Feet are the "magnifying glass" for overall health! Are your feet signaling illness or longevity?

Today is Global Feet DayBut the unknown feetAlways easily overlookedIn fact, both feet are not only the "second heart" of the human bodyStill a magnifying glass for overall healthSubtle changes on both feetMay reflect multiple potential diseasesIt's time to take care of your own feet!Shu Dong Invited ExpertZhang MingzhuBeijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical UniversityChief Physician of Foot and Ankle Surgery CenterPrioritize01People with these four characteristics on their feet are relatively healthier and longer livedThe foot is the "second heart" of the human body. For the body, some characteristics on the foot may indicate whether the body is healthy

Today is Global Feet Day

But the unknown feet

Always easily overlooked

In fact, both feet are not only the "second heart" of the human body

Still a magnifying glass for overall health

Subtle changes on both feet

May reflect multiple potential diseases

It's time to take care of your own feet!

Shu Dong Invited Expert

Zhang Mingzhu

Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University

Chief Physician of Foot and Ankle Surgery Center

Prioritize

01

People with these four characteristics on their feet are relatively healthier and longer lived

The foot is the "second heart" of the human body. For the body, some characteristics on the foot may indicate whether the body is healthy. Do you have these four characteristics on your feet? If all of them are available, it can to some extent indicate that your body is relatively healthier and can live longer

1. Smooth and ruddy skin on both feet:

Our feet have been wrapped in socks and shoes for a long time, which should be a relatively delicate part of our skin. If your feet are relatively smooth and there are few problems with dry feet, cracks, etc., it indicates that your body is relatively healthy.

2. Warm feet, not easy to cool:

Many people experience cold feet, especially in winter, but if you can keep your feet warm in a very cold environment, it can indirectly indicate that the blood circulation in the body is relatively smooth.

3. Toe nails are red and shiny:

If the toenails are red and shiny, it indicates that the body is relatively healthy and has sufficient qi and blood.

4. The color of the sole is rosy:

The normal sole of your feet should be a light red color. If you find that the color of your sole is not quite right, you need to pay more attention.

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02

The presence of these 7 symptoms on both feet may be a sign of illness

1. Heel pain:

Heel pain requires vigilance against plantar fasciitis or calcaneal hypertension. The pain is most noticeable when taking the first step in the morning when getting out of bed, but after walking for a period of time, the plantar fascia will become more relaxed and the symptoms will be relieved.

Suggestion:

Conservative treatment can be taken to improve the heel pain. Do not wear too tight shoes, too old shoes or flip-flops at ordinary times, which may aggravate the symptoms. Don't suddenly increase your exercise volume, and pay attention to weight control in daily life.

2. Foot trunk:

Dry feet, be careful of blood circulation disorders. The main culprit of dry foot skin is not only athlete's foot or allergies, but also likely due to poor blood circulation, which prevents the feet from receiving sufficient blood supply.

3. Feet always feels cold:

It may be hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone is the main force to regulate metabolism. Its insufficient secretion will lead to abnormal metabolism and thermoregulation, greatly affecting the ability of the body to generate heat, resulting in cold hands and feet.

There may be poor blood circulation, arterial occlusion, diabetes and other diseases may also cause cold feet.

4. My feet always feel numb:

Numbness is often related to neuropathy. If your feet often experience numbness, it may be caused by compression or neuritis of the nerves in the feet, ankles, or lumbar spine. However, a brief numbness in the feet may be caused by tight shoes, so there's no need to worry too much.

5. Ankle swelling:

Ankle swelling is a warning for kidney disease. The kidneys have the function of screening nutrients, and once they work improperly, it is difficult for body fluids to be discharged from the body in a timely manner, leading to edema, with foot swelling being the most prominent.

It is also possible that ankle arthritis, or the sequelae of a past sprain, can cause synovitis, cartilage damage, and ligament damage, which can also cause ankle swelling.

6. Foot odor:

Certain foot diseases can increase the probability of foot odor, such as people with athlete's foot often accompanied by foot odor, as athlete's foot itself can lead to secondary bacterial infections, which can decompose external products and cause odor.

In addition, if the stratum corneum of the feet cannot be cleaned, these stratum corneum will provide sufficient nutrients for the growth of bacteria and mold under the infiltration of sweat, accelerating their growth and reproduction, and causing foot odor to become increasingly severe.

7. Foot cramps:

Almost everyone has experienced foot cramps, but if you frequently cramp, you need to be vigilant. It may be related to excessive exercise or failure to warm up. In addition, calcium deficiency will also increase the irritability and excitability of neuromuscles, causing muscle spasm.

