6 things your feet are trying to tell you about your health
The feet, so far from our head, and often from our thoughts, are important to pay attention to because they can be wonderful indicators that something is wrong elsewhere in your body. Here are some of the signs that your feet are trying to tell you something.
1. Cold feet
If you have constantly cold feet, it can be an indicator of many different problems; poor circulation, anaemia, diabetes, or Raynaud’s disease – which causes blood vessels to narrow when nerves react strongly to cold.
2. Enlarged big toe
If your big toe is very swollen, red, hot, and very painful, it could be that you are suffering from gout – the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men. Not only is it painful for your toe, it can increase the chance of kidney stones.
3. Discoloured toenails
Toenails that are regularly painted with nail polish can take on a yellow hue, but if you notice your nails are a yellow colour and you don’t wear nail polish that often, it could very well be a sign of tuberculosis, sinusitis, an inflamed thyroid, or even jaundice caused by liver problems.
4. Tingling feet
If you’re experiencing pins and needles or numbness in your feet, it could indicate that you are having circulatory difficulties, or that your peripheral nervous system is damaged. If you are a diabetes patient, tingling feet is a sign of nerve damage. Numbness and tingling in the extremities can also be an early sign of multiple sclerosis.
5. Swollen feet
If your feet swell up regularly, it could indicate any number of health problems – from poor circulation and deep vein thrombosis to kidney or liver failure and blood clots. If you’re worried about swollen feet, it’s best to check with your GP.
6. Foot cramps and spasms
If your foot is cramping up, it could indicate dehydration which deprives your muscles of oxygen. Dehydration also causes muscles to go without electrolytes and other vital nutrients. If your foot spasms, it could be that you’re overexerting yourself, so dial things back a little and remember to take time to stretch out when you’re exercising.