Why Menopause Can Cause Leg Pains & 6 Painful Foot Problem

Why Menopause Can Cause Leg Pains & 6 Painful Foot Problems

Leg problems of various kinds are quite common during menopause. These can include:

Restless legs
Aching legs
Swollen ankles
Hot, puffy feet
Cramps in your leg muscles

Why Menopause can cause leg pains:

1.Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency is very common during menopause.
This is due to:

Falling estrogen can affect the absorption of magnesium and that can influence many of the body’s functions during menopause
Additionally, a poor diet can cause a magnesium deficiency
Stress can also burn up magnesium

Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency

Cramps, especially at night
Restless legs can be really painful and can take a long time to settle down
Pins and needles

How to alleviate a magensium deficiency

Taking a magnesium supplement before bedtime or with your evening meal
Taking a tissue salt before bedtime
Making sure that your diet includes magnesium-rich foods.
These include lean protein, fresh fruit, green leafy vegetables, whole grains as well as seeds and nuts

2.Fluid imbalance

Falling estrogen can interfere with the hormones that control the water balance in the body, which means there is a big chance you can be dehydrated as you go through menopause
If you suffer from hot flushes and night sweats, that can dehydrate you as well, interfering with your whole water balance

Symptoms of a fluid imbalance

You are likely to get swollen ankles or legs
Your legs can get achy and tired

What can help to restore fluid imbalance?

Make sure that you are drinking more than enough water, over and above anything else that you are drinking during the day
Taking a supplement to help with water retention

3.Circulatory problems

Estrogen can cause your circulation to deteriorate during menopause making it more sluggish
Leading a more sedentary life, having a desk job and just not moving around as much as before, can affect circulation in the legs
Dehydration can be a factor, too
Being dehydrated can interfere with your circulation

Symptoms caused by circulatory problems

It can cause swollen ankles and swollen legs
You can get tired or hot legs as well as restless legs
The possibility of varicose veins

What can help?

Stay hydrated with plenty of plain water
Taking a supplement that can help with varicose veins and alleviate swollen ankles

4.Structural issues

Menopause can cause your posture to change
This happens due to your joints being affected by a decline in estrogen levels, which then puts pressure on your posture, and that in turn causes leg cramps
Poor posture while you are sitting at your desk all day
If you spend all day sitting at a desk, it can affect your shoulders, which in turn affects your lower back, your hips, causing leg pain and swollen ankles

Symptoms caused by structural issues

You might suffer from painful knees, ankle pains and sore feet
Your hips can ache and suffer from general pain all over

What can help ease structural issues

Stretching and strengthening exercises
Get advice from a chiropractor, just to make sure it is nothing more serious
Pilates and yoga are also great in improving posture and creating body awareness
Keeping active can help to reduce body aches and at the same time keep muscles toned

Sources
menopause.livebetterwith.com – menopause and leg cramps
avogel.co.uk – leg problems during menopause

Hot, burning feet as a symptom of Menopause

This can happen as you are about to fall asleep and suddenly your feet start to burn.
Many women say that they have to stick their feet out from under the covers because they just can’t cope with them being so hot.
One of the main causes of this symptom could be that your nervous system is damaged or simply overtaxed with more anxiety and stress being experienced during menopause

What you can do to help yourself

Take pantothenic acid (B5) as it contributes to the proper functioning of the nervous system
An iron deficiency can also contribute to hot feet
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce nerve pain.
Evening primrose oil may also help reduce nerve damage symptoms.
Source
gennev.com – electric shocks during menopause

6 Foot Problems Suffered Mostly By Women

Fallen arches

The shape of your feet can have a major impact not only on the health of your feet themselves but in other areas, such as posture.
It is normal for feet to have some arching between the ball and heel of your foot, but as you age, the likelihood of fallen arches increases.
It is something that may already be happening but you have not noticed it yet.
Shoes with proper support can help prevent or support fallen arches.
Source:
uchicagomedicine.org –do feet change in middle age

Bunions

A bunion is a sore, uncomfortable lump that appears on the bony part of your big toe and occurs when the big toe is forced diagonally into the other toes.
This forces the knuckle bone in the toe to jut out, resulting in a bunion.
This problem is more prominent in women than in men as a result of high heels that force the feet into unnatural shapes.

