I have a funny feeling in my foot
NEUROPATHY is a medical condition where nerves are damaged.
It is caused by a variety of reasons including diabetes, alcohol consumption, genetic predisposition, infection, cancer, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to toxins and diseases that cause chronic inflammation involving the nerves, as well as other unclear causes.
Among all, diabetes is the most prevalent cause of nerve damage and in medical term, it is known as diabetic neuropathy.
It happens when nerves or group of nerves are damaged as a result of high blood sugar level.
Up to 50% of people with diabetes will suffer from diabetic neuropathy over the course of their disease.
And up to 50% of diabetic people with diabetic neuropathy do not experience any symptoms.
Diabetic neuropathy increases with age and with diabetic years.
Diabetic foot care
Diabetics should take feet care seriously as nerve damage can cause reduced or loss of sensation.
This causes sores and small injuries to go unnoticed and can become badly ulcerated, infected and difficult to heal.
Healing can also be compromised by poor circulation in diabetics.
Eventually, amputation of the toe, foot or even lower leg may be necessary if treatment is no longer possible.
Amputation and foot ulceration are common and serious problems among diabetics.
But these can be prevented or delayed if identified and dealt with early.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that adult diabetics undergo annual health screenings to detect diabetic neuropathy.
Such a check includes noting down your history, physical foot inspection, neurological tests and screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (ie. nerve damage of the legs and arms).
There are five simple clinical tests for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy of the legs and arms.
They include tests for pinprick sensation and ankle reflexes, vibration testing using a tuning fork and testing using a device known as a biothesiometer.
Tight blood sugar control, appropriate dietary control, proper foot care, regular exercise and stopping smoking are important to prevent or delay neuropathy and its complications.
Other complications include joint deformities, sharp pain and extreme sensitivity of limbs, urinary tract infections, incontinence, low blood pressure, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction, eye complications and more.
Benefits of vitamin B1, B6 and B12
Neurotropic B vitamins nourish and help regenerate nerves, such as thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12).
Vitamin B1 is involved in energy metabolism, helps in maintaining the myelin sheath which covers the axon of nerves, and in the synthesis of key signalling molecules in the nervous system known as neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B12 is involved in nerve cell maturation and regeneration, nerve cell metabolism and formation of nerve myelin sheaths.
In populations at risk of neuropathy, especially diabetics, early detection and treatment of neuropathy is crucial to avoid irreversible damage to nerves.
As part of continuous initiatives to raise awareness on the importance of healthy nerves, Merck Sdn Bhd is providing nerve tests using biothesiometer at selected pharmacies nationwide.
This article is brought to you by Merck.
The information contained herein is intended to provide knowledge only and Merck encourages you to seek advice from doctors or healthcare professionals should you have questions or concerns arising from this article.
For details, look out for the advertisement in this Star Special.