Denton County Living Well Magazine November/December 2016 | Page 37

Understanding neuropathy
By Chantell Peterson

D

o you or someone you know experience pain,
tingling, burning or numbness in your feet? There
can be many contributing factors but one that is
complicated and often seen without being diagnosed, is neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage in the
central nervous system that sometimes results in pain. It is
not a single disease, it is a complication that is found in a
number of different underlying medical conditions.
Peripheral neuropathy is neuropathy that occurs in the ex-

that have been damaged. Some people may find relief by
keeping their blood sugar levels as closely controlled as
possible, getting regular exercise and keeping their weight
under control. In some cases taking non-narcotic pain relievers during the day may help as symptoms typically worsen
at night. But neuropathy is not always consistent and varies
for each individual. So what should you do? After all, your
feet should be your biggest investment and it is important
that you take care of both of them.

Below is a list of causes that
contribute to neuropathy:
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Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral
neuropathy. More than 29 million people in the United
States have diabetes and about half of them have some
type of nerve damage.
Physical trauma, repetitive injury, metabolic problems
Exposure to toxins and some drugs
Chronic Liver or Kidney Disease
HIV Infection and AIDS
Long-term excessive alcohol intake
Vitamin B deficiency and other nutritional deficiency
Cancer, lymphoma or multiple myeloma
Lyme disease

tremities and may cause pain, such as foot or hand pain. It
could also cause deformities in the foot, foot ulcers or an inability to lift the foot. Not everyone will feel pain but about
1 in 5 people with diabetes will feel shooting, burning, pins
and needles pain in their feet or hands. There are can be
many causes but one crucial cause is high glucose levels
over a long period of time that injures the walls of the tiny
blood vessels supplyi