Most people pay keen attention to body parts they can see like their eyes, fingernails, palms, and skin for any signs of a health issue. Over the years, this has been helpful for many individuals, assisting them in identifying any underlying problems before a particular one becomes severe.
However, warning signs that the feet send about general people’s health often go unnoticed by others. Most doctors attribute this to the fact that other organs are closer to the eye, and hence, any unusual changes may be easily noticeable. However, the feet may be often covered up, making it difficult to detect any concerns that could be telltale signs of a health issue.
What Your Feet Are Telling You
In truth, your feet could be saying a lot about your overall well-being than other body parts. From painful toes to discolored nails and other symptoms, these organs could be alerting you of a particular health issue that other parts are yet to pick up. So it’s advisable to regularly check your feet to ensure that any developing problems are identified in time before they become severe.
If you notice any unusual changes in how your feet feel or appear, it’s best to visit a specialist near you. For instance, if you live in Queensland, Australia, you could visit any podiatrist Sunshine Coast clinic or other facilities around you. If you’re unsure of the expert from whom to seek treatment, consider checking several professionals’ online reviews. If you find one who’s rated highly, it’s best to consult them. Alternatively, you could ask for friends’ referrals instead.
However, before walking into a doctor’s office, it’d be good to know what your feet may be telling you. Some foot issues could be harmless and wouldn’t warrant further concern. Nonetheless, some could be warning signs for a serious underlying problem.
If you’ve noticed something unusual with your feet, this post could be of great help. Below is a list of signs you must never ignore and what they could be hinting at:
Foot Ulcer Or Sore That Won’t Heal
When attending to daily activities, injuring your feet is highly likely. You could be hit by an object while walking or something heavy could fall on your foot. In most instances, bruises or wounds may heal by themselves or with medication.
However, if you notice a cut, sore, or ulcer that won’t heal, it’s advisable to get checked, as this could be a sign of diabetes. It’s believed that excessive sugar levels could hinder blood circulation. As a result, sufficient amounts may not reach some parts of the body, like the feet. In this case, if you’ve got a wound on your foot, proper healing may be hindered.
Dry And Flaky Feet
Dry skin on your feet may sometimes be harmless. In most cases, the condition may be treated by moisturizing or exfoliating. However, if this problem doesn’t go away, this could be a sign of a thyroid problem.
Usually, the thyroid gland controls tissue growth, blood pressure, and metabolic rate. If this organ isn’t functioning properly, severe skin dryness may be caused. Therefore, if you experience such a symptom and a moisturizer or exfoliation doesn’t improve the condition, you better have a doctor check your thyroid.
Enlarged And Painful Big Toe
Gout disease is a form of arthritis that could give rise to pain in your big toe. Usually, this illness is caused by increased levels of uric acid. For most people, this substance is often passed out through urine. However, it may be in excess for some individuals and therefore under-excreted, causing abnormal amounts to remain in the body. Most specialists identify that the first signs of gout may be red, hard, swollen, and painful joints, and mainly one’s big toe.
Therefore, if you experience such symptoms on one of your feet, visit a specialist immediately. They could offer medication and advise you on foods that lower uric acid levels in your body. As a result, you could prevent the disease from becoming more serious.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential if you notice any unusual changes in your body. This could ensure you avoid the progression of an unidentified illness. Most people check various parts of their bodies like the hands, the eyes, and fingernails for any signs of a particular disease. However, experts have identified that the feet could tell an individual more about their general wellness than their other organs.
For instance, an ulcer or sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes, and an enlarged and painful big toe could be hinting at gout. Additionally, dry and flaky feet could tell of a thyroid problem. Thus, if you experience any of these symptoms, go see your doctor as soon as you can. This could prevent the advancement of such issues into more severe health problems.
