Can Smoking Cigarettes Cause Foot Pain?

By Dr. Adam Thomas

The answer is to this topic is yes, indirectly. Smoking is well known as a contributing factor to health issues. With respect to the feet and lower extremities, years of smoking can not only lead to the more common issues of breathing complications such as emphysema, COPD and lung cancer, but it can lead to cardiovascular issues and artery disease. The effects of years of smoking can lead to narrowing of the arteries due to the chemicals causing constriction of the arteries repeatedly. If this is combined in an individual more prone to high cholesterol, this can be a very bad mix. The arteries, therefore, can become blocked with plaques. The complications of this most people are aware of is the fact that it can lead to heart disease, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) and eventually open heart bypass surgery. 

What is less known is the fact that the blockages don’t just happen in one area such as the heart but all through the circulatory system. If the first areas becoming blocked are in the lower extremities, the first signs and symptoms may not be chest pain but rather pain in the legs or the feet. When it starts, it may manifest with simple cramping upon walking a certain distance before having to rest (claudication). This is due to the reduced blood flow getting to the feet and legs as the demand for oxygen goes up with exercise or walking. As the disease progresses, the distance an individual can walk shortens until the pain happens with both walking and resting (rest pain). Theses pains in the legs and feet can be signs of PAD or Peripheral Arterial Disease. 

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Often times in the podiatrist office, the early signs of this disease can be caught and treated before progression. Simple testing can be performed in office and if detected, appropriate referrals can be made to a specialist who treats this disease. Newer technologies are available with minimal invasive techniques to help improve blood flow to the legs and feet which will in turn reduce the pain, improve quality of life, and reduce the chances of amputation which can be a devastating end result of this disease.   

Community Foot Specialists - Podiatrists/Foot & Ankle Surgeons Serving Dayton and Springfield, Ohio Call today to schedule your appointment! (937) 426-9500

Got Cold Feet?

Dr. Adam Thomas

Getting “cold feet” is not just an expression for chickening out or getting nervous and changing your mind. You can literally get cold feet if you have poor circulation. Circulation is the flow of blood throughout your body. Poor circulation occurs when the blood flow becomes restricted and is often indicative of a more serious problem.

Signs and Symptoms include:

• Cold feet and toes (despite the weather)
• Red, purple, or blue toes
• Cold hands and fingers
• Feeling tired / Lack of energy
• Swelling and water retention – most noticeable in the feet
• Feeling numb in the extremities
• Loss of hair on feet or legs
• Cramps in legs
• A feeling of pins and needles
• Sometimes headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Blotches and blemishes in skin
• Lumps in blood vessels or varicose veins
• Wounds that heal slowly

Risk Factors:

• High Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Lack of Exercise
• Poor Diet
• Sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time

Another cause could be Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). In this disease, plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to other parts of your body. The plaque can harden over a period of time, causing the arteries to narrow and reducing the amount of blood flow, especially to the legs. PAD is a very serious disease that could lead to gangrene, the death of tissue, which could result in amputation of the extremity.

Treatment options for poor circulation include lifestyle changes. For instance, you could change your diet by trying herbs (like ginger), eating foods with more fiber, or drinking more water. You should also try moving more: stretching, doing yoga, swimming, or going on gentle walks – nothing too demanding to start if you have poor circulation. It is a good idea to quit smoking since it produces carbon monoxide, a gas that displaces oxygen in the blood and destroys the lining cells in blood vessels, allowing plaque to stick to blood vessel walls. A lot of the tips mentioned above could also lower your cholesterol.

Other suggestions are to use relaxation techniques to reduce stress, wear socks to keep your feet warm, avoid long periods of immobility, and try to elevate your legs. Please visit your local doctor to make sure that there aren't more serious concerns related to your poor circulation.

Community Foot Specialists - Podiatrists/Foot & Ankle Surgeons Serving Dayton and Springfield, Ohio Call today to schedule your appointment! (937) 426-9500