4 Things Your Feet Are Telling You About Your Health

Feet are a surprisingly good measurement of health. In fact, you don’t even need to be a doctor to know that your feet are trying to tell you what’s going on with your body.

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.

1. If you have dry or flaky skin on the heel or ball of your foot, and it’s accompanies by weight gain, hand numbness, or problems with vision, see your doctor. It could be a problem with your thyroid, the gland that controls your metabolic rate and blood pressure, as well as your nervous system function.
2. If your toes are balding, it could be a sign that you have insufficient blood flow to them. This could be due to peripheral arterial disease, which is when plaque builds up in your legs, this could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Luckily, these symptoms can be combated with diet and exercise.
3. If your feet hurt in the morning, it could be any number of things. It could be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, or it could be plantar fasciitis. You can help alleviate this foot pain by doing some foot stretches or exercises before you get out of bed. If your feet are cramping, not just painful, you’re probably dehydrated, or lacking certain nutrients.
4. If your feet are discolored, it might be something to worry about. Of course, if you got something under there, or you remember bumping it, you’re probably fine. But dark lines under a toenail could be melanoma, or less severely, a fungal infection.

If you listen to your feet, they may tell you about your health!