How Feet Indicate Health Issues in Seniors

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How Feet Indicate Health Issues in Seniors
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Yellow eyes and pale skin tell a lot about
deteriorating health. Similarly, feet can
indicate serious health issues as well.
Unresolved foot problems can have unanticipated
consequences. Pain in feet, if left untreated,
can cause a person to move less and gain weight.
Seniors often use creams and ointments to get rid
of dark spots and other patches on the foot skin.
If these spots and patches dont go away, there
may be some serious underlying health issues that
should be addressed. Lehigh Valley Home Care
professionals explain some important indications
that your loved ones feet can give about his or
her health.
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1. Sunken, Spoon-Shaped Toe Nails
Anemia usually occurs as unnatural, spoon-shaped
or concave toes nail beds, especially in
moderate to severe cases. It is caused by
insufficient hemoglobin, which is an iron-rich
protein in the blood cells that carries oxygen to
cells and carbon dioxide to the lungs. Internal
bleeding like ulcers or heavy menstrual periods
can cause anemia. Nail beds and skin both of
fingers and toes appear pale. The nails also get
brittle and feet feel cold. Frequent fatigue is
the major indication of anemia, as are headaches,
dizziness when standing, and shortness of breath.
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2. Hairless Feet or Toes
Poor circulation can make hair disappear from
feet and toes. This happens when the heart loses
the ability to efficiently pump enough blood to
all body parts because of arteriosclerosis,
hardening of arteries. The low blood supply also
makes feeling the pulse in feet difficult. When
standing, the feet maybe dusky or bright red, but
get pale immediately when elevated and the skin
looks shiny. Seniors with poor circulation mostly
know they have a cardiovascular condition like
heart disease or a carotid artery but may not
realize its physical effects.
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3. Frequent Foot Cramping (Charley Horses)
The sudden feeling of a foot cramp is basically
the hard contraction of a muscle, which is a
result of fleeting circumstances like dehydration
or exercise. It usually happens if there is a
lack of sufficient calcium, magnesium, or
potassium in the diet. It mostly happens with
women after menopause. Charley horses rear up
without any warning, often when your loved one
may be just lying down. It can occur as a single
sharp muscle spasm or in form of waves. In both
forms, soreness can stay long afterward.
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4. Non-Healing Sores on the Bottom of the Foot
This is one of the major clues to diabetes. High
blood sugar levels cause nerve damage in the feet
due to which minor cuts, scrapes, or irritations
caused by friction or pressure remain unnoticed,
particularly when a senior is unaware of the
disease. If remain untreated, these sores can
lead to infection, even amputation in severe
cases. Oozing or foul-smelling minor injuries
are the main suspect because they have been there
for awhile unnoticed and untreated. Other
symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination,
persistent thirst, increased fatigue, extreme
hunger, blurry vision, and weight loss. These
are some of the many ways your loved ones feet
can indicate serious health issues. You can
consider turning to Lehigh valley,PA respite care
if your loved one needs assistance with mobility,
managing symptoms of a chronic disease or simply
with activities of daily living.
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DESCEMBER
Home Care Assistance Allentown, PA, offers
in-home caregivers who promote health and well
being of seniors. We allow seniors to age at the
comfort of their home. We serve Leigh County,
Allentown, Nazareth, Easton, Whitehall, and the
surrounding areas. Our caregivers help seniors in
companionship, nutrition, medication reminders,
or household chores. We specialize in live-in
respite care for seniors. We make flexible hourly
plans for seniors to enable a purposeful life. We
offer a 100 guaranteed satisfaction and no
long-term contracts. We embrace positive approach
based on the unique needs of seniors.
Phone [phone] Url http//www.homecareass
istancelehighvalley.com/ Address 1104 S Cedar
Crest Blvd 200, Allentown, PA , 18103