Preventive foot care may not exactly be at the top of the list of many people's healthcare priorities, but like the rest of the body, feet are 
susceptible to injury and ailments as we age and can act as a kind of barometer for other health issues that can affect your general well-being. Even if you are healthy and not experiencing symptoms of a specific foot or ankle injury or condition, the podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland recommend adding preventive foot care as part of your overall health and wellness routine in order to catch potential problems before they have a chance to progress.
Foot and Ankle Care and Treatment in Silver Spring, Olney, Clinton and Kensington, MD
Many age related illnesses are actually preventable and treatable when diagnosed early, but many people wait to go to the doctor until symptoms like pain and difficulty walking or moving begin to disrupt their quality of life. This can be especially true with orthopedic and podiatry problems. Foot pain can be easy to dismiss or attribute to common factors like walking too much or wearing uncomfortable shoes, but there are other signs and symptoms to look out for. Podiatrists recommend that adults, especially with diabetes, regularly check feet for signs of infection and other problems like poor circulation.
Everything from toenails to the bones and joints in our feet and ankles can become brittle and less stable (and therefore more susceptible to injury) with age. Get to know your feet and what they look (and feel) like when they're healthy so that you can more easily spot a problem if it develops. Look for cuts, bruises, pain, or wounds that are slow or resistant to healing on their own. Keep your feet clean and dry at all times, with well trimmed toenails to avoid fungal and bacterial infections and ingrown toenails. If you have difficulty caring for your feet on your own or are a diabetic, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at regular intervals to help keep your feet healthy.
Find a podiatrist in Silver Spring, Olney, Clinton and Kensington, MD
Don't wait for a health condition like diabetes or arthritis to slow you down and interfere with your health and quality of life. For more information about preventive foot care, contact Family Foot and Ankle Associates of Maryland by calling 301-924-5044 for Olney, 301-439-0300 for Silver Spring, 301-868-7670 for Clinton, and 301-942-8110 for Kensington to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist today.