Foot Pain: Four Common Causes
No one wants to be in any kind of pain but foot pain is especially annoying because it inhibits your ability to perform a basic physical function, i.e., walk. Even mild or moderate foot pain often makes it difficult or impossible to perform daily activities such as shopping or exercising. This article offers a basic guide to four common causes of foot pain.
Arthritis
Various types of arthritis can cause pain in your feet. A common form of arthritis, known as osteoarthritis, often affects the big toe. This type of arthritis can cause pain and discomfort in your heel and the mid-point of your foot as well. Gout, a type of arthritis that creates pain-causing crystals to develop in your body, also affects the feet, particularly the big toe.
Psoriatic arthritis can make your toenails grow thicker and come loose from the toenail bed. If you believe your pain might be caused by arthritis, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis.
Shoes
When your shoes do not fit properly or are of a problematic style, foot pain can sometimes occur. For instance, high heels can lead to problems because they put so much stress on the balls of your feet, which can lead to various issues, such as stress fractures.
Other styles that can cause foot pain are pointed shoes and flip-flops. Pointed shoes squeeze your toes too tight, while flip-flops do not give your arches any support. To reduce the chances of your shoes causing problems, make sure that they are the correct size, cushioned, and give your arches strong support.
Diabetes
Another frequently seen cause of foot pain is diabetes. The nerve damage caused by the disease can create tingling and pain in your feet. This is a serious situation because foot issues caused by diabetes can sometimes result in the loss of a foot or toe due to amputation if the problems are not addressed.
If you have diabetes, you should wash your feet and check them for cuts and red areas daily. Avoid walking barefoot and don't let your feet get too hot or too cold. Also, put up your feet when sitting down.
Plantar Fasciitis
Your feet contain a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. When this band of tissue becomes inflamed, the resulting condition, called plantar fasciitis, can be quite painful. Usually, the pain is worst when you first get up and start walking around. People between the ages of 40 and 60, overweight individuals, runners, and dancers are most at risk for plantar fasciitis.
If you are trying to deal with foot pain, consult with a local healthcare provider about your options.
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