Give Up Tobacco to Keep Feet Healthy

May 31st has been designated World No Tobacco Day by the World Health Organization. Certainly, by now, you’ve heard the warnings from the Surgeon General and other health officials: using tobacco in any form can cause illness and even death. But did you know that tobacco use poses some specific risks to foot health? Here are some facts that Anne Arundel County podiatrists Dr. James M. McKee and Dr. Adam Weaver want to share:

Smoking and other forms of tobacco use can exacerbate a wide range of health issues – everything from gum disease to lung cancer. In the feet, ankles, and lower legs, the most significant issue is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD occurs when plaque causes the arteries that deliver blood to the extremities become stiff and narrow. The heart struggles to provide blood to the farthest reaches of the body, even in a healthy person, becoming taxed, and blood flow diminished. It is especially dangerous to people living with an illness such as diabetes that impacts circulation. Symptoms of PAD include:

• cold feet

• blue, flaky, or fragile skin

• foot pain while in motion or at rest

• toenail changes including discoloration or brittleness

• loss of hair on the toes or feet, or a reduction in hair growth

It is hard to quit using tobacco, but it is possible. Help is available. Talk to your doctor about the most modern medications and other therapies to support your effort.

With years of specialized training and experience, a podiatrist like James M. McKee, DPM, FACFAS, and Adam Weaver, DPM is the best-qualified medical expert to diagnose and treat PAD or any other related issue to the health and wellness of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Schedule a convenient appointment in the comfortable, modern Podiatry Group of Annapolis, P.A. office on Old Solomons Island Road today. Call our friendly staff at 410-224-4448 or click here to get started.