Are there some simple physiological signals that predict health and longevity as we age? There are many folk theories about this issue, including predicting lifespan by observing the condition of the feet. So, how can this point of view be properly understood?

Next, let's look at a case study to see what this medical problem looks like, which might be more interesting.

Aunt Liao is a retired primary school teacher, nearly eighty years old, and in good spirits. Recently, while walking with friends in the park, she heard many of her peers discuss, "Just look at how long a person can live after the age of 80, just look at the feet." This sentence made her both curious and a little worried, because she felt that her feet seemed to be a little unsatisfactory lately.

With this concern in mind, Aunt Liao decided to go to the hospital and talk to her long-time friend and family doctor, Dr. Wang, about the problem. Dr. Wong is an experienced geriatrician who is well versed in all kinds of geriatric health myths and truthful information.

In the doctor's office, Aunt Liao told Dr. Wang what she heard in the park and asked, "Dr. Wang, is it reliable for you to say this?" ”

Dr. Wang smiled and nodded, indicating that he understood Aunt Liao's concerns, and then said, "Aunt Liao, it is true that the feet can reflect some health conditions, but this does not mean that they can directly tell us the length of life. However, it is true that there are several foot problems that, if present, may hint at some potential health risks. ”

Dr. Wong went on to elaborate on a few of the possible health abnormalities in your feet: If your feet are always swollen for no apparent reason, it may be a reminder that your heart is not functioning well, there is a problem with blood circulation, or something is wrong with your kidneys.

If your feet are often cold, tingling and numb, it may be a sign that your diabetes is not well controlled, as high blood sugar can damage peripheral nerves.

Deformities of the toes, such as hallux valgus, are not only due to wearing ill-fitting shoes, but are sometimes associated with inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, which can affect other parts of the body.

If you have frequent foot infections, such as tinea pedis, it may be a sign that there is something wrong with the immune system and is not able to defend against external infections.

Aunt Liao nodded after hearing this, indicating the importance of understanding this information. Dr Ong continued, "If these symptoms are detected, further medical tests should be carried out in time so that the problem can be detected and treated early. Especially at our age, we should pay more attention to these potential health signs. ”

Aunt Liao felt some comfort, but at the same time, she also realized the importance of regular check-ups. She asked Dr. Wong if there were any special tests needed to further assess the condition of her feet.

Dr. Wong advised her to have regular blood circulation and nervous system function tests, and advised her to pay attention to her daily foot care, including choosing suitable shoes, keeping her feet hygienic and dry, and performing proper foot exercises to enhance blood circulation in her feet.

Aunt Liao is very grateful for Dr. Wang's advice, and she decided to follow the doctor's advice, and also plans to share the results of this consultation with her friends so that they can also realize the importance of protecting their foot health.

Continuing the discussion with Aunt Liu, Dr. Wong noticed that she was very interested in improving her quality of life and decided to share some information about the deeper connection between foot care and general health.

"Aunt Liao, we often say that the foot is the second heart of a person, which is actually based on science.

Dr Wong emphasised the importance of proper foot care to delay the health decline of the elderly: "In fact, proper foot care also includes regular checks on the health of the skin and nails of the feet, wearing comfortable and well-fitting shoes, and avoiding foot stress caused by standing or walking for long periods of time. ”

Dr. Wang took a book on foot diseases from the bookshelf and showed it to Aunt Liao with charts and statistics: "Look, these studies show that maintaining good foot health can effectively reduce the risk of falls, which is especially important for older people like you. ”

Then, Dr. Wang suggested that Aunt Liao start some simple foot exercises: "Actually, some simple foot exercises are also very beneficial. For example, you can try to do daily toe clenching and relaxing movements, or try to grasp small objects on your toes, which are good ways to build your foot muscles. ”

Towards the end of the meeting, Aunt Liao asked a question about the relationship between diet and foot health: "Dr. Wang, I would also like to know if there are any special dietary recommendations that can support foot health from within?" ”

Dr. Wang smiled and replied, "That's a good question, Aunt Liao." For example, fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and mackerel, and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and strawberries, are good choices. ”

Through this in-depth and comprehensive exchange, Aunt Liao not only gained a new understanding of the importance of feet, but also learned many practical health care skills, she is very satisfied and full of confidence in her future health management.

What do you think about the longevity of old people?

Disclaimer: The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical attention offline.