Posts for tag: tingling
Do you have diabetes? Diabetic patients in Tullahoma Tennessee and Manchester Tennessee can experience numbness, tingling, or burning in their feet. This condition is known as neuropathy or diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral neuropathy is common in people with high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Neuropathy is the result of damage to nerves.
The symptoms of foot neuropathy are pain, numbness, burning, or tingling in the feet. These sensations are often worse in the evening and can worsen with time. This condition often starts out very minor but can become severe.
Neuropathy can also cause changes in the way a person walks due to changes in balance, muscle weakness and changes in reflexes. This can result in falls and injuries.
Other foot changes that can happen with neuropathy are dry and cracking skin,hammertoes, and ulcers (open sores).
It is important for diabetic patients to check their feet thoroughly each day for cuts, injuries, or any drainage. Due to the numbness associated with neuropathy, it is possible for you to cut or step on a sharp object and not even know it! What start out as minor cuts can go on to become major infections. In severe cases this can cause toes or feet to be amputated. This is preventable!
Drs. Bouldin and Dr. Superstein treat diabetic foot infections several times a week. Prevention is better.
The CDFE, Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Exam, tests foot nerve function. It also evaluates circulation, skin condition and orthopedic and biomechanical deformities. Dr. Bouldin and Dr. Superstein recommend this evaluation for all their diabetic patients. The results of the CDFE are shared with the diabetic patients Nurse Practitioner, Family Physician, Internists, or Diabetologist.
The best quantitative test for diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a minor procedure called and epidermal nerve biopsy performed in the office by Dr. Bouldin and Dr. Superstein.
Treatment starts with medical blood sugar management with the patients primary care provider. Then, Dr. Bouldin and Dr. Superstein, Podiatric Physicians and Surgeons, add additional care that can include diabetic insoles and orthotics, diabetic shoes, topical medications, oral medications, balance AFO (Ankle foot orthoses), and surgical correction for ingrown toenails, hammer toes, foot deformities, and Charcot foot.
In severe cases, Dr. Bouldin has the expertise to preform surgical nerve release procedures to provide relief.
Prevention and good early foot care are the keys to diabetic foot health for our patients in Tullahoma and Manchester Tennessee.
Call or e-mail us if your have additional questions.
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