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.

In some cases, it is possible to manage foot problems at home with ice, heat and rest. If such problems cannot be managed, it wise for the afflicted person to consult with a foot doctor. By consulting with a podiatrist Austin TX residents can get relieved of pain, skin irritations, numbness and other symptoms associated with foot disorders.

A foot doctor can assist get rid of pain from your ankle, foot or lower extremities. This pain can be the result of various complications. Examples include blisters caused by friction, misaligned toe joints, bunions that may get sore and swollen as a result of shoe aggravation and heel pain that occurs after the heel bone is stressed. You can also seek the help of this professional when you have pain in your lower extremities. It can be caused by broken bones, wounds, heel spurs or swelling.

You should also seek the services of a podiatric doctor once you notice that the skin on your feet is irritated or discolored. Causes of feet discoloration include gout, infectious, inadequate flow of blood and vein disorders. If you foot appears blue or purple, this may indicate that you are suffering from vein problems. If your feet appear pale, there may be a decrease in the flow of blood to your feet.

A podiatrist can also sufficiently treat athletes foot or a similar type of skin irritation disorder. Athletes foot or Tinea Pedis is caused by a fungus and usually occurs in between the toes. If left untreated, it can spread to other areas. Its symptoms include dry, scaly skin, itching, inflammation and blisters. If your feet are numb, burning or tingling, you may be suffering from neuropathy. Neuropathy often causes reduced sensation in the feet and may affect diabetic patients. Consulting with a podiatric doctor regularly is essential if you have diabetes.

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.

You may also consult with a podiatrist if the arches of your feet have flattened arches or if the shape of your feet has changed in any other way. Flattened arches indicate the presence of ruptured or dysfunctional tendons. The failure of tendons to function normally may cause bone misalignment, which can lead to arthritis.

This professional can also treat muscle imbalances and ankle sprains. If you are suffering from ankle sprain, the duration of treatment may differ depending on the severity of the sprain. The major signs of ankle sprains are bruising, pain and swelling. A podiatrist may recommend well fitting shoes and stretching exercises to ensure that sprains do not occur again.




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