How to cope with burning foot syndrome

Burning feet are a common condition and hard to reach the bottom of and difficult to manage as it will often not really be obvious why you have the symptoms. The burning feet syndrome is typically characterized by a strange experience of burning and heaviness occurring within the feet and legs. Historically, it was initially written about by Grierson in 1826 who was the first person to record the signs and symptoms of burning feet. A much more in depth account was given by Gopalan in 1946, so at time the burning feet syndrome had also been often known as Grierson-Gopalan syndrome.

There is certainly typically simply no specific aetiology or cause of burning feet syndrome and the reason is frequently idiopathic or unidentified. It might be related to nutritional or endocrine causes such as a vitamin B insufficiency, the painful neuropathy that happens in diabetes mellitus, in people that have renal failure especially if on renal dialysis, or because of hypothyroidism. It is more prevalent in people over the age of 50 years but it might and does come about at all ages. The signs and symptoms are typically characterised by a burning feeling, a heaviness, a numbness or a boring ache that occurs mostly in the foot. It is almost always just on the soles of the feet but might rise to affect the dorsum of the feet, ankles or up the lower legs sometimes. The forearms and palms of the hands are usually not affected, but when they are, then this needs to be looked at further. Occasionally individuals might complain of 'pins and needles' or prickling variety of discomfort in the feet. Commonly, the signs and symptoms are a whole lot worse during the night and they are relatively much better during the day time. They're also certainly not made more intense with additional levels of activity or standing which would indicate an orthopaedic disorder as opposed to the neurological involvement in burning feet syndrome. Assessment of your feet and legs by a physician frequently detects no objective signs. A range of investigations, particularly blood tests are generally often performed to look for any of the specific problems that could cause the problem.

The therapy for burning foot syndrome may either have particular actions which are aimed at the reason (eg diabetic neuropathy, pinched nerves, thyroid conditions) and general steps that could be helpful in all cases. These kinds of common actions range from the using of open and comfy shoes, perhaps those having arch supports, as well as putting on natural cotton hosiery might be effective. Relief from the signs and symptoms is often brought about by the placing the feet in cooler water for about fifteen minutes. It is also important to steer clear of exposing the feet to sources of heating. There are drug options which include tricyclic antidepressants and membrane stabilising substances (for example carbamazepine and gabapentin) which are made use of in the much more intense conditions. You will find side affects associated with these prescription drugs, but they're significant at giving reduction for the signs and symptoms when it's necessary. Despite having the use of drugs, the treating of the signs and symptoms might be a challenging and some people will ought to be assessed by a specialist pain center and presented approaches to help deal with the pain sensation.