Many disorders can cause negative changes in the feet, including foot discomfort, as you can see if you look through medical textbooks that explain different ailments.

For example, if your thyroid — a gland in your throat that produces important hormones — isn't functioning properly, nerve problems can impact your feet's sensation. Alternatively, if you have degenerative abnormalities in your lower back, the nerves exiting your spinal cord may become inflamed, affecting your foot health. Here are three common disorders that can cause foot discomfort and poor foot health.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

According to the American Heart Association, about 8 million Americans have peripheral artery disease (PAD). A fatty material called plaque builds up in the arteries of your legs, decreasing blood flow to your lower legs and feet, resulting in PAD.

While moving about, PAD can cause the muscles in your calves and other portions of your legs to cramp. The illness can also cause foot pain and wounds that don't heal properly. While the disease's foot and leg symptoms are frequently visible, it's also linked to underlying damage to the heart and brain, putting people with PAD at a considerably increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Other heart diseases and stroke risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, all enhance the risk of PAD.

To control PAD, medications can be utilized, but dietary and lifestyle adjustments (such as quitting smoking) are also critical.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout 

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 46 million Americans suffer from arthritis or other joint issues. About 90% of those with rheumatoid arthritis, which affects 1.3 million people in the United States, will experience symptoms in their feet and ankles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs when the immune system, the body's natural defense against disease, attacks your joints, causing them to become painful and swollen. Severe foot pain is one of the symptoms of RA. The discomfort usually starts in your toes and progresses to the remainder of your feet and ankles when the ailment affects your feet. The joint damage caused by RA can cause your toes and feet to change form over time. Foot symptoms are sometimes the first sign that someone has RA. RA can frequently be effectively managed with drugs, exercise, and, in some circumstances, surgery once it has been diagnosed.

Gout is another type of arthritis that has been linked to foot pain. When a chemical called uric acid builds up in your body, it causes this illness. Uric acid deposits form in the joints, especially in the big toes, and can cause acute, episodic pain. If too much uric acid builds up in the kidneys, it can cause kidney stones.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and other treatments, such as steroids, can be used to treat gout. Gout episodes can also be avoided by doing regular exercise, consuming plenty of water, avoiding certain drugs, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Diabetes 

Approximately 24 million Americans have diabetes, with 6 million of them unaware of it. The glucose or blood sugar that your body ordinarily uses as fuel can build up in your blood if you have this health concern. Excess sugar can harm nerves and blood vessels in the foot, resulting in a loss of feeling and a reduction in blood flow.

As a result, numbness or tingling in your feet, as well as serious foot infections, are signs of high blood sugar. In the United States, diabetes is a leading cause of foot problems, and it can lead to the surgical loss of a toe or even more of your foot or lower leg.

Diabetes and the issues it causes in the feet can be treated with medication and regular foot inspections by your doctor. To avoid excessive foot stress, diabetics should also quit smoking, wear supportive shoes, and avoid going barefoot.

It's normal to have foot discomfort after a long day of standing at work, but if the pain is severe and out of proportion to your physical activity, contact your doctor. What appears to be a simple foot problem could be a sign of a more significant medical concern.