While enjoying your holidays this season, you might not realize that your favorite festive cocktail can have a surprisingly negative impact on your feet and ankles. We at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but being chronically buzzed during the holidays and celebrating too much can ruin the fun for your feet.
One of the most notorious ways alcohol affects your feet is by triggering painful gout attacks. Alcohol is a major culprit because it interferes with your kidneys’ ability to flush out uric acid. This can cause a rapid spike in acid levels and make your big toe feel like it’s on fire.
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you lose fluids. Ever wake up from a holiday party and feel terrible? It’s because you were dehydrated. This can lead to all sorts of muscle cramps in your feet and calves, which, if you already have Achilles issues or tendonitis, can make existing pain worse.
Then you won’t be able to participate in the family football game.
Speaking of football traditions, drinking and going long aren’t the best combo for your foot health. When you’re celebrating, your balance and judgment are naturally impaired. This significantly increases your risk of falls, missteps, and awkward twists.
For women, wearing dress shoes or heels only compounds the danger. A simple trip over a rug or an unexpected curb can easily result in a severe ankle sprain or even a foot fracture. In moderation, ladies and gentlemen.
Blood Sugar
Sugary drinks and pumpkin-spiced cocktails? What could go wrong?
Well, alcohol interferes with your liver's ability to regulate blood sugar. This can cause hypoglycemia hours after drinking, especially if you take insulin or certain medications.
Conversely, the sugar content in mixed drinks can cause hyperglycemia. These blood sugar swings are highly damaging to your nerves and blood vessels over time, which accelerate neuropathy and Peripheral Artery Disease, which are the two primary causes of diabetic foot ulcers.
Damage to Circulation
Alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are key drivers of the plaque buildup that narrows your arteries. By accelerating this process, alcohol compromises the ability of your blood to reach your feet.
For those who rely on a strong foundation, especially runners or seniors, a few extra drinks are not worth setting back your lifestyle.
Alcohol and Foot Health
You can still enjoy the holidays without compromising your foot health. Make sure to stay hydrated with water between alcoholic drinks, limit high-purine liquors, and always choose stable footwear when walking, dancing… or playing quarterback in the backyard.
For any podiatric concerns you’re dealing with, come see Dr. Hubert Lee and the team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists for guidance and advice. You can schedule an appointment online or call today at 425-455-0936.
