arthritis Foundation. About 8 million Americans suffer from peripheral arterial disease. With such huge numbers, it's clear our feet experience too much. So what do these figures and foot pain have in common? Well, the feet is where symptoms first appear and this is why you need to take foot pain seriously.

Swollen or Sore Feet: Gout?

It's possible gout is the culprit if you experience swelling in your big toe, or your ankle or knee. Gout is uric acid build-up and it's something to take seriously. Fortunately, this condition is treatable and there are preventative measures you can take to keep it from happening again.

Cold Feet: Hypothyroidism?

No, it's not about backing out of a deal but it is about how cold your feet feel when going about your day. Hypothyroidism is a condition which causes the thyroid gland to underperform, Since the thyroid helps to regulate body temperature, cold feet could be an indication of hypothyroidism.

Sores and/or Numb Feet: Diabetes?

If you have sores on your feet that do not seem to heal normally and/or experience numbness in your feet, it could be a sign of type 2 diabetes. It can also indicate peripheral nerve damage in your feet and elsewhere.

Sore Toe Joints: Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Some of the smallest joints in the human body are contained in the feet and hands. If you experience sore toe joints, this could be an indication of the autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis. The reason is because rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually appear in the feet and hands first.

Toe and Leg Hair Loss: Peripheral Arterial Disease?

While it's unusually striking, some people do experience a loss of hair on their toes and legs. That's one sign of many it's due to peripheral arterial disease. Other signs are changes in your legs' color, numbness or weakness, as well as painful cramping and slow-healing sores on your toes and feet. Peripheral arterial disease increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Dr. Bernard Danna has been a teaching physician for Houston area residency programs for more than 35 years and Dr. Teri Baker, DPM now serves as a teaching physician for the St. Joseph Medical Center residency program. Together they provide the very best treatments for Houston Podiatry at http://houstonfamilyfootandankle.com