What happens to your feet as you get older

Aging is wreaking havoc on the feet. Understanding how the feet change as you get older can help ensure health health.

1. Dry skin

Dry skin, especially on the soles of the feet, is a problem that may require a daily application of moisturizer to prevent cracking and infection. The gradual exhaustion of collagen, exacerbated by the lack of coherent care, can lead to the formation of cracked heels and calluses.

If it is not treated, the skin cracked around the heel can make it painful to walk or even stand up.

2.

As your feet age, the connective tissues called ligaments can start stretching, reducing the height of your bow and leading to a commonly called flat feet (PES Planus).

The pain caused by PES Planus, which generally develops in the middle of the foot, tends to increase with activity and is often accompanied by swelling along the inner ankle and the arc. The hip, knee and lower back pain is also common.

The flat feet can also modify the angle of your foot, causing surprise, loss of stability and increased risk of ankle and feet cake.

3. Shortcut Achille tendon

Another type of connective tissue, known as tendon, can start losing water as you age. The tendons connect the muscles to the bones and, if these are shortened due to the loss of water, you can end up with a more flat approach, because you will be unable to flex the ankle, the middle of the foot and the toes.

This is particularly true for the Achilles tendon which connects the muscle of the calf to the bone of the heel (calcaneus).

4. Hammertoe

Hammertoe is the abnormal turn in the joint of one or more toes, generally caused by wearing narrow shoes or high heels which forces the toes more deeply in the toe box. Hammertoes are subject to calluses and cors. The stiffness of the articles, discomfort, swelling and pain are also common.

Once they develop, Hammertoes are essentially permanent unless surgery (such as arthrodesis or arthroplasty) can realign the toes of the toes. Stretching can help restore part of the mobility but does not necessarily revers the condition. Outdoor pads, fittings and well -adjusted shoes can help relieve part of discomfort and pain.

5. Nail changes

The nails generally become thicker and more fragile as you age, which makes them more difficult to cut and maintain.One of the reasons is that nail growth tends to slow down in tandem with the decrease in hormonal production in the elderly.

Estrogen and testosterone both stimulate keratin production and contribute to the fluid and firm appearance of nails and nails. When these hormones decrease, the reduced diet can cause discoloration of our nails, crack and form uneven ridges and layers.

If appropriate nails care can considerably improve the appearance of your nail, it may not be enough to fully avoid changes related to aging. The other current causes of nail changes include:

6. Seborrheic keratosis

A common skin affection affecting the elderly is called seborrheic keratosis.These raised and toned lesions of flesh are often confused with warts and generally affect the upper feet, toes and ankles. (They are never seen on the soles of the feet.)

Although seborrheic lesions are not painful, they can sometimes it be itching or cause irritation when you wear shoes.

7. Arthritis

Arthritis, also called wear arthritis, affects around 10% of men and 13% of women over the age of 60.The ankle joint, the subtalar joint and the first metatarsophalangeal joint (large toe) are three commonly affected joints in the foot and ankle.

Current risk factors for feet osteoarthritis include.

• Obesity
• Hammer toe
• Onions
• A foot or ankle injury

Another condition of the foot commonly affecting adults of the elderly is gouty arthritis. Gout is an inflammatory disorder in which the accumulation of uric acid crystals around a joint causes acute and often debilitating pain, mainly in the large toe.

8. Circulatory problems

Edema is one of the most common feet and ankle symptoms in the elderly, the medical term for the swelling of the tissues. Edema is often caused by poor circulation, leading the accumulation of liquid in the lower limbs (especially ankles and feet).

Edema is generally associated with the conditions observed in the elderly, such as:

The obstruction of a blood vessel can lead to venous edema, generally affecting a leg. Cardiovascular diseases, certain drugs and hormonal changes can cause swelling of the two legs, called bilateral peripheral edema.

Diabetic neuropathy, a feeling of pins and needles mainly affecting legs and feet, is another common consequence of long -term diabetes.

Tips to keep your feet healthy as you get older

• Exercise: Regular physical activity maintains muscle strength and improves circulation.
• Select appropriate shoes: Many foot problems can be avoided by choosing appropriate and well -adjusted shoes.
• Regularly check your feet: Almost monitor your feet for any change or problem and talk to a health care provider as needed.
• Maintain hygiene: Clean and hydrate your feet to avoid skin problems.