Burning, tingling, numbness and muscle cramping in your feet and toes? It might be neuropathy. But, then again, it might be poor circulation or peripheral artery disease (PAD). “These symptoms are very similar to those of PAD,” explained Joel Rainwater, M.D., medical director of Comprehensive Integrated Care (CiC). “They are so similar that many are given a diagnosis of neuropathy when it may be PAD, or PAD may be making their neuropathy worse.” Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that … [Read more...] about September Brings Awareness to PAD
Dr. Diana Perry
Diagnosing the Difference Between Neuropathy and Poor Circulation
Neuropathy is a condition that involves damage to the peripheral nerves, the nerves in your hands and feet. Symptoms include muscle cramping, difficulty walking, burning, tingling, numbness and pain in the legs or feet. In many cases, it’s caused by diabetes, but poor circulation can also cause these symptoms or make them worse. Poor circulation or PAD (peripheral artery disease) is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries that hardens into plaque. When this occurs, it … [Read more...] about Diagnosing the Difference Between Neuropathy and Poor Circulation
Diabetes Rates Rising
More than 130 million adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when blood glucose or sugar is too high. It’s related to how the body turns food into energy and produces insulin. The body breaks down food and turns it into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream. The sugar level in the blood goes up, which triggers the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin helps the glucose … [Read more...] about Diabetes Rates Rising
Walking Is Good for Your Feet
An active lifestyle requires healthy feet. We all know that walking is good for your heart, great to help maintain weight and keeps you fit. We also know that it can put a great deal of strain on your feet, which makes it hard to stick to a walking program. But when your feet are functioning properly, walking is actually good for your feet too. It increases circulation in your feet, helps keep the joints moving well and maintains the elasticity of the soft tissue, muscles, and tendons. “I … [Read more...] about Walking Is Good for Your Feet
Chronic Wounds Reaching Unprecedented Level
The rate of non-healing sores in America is alarming. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 6 million people in the U.S. are affected by slow or non-healing wounds. “People don’t understand how important it is to pay attention to a sore that doesn’t get better. Without proper care, a chronic wound can lead to an amputation or even death,” warned Dr. Diana Perry, CIC Foot & Ankle in Flagstaff. “If you have an amputation due to a non-healing wound, you have a higher risk of … [Read more...] about Chronic Wounds Reaching Unprecedented Level
Heel Pain is on the Rise
More than two million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis, a sharp, stabbing, sometimes burning pain in the heel or arch of the foot. It’s anticipated this number will rise as the weather warms up and people become more active. “Most heel pain happens when there is irritation or inflammation of the fascia. That’s the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. When it’s inflamed, it hurts,” explained Dr. Diana Perry of CIC Foot & Ankle in Flagstaff. “Patients tell me it’s worse … [Read more...] about Heel Pain is on the Rise
Big Toe Pain is a Big Deal
One in 40 people over the age of 50 may find themselves limiting their activity because of a condition affecting their big toe. Hallux rigidus is a degenerative disease of the big toe joint and the most common form of arthritis in the foot. As it progresses, joint pain increases and motion decreases. How the toe moves, or doesn’t, affects the whole body. “Your big toe has a big impact on how you move through life. It plays a role in balance, shock absorption and forward movement as you … [Read more...] about Big Toe Pain is a Big Deal
Neuropathy Is Often Misdiagnosed
People living with neuropathy experience burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in their legs or feet on a daily basis. In many cases, it’s caused by diabetes, but poor circulation can also cause these symptoms or make them worse. “Most people don’t know what neuropathy is until you start talking about it,” said Dr. Diana Perry, of CIC Foot & Ankle in Flagstaff. “In many cases, people recognize they are getting older and think that they just need to learn to live with the leg cramps, … [Read more...] about Neuropathy Is Often Misdiagnosed
