Feet Facts for People Over 50

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the older adults population averages anywhere between 2,000 and 9,000, adding up to three million steps a year. Times that by 50 or more and you can imagine the wear and tear your feet have endured once you reach the half-century mark in life. The following are some interesting facts you might not have known about your feet:

Facts About Feet, For The Over 50 Crowd

• Over time, the foot and ankle lose their previous range of motion, leading to stiffer motions.
• It’s common to lose balance when walking as you age.
• The natural padding at the bottom of your heel thins out over time. This means you literally lose the “spring in your step” as you get older.
• As you age, your foot can actually become longer and wider, so it’s not just your imagination that your shoes don’t fit the same.
• It is typical for you to lose some of your arch through mild settling as you age, this causes a flattening of the foot.
• When you lose fat in your feet over time, as mentioned above, this can lead to foot pain because the shock absorption you previously enjoyed is gone.
• Blood flow issues, which is typical with blood clots, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetes can make foot pain worse as well. It also has a lot to do with wound and tissue healing.
• Calluses, corns, fungal infections, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis (basically inflammation on the bottom of your heal) and bunions, are more common as you age.
• Though your feet are the most often used part of your body, if you are like most, you neglect proper foot care.

Natural Ways To Help Maintain Youthfulness in the Feet

• Fatty acids from plants, antioxidants, herbal essences, essential oils, and other similar natural substances can help your feet feel and look younger.
• Menthol and eucalyptus oil can soothe and cool foot discomfort, promoting a fresh clean feeling.
• Shea butter is wonderful for chapped skin and even lessens discoloration thanks to the vitamin E it provides.
• Coconut oil works to combat microbial invaders and soften the skin.
• Squalene is great at replenishing the natural moisture barrier of the skin.
• Antioxidants derived from tea are great at maintaining youthful skin and fighting damage.

Tips For Proper Foot Care as You Age

Thankfully, there are some ways you can keep your feet healthy, even as you age. The following are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure your feet age as gracefully as the rest of you:

• Make sure your shoes fit properly. As mentioned above, your feet can elongate as you age and wearing improperly fitting shoes can cause all kinds of problems you want to avoid. So have your feet measured and make sure you are wearing the correct size.
• Take care of your feet. Regularly clean, wash and moisturize them as well as trying some of the aforementioned natural treatments.
• Visit a podiatrist, like the professionals of Red Mountain Footcare.

Contact us today to set up an appointment. Getting regular care from a podiatrist is especially important after you reach age 50 for all the reasons listed above.