How do I know if I have neuropathy in my feet?

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

numbness and tingling in the feet or hands. burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas. loss of balance and co-ordination. muscle weakness, especially in the feet.

What does neuropathy feel like in your feet?

Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include: Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms. Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain. Extreme sensitivity to touch.

What are the warning signs of neuropathy?

What can be done for neuropathy in the feet?

What are the first signs of neuropathy in your feet?

Checking Your Feet For Signs of Nerve Damage

What can be mistaken for neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common, impacting 7 in 10 diabetics, among others. PN is often mistaken for another common illness, multiple sclerosis (MS).

Can foot neuropathy be cured?

Some cases of neuropathy can be easily treated and sometimes cured. If neuropathy can't be cured, treatment is aimed at controlling and managing symptoms and preventing further nerve damage.

What triggers neuropathy?

Nutritional or vitamin imbalances, alcoholism, and exposure to toxins can damage nerves and cause neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deficiency and excess vitamin B6 are the best known vitamin-related causes. Several medications have been shown to occasionally cause neuropathy.

How serious is neuropathy in feet?

If the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy isn't treated, you may be at risk of developing potentially serious complications, such as a foot ulcer that becomes infected. This can lead to gangrene (tissue death) if untreated, and in severe cases may mean the affected foot has to be amputated.

What causes neuropathy in feet to flare up?

It's usually caused by chronic, progressive nerve disease, and it can also occur as the result of injury or infection. If you have chronic neuropathic pain, it can flare up at any time without an obvious pain-inducing event or factor. Acute neuropathic pain, while uncommon, can occur as well.

Does neuropathy go away?

Living with peripheral neuropathy. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may lessen or go away over time, but in some cases they never go away. These are some ways to learn to live with it: Use pain medicines as your doctor prescribes them.

What causes neuropathy in feet besides diabetes?

Infections – Viral and bacterial infections are both known to cause peripheral neuropathy. Some of these infections include West Nile, Shingles, Lyme disease, diphtheria, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and leprosy. Trauma – A traumatic injury can also damage the nerves.

How do you stop neuropathy from progressing?

What doctor treats neuropathy in feet?

If your doctor suspects you may have a form of peripheral neuropathy, they may refer you to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nerves.

How does neuropathy affect walking?

Walking with a wobbly motion or even losing your balance can result from diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Wearing orthopedic shoes often helps with this. Loss of coordination is a common sign of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Often, muscle weakness affects the ankle, which can affect your gait.

Do compression socks help with neuropathy?

Compression socks can relieve neuropathy issues concerning blood flow, as they are known for their ability to improve blood circulation. Studies have shown that compression garments can help those living with diabetes and lower extremity edemas.

What are the stages of neuropathy?

What is the most effective treatment for neuropathy?

The most effective treatment was nortriptyline. Of the study subjects taking this medication, 25% reported their discomfort improved by at least 50%. The least effective treatment was pregabalin: only 15% of study subjects reported that much improvement. Side effects were common with all of the treatments.

Can you have neuropathy and not have diabetes?

Millions of people suffer from the effects of non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy on a daily basis. Peripheral neuropathy refers to the dysfunction of the nerves in areas of the body, not including the brain and spine.

Why is neuropathy worse some days?

Stress and Emotions

Strenuous exercise and the accompanying soreness can contribute to nerve pain during the night. Living in a chronic state of stress will wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. High stress levels could be a reason why neuropathy is worse on some days, as well as when you take medications.

What can a podiatrist do for neuropathy of the feet?

There is no known cure for peripheral neuropathy. The goal of treatments is to slow the progression of the disease, to maintain foot health, and to decrease pain (if present) and improve the quality of life. The podiatrist may prescribe oral medication to help with symptoms.

What vitamin deficiency can cause neuropathy?

Vitamin B12 is an essential dietary nutrient—a B12 deficiency can lead to a number of serious conditions including peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the United States, especially among the elderly.

What part of the foot does neuropathy affect?

Diabetic neuropathy

Typically, the nerve pain first affects the toes and surrounding areas, and it may then slowly spread to the rest of the feet and up the legs. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include: tingling, burning, sharp, or shooting pain in the toes or feet.

What are the 3 types of neuropathy?

Does foot neuropathy come and go?

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can happen quickly or grow slowly over time. They may come and go, or get better or worse, at certain times. Depending on what caused your peripheral neuropathy, your symptoms may get better over time, or they may be lifelong.