Staying Safe during Your Workouts

Many people are able to accommodate various minor injures to assorted parts of their bodies with minimal stress. When it comes to your feet and ankles, however, that may be a nearly impossible task. Weakness or pain on one side can cause you to try to compensate with the other and leave you struggling to stay stable.

Rather than allowing yourself to continue to be limited, taking the time to seek out treatment from a podiatrist is a great way to get your health back. If you've never been to a foot and ankle doctor before, getting the answers to some of the questions below can help guarantee that your visit is as helpful and productive as possible.

Ask About Minimizing Swelling

One of the most common symptoms that send people seeking out care from a podiatrist is swelling in their feet and ankles. Swollen feet can lead to immense discomfort and can leave you struggling to go about your daily life if you're not able to perform even simple tasks like placing your foot inside a shoe.

Thankfully, there are some simple steps that can handle most swelling. If you're retaining water, simple hydration can go a long way toward relieving inflammation. Otherwise, rotating through rest, ice, compression, and elevation can guarantee that you feel some definite relief.

Ask About Bacteria and Fungi

Too many people are too willing to allow microorganisms to make homes on and around their feet before they act. If you've noticed yellowing in your toenails or an uptick in foot odor, the solution may not be as simple as more regular bathing.

Specialized creams and medications may be necessary to restore your feet to health. Though this can feel like a burden, it's also vital that you act before these problems spread and leave you dealing with incredibly serious health issues that may have been preventable if you had taken the proper precautions.

Ask About Your Shoes

Many people who deal with persistent foot pain would be surprised to discover that they may be contributing to their own problems. If you're wearing shoes that don't provide the proper support or which create unnecessary friction, your foot problems may be able to be cured by a simple switch. Make sure you go to the podiatrist for your first visit in the shoes you wear most commonly so your doctor can accurately size up the situation and determine if changes need to be made.