Testing Your Nerves of Steel
Hopefully, we have caught your attention with this familiar phrase synonymous with having calm and steady emotions. If your nerves are functioning, you can remain calm and collected as they allow you to perform any and all tasks to go about your day. It is our nerves let us know if something is too hot, too cold, or painful. This ‘gift’, or ability to feel, may not be a problem for you. It is our goal here at AFAS to keep you from becoming one of individuals living with neuropathy, or damage to their nerves. Damage to your nerves can come in many ways and living with diabetes is one source.
Often a complication of diabetes, you may know someone or experience firsthand the complications and diligence that is needed to maintain your health when your nerves can no longer allow you to feel. When your nerves can not send the proper signal to your brain, you may not notice you stepped on a nail or burned your hand. There is good evidence that the earliest stages of neuropathy occur in the smallest nerves.1,2 If you experience any type of tingling or pain in your toes, you should make an appointment with Dr. Thomajan. There is a simple skin test that can be used to measure the density of the nerve fiber and is quite sensitive to detection of problem areas.3 Staying healthy involves due diligence. If you experience any type of tingling, burning, or numbness in your toes, it is time to visit AFAS. Once the problem is identified, there are steps you and your physician can take limit and correct the damage. Until next time, Austin, stay healthy!
1. Sommer, Claudia, Skin Biopsy as a Diagnostic Tool, Current Opinion in Neurology 2008; 21.562-568