5 Ways Feet Indicate Health Issues In The Elderly

Ted by Ted Holmgren

Published Tue, Mar 13th 2018, 15:22 | Health


5 Ways Feet Indicate Health Issues In The Elderly The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the feet are most certainly windows to overall health. So, it's important for the elderly and their caregivers to routinely draw back the curtains and take a thorough look around for indicators of disease.  The feet have many bones, nerves, and blood vessels. The feet are also the furthest body part away from major organs - heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. As such, they are often the first to show symptoms of disease processes. Scottsdale senior care professionals share some indicators and what they may mean:  1. Non-Healing Cuts, blisters, and wounds  In the elderly, a minor blister or scrape can turn into a serious wound that won't heal. Eventually, if left untreated, the area grows bigger, becomes ulcerated, and the tissue around it may turn black as it dies (necrosis.) The wound is also highly susceptible to infection.  The above occurrence is a sign of diabetes and a compromised immune system.  2. Constant Numbness Diabetics also often suffer from neuropathy, a nerve condition that leaves the feet numb and tingly. Without regular inspection, the elderly person may not even know they have a chronic diabetic wound on their foot because they can't feel the pain until it becomes a severe.  Numbness can also be a sign of PAD, peripheral artery disease. This occurs as arteries leading from the heart to the feet become "clogged" and narrowed, therefore decreasing blood and oxygen circulation to and from the feet.  3. Chronic Swelling Edema, or swelling, in the feet that doesn't subside can be a sign of a number of diseases and conditions, including:  • Circulation problems that cause venous insufficiency. Tip: to check circulation, perform a nail bed test to determine capillary refill; use the pad of a finger to depress the center of the big toe nail bed for five seconds, which will blanch the nail. Once released, the nail's normal color should return within two seconds if circulation is normal. • Congestive heart failure.  • Lung disease.  • Blood clots  • Liver disease.  • Kidney disease.  • Lymphedema  4. Swollen Toes or Large Painful Lumps On The Toes  Swelling and lumps around the toes, particularly over joints, may indicate gout. It's a form of arthritis that's accompanied by pain and limited mobility of toes. The affected joint may be red and hot to touch. Uric acid builds up in the joints during gout flare ups. Each recurring flair up further damages the joint with gout crystals, making subsequent flair ups more and more intense.  5. Coppery (reddish/brownish) Lines Going Through Toenails  This may be one toenail to all of them. They're called splinter hemorrhages. Sometimes, they're the result of an injured toenail, but if no trauma has occurred, then they can signal damaged, clotted blood vessels. It's a frequent symptom seen with endocarditis, a symptom itself of heart disease.  There are many foot issues such as calluses and fungal infections that are common with aging. However, many of the foot issues seniors may be experiencing can be indicating an underlying systemic disease process. Inspect feet regularly, noting any problems, duration, and accompanying symptoms. If the foot issues continue or worsen, always report it to a podiatrist and/or primary care physician. A professional Scottsdale caregiver can also ensure your aging loved one reach overall health and fitness goals to lead a happy life while aging in the comfort of home.

Bio

Ted Holmgren has spent his life helping people lead more fulfilling lives. Most recently, he has been associated with Home Care Assistance of Scottsdale. He is happy to accomplish his passion for improving the lives of seniors through the written word. Websites: Scottsdale home care company