A podiatrist who is also referred to as a foot doctor or podiatric physician is a medical professional who specializes in studying and treating disorders of the feet, ankles and lower extremities. Anyone can suffer from foot problems and they can cause referred pain in the lower back and other joints depending on how a person walks. Foot problems can also be caused by systemic diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, anemia and circulatory ailments.
In some cases, it is possible to manage foot problems at home with ice, heat and rest. If such problems cannot be managed, it wise for the afflicted person to consult with a foot doctor. By consulting with a podiatrist Austin TX residents can get relieved of pain, skin irritations, numbness and other symptoms associated with foot disorders.
Several conditions can cause pain in the ankle, foot and other lower parts of the legs. Some examples are sore or swollen bunions caused by misaligned toe joints or shoe aggravation, blisters caused by friction and heel pain caused by stress on the heel bone. The other conditions that may cause pain in these areas include fractured bones, heel spurs, swelling and wounds.
Residents of Austin TX can also see a foot doctor when they notice that the skin on their feet is discolored or irritated. Feet discoloration can be caused by problems such as infections, gout, vein disorders, and inadequate flow of blood. If the feet appear purple or blue in color, this may indicate that a person is suffering from vein problems. If they appear pale, this may be an indication of decreased blood flow to the feet.
A podiatric physician can also attend to skin irritations like athletes foot. This fungal skin disease usually affects the area between the toes and if it is not treated, it can spread to other areas of the body. The symptoms of athletes foot include blisters, inflammation, itching and scaly, dry skin. Symptoms like tingling, burning and numbness may indicate neuropathy, which usually leads to reduced sensation in the feet. It can be caused by diabetes and it needs to be monitored regularly by a podiatric physician.
People who are suffering from growths in the toes and feet should also consult with a foot doctor. Growths may be of any shape and size and they may cause pain and other side effects. Some of the common growths that people suffer from include warts, neuromas, calluses and corns as well as blisters and bunions.
Residents of Austin TX can also see a podiatric doctor if they are suffering from flattened arches and other changes to the shape of their feet. Flattened arches may indicate the presence of dysfunctional or ruptured tendons. When these tendons fail to function normally, the bones become misaligned and this causes arthritis.
Muscle imbalances in the feet can also cause structural changes which result in painful conditions like Hammertoe. Another common problem that a podiatrist treats is ankle sprains. The severity of the sprain determines the type and duration of treatment. The main symptoms of ankle sprains include pain, bruising and swelling. This professional may also recommend exercises, well fitting shoes and stretching to prevent future sprains.
In some cases, it is possible to manage foot problems at home with ice, heat and rest. If such problems cannot be managed, it wise for the afflicted person to consult with a foot doctor. By consulting with a podiatrist Austin TX residents can get relieved of pain, skin irritations, numbness and other symptoms associated with foot disorders.
Several conditions can cause pain in the ankle, foot and other lower parts of the legs. Some examples are sore or swollen bunions caused by misaligned toe joints or shoe aggravation, blisters caused by friction and heel pain caused by stress on the heel bone. The other conditions that may cause pain in these areas include fractured bones, heel spurs, swelling and wounds.
Residents of Austin TX can also see a foot doctor when they notice that the skin on their feet is discolored or irritated. Feet discoloration can be caused by problems such as infections, gout, vein disorders, and inadequate flow of blood. If the feet appear purple or blue in color, this may indicate that a person is suffering from vein problems. If they appear pale, this may be an indication of decreased blood flow to the feet.
A podiatric physician can also attend to skin irritations like athletes foot. This fungal skin disease usually affects the area between the toes and if it is not treated, it can spread to other areas of the body. The symptoms of athletes foot include blisters, inflammation, itching and scaly, dry skin. Symptoms like tingling, burning and numbness may indicate neuropathy, which usually leads to reduced sensation in the feet. It can be caused by diabetes and it needs to be monitored regularly by a podiatric physician.
People who are suffering from growths in the toes and feet should also consult with a foot doctor. Growths may be of any shape and size and they may cause pain and other side effects. Some of the common growths that people suffer from include warts, neuromas, calluses and corns as well as blisters and bunions.
Residents of Austin TX can also see a podiatric doctor if they are suffering from flattened arches and other changes to the shape of their feet. Flattened arches may indicate the presence of dysfunctional or ruptured tendons. When these tendons fail to function normally, the bones become misaligned and this causes arthritis.
Muscle imbalances in the feet can also cause structural changes which result in painful conditions like Hammertoe. Another common problem that a podiatrist treats is ankle sprains. The severity of the sprain determines the type and duration of treatment. The main symptoms of ankle sprains include pain, bruising and swelling. This professional may also recommend exercises, well fitting shoes and stretching to prevent future sprains.