When To Seek The Services Of A Podiatrist Austin TX

By Leticia Jensen


Podiatrists are also known as foot doctors or podiatric physicians and they are the medical professionals who study and treat disorders of the ankles, feet and lower extremities. Foot problems can refer pain to other areas of the body such as the lower back and joints. People who have systemic diseases like diabetes, circulatory ailments, anemia and kidney disease are prone to suffering from foot disorders.

You may manage some foot problems yourself by using heat, ice and resting. However, some problems are impossible to manage and they need to be treated by a podiatrist. If they consult with a podiatrist Austin TX dwellers can receive treatment that can relieve pain, numbness and skin irritations.

Several conditions can cause pain in the ankle, foot and other lower parts of the legs. Some examples are sore or swollen bunions caused by misaligned toe joints or shoe aggravation, blisters caused by friction and heel pain caused by stress on the heel bone. The other conditions that may cause pain in these areas include fractured bones, heel spurs, swelling and wounds.

Residents of Austin TX can also see a foot doctor when they notice that the skin on their feet is discolored or irritated. Feet discoloration can be caused by problems such as infections, gout, vein disorders, and inadequate flow of blood. If the feet appear purple or blue in color, this may indicate that a person is suffering from vein problems. If they appear pale, this may be an indication of decreased blood flow to the feet.

A podiatric physician can also attend to skin irritations like athletes foot. This fungal skin disease usually affects the area between the toes and if it is not treated, it can spread to other areas of the body. The symptoms of athletes foot include blisters, inflammation, itching and scaly, dry skin. Symptoms like tingling, burning and numbness may indicate neuropathy, which usually leads to reduced sensation in the feet. It can be caused by diabetes and it needs to be monitored regularly by a podiatric physician.

Another reason why you can visit a foot doctor in Austin TX is when you notice growths in your feet. They may be of any size and shape and they may be painful. The common growths that you may suffer from include warts, neuromas, calluses, corns, blisters and bunions.

Residents of Austin TX can also see a podiatric doctor if they are suffering from flattened arches and other changes to the shape of their feet. Flattened arches may indicate the presence of dysfunctional or ruptured tendons. When these tendons fail to function normally, the bones become misaligned and this causes arthritis.

Consulting with a foot doctor is also important if you are suffering from imbalances in your feet. This professional is also able to treat a sprained ankle. The duration and type of treatment you will receive will depend on how severe the sprain is. Symptoms of sprained ankles include swelling, bruising and pain. Your podiatrist may also ask you to perform exercises and always wear fitting shoes to prevent sprains for taking place again.




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