Pregnancy And Associated Foot Ailments

Pregnancy is known to elicit a myriad of changes in a woman’s body, many of which being adverse in nature leading to a host of niggling problems. One of the most prevalent grievances is foot pain that is regrettably often ignored. As the pregnancy advances, there is innate weight gain that causes the woman’s core of gravity being displaced. This leads to a new, altered weight-bearing posture and additional pressure being exerted on the knees and feet.

The two widely noticed foot ailments experienced during pregnancy are over-pronation and edema that lead to discomforting pain noted in the areas of the heels, arches also known as ball of the foot. Several others suffer from leg cramps and varicose veins caused due to the pilling pounds.

Due to all these factors, it is vital that pregnant women gain more insight regarding foot health to be able to smoothly sail through the nine months.

Foot Problems – Underlying Reasons

The duo widespread foot issues during pregnancy are over-pronation and edema. Over-Pronation additionally called as flat feet occurs due to the arch of the feet flattening out because of the weight bearing stance and the feet rolling inwards while walking. This condition could lead to chronic strain or swelling of the fibrous group of tissue that covers the area spanning the heel to the forefeet known as plantar fascia.

Over-pronation could make walking quite an agonising ordeal and could heighten the strain on the foot, calves and even the back. Over-pronation is also rampant in those individuals that have stretchy, flat feet or noted in overweight individuals.

Edema also known as the swelling up of the feet usually is noted in the last trimester of pregnancy. Edema occurs due to over-accumulation of blood during pregnancy. The growing uterus exerts pressure on the blood vessels present in the pelvic region and legs leading to hampered blood circulation and blood accruing in the lower extremities. The overall water fluid within the body remains constant as prior to pregnancy, but during the course of pregnancy it gets displaced. The feet could turn a purple tinge due to swelling. At times, the spare water that is retained in pregnancy further adds to this swelling. The presence of swelling in either the face or hands must be taken seriously and prompt medical advice must be taken.

Treating and Averting Foot Issues

The conservative line of treatment for over-pronation is by employing ready-made orthotics designed in a manner that provides adequate support to the arch and the medial rear foot posting that aids in correcting this condition.

It is crucial that over-pronation be treated for pain alleviation, but additionally to avert any other foot problems from cropping up like Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Metatarsalgia, Post-Tib Tendonitis and possibly Bunion.

Edema developing in the feet could be relieves by:

• Keeping feet elevated at most occasions. If sitting for protracted periods of time then one could prop up the feet on a small stool for relieving the edema.
• Avoiding ill-fitted, constricted footwear.
• Getting the feet measured during the course of pregnancy that is bound to vary in size as the pregnancy advances.
• If one is driving for extended periods of time then taking frequent breaks or halts to carrying out stretching and unwinding exercises on the legs.
• Maintaining a regular exercise schedule that would aid in promoting optimal health. Walking is deemed the idyllic form of exercise.
• Keeping hydrated at all times which aids in lesser water retention.
• Eating a proper, balanced diet and steering away from high-sodium foods that lead to water retention.

Swelling is usually alike in both the feet, however if it asymmetrical then it could be an indicator of a vascular problem that needs prompt medical attention and treatment.

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