Do you have tingling in your feet? Does it feel like you are stepping on pins and needles? Any sharp pains or numbness in your toes?
These can be symptoms of a nerve disorder - interference or slowing of the electrical impulses across a nerve.
The American Diabetes Association publishes guidance regarding the most common form of nerve damage in feet. Called diabetic neuropathy, it is caused by elevated levels of sugar in the blood.
Unfortunately, up to 50% of diabetics may not know they have this nerve damage. Diabetics should be assessed annually. Keeping blood sugar level at a normal level and exercise can prevent this nerve damage.
Morton’s neuroma is a nerve compression that can lead to sharp pain in the toes. Much less common is a genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), characterized by a high arch in the foot.
There are a variety of tests and procedures that can help diagnose and treat nerve disorders. Additional testing may be needed for those at risk for falling.
If neuropathy is painful, options include over-the-counter pain relievers, gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Given that vitamin B12, B6, and other vitamin deficiencies can also cause neuropathy, vitmain supplementation may be needed.