Five years ago, during a routine check-up, Granny Li was diagnosed with the "three highs" — high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Although doctors repeatedly warned her to take precautions, Granny Li thought, “Everyone develops some health issues with age, it’s nothing serious.” As a result, she continued to do things her own way and didn’t take any medications to manage her conditions.
Recently, as winter arrived, Granny Li noticed both of her feet had swollen. They would occasionally feel numb or painful. She assumed it was due to the cold weather and inadequate warmth, thinking her feet had gotten frostbitten.
However, after two or three days, her condition didn’t improve — in fact, her feet swelled up like elephant legs, and the situation became so severe that she couldn’t walk. Her family immediately took her to the local hospital. After examination, the doctor informed Granny Li and her family that her symptoms were due to arterial blockage in her lower limbs caused by the "three highs." Fortunately, they sought medical attention in time — if they had delayed any longer, amputation might have been necessary.
Granny Li gasped in shock. Her ignorance and stubbornness had almost cost her dearly.
But there was one thing Granny Li still couldn’t figure out: “Why did the symptoms show up in my feet when I have the ‘three highs’?”
Your Feet Know the Truth About Your Health
There’s a saying: “When a tree withers, its roots dry first; when a person ages, the feet decline first.” The feet are often referred to as the “second heart” of the body. Traditional Chinese medicine also believes that individuals with long toes and wide, thick feet tend to live longer, while those with short, thin toes and narrow feet tend to live shorter lives. Therefore, the condition of your feet can reveal a lot about your overall health.
How to Check Your Health from the Feet:
1. Check the Toenails
Healthy toenails are crescent-shaped and pinkish in color. If the nails have horizontal lines or appear dark gray or black, it may indicate paronychia (nail infection) or a viral infection.
2. Check the Color of the Soles
Healthy soles are rosy and reddish. Yellowish soles may indicate liver or gallbladder issues, while pale soles may suggest anemia.
3. Check the Toe Pads
Healthy toe pads should be full and rosy. If they are too red or too pale, it may suggest poor blood circulation in the feet.
Common Foot Symptoms Are Signals from the Body
- Foot cramps may indicate calcium deficiency, overexertion, poor posture, or vascular diseases.
- Swollen feet may result from standing or sitting too long, but can also signal issues with the heart, liver, kidneys, or conditions like gout or rheumatism.
- Foot numbness could be caused by cervical or lumbar spine problems, or diabetes.
Foot Symptoms That Signal Diabetes
In cases like Granny Li's, observing the condition of the feet can help identify diabetic foot caused by the "three highs." Timely diagnosis is critical — if left untreated, amputation may be the worst outcome. So what signs on the feet might indicate diabetes?
· Discoloration of Foot Skin
Healthy feet have a rosy, glowing appearance. Diabetic patients often suffer from poor blood circulation, causing blood vessels to dilate and blood flow to slow. This makes the feet appear purplish-red through the skin.
· Difficulty Walking
Diabetic patients may experience calf pain while walking, resulting in intermittent limping. In early stages, poor blood flow causes foot swelling. As the disease progresses, pain intensifies, making walking difficult and sometimes causing a noticeable limp.
· Foot Skin Ulcers
Due to nerve damage and varying degrees of peripheral vascular disease, diabetic patients may develop localized ulcers on the feet. If left untreated, these ulcers may lead to soft tissue abscesses, bone infections, localized gangrene, and in severe cases, necrosis and amputation.
Home Tips: How to Take Care of Your Feet in Winter
Foot care is often neglected. In winter, the air is dry, and the feet can easily crack. For diabetics, foot care is especially vital. Here are some simple winter foot care tips:
· Wash your feet with warm water daily
Keeping your feet clean and dry is important. Before bed, soak your feet in warm water (not exceeding 40°C) for about 10 minutes. After soaking, dry them gently with a soft towel.
· Keep the skin moisturized
The dry winter air can cause foot cracking and ulcers, increasing infection risk. Apply moisturizing cream daily and gently massage to help absorption and keep the skin hydrated.
· Move your feet frequently
Avoid sitting in the same position for too long or crossing your legs, which can compress blood vessels and impair circulation. Elevate your legs or massage your feet regularly to promote blood flow and venous return.
· Try simple foot exercises
Certain exercises can help lower blood sugar. For example, practice standing on one leg for 30 seconds before switching legs. This helps strengthen leg and pelvic muscles, improve balance and coordination, and prevent hypoglycemia-related fainting.
Final Note:
For people with diabetes, foot care is critical. In addition to monitoring your foot health regularly, learning how to properly care for your feet can help prevent serious complications.
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