Research Correlates Peripheral Neuropathy and Heart Issues

achilles-tendon5.jpgDevelopment of cardiovascular problems may have a higher risk of occurrence for those patients who suffer from diabetes, says new research findings from doctors at St. George’s University of London. This cardiovascular problem development, seems to be at risk if the patient has peripheral neuropathy prior. The claims the scientists make are based conclusively on an examination they performed of about 13,000 people with type-2 diabetes who had no prior heart problems.

Neuropathy led to patients being more likely to experience a cardiovascular event than those patients who were not afflicted. This knowledge helps doctors predict when a diabetes patient will be more susceptible to heart disease. “There is likely an unmet potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in this group of patients through greater monitoring and simple treatments," said Consultant in Vascular Surgery Robert Hinchliffe.

Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy are systemic diseases that can do a lot of damage to the feet. For help dealing with the effects of a systemic disease in your feet, talk to Dr. Stephen A. Kinard, DPM of The Foot and Ankle Associates of North Carolina, PLLC. Dr. Kinard can treat your foot and ankle needs.

Systemic Diseases and the Feet

Systemic diseases affect the whole body, and symptoms usually are displayed in the feet. This condition can make a patient’s ability to walk unbearable. Systemic diseases include: gout, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, and arthritis.

Gout – is caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. Some common symptoms include pain, inflammation, and redness at the metatarsal/phalangeal joint of the base big toe. Gout can be treated by NSAIDs, which relieves pain and inflammation  and other drugs which lowers the acid levels in the body.

Diabetes mellitus- is an increase in the level of blood sugar in which the body cannot counteract with the insulin in the body. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin this is a factor in Diabetes.

Diabetes of the Feet

·         Diabetic Neuropathy – may lead to damaged nerves and affect the feet through numbness and loss of sensation.

·         Peripheral Vascular Disease- can restrict the blood flow to the feet, and often times lead to amputation of the feet. 

For more information about Systemic Diseases and the Feet, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in Ahoskie, Raleigh, and Rocky Mount, NC. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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