You are also more likely to be affected by this condition as you age.
Shoes that fit the shape of your feet can help reduce the pain of bunions.
Surgery is the only way to completely remove the lump.
Source:
clevelandclinic.org – bunions: causes

Corns & Calluses

Calluses often result from walking a lot and can occur on the bottom of the feet.
Although they are not immediately problematic, they do make it easier for skin to crack and for infection to enter, and as such should be dealt with.
Corns usually develop on the toes or even on the top of the foot.
Finding more comfortable shoes can help reduce both pain and the likelihood of corns or calluses forming.
Foam wedges and creams can also be useful and if very advanced, a doctor may need to shave the area.
Giving yourself a footbath and using a pumice stone is the best way to prevent corns and calluses.
Source:
mayoclinic.org – corns and calluses

Fat Pad Atrophy

Getting older often means putting on additional weight and fat.
However, the one place you can lose fat padding is on your feet.
You need the cushioned fat layer to protect your feet from daily pounding.
Pain can be felt in the ball of your foot and the heel.
Wearing shoes with cushions or custom-made foam shoe inserts may help.
Source: mortonsneuroma.com – foot pain

Morton’s Neuroma

This is a quite common foot condition and includes symptoms of pain in the front part of your foot or a feeling as if you are walking on a rock or a marble.
Morton’s neuroma tends to happen more often in older women and in those who wear high heels or tight-fitting shoes.
You may need steroid shots or surgery if the pain gets too severe.
Source: mayoclinc.org – morton’s neuroma

Cracked Heels

There are several reasons why you might develop dry and cracked heels.
Your feet are responsible for holding up your body and therefore need to withstand a lot of pressure.
When weight and pressure are applied to the heels of your feet, the skin expands outwards.
If your skin is dry, it will become less elastic and is, therefore, more prone to cracking.

Common factors contributing to cracked heels

Aging
The natural aging process can be a contributing factor to cracked heels.
As you age, your skin loses moisture and becomes more susceptible to dryness.
Eczema
This is a skin condition that causes itchy, flaky skin and can develop on the soles of your feet, causing blisters and itchiness.
Walking barefoot
Walking around barefoot can expose the skin on your feet to rough surfaces, toxins, allergens, and bacteria, contribute to cracked heels.

Other causes of dry, cracked heels:

Deficiency of vitamins, minerals, or zinc
Hormonal conditions such as thyroid or estrogen imbalances
Circulation problems
Obesity
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Sjogren’s syndrome
Infections such as athlete’s foot
Flat feet
Heel spurs
Standing for long periods of time
Open-healed or poorly fitting shoes
Dry, cold weather
Source:webmd.com – what to know about cracked heels

Home remedies to treat cracked heels

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Several home remedies can prove to be useful in treating cracked heels.
Heel balms
Use a heel balm twice daily to increase the elasticity of the skin on the heels.
Heel balms that help to retain moisture in the skin include lanolin, petroleum jelly, glycerin, urea, ceramides, alpha hydroxy acid, and humectant for moisture.

Foot soaks
Soak the feet in warm water for about 20 minutes and exfoliate with a foot scrub.

Exfoliate
A pumice stone helps to remove the rough parts of cracked heels.
However, if you have diabetes, it is best to avoid scrubbing your feet with a pumice stone.
Source:medicalnewstoday.com – 6 fixes for cracked heels
mayoclinic.org – how to heal cracked heels

Tips for keeping your feet healthy

Tip #1 Keep your toenails short
Long toenails are a toenail fungus’ best friend.
Additionally, having longer toenails will cause your toes to bang up against your shoe and ultimately damage your matrix, that part underneath the half-moon of your toe.

Tip #2 Stop messing with your cuticles
The cuticle is a seal that protects the growing nail from the outside world.
When you aggressively manicure your cuticle away you expose the nail to a whole host of pathogens.

Tip #3 Stop walking around barefoot
Funguses are everywhere in our environment.
Decrease your chances of unnecessary exposure by covering your feet.

Tip #4 Change your socks
Fungus loves sweaty socks.
As soon as you get back from the gym or your run, make sure you change your socks.

Tip #5 Use a callus cream
Callouses build up to form extra skin.
Fungus loves to snack on extra skin.
It is recommended that you use a cream containing urea to manage calluses.

Tip #6 Regularly air out your shoes after sports
Ensure that they are not wet while you wear them.

