According to the doctor, your legs can be the key to your health and even warn you of serious problems.
“Silent killers” is a general term for diseases without obvious symptoms that can progress to an advanced stage before being detected.
Both heart disease and diabetes belong to the group of these grim health problems.
Diabetes does not often cause noticeable symptoms, but can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks and cancer.
Heart disease can go virtually undetected until a completely blocked artery results in a medical emergency. Therefore, it is extremely important to be aware of the “red flag” signs that may appear and your feet may sound an alarm.
“We need to monitor the health of our feet, including our toenails, because this can affect our overall health and be a sign of [serious] health problems,” says general practitioner Elena Alexandrova exclusively for MedicForum.
Heart disease
Each foot is made up of 26 bones, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, but is also home to many blood vessels.
The blood vessels in your toes are tiny, so it doesn't take long for them to become clogged with fat, a sign of cardiovascular disease. The doctor also explained that this process can cause cold, numb, painful or swollen feet.
“Thickening and brittle toenails can also occur with heart disease,” Alexandrova added.
Diabetes
Unfortunately, signs of diabetic feet can be vague and easy to miss, the doctor explained.
She recommended paying attention to the following warning signs on your feet:
- Tingling, burning, or pain
- Loss of touch
- Cracked, dry skin, blisters and sores that won't heal.
- Fungal infections (including yellowing of thickened nails)
- Athlete's foot
If you suspect you have diabetes based on signs on your legs, your pharmacist recommends seeing your doctor as soon as possible.
“Greater caution should be exercised in those suffering from type 2 diabetes as they have a higher risk of toenail infections, treat these fungal conditions immediately with products such as the clinically proven Excilor range of products,” the doctor added.
However, heart disease and diabetes are not the only health problems associated with changes in the legs.
Aleksandrova therefore recommended seeking help from a professional if you:
- Can't walk or put weight on your leg.
- Have pain or swelling in your legs that doesn't go away.
- Feel numbness, tingling, sores, or rashes that are harmful to health.
- Pay attention to changes in the shape of the feet and hair loss on the toes.
Earlier, MedicForum wrote about the benefits of eggs for weight loss.
Important! Information provided in reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.