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What do your feet say about your health? A look at your teammates can help treat and prevent disease.

Image: Cristian Newman on Unsplash

Our feet, in general, are disliked by all of us. They spend a good part of the day cloistered in the confines of our shoes, taking us from one place to another, whether on foot, driving or even on a bicycle, always helping us in our daily tasks. And the feet don't just help when it comes to getting around. They are also great indicators of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal, vitamin deficiency, diabetes and many others. Look out for signs of possible disease through the feet:

Disappearance of hair on the toes

Problem: poor circulation.

The shedding of hair on the feet can indicate circulatory problems, since, by not receiving enough circulation, the hair follicles are not able to remain intact and end up falling out; it is often accompanied by low temperature in the foot region. This problem is typically found in vascular diseases - usually arteriosclerosis - which is the hardening of the arteries that bring blood to the extremities. Poor circulation can also be related to heart problems, such as the heart's poor blood pumping mechanism - which can cause circulatory problems. It is recommended to make an appointment with a vascular surgeon for evaluation.

Digital clubbing or digital clubbing

Problem: gastrointestinal, lung or heart problems

During examinations, patients have the tips of their fingers raised; it even resembles a badly angled finger. So-called digital clubbing, or finger clubbing, can occur in a single finger or several, and is often seen as a sign of lung disease, and even lung cancer. It can also indicate a gastric problem such as Crohn's Disease or heart problems. The doctor can only learn more by asking for additional tests.

foot burn

Problem: neuropathy

“The burning sensation in the feet is usually caused by some kind of nerve problem,” says Dr. John Scheffel, DPM, founder of Scheffel Foot Center, in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA). Neuropathy is a general term for nerve dysfunction. Its causes include diabetes, vitamin deficiencies and medication side effects. The first step is to determine the cause of the neuropathy or numbness. If no cause can be identified, this is called idiopathic peripheral neuropathy. Medications can be prescribed to decrease nerve pain and the burning sensation.

numbness

Problem: diabetes

Podiatrists perform different types of nerve tests to check for sharp or numb sensations. People with sensory impairment have peripheral neuropathy, which can indicate diabetes, as the high sugar content impacts the nerves, causing them to malfunction. “Someone with neuropathy might have a thorn in their side and not know it,” says Anthony Weinert, a podiatrist from Michigan (USA) and author of the book "Stop Feet Pain Fast”

If you have neuropathy but good blood sugar levels, you may have a misaligned foot position where when you put weight on it, it succumbs to the weight. A nerve running along the side of the foot becomes elongated and eventually compresses, which will lead to loss of nerve sensation in the area. Orthotics and small shoe inserts help correct alignment.

brittle nails

Problem: vitamin deficiency

Brittle nails can mean a lack of vitamin A and D, as vitamin D, along with calcium and magnesium, are the foundation for healthy nails. “Sufficient amounts of vitamin D obtained either by casual exposure to sunlight or from supplements can increase calcium absorption and raise the level of magnesium in the body,” says Afsane Latifi, a podiatrist in Manhattan (USA). Lack of fatty acids can also cause inflammatory conditions around the nails, leaving them weak and brittle. Some medical conditions responsible for the weakening of the nails also include Raynaud's Disease, hypothyroidism, lung disease, tuberculosis and Sjogren's Syndrome.

Swelling, pain and redness

Problem: gout

“It's a red, hot, swollen thumb and it's so painful that patients can't even stand a sheet touching it,” says Weinert. It's like a severe toothache in the big toe.

Gout develops when there is a lot of uric acid, usually derived from your diet, whether from excessive consumption of wine, cheese or red meat.

Patients with gout produce too much uric acid or excrete too little. Patients begin a low-purine diet, which involves eating carbohydrates, low-fat dairy products, and very little meat and other protein sources, in addition to taking preventive medications.

Cramps or muscle pain

Problem: dehydration or lack of potassium

Cramps in the feet and muscle pain in the calf often result in low potassium levels or dehydration. If you have a problem with foot or leg cramps, eat a banana before strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water before and after exercising. It's also worth stretching your feet before bed.

Crack in the feet

Problem: overweight or dehydration

A crack in your feet can indicate that you drink too little water, spend too much time barefoot or wearing open shoes, take a very hot shower, or are overweight. Your feet may be suffering from overload - from weight, heat, or exertion. To alleviate the problem, include footbath in your health care routine at least twice a week. Dry your feet well after scalding them and apply a mild moisturizing cream. If the cracks are too deep or have already turned into cuts, it is best to seek medical help.

Cracks in the toenails

Problem: psoriasis

In about half of patients with psoriasis, tiny holes are found in the fingers and toenails, such as cracks. More than 3/4 of those with psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis related to psoriasis that affects the joints, also have pustule-marked nails. Nails can also be thick, yellowish or brownish. Your doctor can diagnose and treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with medication and dietary and lifestyle changes. Nails can sometimes return to normal if the problem is treated early.

In the video below, the podiatrist and surgeon, Suzanne Levine, explains a little more about the feet and what they have to do with your health: