Common complaints among seniors include pain, excessively dry skin, thickened or discolored nails, swelling, redness, and unusual sensations. Podiatrists note that all of these symptoms could be a sign of something serious, so the afflicted shouldn’t simply ignore the problems and hope they’ll go away.
But, points out the article, general practitioners rarely ask elderly patients to take their socks and shoes off during an exam, therefore missing any potential diseases that exhibit themselves in the foot area.
For example, notes the article, “toenails that are rounded inward instead of outward could signal iron deficiency anemia.
Kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, and circulatory problems can cause the feet to swell. Tingling or numbness in the feet and slow-healing wounds could be signs of diabetes or other serious diseases. Chronic stiffness in the toes could be a sign of arthritis.” Foot problems can be very serious for those with diabetes and may cause the need for amputations.
Also, pain in the feet may trigger pain elsewhere in the body, such as in the legs, back, or hips, so it’s important to address the problem promptly, agree most doctors.
Experts also note that shoe choice is key when it comes to keeping feet comfortable. Seniors should have their feet measured before purchasing new shoes so size may change, even late in life. For seniors that walk a lot, comfortable walking shoes with support are a necessity, and even when dressed up for a night on the town, shoes should fit properly, even if they’re not the latest style.
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