November, 2022 – Foot Care 101: Understanding Podiatry with Dr. Nyquist
In this episode, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Allie Nyquist sits with host Pete Waggoner to discuss foot health and care. She also shares how at the young age of 15, she knew she wanted to enter the medical field and become a podiatrist. Dr. Nyquist and Pete talk about different foot problems that people experience such as toenail fungus and how they can be addressed and avoided. They also explore the relation of one’s foot health to their whole body and overall well-being.
This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about not just foot care, but also how the condition of our feet can be an indication of other underlying health problems.
Takeaways:
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While it’s often overlooked, taking care of our feet is important for our overall health and well-being.
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Problems with our feet can be an indication of other underlying health issues.
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From the shoes we wear to our hygiene habits, there are many factors that can contribute to foot problems. By understanding more about foot care, we can help prevent and address different issues that may arise.
In this episode:
[3:37] Pete asks Dr. Nyquist to talk about how at the age of 15, she knew she wanted to enter the field of podiatry. Dr. Nyquist shares her love for science and how a mentoring program she was involved in during high school sparked her interest in medicine.
[8:13] Pete and Dr. Nyquist transition the conversation to the importance of having a healthy foot. Dr. Nyquist mentions the different checkboxes they use when assessing one’s foot health such as blood flow, signs of infection, and nerve responses.
[11:43] Dr. Nyquist talks about the complexity of the foot and how it relates to the rest of the body. She gives examples of underlying health problems that can manifest through foot problems such as poor blood flow and potential heart conditions.
[17:25] The two talk about toenail fungus and how it’s one of the most difficult problems to completely address. Dr. Nyquist shares some treatment options they usually offer their patients and how they come up with a plan of care.
[24:44] Dr. Nyquist puts emphasis on the importance of wearing the right shoe. She also provides tips on how one can balance between fashion and comfort when it comes to choosing the right footwear.
Resources:
Quotes:
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“I just fell in love with podiatry. It’s one of these really incredible fields where you get to spend a lot of time with the patients—talking to them about their problems and helping them to find solutions. But it’s also a really, really diverse way to practice medicine.” – Dr. Allie Nyquist
- “The right shoe for the right foot is one of (probably) the best things any individual person can do for their overall foot health.” – Dr. Allie Nyquist
