Of all the nerve
When Sammy Davis Jr. sang "... The rhythm of life is a powerful beat/Puts a tingle in your fingers and a tingle in your feet," he was expressing joy. But for folks with peripheral neuropathy, a tingle in the fingers and feet isn't something to be happy about.
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet. However, it can also affect nerves that control muscle movements and those that affect bladder function, digestion, blood pressure and heart rate. It's a common complication of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. But it also may occur because of a B12 deficiency, an autoimmune disease, injury, infections, restricted blood flow or exposure to significant doses of toxins. Even chronically too-tight shoes or gloves can trigger problems. Unfortunately, a study in Neurology found that three-quarters of folks contending with the condition haven't had a cause identified.
Whatever the cause, nerve signals are being sparked when they shouldn't be and those that should be sent are not. This can lead to infections, falls, and even amputation.
Your smart move: Keep a record of when the sensations arise and when there's tingling or acute pain. Then talk to your doctor about using physical therapy, medication, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, injections or surgery to ease symptoms. And if the cause (diabetes?) is related to lifestyle choices, aim for more physical activity and improved nutrition. And read the iHerb.com blog, "Alpha-Lipoic Acid Might Be Nature's Perfect Antioxidant," to learn how it may help ease your tingling and pain.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
