Swelling in Toe Health Feed

Hammer toe is a condition where the toe of the patient becomes deformed. The appearance of the toe will bear a downward curl that will make it look abnormal. This condition can mostly be seen during one childhood itself, and it usually is known to affect the second or third tow on the foot. Let us find out more about the symptoms, risk factors and treatment for this condition.

- Symptoms: The sheer discomfort of walking around with a hammer toe is one of the first symptoms of the condition. The permanent damage will be visible in the way the toe curls and becomes deformed. The formation of corn or calluses is also a common symptom of this condition, while some patients may also experience the growth of claw-like toes. Most patients feel pain when they are walking or running even as inflexibility sets in, which makes it difficult to flex the foot or stretch and wiggle the toes properly.

- Risk Factors: While the most common causes of the hammer toe remain an injury or even arthritis, it may be seen that those with family history and prolonged use of high and pointed heels may be at risk more than others. This deformity can happen at birth or may progress as age catches on, depending on the risk factors at play. Also, when the patient suffers from the growth of calluses, corn and bunions that go untreated for a long time, it may manifest into a hammer toe eventually. This happens because these growths can make the layer of the skin thick and lead to a perpetual formation in the area due to the constant friction that also causes pain and discomfort. People with a high foot arch are also at risk of developing a hammer toe.

- Treatment: The podiatry specialist is the best person who can help with the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. A mild hammer toe can be treated by wearing more comfortable footwear with pads to treat corns and other growths. For a severe condition, orthotic insoles can help. Orthotic insoles are much better than surgery.

Ensure that you report the smallest and most persistent changes to your doctor so that treatment can take place well in time.

Foot pain is characterized by a feeling of pain in the feet. The symptoms of feet pain can be felt in the heel, instep, arches, toes and sole of the feet. Usually, foot pain can be treated at home but if the symptoms become severe then you should consult a doctor.

Foot pain can be caused by the following factors:
1. It can occur from an injury
2. Obesity often leads to too much weight pressure on the feet, thus causing pain
3. Aging weakens the bones and muscle causing pain
4. Too much physical activity within a short period of time
5. Deformities in the foot
6. Broken bones
7. Arthritis and gout
8. Stress fracture
9. Nervous system damage
10. Sprains

The various exercises to treat foot pain are -

1. Plantar fascia stretch
The exercise requires you to sit down in a comfortable chair, and then roll the arch of your foot on a round object. Repeat this exercise for some time in all directions.

2. Sitting plantar fascia stretch
You need to sit in a chair and then cross one of your feet over your knee. Take hold of the toes and pull them towards you till they are comfortably stretched. 

3. Towel pickup
Place a towel on the floor and place your feet on it. Scrunch your toes to pick the towel up and release.

4. Wall push
You face a wall and lean by placing your palms on the wall. Then keeping the back leg straight and bend the front knee towards the wall till you feel a comfortable pull on your calves.

5. Achilles tendon stretch
Loop a towel on the ball of your feet and pull the toes towards you. As you pull the towel, remember to keep your knees straight. Hold this position for at least 25 seconds and then release it. Do the same for the other foot and repeat 4 times.

Apart from the above mentioned exercises, electrotherapies like UST, IFT, etc. are also very effective in treating foot pain.

All of the above exercises need to be performed regularly to get the full benefit of these stretches. You may also use comfortable footwear to prevent the pain from coming back.

Normal uric acid levels are 2.4-6.0 mg/dl (female) and 3.4-7.0 mg/dl (male)
Some diets that are rich in purine end up causing increased production of uric acid. In other cases, it may be due to a completely sedentary lifestyle. Less intake of water also may be to blame in some cases as water plays an important role in washing out the excess of the uric acid. Regular usage of some medicines also causes the uric acid levels to rise. Another important factor is being overweight as obese people are much more likely to get gout as compared to those who have normal weight.
Homeopathic medicines are pretty effective at curing the acute as well as the chronic gout
Homeopathic constitutional treatment will give you a permanent cure naturally