LC Meridian

Issue date: 3/1/06 Section: Health

Foot health, do you take care of your feet? The human foot is complex, containing small size bones, 33 joints, and a network of more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, not including blood vessels and nerves. 3 out of 4 Americans experience serious foot problems in their lifetime, but only a small percentage of the population is born with foot problems. Neglect and a lack of awareness of proper care - including ill fitting shoes - can bring on problems like the following:

Arthritis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the cartilage and lining of the body's joints. Inflammation causes redness, warmth, pain and swelling.

Athlete's Foot is a fungal infection that causes red, dry, flaking skin, sometimes accompanied by pain or itching. The condition usually occurs between the toes or on the soles or sides of the feet.

Calluses The formation of calluses is caused by an accumulation of dead skin cells that harden and thicken over an area of the foot.

Corns, like calluses, develop from an accumulation of dead skin cells on the foot, forming thick, hardened areas. They contain a cone-shaped core with a point that can press on a nerve below, causing pain.

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation caused by excessive stretching of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue which runs along the bottom surface of the foot, attaching at the bottom of the heel bone and extending to the forefoot.

To avoid these and other foot proper, exercise proper foot health:

Don't ignore foot pain-it's not normal. If the pain persists, see your physician.

Inspect your feet regularly. Pay attention to changes in color and temperature of your feet. Look for thick or discolored nails (a sign of developing fungus), and check for cracks or cuts in the skin.

Trim toenails straight across, but not too short. Be careful not to cut nails in corners or on the sides; it can lead to ingrown toenails.

Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Select and wear the right shoe for the activity that you are engaged in (i.e. running shoes for running). Alternate shoes-don't wear the same pair of shoes every day.

Avoid walking barefooted-your feet will be more prone to injury and infection.

Information from American Podiatric Medical Association

Answer to last trivia question: Your heart pumps 8,000 gallons of blood every day.

Question: How many of all the bones in the human body do the feet account for?

Look for the answer in the NEXT issue of Student Health Center BITES

Brought to you by the Lehman College Student Health Center, T-3 Building Room 118, (718) 960-8900

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