South Huntsville Neighbors, July 2024

YOUR HEALTH
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Peripheral Neuropathy
By Dr. Christine Spurlock DC, Fiona Wellness Center
What are the Symptoms?
If ten people with neuropathy are in a room together, they might
all describe their symptoms differently. However, one thing they
would have in common is that they all noticed an unusual feeling
in their toes, and they first noticed it at a time when they were still,
such as when lying in bed. Most people might not even be sure when
it began since the first signs can be easy to ignore. Some people feel
a burning sensation like their feet are on fire, while others might
describe their feet feeling like ice blocks. Some patients have no
unusual feeling in their feet but feel unsteady while walking. Over
the years I have also heard some unusual descriptions. One patient
described a feeling of having duct tape wrapped around the balls
of her feet, and another said it felt like ants running up and down
his legs. Your nerves are what communicate what is going on in
your body, and when they are damaged they are going to repeat the
wrong message.
What causes this nerve damage? There are several causes of neuropathy,
and today we will cover some of the most common.
Uncontrolled Diabetes. With high blood sugar (glucose) levels,
damage will be done to the small blood vessels that supply the
nerves in your body. Without the essential nutrients supplied by this
blood, the nerve fibers can become damaged. Sometimes this happens
before the patient is even aware of their diabetic issues.
Chemotherapy: It is estimated that 30 to 50 percent of people who
receive chemotherapy experience PN. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral
neuropathy or CIPN happens when the medicine designed
to kill the cancer cells also kills the healthy nerve accessory cells.
Unlike damage to other cells in the body, your nerves have a slow
rate of renewal, so the body often cannot repair the damage after the
treatment is over. One practice that is now being done in some clinics
to prevent nerve damage is using ice baths on the hands and feet.
The idea behind this is the cold restricts the blood flow to the hands
and feet so that those areas receive less medication, and hopefully
less damage to the nerves.
Helping You Live
Your Best Life
Non-Invasive Solutions That Can
Restore Your Health and happiness
SERVICES
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Chronic Knee Pain
• Back Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Hip Pain
• Arm and Hand Pain
• Foot and Ankle Pain
FIONA WELLNESS
CENTER
2905 Bob Wallace Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35805
256-489-3500
AESTHETIC SERVICES
• EMSCULPT
• Non-Invasive
Dr. Christine Spurlock DC
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