HEALTH: What Your Feet Reveal about
Your Health
If your eyes are the windows to your soul, the feet can offer a view of the state of your body. Your feet reveal many health conditions from thyroid to heart problems (Dr. Oliver Zong) This was very interesting to me since I always had cold feet as a kid and teenager and now struggle with cramping and swollen feet. Not only what you eat affects your feet, but how much time you are on your feet and the type of shoes you where. Strength exercises, stretching and massaging your feet will help. If you have any of the following, please follow up with your physician, especially if you already have thyroid issues.
COLD FEET: always cold? May be a sign of underactive thyroid, especially if you have dry skin and hair and fatigue.
SWOLLEN BIG TOES: sore, swollen, red and warm big toe is classic hallmark of gout (form of arthritis and very painful)
FREQUENT FOOT CRAMPS: muscle spasms in the feet signal electrolyte imbalance - lack of magnesium and potassium - or also low blood sugar or poor circulation. Pinched nerves and some medications such as diuretics can cause spasms.
UNEXPLAINED NUMBNESS: in rare cases, numbness and tingling feet can be a sign of MS, nerve damage, fibromyalgia or diabetes
SWOLLEN FEET: some people notice feet swell after an injury or lots of activity, but if it does not go away within a couple of days, this could be a sign of heart failure or kidney disease
CLUBBED TOENAILS: when the nails appear rounded on top and then curve downward, this could be a symptom of lung disease. It could also be caused by heart disease, liver and digestive disorders or certain infections
YELLOW FLAKY TOENAILS: toenail fungus, also called onchomycosis is usually benign, but if not treated, the infection can casue a loss of dexterity and can spread beyond the toe into the body
If your eyes are the windows to your soul, the feet can offer a view of the state of your body. Your feet reveal many health conditions from thyroid to heart problems (Dr. Oliver Zong) This was very interesting to me since I always had cold feet as a kid and teenager and now struggle with cramping and swollen feet. Not only what you eat affects your feet, but how much time you are on your feet and the type of shoes you where. Strength exercises, stretching and massaging your feet will help. If you have any of the following, please follow up with your physician, especially if you already have thyroid issues.
COLD FEET: always cold? May be a sign of underactive thyroid, especially if you have dry skin and hair and fatigue.
SWOLLEN BIG TOES: sore, swollen, red and warm big toe is classic hallmark of gout (form of arthritis and very painful)
FREQUENT FOOT CRAMPS: muscle spasms in the feet signal electrolyte imbalance - lack of magnesium and potassium - or also low blood sugar or poor circulation. Pinched nerves and some medications such as diuretics can cause spasms.
UNEXPLAINED NUMBNESS: in rare cases, numbness and tingling feet can be a sign of MS, nerve damage, fibromyalgia or diabetes
SWOLLEN FEET: some people notice feet swell after an injury or lots of activity, but if it does not go away within a couple of days, this could be a sign of heart failure or kidney disease
CLUBBED TOENAILS: when the nails appear rounded on top and then curve downward, this could be a symptom of lung disease. It could also be caused by heart disease, liver and digestive disorders or certain infections
YELLOW FLAKY TOENAILS: toenail fungus, also called onchomycosis is usually benign, but if not treated, the infection can casue a loss of dexterity and can spread beyond the toe into the body
