While there are any number of foot problems, your feet can actually give you clues about other health conditions of the body and nervous system such as thyroid problems, vascular disease, diabetes, and more.
Please call us at 719-594-9920 to schedule an appointment to see Colorado Springs podiatrist, Dr. Kerry E. Berg at Intermountain Foot & Ankle about a possible foot problem.
Here's a bit from the article ...Toes that turn red, white and blue -- Raynaud's disease causes the extremities to first go white, then turn blue, and, finally, appear red before returning to a natural hue in cold weather. Raynaud's is usually not dangerous, but can be a sign of an autoimmune disease in some people.
A sore that won't heal on the bottom of the foot -- Yahoo! says this is a major clue to diabetes, as elevated blood glucose levels lead to nerve damage in the feet and minor scrapes or irritations often go unnoticed. If you ever suspect a medical condition, talk to your physician right away. Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/health/-/9680940/17579738/-/742fhh/-/index.html#ixzz2EZEgkOfJ
Getting help for foot problems in Colorado Springs
Please call us at 719-594-9920 to schedule an appointment to see Colorado Springs podiatrist, Dr. Kerry E. Berg at Intermountain Foot & Ankle about a possible foot problem.
via Posterize
Running has become a very popular way to exercise. Distance running is a great way to stay in shape as it requires endurance, discipline, and encourages a healthy lifestyle. However, running can be hard on the body. More specifically, running can cause soreness in the ankles. Here are some of the most common reasons that soreness in the ankles can occur when distance running.
Itching of the feet may not sound very serious but anyone who has experienced itching of the feet knows that the irritation can be severe. In addition, other symptoms such as inflammation or a rash often present themselves as well as the itching. To make things worse, since the symptoms are not very common, many people are left wondering what may be causing the problem and how to help resolve the issue.
If your first step out of bed in the morning is excruciating and it feels like you have a bruise on the bottom of your heel that isn't getting better with time, your doctor may recommend a plantar fasciitis night splint to help ease your pain. The splint, with its rigid exterior, padded interior and adjustable Velcro straps, looks a bit like a removable cast for your lower leg, ankle and foot. It's designed to keep your ankle in a flexed position while you sleep, providing a gentle stretch to muscles and ligaments in your lower leg and preventing the plantar fascia from tightening up overnight. 
Nearly one third of diabetics who need a foot amputation will die within the next year, and two thirds will die within five years, according to data presented Thursday at the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) conference. This five-year mortality rate is higher than almost all cancers—except lung and pancreatic—and what’s just as shocking is that these diabetes-related foot wounds can be healed if treated effectively in time. But is this problem common? The 
If you have ever had, or currently have a bunion, then you know the pain it can cause. A bunion, when present, can be seen as a bulge at the base of the big toe. This bulge is an indication that the framework of that particular bone has changed, and this change has caused the bony prominence you now see. In addition to pain, the most common symptoms of a bunion include redness, swelling, possible numbness, a burning sensation, and thickening of the skin where the bunion is located. One of the causes of a bunion is shoes that do not fit properly. One way to prevent a bunion from forming is to find shoes that support your feet, but do not squeeze them or rub at your toes. Shoes that squeeze any part of your foot can cause a bunion. Another way to prevent a bunion from forming and provide you with relief from an existing one is stretching. Believe or not, something as simple as tight muscles can cause you to put repetitive pressure on your big toe. By simply stretching your calves and hips on a consistent basis, you can prevent this unnecessary condition. When a bunion is forming, there are a couple of ways you can prevent it from getting any worse. First, you can add some extra padding with a special cushioned pad that covers the base of the big toe to absorb some of the pressure. Secondly, you can apply ice to the area several times a day in order to reduce inflammation. Besides ill-fitting shoes, there are a couple of other causes of bunions. You may be prone to them because of the foot type you inherited. In this case, you will have to be extra careful to monitor this part of your foot, and you must be vigilant about wearing the right footwear. It is also possible for an injury to make you more susceptible to a bunion. As with many orthopedic conditions, you must decide when the pain is too much to withstand and you must see a doctor. Bunions can grow in size and become so painful that it is difficult to even wear shoes. Another factor to consider is your quality of life. Is the pain significant enough that it has stopped you from completing everyday task or activities you enjoy? If this is the case, you need to consider seeing a doctor who may refer you to an orthopedist who specializes in treating injuries and deformities of the skeletal system. If you're in need of a Colorado Springs podiatrist for treatment of a bunion, contact 
A bunionectomy, in the simplest of terms, is an operation to remove a 
Hairless Feet or Toes - There is nothing to be happy if you do not have any hair growth on your feet or toes. This means poor blood circulation, most often caused due to vascular diseases. It also becomes difficult to feel a pulse on the feet, which is a very bad indication of foot health. Frequent Foot Cramping - If you have frequent foot cramping then you immediately need to diagnose your foot problems. You might be having a calcium, potassium or magnesium deficiency in the body. In this case, you need to include foods that include all the above nutrients in your diet for healthy feet. And if you want to get temporary relief from such foot problems then you might just massage the area gently. Cold Feet - This is another poor foot health sign that shows a circulatory problem. It might be caused due to smoking, high blood pressure, anaemia or heart diseases. And if you are diabetic then the nervous system damage caused by it may also be a reason behind such foot problems. Consult with a doctor and find out the reasons behind your cold foot. 
