Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare - 41

Culprit 3

HealtH Conditions

The inflammation of osteoarthritis and gout can cause
foot swelling and pain. Being overweight stresses foot
muscles and joints, which leads to structural instability, and even foot ulcers. Diabetes also increases the
risk of foot ulcers and nerve damage. Toenail fungus
can be a problem for people with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis and other immune deficiencies.
If you're pregnant, swelling in your feet is usually
normal but can be a sign of preeclampsia (pregnancyrelated high blood pressure). Some medications can
also cause swollen feet, especially those used to treat
high blood pressure.
The Fix: Diabetics should inspect their feet daily
and keep blood sugar levels under control to prevent
foot ulcers. See a doctor if you notice open wounds or
toenail problems. Untreated ulcers can lead to serious infections and even amputation.
If you have a chronic health condition and begin to
notice numbness or prickly pain in your feet, have a
foot specialist check for neuropathy, or nerve damage.
Avoid going barefoot to reduce potential foot injury.
Your doctor may recommend padded socks and specialized footwear to reduce pressure and speed healing. If you're pregnant, pack away your pumps. Look
for shoes with a wide forefoot and adjustable straps
that accommodate the intermittent swelling that can
occur any given day during pregnancy.

Culprit 4

HigH-impaCt exerCise

photos by thinkstock

CAll

Distance runners, race-walkers, and serious hikers
and backpackers are prone to a long list of foot woes,
including corns, calluses, blisters, athlete's foot, fungal infections, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis

Have Tingling
in Your Toes?
Even if it isn't love, it might still involve your heart.
Tingling, numbness or pain in your feet or legs can be a
sign of poor circulation due to peripheral arterial disease
(PAD). Millions of Americans suffer from PAD, which is a
narrowing of the arteries in the legs. "PAD is easy and painless to diagnose," says Felix Gozo, MD, medical director of
St. Mary Medical Center's Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
program. "Screenings involve a handheld ultrasound and
blood pressure cuffs on the ankle and upper arm."

and metatarsalgia. Most problems are a result of
high-mileage training or excursions, and ill-fitting or
worn-out footwear.
The Fix: Replace running shoes every 400 to 600
miles. And be sure they fit correctly (unless you're
buying exact replacements, don't order online).
Orthopedists and podiatrists are divided about
barefoot-style running shoes. Before the invention of
footwear, humans mostly went barefoot. In the past
few years, going barefoot or wearing barefoot-style
shoes while running and hiking has gained popularity. Proponents claim the shoes are the fix for a wide
assortment of foot ills. As for technical innovations
in other athletic footwear, such as corrective devices
and enhancements designed to alter biomechanical
deficiencies (weakness, inflexibility), the jury is most
definitely out.

Community Healthcare System hospitals
offer low-cost screenings for PAD.
This simple 15-minute screening analyzes
leg arteries for blockages. For screening
dates and locations call 219-836-3477
or toll free 866-836-3477.

sUm mer 2014

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - Community Healthcare

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