NEUROPATHY IN MY FEET? WHAT IS THIS, WHY DO I HAVE IT, & WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT??

30% of the population suffers from idiopathic neuropathy, which is neuropathy from an unknown cause.  But what IS neuropathy?  Neuropathy is a disorder of the nerves.  Neuropathy presents as symptoms in the hands, more often the feet, such as tingling, numbness, burning, the feeling of bugs crawling on the skin, and in the worst cases, shooting pains.  Although 30% of neuropathy is a from an unknown cause, another 30% is from a Known cause.... DIABETES.  A few other causes are chronic alcoholism, shingles, medications, AIDS, deficiencies in vitamins, cancer drugs, toxins, and certain diseases/disorders.

 Why does my diabetes cause neuropathy?  Patients with diabetes whose glucose/sugar has been out of control for longstanding periods of time develop neuropathy.  Simply put, the disease effects your nerves when you do not take control of your sugar levels.  Usually the symptoms start in the fingers as numbness first.  Eventually the symptoms are felt in the toes and feet.  Neuropathy IS reversible up to a certain point, but irreversible once the glucose has been uncontrolled for too long.  Many diabetic patients complain of no feeling on the bottom of both of their feet!  This is when trouble can occur.... if you can't feel it, you don't know it!  In other words, a diabetic patient with neuropathy (or any patient with neuropathy) may step on something and never realize the skin is broken on the bottom of the foot.  Bacteria may contaminate this opening, leading to an ulceration and infection.  It's at this point that you may hear of diabetic patients with ulcerations, infections, and in the worst cases, amputations!

How is neuropathy treated?   There are many treatments for neuropathy that are dependant on each individual case.  These include vitamin supplements, prescription medications, diet and glucose/sugar control, and various non-invasive therapies.  The most important treatment is PREVENTION, in the case of diabetes.  Although uncontrollable in some cases, neuropathy is preventable and controllable in Diabetes.  Diet and sugar maintenance are paramount in effectively minimizing the effect of neuropathy.  But remember, chronic longterm uncontrolled sugar = irreversible neuropathy.  When this neuropathy is associated with Pain, the problem is magnified.

For more information about neuropathy, visit us as www.podiatristofnaples.com