4 Essential Steps to Manage Neuropathy
Nerves permeate your entire body. They send messages of all kinds to your brain, such as, “It’s cold, put a sweater on,” or “Hey, our bladder’s full, get thee to a bathroom pronto.” But many things can happen to prevent important messages like these from getting to the brain – like an injury, toxic substances, arthritis, or alcoholism.
When the nerves in your feet can’t communicate with the brain, it’s often because of diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy, as it’s called, is a result of high blood sugar. High blood sugar damages nerves over time and short-circuit their ability to function normally. People with diabetes can suspect that they’re developing neuropathy if they have any of the following symptoms in their feet:
- numbness
- tingling
- inability to sense temperature changes
- infections
- cramps
- stabbing pains
- joint pain
- touching the foot, even lightly
Managing neuropathy
We may have reached the 21st century, but we still don’t have a way to repair damaged nerves in the feet. Consequently, the best you can do is try to slow down neuropathy’s progression. If you have diabetic neuropathy, take these four essential steps to manage it:
- Inspect your feet daily. Daily foot checks will help you catch a problem early, such as a cut or an infection. Diabetes hinders your ability to heal, so early detection of foot problems makes them much easier to treat and leads to better outcomes.
- Keep your blood sugar levels stable by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
- Avoid walking barefoot and wear the proper shoes. That means shoes that offer plenty of room and don’t pinch or rub.
- Finally, visit board-certified podiatrist Kenneth R. Wilhelm, DPM, at least once a year for a complete foot exam. If you’re in between appointments and notice anything unusual about your feet, such as tingling, pain, or numbness, don’t hesitate to come to our Fairfax County podiatry office. Call Clifton Foot & Ankle Center in Centreville, Virginia at (703) 996-3000, or make an appointment online.
