Feet are the "barometer" of the human body. You need to be careful of these 13 small changes

Everyone can see changes in their physical health by carefully observing changes in their feet. The feet are known as the "second brain" of the human body. According to Chinese medicine, the feet are an important starting point for the circulation of qi and blood, connecting internal organs, communicating inside and outside, and running through the upper and lower meridians. The functions of the human internal organs have corresponding acupuncture point reaction areas on the feet, so the feet can reflect a person's physical health.

What it's about: A sudden, or violent contraction of a muscle in your foot can be a temporary condition caused by exercise or dehydration. Sometimes, while lying down, a muscle or a group of muscles will suddenly spasm, followed by soreness. If this happens frequently, your diet should be supplemented with more calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Solution: Try flexing your foot and massaging the painful area. You can also use a cold towel or disinfectant alcohol to relax your muscles. To avoid leg cramps, stretch your feet before bed and drink a glass of hot milk for calcium.

2. Hairless feet and toes

The problem: Poor circulation, usually caused by vascular disease. This phenomenon occurs because the heart cannot supply enough blood to the feet due to hardening of the arteries. Inadequate blood supply can also cause people to be unable to feel the pulse in their feet. When standing, the feet may be bright red or slightly black; when rising, the feet will immediately turn pale.

Solution: Improve your body's circulation through exercise and diet.

The crux of the matter: This is a sign of anemia. It's caused by not having enough hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein found in blood cells that carries oxygen. Internal bleeding (such as ulcers) or severe menstrual irregularities can also cause anemia.

When you are anemic, your nails will show the same thing: the color and nail bed will appear pale. Also, my nails are brittle and my feet are always cold. Fatigue is the first symptom of anemia, and other symptoms include shortness of breath when standing up, dizziness, or headaches.

Solution: Anemia can be diagnosed by a complete blood count.

4. Incurable foot pain

The crux of the matter: This is the main manifestation of diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage to the nerves in the feet, which can manifest as scrapes, cuts, or irritations caused by pressure or careless friction. Other symptoms of diabetes include frequent thirst, frequent urination, easy fatigue, blurred vision, easy hunger, or weight loss.

Solution: Treat the ulcer immediately and get tested for diabetes.

5. Cold feet

The crux of the problem: This situation often occurs in women. Women have lower core body temperatures than men, so they can be sensitive to the cold even if they are healthy. If women over 40 have cold legs, it may be due to thyroid deficiency, because the thyroid gland regulates body temperature and metabolism. In addition, poor circulation is also one of the reasons.

Solution: Insulating natural materials are the best for keeping warm. If you have a medical problem other than cold feet, it is recommended that you see a doctor.

What's the problem: This is caused by a fungal infection under the nail. People with onychomycosis are usually unaware of the condition, so it can persist for years without being noticed. But the infection can quickly spread to all your toenails and even your fingernails, causing them to smell bad and turn darker. Diabetics, people with circulatory problems and immune system problems are susceptible to the disease. If elderly people have problems walking, this may sometimes be the cause, but it is not easy for people to detect.

Solution: See a professional foot doctor or go to the doctor for treatment regularly.

What's the problem: It could be gout, a form of arthritis that's often caused by too much uric acid. Uric acid is usually found in parts of the body with lower body temperature, and the coolest place in the body is the big toe, which is farthest from the heart. Men aged 40 to 50 and postmenopausal women are more likely to suffer from gout.

Solution: Talk to your doctor about diet and medication. What causes dents on toenails?

8. Numbness in your feet

The problem: No feeling in the feet, caused by peripheral neuropathy. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, but two of the top ones are diabetes and alcohol abuse. Chemotherapy is another reason. What’s more serious is that the numbness can extend to your hands, making you feel as if you are wearing gloves.

Solution: See a doctor and find out the cause. Although there is no cure for peripheral neuropathy, pain symptoms can be relieved with analgesics and antidepressants.

9. Pain in foot joints

What's at stake: Rheumatoid arthritis, an arthritis condition that's usually first felt in small joints such as the toes and knuckles. The pain is usually accompanied by swelling and stiffness, and the pain is symmetrical. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women, with the incidence rate in women being four times that in men.

Solution: A comprehensive examination is needed to determine the cause of joint pain. There are many medications and treatments available to treat arthritis.

10. Toenails have dents

The crux of the problem: Most psoriasis patients have skin diseases manifested by many small holes in their nails, which can be deep or shallow. But three-quarters of people with psoriatic arthritis also have their joints and skin affected, often with rough, acne-scarred nails.

Solution: There are many drugs to treat both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

What it's about: Foot drop can signal nerve or muscle damage, which can spread to your back, shoulders, or neck. Certain drugs used in chemotherapy can also cause problems with lifting the front of the foot when walking or standing.

It may also be accompanied by pain and stiffness. Sometimes this pain occurs in the lower leg or lower back.

Solution: See your doctor. Foot drop can be curable or permanent, depending on its cause and treatment.