Celebrate Seniors this Month

May is Older Americans Month, and here at Texas Foot Health we want our older patients to be proactive about the care of their feet. Gone are the days when conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and flat feet were just considered a “normal” part of the aging process. Today we know that there are lots of ways to prevent foot disorders as you age. And, the good news is that most of them are not hard or time-consuming.

Good Daily Routine—start with a good basic foot care regimen. Wash your feet every day and dry completely. Keep nails trimmed straight across and not too short. Use a good quality moisturized at night to avoid heel cracks and an anti-fungal powder in the morning to prevent athlete’s foot and fungal toenails.

Manage other Medical Issues—if you have diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis or another systemic disease that negatively impacts your feet, it’s essential that you keep up with doctor appointments and follow your physician’s instructions for managing your disease. This will also protect your feet.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle—don’t smoke (it impedes circulation). Eat a healthy diet to maintain an appropriate weight. Carrying excess pounds makes foot conditions worse.

Make Smart Footwear Choices—toss heels higher than two inches—they’ll up your chances of painful bunions. Buy styles that are made of natural materials that breathe. Wide toes boxes will increase comfort and help you avoid foot problems. Get your feet measured professionally if you haven’t done so for a while. Shoe size can increase as you age.

Don’t Ignore Podiatric Problems—if your feet or ankles hurt, make an appointment at our Sugar Land (281-242-4448), Pasadena (281-991-0600) or Houston (713-664-6677) office so that our podiatrists Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum can diagnose any conditions and prescribe the correct treatment.