Tip #7 Use a proper toenail nail cutter
Make sure you cut your toenails with a nail cutter specifically for toes.
Disinfect them after every use and do not share these with anybody.
Source:
choosept.com – tips to maintain healthy feet
webmd.com – healthy feet tips
gothamfootcare.com

Most Common Toenail Problems Amongst Women

Your toenails are made from keratin, the same protein that makes up your skin, hair, and fingernails.
Keratin makes your nails tough and resilient to daily wear and tear.
As resilient as they are, there are some health conditions as well as lifestyle habits that can wreak havoc on them.

Toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is caused by an infection either through cracks in your nail or cuts in your skin.
The color of your nail can also change or thicken and can be painful.
Fungus grows well in areas that are dark, warm, and damp, which are common environments for your toes.
If not treated, an infection can spread to other toenails and the surrounding skin and those with diabetes are also more likely to contract toenail fungus.

Causes of toenail fungus

Yeast and mold can cause nail infections
Sweating heavily
Aging causes your nails to become brittle and dry, resulting in cracks that allow fungi to enter
Reduced blood circulation to the feet
A weakened immune system
History of Athlete’s foot
Source: mayoclinic.org – nail fungus

Home remedies for toenail fungus

Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
Vinegar acts as an antifungal ingredient and mixed with water it makes for an ideal foot soak.
Its acetic acid component helps to stop the spread of the infection to other toes.
Mix two parts vinegar to one part warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes daily.

Black tea
Soaking feet in plain tea can be beneficial in treating toenail fungus.
Black tea contains tannic acid that dries out the feet, kills bacteria, and helps to close the foot’s pores to reduce sweating.
Boil two liters of water and add five tea bags.
Allow the tea to cool slightly and soak feet for 30 minutes.
Use this foot soak daily if desired.

Baking soda
Add baking soda to a foot soak to help heal the affected nail.
Alternatively, you can also make a paste of baking soda mixed with a minimal amount of water and apply it directly to the foot.
Allow the paste to sit on the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry the foot thoroughly.

Epsom salt
Soaking feet in an Epsom salt bath can be beneficial in relieving foot fungus.
Mix one cup of Epsom salt to two liters of warm water and soak feet for 10 to 20 minutes.

Essential oils
Many essential oils have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, that can help reduce toenail fungus. These include:

Tea tree oil
Clove oil
Jasmine oil
Lavender oil
Ylang-ylang oil
Eucalyptus oil
Lemon oil
Lemongrass oil
Jojoba oil
Source: medicalnewstoday.com – home remedies

Other treatment options for toenail fungus

Treatment of toenail fungus depends on which fungus you have and how bad the infection is.
Suitable options include:

Topical creams
Antifungal pills
Laser treatment to remove the damaged area of the nail
Surgery might be needed to have the nail removed completely
Source: mayoclinic.org – nail fungus diagnosis treatment

Prevention of toenail fungus

It can take some time for a fungal nail infection to go away.
You can help prevent toenail fungus by:

Keeping your feet clean and dry
Avoid walking barefoot in gym showers and changing rooms
Do not share nail clippers
Choose nail salons that sterilize their instruments.
Effectively managing your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes

Ingrown toenail

An ingrown toenail is caused by the pressure from the nail edge digging into the skin and most commonly affects the large toes.
If the edge of the nail cuts through the skin, it can cause inflammation.

Causes of ingrown toenail

Cutting your toenails too short
Cutting your toenails in a curved shape, instead of straight across
Injuring your toenail
Having abnormally large or curved toenails

Causes of ingrown toenail

Cutting your toenails too short
Cutting your toenails in a curved shape, instead of straight across
Injuring your toenail
Having abnormally large or curved toenails

Symptoms of ingrown toenail

Pain, swelling and redness along the side of the nail
A clear yellowish fluid, or if it becomes infected, pus

Home remedies for an ingrown toenail

The following home remedies can offer some relief:
Lukewarm water foot soaks
Soaking feet for 15-20 minutes with any one of the following:

One-part white vinegar to four parts water, or 2 tablespoons Epsom salts per 1litre of water
Gently massage the affected skin area in a downward motion while soaking
Taking oral anti-inflammatory medications
Apply antibacterial ointment on the affected part of the nail
Trim the toenail straight across the top without digging into the corners and don’t cut them too short

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatments may include, removal of the offending nail border, detachment of the nail or nail border, or permanent elimination of the nail.

Sharing Is Caring