We tend to look at our feet only when we get a pedicure, try on new shoes, or put a band-aid on a corn. Doctors, on the other hand, advise paying attention to the feet more often, because our “foundations” can reveal many secrets about the state of he alth of the whole organism.
1. Swollen feet
Sometimes feet "a la Shrek" are just the consequences of standing for a long time, sitting still in an uncomfortable position or ill-fitting shoes. But if the swelling does not subside for 2-3 days, you need to see a doctor. The feet are located quite far from the heart, so it is in them that problems with blood circulation often occur. Swollen feet can be a sign of excess fluid in the body, caused by heart disease, kidney or liver failure.
2. Cold feet
Perhaps your apartment is just cold. But it is also likely that your blood does not circulate well through the blood vessels. This common problem is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle - the scourge of our Internet active generation. Well, think about it, bad circulation! It's not so simple: even in a few hours, it can lead to blood clots, deterioration of the thyroid gland, Raynaud's disease (caused by spasms in the blood vessels), peripheral neuropathy.
Convinced? If your feet are constantly cold, see your doctor. By the way, a sign of poor blood circulation is the absence of small hairs on the toes and skin of the feet. Yes, this, of course, facilitates depilation, but it may mean that the blood does not reach the feet in sufficient quantities, and there is simply not enough blood supply to the hair follicles.
If your feet are cold all the time, it may be a sign of hypothyroidism (a decrease in thyroid activity), which often accompanies adulthood (from 40 years old). The disease itself is not particularly pleasant, and even causes hair loss, chronic fatigue, unexplained weight gain and depression (well, this is understandable in the presence of previous symptoms!). In general, see a doctor, take a simple blood test, and subsequent medication will quickly put everything in its place.
3. Fragrant feet
Are you sure that the most “fragrant” part of your body is your armpits? Wrong! There are more sweat glands on the feet, which often produce not the most pleasant smell. If your feet constantly smell sour, then you may have hyperhidrosis - the diagnosis is not terrible, but annoying. Recall the advice of grandmothers: wash your feet with soap, “ventilate” after washing, change socks more often (or wear special ones that absorb sweat), use talcum powder or baby powder to avoid blisters, etc. However, in some cases, unpleasant foot odor can be sign of a fungal infection. So if the advice of grandmothers does not help, and the smell persists, you should consult a doctor.
4. Ringing feet
Tingling or numbness in the feet or toes that gets worse at night indicates a lack of vitamins, particularly vitamin B12 or folic acid. This symptom also occurs with elevated sugar levels or even diabetes. Aching pain in the legs and feet that makes it difficult to fall asleep at night - doctors call this condition "restless legs syndrome" - is often associated with a lack of iron in the body. Whatever the reason, the fact is that you need to get tested.
5. Blue feet
Medicine defines this phenomenon as “cyanosis” and explains that the reason for the “wrong” color of the feet is an insufficient supply of oxygen to the blood. This symptom may indicate a chronic problem related to the blood supply, heart, or lungs. In the worst case scenario, we are talking about an approaching heart attack. If bluish feet are not the only cause for concern, and you occasionally experience shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up mucus, or a fever, see your doctor immediately.
6. Yellowish or misshapen toenails
Not all of us can boast of perfect toenails, even if we regularly visit a pedicure master. But still, he althy nails should be pinkish and grow along the axis of the fingers. If the nails look sunken, pressed into the fingers, this may be a sign of iron deficiency or even anemia. Yellowish nails growing away from the nail bed are suggestive of a fungal infection. Ingrown nails are also a nuisance that, in advanced cases, requires the attention of a surgeon.
7. Tricolor feet
If the feet are red, then white, then blue, then spotty-striped, it's not about patriotism, but about the suspicion of Raynaud's disease. With this disease, the small arteries in the feet narrow, and the tissues do not receive enough oxygen. Additional evidence - numbness or tingling in the feet. The disease is theoretically not dangerous, and warming the feet is often enough to make the discomfort disappear, but if discomfort and discoloration occur frequently, it is better to see a doctor.
8. Cramping Feet
Cramps in the legs and feet happen to everyone, and the range of "meanings" of this symptom is huge - from serious problems with blood circulation or nerve damage to harmless dehydration or an unbalanced diet. If you are active in sports, drink as much water as possible, as dehydration can cause muscle cramps. In addition, consult your doctor: he may prescribe an additional intake of potassium, magnesium or calcium, since with a lack of these trace elements, convulsions occur more often than usual. Relief can bring a foot bath with warm water and sipping - pull your fingers towards you. Seek medical attention if seizures occur frequently.
9. Non-healing wound on the feet
This trouble is a significant sign of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar can damage the nerve in the foot, and so any scrape, abrasion, callus, or cut will not cause discomfort, but may well become inflamed. In the most neglected version, this threatens with amputation. A non-healing wound can also be a sign of skin cancer: yes, melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin, even between the toes, so be careful during your annual doctor's checkups.