What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by damage to your peripheral nerves. The disorder is called peripheral neuropathy because nerve damage disrupts the messaging from your brain and central nervous system to the rest of your body. This disruption causes symptoms in areas that aren’t directly related to the nerve damage.
What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?
The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy vary considerably depending on which nerves are damaged. That said, some common indicators of the condition are:
- Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, which may progress up your arms and legs
- Sharp, jabbing pain
- Burning or freezing sensations
- Falling due to loss of coordination
- Muscle weakness
Talk to the team at Sarasota Foot Care Center if you notice any of these symptoms.
What causes peripheral neuropathy?
Several factors can lead to nerve damage, including:
- Diabetes
- Trauma
- Nerve compression
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Infections
- Toxins
- Autoimmune disorders
The team at Sarasota Foot Care Center can determine if you’re at risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.
What are the treatments for peripheral neuropathy?
Most of the patients who see the team at Sarasota Foot Care Center for peripheral neuropathy suffer from diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes can wreak havoc on your feet, which is why vigilant monitoring of your foot health is critical.
Sarasota Foot Care Center provides comprehensive exams to look out for potential problems and treat them before they become full-blown medical issues.
Diabetes causes decreased blood flow to your feet, as well as nerve damage. When combined, these factors put your feet at great risk of infection.
The team also recommends extensive at-home care of your feet, including:
- Checking daily for any signs of injury, no matter how small
- Washing and drying your feet daily
- Trimming your nails carefully to avoid sharp edges
- Wearing clean socks that keep your feet dry
- Wearing shoes that fit well
With regular visits to Sarasota Foot Care Center and great at-home care, you can preserve the health of your feet.
For peripheral neuropathy that’s not associated with diabetes, the team works with you to uncover the root of the problem. If the problem isn’t directly related to your feet, they may work with a neurologist to find a treatment that’s best for you.
If you have diabetic neuropathy or unexplained neuropathy, call Sarasota Foot Care Center or make an appointment using the online booking tool.
