The Podiatrist - What You Should Know About Foot Problems

Sep 5
14:24

2012

Anna Woodward

Anna Woodward

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A podiatrist is a health care professional with specialized training for the care of feet. If you want more information about taking care of your feet, here are some helpful tips.

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A podiatrist is a health care professional with specialized training in the care of feet. They are medical doctors who have completed the same medical training as any other M.D. Podiatry is simply their specialty,The Podiatrist - What You Should Know About Foot Problems Articles just as the heart is the specialty of a cardiologist. As with any branch of medicine, a doctor in this field is as concerned with preventing problems as much as with treating them. While doctors have a reputation of being diagnosticians, prevention is part of the field as well. If you're interested in getting more information about taking care of your feet, here are some tips that can help.

Running Adds Weight

Your feet are designed to hold the weight of your body, but they don't grow stronger when you run. On the contrary, running can add up to four times the pressure of your weight, and that extra stress can cause problems. Some people prefer to run barefoot to avoid the issues that come with improperly made running shoes, but this isn't practical very often and the benefits are not clear. If you're going to run, you need to make sure your feet have the right support. Buying a shoe specifically designed for these purposes is one of those decisions a podiatrist will approve of.

Shoe Timing

Did you know that your feet are differently sized depending on the time of day? If you buy a pair of comfortable shoes in the morning, they might be less so by the afternoon. This is because your feet have a tendency to swell a bit as the day lengthens into evening. Make sure you walk around a bit while trying on shoes. Your feet will take on a slightly different shape when you're standing, so trying shoes on while sitting isn't going to give you a great idea of what you're getting. Always try a pair on both feet, as you may have small differences in your sizes. Go with the larger size if there is a discrepancy.

Your Feet and Overall Health

Your feet, and your skin, are often the first places that health problems manifest. A podiatrist will often treat issues that are but symptoms of a larger problem. Don't ignore this possibility, even if your doctor does. Serious conditions such as diabetes and arthritis can often show up in the feet before they do in other areas. Eating well, getting plenty of nutrients, and doing the right kinds of exercise can go a long way in keeping both you and your feet healthy.