What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to your nerves that causes a tingling, burning, and numbing sensation in your extremities. Your nerve fibers radiate throughout your body from the spinal cord and provide the sensory and motor information that your muscles and other bodily systems need in order to function.

Nerve damage tends to be most noticeable in the extremities, particularly in the feet and ankles so be sure to bring any symptoms to the attention of your foot doctor since it may indicate a systemic problem.

Some of the causes of peripheral nerve damage include the following:         

●      Side effects of certain medications

●      Diabetes

●      Uremia

●      AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)

●      Vitamin and nutrient shortages

●      Arthritis

●      Peripheral artery disease

●      Exposure to toxins

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

While the nerves are becoming less responsive, the primary symptoms will be a burning sensation, tingling, and severe numbness. These symptoms tend to begin gradually and may not be particularly troublesome in the beginning.  But as the condition worsens you will have a total lack of feeling in your feet. This makes it impossible to know when you have a cut or other injury to your foot without performing a visible inspection.

Always have your feet evaluated and treated by your foot doctor to help decrease the chances of developing a foot ulcer that could lead to amputation. At E.J. Nemet Podiatry in Twinsburg,  E.J. Nemet, DPM, treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems, diabetic foot complications, nerve disorders, and toenail and skin conditions. With advanced technologies and a dedicated staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact us or to schedule an appointment, please call (234) 212-9940.