Toenail fungus is the direct result of fungi affecting your toenails. It can become quite painful and extremely ugly. If you do not treat the infection, it might wind up leaving you with permanent damage and the infection will end up making its way through your whole body. One of the more common natural cures for toenail infections is vinegar.
The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these suggestions to help keep your tootsies dry and comfortable:
The biggest difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon is the type of education they received. A podiatrist studies solely feet and ankle problems. According to Coordinated Health, a podiatrist must study four years at a specialized podiatric school in addition to regular undergraduate training. They also have the option of taking a two to four year residency for additional training. On the contrary, a general orthopedic surgeon studies all areas of the body. These doctors are only required one year of specialized foot and ankle studies, so the difference in the amount of time studying the affected area is vast. There is perhaps one exception to this, however, in the case of an 'orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon.' These doctors may have not only completed undergraduate and medical school, but five years of study in residency at a medical center specializing in foot and ankle problems. They also must have the required one year of specialized foot and ankle studies. These surgeons seem to provide the best of both worlds - knowledge of the entire body as well as many years devoted to studying foot and ankle problems. Another difference between a Podiatrist and an Orthopedic Surgeon lies in the way they will try to solve a patient's problems. Podiatrists are trained to examine all possible cures and solutions for a patient's foot and ankle problem. Orthopedic Surgeons, however, are more likely to recommend cures revolving only around what types of surgeries would help a problem. If you are hesitant to try a surgery on your foot and want to know if there are any different solutions, it would be a good idea to find a Colorado Springs podiatrist who will give you a well-rounded overview of your case. If surgery is not a problem, however, it is personal preference as to the choice between a Podiatrist and an Orthopedic Surgeon. 
Flip-flops, and sandals, and "slippers," oh my! Summer is officially here and it’s that time of year again: with warm weather comes an increase in tendinitis, stress fractures, and other injuries that can be attributed to America’s favorite summer footwear. Whatever you choose to call them, flip-flops are now back on the feet of everyone you know—but keeping feet healthy and happy means keeping your favorite pair of flip-flops from "going wild" this season! How can you stop them from becoming a health hazard? And how much do people really know about what makes a flip-flop or sandal "healthy?" To find out, APMA paid a visit to Washington DC’s National Zoo, to get the scoop on what people think makes up a foot-friendly flip-flop. » 
A bunion is a deformity of the foot where the big toe points in towards the second toe and causes a bump on the inside edge of the toe. Bunions are painful and uncomfortable for anyone; however, this is especially true for very active people like runners. Research conducted at Harvard University suggests positive and beneficial outcomes for running barefoot based on the biomechanics of the foot. However, bunions and barefoot running do have pros and cons. As well, it is a technique which must be done properly. Advantages Running with shoes is a fairly new concept. Before the mid-1970s, humans ran in either minimal or no footwear. Studies suggest that an average of 30 percent of runners sustain injury to their feet; consequently leading to much debate on the subject among researchers. Because a bunion is extremely painful with shoes, many sufferers opt to go without. This leads to a few noted benefits:
What do you call a foot doctor? You call him/her a podiatrist or chiropodist. The word “podiatrist” comes from the Greek “pod” meaning foot, “iatreia” meaning healing, and “ist” meaning someone who practices or is concerned with something. Thus, a podiatrist is someone who practices healing feet. The word “chiropodist” comes from the Greek “cheiro” meaning hand, “pod” meaning foot, and “ist” meaning someone who practices or is concerned with something. A chiropodist, then, is someone who is concerned with hands and feet. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, a podiatrist or chiropodist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats disorders and infections of the foot, ankle, and related parts of the leg. In most states, podiatrists must complete four years of undergraduate education and four years of graduate education at an accredited podiatric college. As other physicians do, podiatrists must complete two to three years of residency training at a hospital. There is evidence of the practice of podiatry as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Ancient papyri document treatment of corns and calluses. In the United States, chiropody (the term preferred by early Americans) was practiced since foundation of the country. Abraham Lincoln employed a chiropodist to care for his feet. The first American Association of Podiatrists was formed in 1895, the same year that podiatrists/chiropodists were first licensed in the United States. 1912 brought the formation of the American Podiatric Medical Association. The first medical residency program for podiatry opened at Philadelphia’s St. Luke’s and Children’s Medical Center in 1958. In that same year, the United States officially changed the name of the medical treatment of feet to “podiatry” rather than the previously used term “chiropody.” The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (US BLS) reports that in 2008 approximately 12,200 podiatrists practiced in the United states. They predict that this number will increase to 13,300 by the year 2018. The US BLS projects that the rising number of diabetics and an increasingly active older generation of Americans will increase the need for podiatric help. 
For a quarter-century, Catherine Ange has worked as a seller of high-end furniture at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. Before computers became a mainstay of the job, a typical day could find Ange bending down, standing on tiptoe or moving furniture across 22,000 square feet of showroom space — all while wearing shoes with a 3- to 4-inch heel.
