September 2020
Poor Circulation and the Lower Extremities
There are a few telling signs that may indicate you are experiencing poor circulation in your lower legs and feet. Common symptoms of poor circulation may include fatigue or cramping during physical activity, cramping during inactivity, swelling and achiness, tingling, and a persistent coldness. Poor circulation can make going about your everyday activities incredibly uncomfortable and can be an indicator of more serious health concerns. A lack of feeling or numbness can also develop in your lower extremities, increasing the risk of wounds going undetected. If wounds develop on your feet and are left untreated, it’s possible they may become infected, which can lead to serious complications down the road. For professional advice on how to treat poor circulation in your lower legs and feet, please speak with a podiatrist.
While poor circulation itself isn’t a condition; it is a symptom of another underlying health condition you may have. If you have any concerns with poor circulation in your feet contact one of our podiatrists of Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Poor Circulation in the Feet
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can potentially lead to poor circulation in the lower extremities. PAD is a condition that causes the blood vessels and arteries to narrow. In a linked condition called atherosclerosis, the arteries stiffen up due to a buildup of plaque in the arteries and blood vessels. These two conditions can cause a decrease in the amount of blood that flows to your extremities, therefore resulting in pain.
Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of poor circulation are:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Throbbing or stinging pain in limbs
- Pain
- Muscle Cramps
Treatment for poor circulation often depends on the underlying condition that causes it. Methods for treatment may include insulin for diabetes, special exercise programs, surgery for varicose veins, or compression socks for swollen legs.
As always, see a podiatrist as he or she will assist in finding a regimen that suits you. A podiatrist can also prescribe you any needed medication.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Wounds That Don't Heal Need to Be Checked
Your feet are covered most of the day. If you're diabetic, periodic screening is important for good health. Numbness is often a sign of diabetic foot and can mask a sore or wound.
Are Plantar Warts Contagious?
Plantar warts are warts that develop on the bottom of the feet. These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a contagious virus that infects the top layer of skin. HPV typically enters the body through broken skin, and warts are spread through direct contact with the virus. Sharing personal items that can harbor the virus, such as towels, shoes, socks, and razors can cause an infection. If you already have a wart, you can also reinfect yourself by touching the wart and then touching another part of your body. Warts often take months to develop after you have come in contact with HPV, so it is important to prevent HPV infections in the first place. Some prevention strategies include not sharing personal items, keeping the feet dry, and wearing shoes when walking through public areas or on warm, moist surfaces, like those at a public swimming pool. For more information about plantar warts, consult with a podiatrist.
Plantar warts can be very uncomfortable. If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.
About Plantar Warts
Plantar warts are the result of HPV, or human papillomavirus, getting into open wounds on the feet. They are mostly found on the heels or balls of the feet.
While plantar warts are generally harmless, those experiencing excessive pain or those suffering from diabetes or a compromised immune system require immediate medical care. Plantar warts are easily diagnosed, usually through scraping off a bit of rough skin or by getting a biopsy.
Symptoms
- Lesions on the bottom of your feet, usually rough and grainy
- Hard or thick callused spots
- Wart seeds, which are small clotted blood vessels that look like little black spots
- Pain, discomfort, or tenderness of your feet when walking or standing
Treatment
- Freezing
- Electric tool removal
- Laser Treatment
- Topical Creams (prescription only)
- Over-the-counter medications
To help prevent developing plantar warts, avoid walking barefoot over abrasive surfaces that can cause cuts or wounds for HPV to get into. Avoiding direct contact with other warts, as well as not picking or rubbing existing warts, can help prevent the further spread of plantar warts. However, if you think you have developed plantar warts, speak to your podiatrist. He or she can diagnose the warts on your feet and recommend the appropriate treatment options.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Should I Gradually Increase My Running Mileage?
The warm months of the year may encourage people to pursue the sport of running. This is considered to be a popular hobby, and methods can be implemented that may help to prevent running injuries from occurring. These can consist of wearing shoes that fit correctly, alternating between running and walking, and gradually increasing the mileage that is run each week. Research has indicated that it is best to let your feet rest between runs, and drinking plenty of water may help to increase hydration. There are numerous injuries that can happen to the feet while running, and it is suggested to consult with a podiatrist for additional ways on how to prevent running injuries.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists of Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned.
What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.
Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule. Adding strengthening exercises as well as regular stretching can help keep you strong and limber and can lessen the possibility of injuries.
- Stretching keeps muscles limber; this will help you gain better flexibility.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Excess Weight and Your Foot Health
Being overweight or obese can put you at risk for a variety of health conditions, but did you know that it can also increase your risk of foot pain? Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on your feet, potentially leading to strains, sprains, fallen arches, and a host of other foot and ankle problems. Furthermore, being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral artery disease, which are all associated with foot health problems, such as diabetic foot ulcers, loss of sensation, and poor circulation. Eating a balanced diet and regularly exercising can improve your overall health. Maintain your daily foot health by wearing padded socks and shoes to avoid injury to the feet, practicing good foot hygiene, and checking your feet regularly for cuts and bruises. Regular visits to a podiatrist can also help spot potential problems and prevent future ones. If you are experiencing foot pain, or want to learn more about what you can do to keep your feet healthy, consult with a podiatrist today.
The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from Accent Podiatry Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Obesity and Your Feet
People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.
Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity
- When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
- Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
- Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Arlington and Mansfield, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Blog Archives
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019