Three Urgent Reasons to See a Podiatrist
Every October, we celebrate International Podiatry Day. While it might not seem like a big deal to you, it is to Dr. Stavros O. Alexopoulos and his team at My Chicago Foot Expert. It’s a special opportunity for us to remind you that your podiatrist is a medical specialist with years of education and experience, and is the best-qualified doctor to care for your feet, ankles, and lower legs. You should see a podiatrist once a year for a preventative exam of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. There are also reasons to visit in between those checkups. Let’s look at three together.
Diabetes: If you have been newly diagnosed with diabetes, you should see a podiatrist for a baseline exam as well as for diagnosis and treatment of any developing or existing foot health issues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas, a small gland responsible to produce insulin, slows or becomes inactive. Without insulin, levels of glucose in the bloodstream become unregulated, and numerous complications can result. In the feet, numbness is common, as are diabetic ulcers, deep wounds that are notoriously hard to heal. You can reduce your risk of diabetes by maintaining a reasonable weight and eating a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Heel Pain: New heel pain, especially heel pain that occurs first thing in the morning, indicates an urgent need to see the podiatrist. This is the hallmark of a condition called plantar fasciitis, a chronic, painful inflammation of the tissue on the sole of the foot. Your podiatrist can examine your feet, diagnose plantar fasciitis, and offer effective treatment. Symptoms can often be relieved with non-invasive options, including the prescription of orthotics, custom shoe inserts that provide increased cushioning and support.
Discomfort after a fall: Foot fractures and ankle sprains commonly result from falling. Your foot is unique in all of nature. It contains 26 bones and 33 joints, all supported by many muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Injury is common. If you’ve hurt yourself in a fall, and the pain is tolerable, you should first try to resolve your discomfort with at-home RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment. If that doesn’t work, see your podiatrist for care as soon as possible. Hopefully, treatment options such as immobilization with a cast or boot will take care of the issue. Should you need surgery on your foot or ankle, your podiatrist will be able to provide the expert care you need.
Call the friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
