Burning Feet From Diabetes: Best Treatment Options

There are many reasons why one could have burning feet. If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes, your burning feet could simply be from being tired. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, burning feet are sometimes a symptom of peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage that could be caused by diabetes. Diabetes that is not under control can damage nerves in any part of the body, including those in your legs and feet.

Symptoms of Diabetic Nerve Pain

There are four different types of diabetic neuropathy, and it is possible to have one or more types. Symptoms can vary in different people, depending on which nerves have been damaged. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy that affects the feet and legs before the arms and hands, in most cases. A person may feel tingling and burning, pain when walking, numbness or inability to feel sensations in their feet and toes, such as coldness or temperature variations.

Sensitivity in the feet is often a result of diabetic neuropathy. When this happens, the feet become extra sensitive. Even a sheet on top of a person's feet may be very painful. Diabetic footcare is very important for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes, so be sure to mention any symptoms of burning feet to your doctor.

Some diabetics suffer from minor to major problems related to diabetic neuropathy, such as burning feet. Serious damage to the nerves in the legs and arms can also cause damage to the urinary tract, blood vessels and heart, or digestive system. It is a common problem that many diabetics face, but it can be prevented by controlling blood sugar levels and by exercise. Like many of the other complications caused by diabetes, the nerve damage that leads to burning feet develops slowly over time. When glucose levels are not kept under control, there is more chance of nerve damage occurring. Most people with diabetic neuropathy have had diabetes for 25 years or more.

Treatment for Diabetic Burning Feet

There is no known cure for diabetic neuropathy at this time, just as there is no known cure for diabetes. Doctors try to slow the progression of the disease and to relieve pain that the patient is experiencing. Patients who are having trouble walking or functioning because of the neuropathy may need additional treatment. Controlling blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of developing this problem by up to 60 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you are suffering from burning feet, your doctor may prescribe medicine that relieves the pain. These drugs can have side effects, so they are not for
every patient. Antidepressants, such as Cymbalta, Norpramin, or Tofranil, sometimes provide relief for mild to moderate symptoms. Anti-seizure medication has also been shown to reduce foot pain, but this treatment can cause dizziness, swelling, or drowsiness.

Another treatment is a lidocaine patch that is a topical anesthetic treatment with very few side effects. In severe cases, a patient may be given opioids, such as tramadol or oxycodone, but there is a risk of addiction to these drugs. Tramadol is also known to have the risk of seizure or of suicide if a person has a history of emotional problems.

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