The annual Great American Smokeout, which falls on November 16 this year, is designed to inspire individuals nationwide to stop smoking and start a healthier life. Planned by the American Cancer Society, the event provides resources, motivation, and support to help people conquer their addiction and reduce the harmful effects associated with smoking. Today, Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists shares three-foot conditions that can be caused or worsened by smoking.

Smoking can not only damage your lungs and heart, but it can also negatively affect your feet. Under typical situations, our feet don’t receive as much blood circulation as other body parts, but in smokers, blood circulation is further diminished. This can cause several issues, including lingering foot pain.

Here are 3 Conditions Smoking Can Cause

1. Raynaud’s disease: This condition makes the blood vessels in the feet react excessively to colder temperatures, and smoking can exacerbate this condition. Common symptoms of Raynaud’s include toes that turn white or blue and feet that are pale and cold.

2. Peripheral arterial disease: This condition develops when plaque buildup in the arteries causes them to narrow. It can cause poor blood circulation to the legs and feet. Common disease symptoms include foot sores that don’t heal properly and foot or leg pain.

3. Buerger’s disease: This condition causes the blood vessels in the legs to swell up, leading to tissue damage, pain, gangrene, and blood clots. Buerger’s disease affects smokers more frequently than non-smokers, and symptoms include pain in the arch of the foot when walking feet that look pale or feel cold, reddish or blue, and painful sores on the feet.

Quitting smoking is the most effective way to decrease your risk for chronic foot pain and problems and boost your overall health. If you’re living with chronic foot pain, contact Dr. Mucinskas at Feet First Foot Care Specialists to schedule an appointment. Call our office at 860-632-5499 or click here to schedule your appointment online. They will assess your condition and recommend treatment possibilities that meet your needs.