Quit Smoking to Keep Feet Healthy
The World Health Organization has designated May 31st as World No Tobacco Day. Surely you’re aware cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use, including chewing tobacco and smoking cigars and pipes, can lead to a wide range of illnesses and even death. Quitting is hard, but help is available in the form of new medications and other therapies.
Did you know tobacco also poses specific risks to the feet and ankles? Cook County podiatrist Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos has important information to share:
Smoking and other forms of tobacco use can impact health in large and small ways, contributing to and exacerbating everything from gum and eye diseases to cardiovascular and lung illnesses and cancer. Smoking also poses risks to the health of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Specifically, smoking increases the risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition that negatively affects circulation to the extremities. Even in healthy people, distance makes pumping blood to the feet and hands a challenge for the heart. In people with PAD, plaque narrows and stiffens the blood vessels, increasing the difficulty of maintaining full circulation. It is further complicated when other diseases that affect circulation are present, such as diabetes. Be alert to symptoms of PAD, including:
- changes to the skin such as blue tone or flaking
- changes to the toenails, including yellowing or brittleness
- a feeling of cold regardless of the season
- discomfort when in motion or at rest
- loss of hair or no new hair growth
If you spot any of these symptoms, a visit with your foot doctor is in order. With years of specialized training and experience, a board-certified podiatrist like Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, is the best-qualified medical specialist to care for this part of your body. Call the friendly, professional My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule a convenient visit to our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
