evey 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2009 (edited) FOOT CARE It has been a long time we believe that feet should be hidden and covered; therefore Foot Care is often considered an unimportant element. In our modern lifestyle, Foot Care is instead the fundamental secret to well being and harmony. Simple daily foot care can prevent serious problems! FOOT CARE FACTS The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. 1/4 of all the bones in the human body are down in your feet. When these bones are out of alignment, so is the rest of the body. Women have about four times as many foot problems as men. High heels are partly to blame. Your feet mirror your general health. Conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in the feet - so foot ailments can be your first sign of more serious medical problems. About 60-70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which in severe forms can lead to lower limb amputations. Approximately 56,000 people a year lose their foot or leg to diabetes. Walking barefoot can cause plantar warts. The virus enters through a cut. 4 MAJOR FOOT PROBLEMS Cracked heels are common foot problems that are often referred to as heel fissures. Cracked heels are commonly caused by dry skin, and made more complicated if the skin around the rim of the heel is thick. For most people this is a nuisance but when the fissures or cracks are deep, they are painful to stand on and the skin can bleed - in severe cases this can become infected. Preventing cracked heels by: Wear sleepers at home because there are dust particles on the floor also. Apply good moisturizer or oil through massage onto your feet as often as required. Cold feet are common condition that affects many patients from all walks of life. The body responds to cold temperatures by reducing the blood flow to the extremities leaving the feet vulnerable. Chronic cold feet are often a result of impaired circulation (peripheral neuropathy) and lack of mobility. Patients with Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Arthritis and Cerebral Palsy are at risk of this condition. One of the major causes of cold feet is peripheral neuropathy which can affect the feet and hands trying to protect core temperature. Preventing cold feet: As a result of cold feet, dry skin or cracks in the skin can lead to severe infection when inadequate blood flow is present. Individuals who are affected by peripheral neuropathy are particularly vulnerable to cold and are at risk of serious complications due to poor circulation to the feet and legs. It is extremely important to keep the patients feet warm and to keep the skin moisturized. Wear socks to insulates feet from the cold ground, keep feet warm. Sweaty Feet: Foot sweating rarely occurs on its own. More often than not, it appears in conjunction with Palmar Hyperhidrosis or abnormal hand sweating. If the hands don't sweat profusely but either the foot does, the condition is called solitary foot sweating. For some people, excessive foot sweating leaves them with smelly feet because of the microbes proliferating in the sweat. Preventing sweaty feet: If the feet are always covered, foot sweating develops. It also pays to let your foot breathe normally so it can release excess water and fluids from the sweat glands and the skin pores naturally. Treat your feet to some soothing and cooling treats every once in a while. Smelly Feet (foot odor) can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Feet can smell as the foot sweats and it's trapped inside footwear. It is the interaction of these two factors along with bacteria that cause the smell. Feet have more sweat glands than any other part of the body, so they can sweat profusely which can not evaporate (like it can on the hands) due to being enclosed in footwear. The bacteria produce isovaleric acid which is what causes the odor. A number of conditions can increase the chance for smelly feet, such as a stress, some drugs and hormonal changes. Preventing smelly feet: Good foot hygiene to reduce bacteria to low levels: Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm water with a mild soap and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes. Change your socks at least once a day (change your shoe insoles as well if you do sweat a lot). Dust your feet frequently with a foot powder Wear absorbent materials thick, soft socks to help absorb the moisture. Avoid the use of nylon socks or plastic shoes - wear shoes that are made of leather, canvas, mesh or other materials that let the feet breathe. RHEUMATISM, DIABETIC & FOOT CARE Rheumatism & Feet The foot is a fantastic instrument. A sensitive interaction between bones, joints and muscles keeps us upright, in movement and in balance. Rheumatic pain and swollen joints disturb this interaction, causing us to place an unnatural strain on our feet. This can subsequently lead to misalignment and repetitive stress injuries in other joints. It is therefore important for persons with rheumatism to begin practicing preventive foot care and wearing correct footwear at an early stage. Have shoes for work, indoor shoes and recreation shoes. Diabetic & Feet Many complications can be associated with diabetes. Diabetes disrupts the vascular system, affecting many areas of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, legs, and feet. Diabetic foot conditions develop from a combination of causes including poor circulation and neuropathy. Diabetic Neuropathy can cause insensitivity or a loss of ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, or pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result and lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation. Neuropathy can also cause deformities such as Bunions, Hammer Toes, and Charcot Feet. Poor circulation contributes to diabetic foot problems by reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin and other tissue, causing injuries to heal poorly. Poor circulation can also lead to swelling and dryness of the foot. Preventing foot complications is more critical for the diabetic patient because poor circulation impairs the healing process and can lead to ulcers, infection, and other serious foot conditions. People with diabetes should pay special attention to their feet. It is very important for diabetics to take the necessary precautions to prevent all foot related injuries. When a diabetic patient takes the necessary preventative foot care measures, he or she reduces the risks of serious foot conditions. Keep the Skin Soft and Smooth. Do not walk barefoot, not even indoors. Simple daily foot care can prevent serious problems! Edited April 3, 2009 by evey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
