Published on February 12, 2026
Have you experienced numbness, tingling or burning in your feet? These could be the symptoms of nerve damage, a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Read along to understand more about it.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition associated with damage to the long nerves of the body. Symptoms usually start in the toes and feet on both sides of the body and progress upward over time. Along with numbness, tingling and pain, loss of balance may be experienced. Rarer symptoms include weakness, giddiness, digestive issues, or too much or too little sweating.
What Causes Peripheral Neuropathy?
The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. It especially affects people whose blood glucose level is not well controlled. Other common causes include excessive alcohol consumption and vitamin B1 and B12 deficiency. Certain medicines could affect nerves as a side effect. In some cases, it is difficult to pinpoint the cause.
How can Peripheral Neuropathy be treated?
Damaged nerves may not recover completely with treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to apply on the feet or tablets to relieve the symptoms. Since the sensations of the feet are lost, foot care is extremely important to prevent injuries. People with diabetes should control their blood glucose levels with medications. People with vitamin B deficiency may need supplemental treatment.
Reference:
Aysegul A at al. Expert opinion on screening, diagnosis and management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a multidisciplinary approach. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024 volume 15. DOI=10.3389/fendo.2024.1380929
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