Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Menopause and Foot Pain: What You Should Know

Higher BMI
     Most women gain weight as they age and the hormonal changes of menopause only increase the likelihood of gaining weight. Women who have a higher body mass index (BMI) are at a greater risk of foot pain. Women who are carrying extra weight have a higher risk of many painful podiatric problems like osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and tendon inflammation.

Thinning Fat Pads
     Another problem that leads to foot pain among older women is thinning fat pads on the soles of the feet. Women lose fat stores in their face and feet as they age. While fat loss in the face can make a woman appear gaunt, it's the fat loss on the soles of the feet that really hurt. These fat pads protect nerves, ligaments, bones, and tendons by absorbing impact. By age 50, the average woman will have lost about 50% of this protection on her feet.

Calluses
     Women are much more likely to develop calluses on their feet than men, most likely because women spend their life wearing high-heeled shoes. A callus is an accumulation of dead skin cells that hardens over an area of the foot. Calluses form due to pressure and friction and they're most often found on the heel, inside the big toe, and on the ball of the foot.

Plantar Fasciitis
     Most people assume athletes are at the greatest risk of developing plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of heel pain, but the risk for this condition actually increases with age. While the exact cause isn't known, post-menopausal women are believed to be at a higher risk of heel pain and inflammation because the feet widen and flatten with age, which increases stress on the fascia. Thinning of the fat pads on the soles of the feet likely plays a role as well.

Getting Treatment
     While getting older isn't always a picnic, there are plenty of steps you can take to maintain your health and quality of life. Taking care of your feet is one of the best things you can do to maintain your mobility and well-being through the journey of menopause. If you're experiencing foot pain, it's important to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible to treat the cause of the pain before it worsens, potentially leading to disabling pain or numbness of the feet.



       

With 3 locations in Texas, Dr. Parul Patel, D.P.M. and Dr. Kelly R. Lawler, D.P.M of Infinity Foot & Ankle offer the most comprehensive podiatric care including medical, surgical, diabetic and preventative podiatry. To learn more, visit their website: http://infinityfootandankle.com.       

27 comments:

  1. I had absolutely positively no idea about any of this. Thank you thank you thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is very informative. If only I could lose fat pads in other areas. I've had plantar fascitis issues before, but thank goodness it went away. Thanks for the information.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Recently my wife is having problems with her feet, particularly with swollen ankles.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have my feet check a couple of times a year, but can tell you that at the end of a day when I have been on my feet all day they are so very sore, I no longer wear high heels but I can't wear flats either they make my legs ache at home I wear no shoes at all I prefer to walk around barefoot

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you----no more heels. I like to be barefoot or in sandals.

      Delete
  5. I knew my feet were hurting more with each passing year, but I had attributed it to compensations from my knee issues. Who knew foot pain came with age? My kind of article - where I learn something!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I started having foot pain about five years ago. It comes and goes now, so I'm trying to take better care of my feet.

      Delete
  6. Did I tell you I voluntarily went off of my hormones which the doctor said would mean instant menopause since I had a full H. Well, I did. And baby, it's here, lol. but that's okay, I didn't want to take a pill everyday. I laugh though, when I heat up faster than a porkchop on a frying pan turned to high and everyone else is wearing jackets. :) Now I'll be watching out for my feet. :) Here to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are too funny, Rosey! I hear ya about sizzling pork chop condition!

      Delete
  7. Wow Marcia this one really hit home. I've been having foot pain for about 2 years now. First I thought it was because I did a lot of walking during my vacation but when it didn't go away I finally saw my doctor, who did some blood work which indicated there was a chance that I had rheumatoid arthritis. He referred me to a rheumatologist who determined that the pain is osteoarthritis. We've played around with some medications and I finally found one that seems to work and has minimal side effects (my whole body broke into a rash as a side effect of another). But I never knew that my foot problems could be tied to my menopause symptoms. Thanks so much for an informative post. Also, I tried a podiatrist who recommended non-invasive therapies - ie - more supportive shoes, wrapping my feet in bandages...they didn't work. I also had xrays which showed nothing, it was the MRI that showed the arthritis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it something? When I gained some weight during menopause a few years ago, that's when I started experiencing the foot pain.

      Delete
  8. Ahhh, the things we look forward to as we age. Sucks right? Nowadays I sneeze hard and pull a back muscle. Or how about waking up from a good nights sleep to find some mystery aches and pains.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gawd Phil, you are preaching to the choir here .That is my life EVERY SINGLE DAY.

      Delete
  9. There are so many different aspects when it comes to this topic. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge on this particular aspect.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Best foot massage machine is a massager which gives you the utmost comfort in less effort.You can relax in one place and the massager will do its work of its own.One doesn't need to use his or her hands,doesn't need to be cautious of massage points and doesn't need to waste their valuable time.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You'll find several features in relation to this specific theme. Thanks a lot much pertaining to expressing your current know-how for this certain facet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I saw many people house foot massager. They told me foot massager is so good to use especially for old aged people. Then they told me to visit this site best foot massager reviews ever.

    ReplyDelete
  13. If you are suffering from pain on your foot you can't enjoy all your activities according to your routine. you can't stand on your foot for a long time. Some times you can't join with others for doing something. Any kinds of foot pain can be treated & managed by doing some stretching exercise, inserts & massaging products. Best Foot Massager Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  14. Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

    ReplyDelete
  15. One particular problem which is commonplace is known as plantar fasciitis which often occurs when small tears from the plantar fascia that ties together the bone to the back heel muscles happen. I find this website for Best Work Boots for Plantar Fasciitis. You can visit this site.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Give yourself a foot massage or ask your partner, family member, or friend to help.

    Take regular foot baths and apply lotion to your feet.

    Use laser therapy on your feet, ankles, and calves to reduce edema and aches and pain.

    There are best advises!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Extremely useful and helpful ,
    Thanks for sharing the value information !

    ReplyDelete
  18. My country have this service alot, some day you can come to Thailand.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very informative post. Actually after menopause, most of the women suffer from various foot problems like calluses, dryness and cracked feet. Do you know how to get rid of thick calluses on feet ? It is simple and easy and can be done at home. Yes! You don't need to consult a podiatrist to remove calluses. You just need some expert advice and we are always here to give you proper solution. Visit us to know all about foot problem and how to get rid of them.

    ReplyDelete

Shareaholic

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...