Weekend doctor: Burning, tingling or numbness in your feet?
By Thomas F. Vail, DPM
Podiatrist at the Step Alive Foot and Ankle Center
November is Diabetes Awareness Month and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) slogan this year is, “Don’t Lose Your Nerve to Diabetes.”
More than 30 million Americans are living with diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage in the feet, is one of the most common—and most serious—complications of the disease. Nerve damage causes burning, tingling, heaviness or numbness in the feet and affects up to 70 percent of all diabetic patients.
Neuropathy can be a rather scary aspect of diabetes because patients may not be able to feel pain. If you can’t feel an injury or sore, it could lead to a serious infection.
People with diabetes have a harder time healing from infections, and even a minor sore or blister could ultimately lead to amputation. It’s important to try to prevent nerve damage before it happens, and to take extra precautions if you do experience symptoms.
The following tips are recommended to help prevent peripheral neuropathy:
- Carefully manage your blood sugar in conjunction with your diabetes care team. Well-regulated blood sugar may help protect your nerves from damage.
- Increase your physical activity. Exercise can help keep your weight down and improve circulation. Try walking for 15–30 minutes daily.
- See a podiatrist regularly. A podiatrist is a physician, surgeon and specialist with advanced training in the foot and ankle. Your podiatrist is a critical member of your diabetes care team and can help you prevent diabetic nerve damage.
If you do experience diabetic nerve damage, foot care becomes even more critical. It starts at home with daily checks on your feet. Check your feet for any injuries and for changes to the skin, hair, or even temperature of the skin. If you can’t see your feet well, try propping up a mirror, or ask friends or family for help.
Patients with peripheral neuropathy are recommended to never go barefoot because of the risk of injuries. People with peripheral neuropathy should see a podiatrist regularly to help catch any changes in their foot health early.
Regular foot care, both at home and in your podiatrist’s office, is essential to avoid serious complications from diabetes. If you have diabetes, and especially if you have experienced symptoms of nerve damage, it’s critical to make foot health a priority.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora
Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Bluffton Public Library’s April 2025 programs and services
- Joseph “Joe” Ropp Davies worked for University of Findlay
- Hillville Road bridge maintenance on April 1
- Lift access added to Bluffton Senior Center back entrance
- Register for fear of falling workshop
- Florence to explain advanced sports stats at student forum