Foot pain is not something any of us look forward to with happy anticipation. A day in the middle of sore feet can be just unbearable. Overly tight shoes, injuries, and illness are all possible causes of foot pain. Some of these can be easily remedied, while others may require a visit to your doctor. Here is a brief look at some of the most common causes of foot pain.
Footwear: poorly fitting footwear is often the cause of foot pain. Shoes that are too tight or too baggy can cause the muscles and bones of the foot to bend and adjust in ways they were not designed for. Too little space in the toe box can cause cramping and flexing, creating more problems for the rest of the foot.
Shoes that are too tight on the upper, whether they are too small or simply laced too tightly, can lead to upper foot pain that, in the long run, can result in much more than just discomfort. High heels are also a major contributor to foot pain, as is well known by most wearers of fashion footwear. Heels force you to put your entire body weight on the balls of your feet, which then pushes your toes forward toward the unfriendly, pointy front of the shoe.
Microtrauma Injuries: Running, jogging, or other exercises involving repetitive impact with surfaces that are too hard, soft, or uneven can cause microtrauma injuries to the foot, foot dr Chattanooga TN. Microtrauma injuries are those caused by repetition, such as jogging on concrete, as opposed to macro trauma that occurs from a single blow or strong impact. Poorly fitting footwear is another culprit for microtrauma injuries.
Illness – Foot pain can also be caused by illness.
For instance:
• Gout: gout is a condition caused by excessive consumption of rich foods. In the past, gout was considered a disease of the rich; But, these days, it has no income associations and can be affected by almost anyone for whom a poor diet is the norm. Gout is characterized by a build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream, which, in turn, causes crystals to form in the blood. These crystals then accumulate in the foot and ankle joints causing significant pain and swelling.
• Diabetes – Diabetes is another disease that can cause foot pain and discomfort. Diabetics often get corns, blisters, sores, and other wounds. These are, in diabetics, generally the result of nerve damage caused by the disease.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy can also make a major contribution to foot pain. As the body grows outward and balance is disturbed, women are forced to carry increasing weight in ways that are far from beneficial to the feet. Changes in posture and gait force the body, and therefore the feet, to make adjustments that are ultimately harmful. Additionally, fluid build-up on the feet can also lead to significant pain and discomfort.