Since 1900 the life expectancy of the average American has increased
by about 30 years. Older persons have become an increasingly significant
proportion of our total population -- and their numbers are growing
rapidly. In 1900, for example, there were three million Americans
aged 65 or older. In the year 2000, older people outnumber children
for the first time in history.
If older people are to live useful, satisfying lives, they must
be able to move about. Mobility is a vital ingredient of the independence
that is cherished by our aging population, and foot ailments make
it difficult or impossible for them to work or to participate in
social activities.
Foot Problems Can Be Prevented
For reasons that are difficult to fathom, many people, including
a lot of older people, believe that it is normal for their feet
to hurt, and simply resign themselves to enduring foot problems
that could be treated.
There are more than 300 different foot ailments. Some can be traced
to heredity, but for an aging population, most of these ailments
stem from the cumulative effect of years of neglect or abuse.
The most common abuse stems from improper or ill-fitting shoes.
A shocking number of people wear shoes that are far too small.
Your Foot Changes With Time
Whether due to neglect or abuse, the normal wear and tear of the
years causes changes in feet. As persons age, their feet tend
to spread, and lose the fatty pads that cushion the bottom of
the feet. Additional weight can affect the bone and ligament structure.
Older people, consequently, should have their feet measured for
shoe sizes more frequently, rather than presuming that their shoe
sizes remain constant. Dry skin and brittle nails are other conditions
older people commonly face. Finally, it's a fact that women, young
and old, have four times as many foot problems as men, and high
heels are often the culprits.
Observing preventive foot health care has many benefits. Chief
among them are that it can increase comfort, limit the possibility
of additional medical problems, reduce the chances of hospitalization
because of infection, and lessen requirements for other institutional
care.
Foot Treatment:
- Properly fitted shoes are essential; an astonishing number
of people wear shoes that don’t fit right and cause serious
foot problems. This is the single best treatment for your feet.
More foot problems are solved by wearing larger shoes than any
other treatment that is easily available.
- A shoe with a firm sole and a soft upper is best for daily activities.
- Shop for shoes in the afternoon; feet tend to swell during
the day.
- While running and other high-impact exercise is good for the
body, walking is less strenuous on the body and joints. Therefore,
we recommend walking as the best type of exercise.
- Never cut corns and calluses with a razor, pocket knife, or
other such instrument; use over- the-counter foot products only
with the advice of a podiatrist.
- Bathe your feet daily in lukewarm (not hot) water using a mild
soap preferably one containing moisturizers.
- Trim or file your toenails straight across.
- Inspect your feet daily.
- Visit your podiatrist twice a year and allow him/her to examine
your feet.
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