For middle-aged and elderly people, if the cramp does not improve after calcium supplementation, they should be particularly alert to vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, varicose veins, etc.

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03

What type of wear on the sole may be a sign of illness?

Due to the fact that most people tend to have a slight outward movement when walking, the wear is generally concentrated on the outer side of the heel, with slight and symmetrical wear. This type of sole wear is generally considered normal sole wear. However, if there are four situations of sole wear, attention should be paid, which may be a signal of illness.

1. Excessive wear on the outer side of the sole:

High arched foot:

This type of foot deformity refers to an abnormal increase in the arch of the foot, with the heel in an inverted state, and the focus on the outside of the heel when walking.

O-shaped legs:

In medicine, it is called genu varus, which can cause the lower leg to bend outward and easily cause joint damage when walking. Long term exposure to this can also lead to wear of the external cartilage of the knee, leading to arthritis.

Walking inside eight/outside eight:

Generally speaking, people who walk within eight feet have severe wear and tear on the outer side of the front half of the sole; People who walk outside have severe wear on the outer heel of their shoes.

2. Excessive wear on the inner side of the sole:

Flatfoot:

The main characteristics are a decrease or disappearance of the arch of the foot, and a heel inversion. In addition to abnormal wear on the inner side of the sole, wear also occurs in the middle of the sole.

X-shaped legs:

In medicine, it is called knee valgus, which causes the shin bone of the lower leg to flip inward at a certain angle. As you age, it can cause knee pain and accelerate joint degeneration.

3. Asymmetric wear on the soles of both feet:

Long and short legs:

The length of the left and right legs is different, also known as the "long and short legs", which results in uneven force on both legs and varying wear on the natural sole. Generally, the sole of the foot with long legs is less worn, while the sole of the foot with short legs is more worn.

Hip joint issues:

There is a problem with the hip joint. When walking, the buttocks drag the legs, so stepping on one foot and dragging the other will cause greater wear and tear on the dragging side.

4. Severe wear in the middle of the front foot:

Hallux valgus is a common foot deformity where the thumb tilts outward by more than 15 degrees. Its main cause is dislocation of the joint located at the bottom of the big toe, causing the big toe to bend outward and causing the head of the big toe to protrude outward. When walking, if there is hallux valgus, the weight bearing of the thumb decreases and the weight bearing of the second toe increases, resulting in severe wear and tear in the middle of the forefoot.

Attention:

If you find that you have corresponding shoe sole wear, suspect arch deformities, high arched feet, flat feet, hallux valgus, etc., it is recommended to seek treatment from an ankle surgeon at the hospital as soon as possible.

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04

Remember these three points in daily foot care

1. Frequent foot soaking:

Soaking feet with hot water can accelerate blood circulation and help eliminate fatigue symptoms such as leg soreness, numbness, swelling, and discomfort.

Suggestion:

2. Frequently press the plantar acupoints:

There are acupoints and corresponding reflex areas on the soles of the feet that are connected to various organs of the human body. Regular massage of the soles of the feet can strengthen the circulation of qi and blood in the human body, and clear the meridians.

Regularly pressing Tai Xi acupoint can help nourish the kidneys:

Regularly pressing Yongquan acupoint can help improve cardiovascular function:

3. Persist in exercise:

Exercise can exercise the muscles of the feet and is a good way to protect both feet. It is recommended to exercise the calves and feet for 30 to 60 minutes every day, including heel lifting, knee extension, and leg swinging exercises.

Feet are the "magnifying glass" for overall health

1. There are four characteristics on the feet that may make it easier to live longer:

Smooth and ruddy skin on both feet;

Warm feet, not easy to cool;

Toe nails are red and shiny;

The color of the sole is rosy.

2.The presence of these 7 symptoms on both feet may be a sign of illness

Heel pain - may be related to plantar fasciitis and calcaneal hypertension;

Foot trunk - may be related to blood circulation disorders;

The feet always feel cold - it may be related to hypothyroidism, poor blood circulation, arterial occlusion, diabetes, etc;

Numbness - may be related to neuropathy;

Ankle swelling - may be related to kidney disease and ankle arthritis;

Foot odor - may be related to foot diseases and excessive aging of the stratum corneum;

Foot cramps - may be related to excessive exercise, calcium deficiency, and vascular diseases.

3. Keep these three points in mind for daily foot care:

Long soak feet, frequently press the acupoints on the sole of the foot, and persist in exercise.

(CCTV Life Circle)

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