The feet are known as the “second heart” of the body. It is easy for blood to flow from the heart down, but it’s not so easy for blood to flow back up to the core. This is because the force of gravity and the blood from the feet have to travel a longer distance back up to the heart.
There is also resistance from abdominal pressure, so the blood from the feet needs sufficient pressure to return smoothly.
The venous blood in the feet depends not only on the negative pressure generated by the heartbeat and chest cavity inspiratory exercise, but also on the muscle contraction force of the feet to squeeze and push the arterial and venous blood to flow upward through capillaries, venules (the minor veins that receive blood from capillaries), and veins back to the heart; to ensure that the entire blood circulatory system of the human body can run smoothly.
6 foot abnormalities that may be warning signs of a pending disease
1. Wounds that take a long time to heal
When a foot is traumatized due to injury, in a healthy person, it will heal quickly in a short period. However, if the foot wound does not heal for a long time and there is a sign of further decline or erosion, it may be caused by high blood sugar.
High blood sugar levels in the blood can easily lead to bacterial growth, which can prevent the wound from healing. High blood sugar can also cause nerve damage, which can lead to amputation in severe cases.
2. Heel pain
If a person is experiencing frequent heel pain, there may be inflammation of the plantar fascia, especially if there is a sterile inflammation of the plantar tendons or fascia. This pain is located on the bottom of the foot and near the heel, and it can be experienced as a constant fluctuating pain or a stabbing pain. In addition, some patients may experience increased heel pain at night.
3. Numbness and cramps
Under normal circumstances, frequent numbness in the feet indicates the possibility of blood clots or atherosclerosis and the risk of stroke. Foot cramps usually occur quickly during or after exercise. Some people also wake up at night with sudden cramps in their feet, which may be caused by fatigue, calcium deficiency, or electrolyte disturbances.
4. Swollen feet
Persistent swelling is likely to be caused by disease. For example, poor circulation, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease may cause swelling. To better identify the cause of swollen feet, it is essential to have a timely examination to find and treat the underlying cause.
5. Cold feet
Many people experience having cold hands and feet, and this is due to their cold constitution. Of course, this is also related to the lack of Qi and blood, so when this happens in life, you must pay attention to adjusting your lifestyle.
In addition, it may also be caused by blockage of blood vessels, poor blood circulation in the lower limbs, and ischemia. Therefore, seeking medical treatment as soon as possible is necessary to avoid cardiovascular diseases.
6. Yellow toenails
Regular, healthy toenails should be rosy and shiny. Toenails that are yellow, brittle, or peeling off are likely due to a fungal infection. It is also necessary to prevent athlete’s foot.
3 ways to maintain healthy feet
1. Appropriate foot bath
Protect your feet by taking regular and proper foot baths. This ritual can improve local blood circulation, eliminate fatigue and improve sleep quality. If you walk long distances, your feet will occasionally be sore. An Epsom salt foot bath can stimulate blood circulation. Combining this with a massage can relieve muscle tension, helping protect your feet’s wellness.
2. Foot massage
It is known that as many as 60 acupuncture points are distributed over both feet. All of these are connected to the internal and external areas of the body. So giving your feet a massage will be beneficial to the whole body.
3. Regular exercise
A regular exercise regime will benefit your overall body. Exercising your feet will help build the muscles and ligaments and ensure normal and proper blood circulation — effectively keeping them healthy. Regular exercise will also improve and maintain the proper functioning of all critical bodily organs, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
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