Is a foot examination a part of your daily routine? If you have diabetes, performing this check can prevent small issues from becoming more damaging. Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, podiatrist, Dr. Michael Dershowitz, explains why taking good care of your feet is so important.

There's no such thing as a minor foot injury

Before you developed diabetes, you probably didn't pay much attention to blisters or sores on your feet. They may have been uncomfortable for a few days, but discomfort was the extent of the problem. Unfortunately, those seemingly minor injuries can cause big health problems if you have diabetes.

When your blood sugar level rises, infections develop quickly and are difficult to treat. Due to nerve damage in the feet, some people who have diabetes don't feel any pain if they have a blister or step on a nail. Without daily foot exams, the infection can go unnoticed until it becomes serious.

How can I avoid diabetic foot problems?

Check your feet at least once every day. If you can't physically examine your feet yourself, ask a family member or friend to help. Look for blisters, open sores, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, red streaks and changes in skin color or sensation. If you notice any of these problems, call our Glendale or Phoenix office and make an appointment.

Wear comfortable shoes. Tight shoes lead to blisters. If you happen to notice red spots on your feet when you perform your daily exam, switch to a different pair of shoes. Try not to wear the same pair of shoes every day, and avoid tight shoes and socks. Do you have trouble finding a comfortable pair of shoes? Consider buying a pair of diabetic shoes. They're specially designed to provide extra cushioning and reduce pressure on your feet.

Don't be afraid to call the foot doctor. Sometimes people decide to treat sores or broken blisters themselves rather than bother their podiatrists. Unfortunately, treating the problem at home can increase your risk of a serious infection. It's a much better idea to let us take a look at your wound, even if it seems minor.

Protect your good health by visiting Dr. Michael Dershowitz at the first sign of a foot problem. Call his Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, offices at (602) 340-8686 to schedule an appointment.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 20 million people suffer from some form of peripheral neuropathy, a form of nerve damage. If left untreated, this condition can affect various aspects of your daily life. Learn more about peripheral neuropathy and how your podiatrist Dr. Michael Dershowitz at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale, AZ can help.

What is peripheral neuropathy? 
Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the body’s peripheral nervous system which sends information between the various parts of the body to the brain and spinal cord. This information can include anything from hot, cold and pain sensations to telling a muscle in your hand to move. When this information is disrupted on its journey from the brain to the muscle due to peripheral neuropathy, symptoms including tingling, numbness, phantom pains, or even paralysis may occur.

What causes peripheral neuropathy? 
The cause most commonly related to peripheral neuropathy is injury or trauma to the nerve. This can occur due to any number of incidents, including automobile accidents, a tackle that went wrong on the football field, or a simple fall. Repeated stress on the nerve can also cause peripheral neuropathy. Diseases like autoimmune disorders, cancers, kidney problems and infections can also trigger peripheral neuropathy. In some cases, toxin exposure can cause this condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatments in Phoenix Glendale and Scottsdale, AZ 
Your doctor will use a physical examination and various testing to diagnose peripheral neuropathy. This process may include taking a biopsy of the nerve or skin or MRIs. Treatments will vary depending on the cause and severity of the nerve damage. In some cases, treatment may include treating the condition causing the peripheral neuropathy. Other cases may require simple symptom management, such as taking anti-inflammatory medications or the topical application of numbing medications. Laser therapy is a painless and noninvasive treatment option. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, called TENS for short, or nerve decompression surgery may be an option for some patients. 

For more information on peripheral neuropathy, how it affects your feet and how your podiatrist can help, please contact Dr. Michael Dershowitz at Southwest Foot Institute at any of his three locations: Phoenix, Glendale, or Scottsdale, AZ

Does it sometimes feel as if you're walking on a pin cushion? That pins-and-needles sensation may be a symptom of nerve damage, also known as peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Michael Dershowitz and Dr. Nathan Plaskey, your Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, podiatrists, discuss peripheral neuropathy and share common nerve damage signs and symptoms.

Who gets peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves in your hands or feet become damaged. The condition is particularly common in people who have diabetes. In fact, approximately half of the people who have diabetes have peripheral neuropathy, according to the American Diabetes Association. Other possible causes include:

• Injuries
• Side effects of cancer drugs and other medications
• Exposure to toxins and poisons
• A family history of neuropathy
• Autoimmune diseases
• Infections, such as HIV, Lyme disease and shingles
• Aging
• Alcoholism

What are the signs of nerve damage?

If you have nerve damage in your feet, you may experience:

• Pain: Many people who have neuropathy report burning, shooting or stabbing pains in their feet that worsen at night.
• Numbness and tingling: A pins-and-needles sensation is one of the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Eventually, your feet may become numb and you may no longer be able to feel them when you stand or walk. When your feet are numb, you tell if you have sores or blisters. Unfortunately, if you don't notice them and treat sores, they can become infected.
• Sensitivity problems: Your feet may feel hot or cold if you experience nerve damage. In some cases, the nerves can become so sensitive that even wearing socks can be painful.
• Difficulty walking: Nerve damage can also cause weakness in the muscles of your feet and legs, which can make walking difficult. The problem can also affect your balance.
• Other problems: Itching, cramps, dry skin and swelling in the feet or ankles can also accompany nerve damage.

How can my Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix podiatrist help me?

Although it's not possible to reverse nerve damage, your podiatrist that can offer medications that treat pain, including prescription lidocaine patches and anti-seizure medications. Anti-seizure medication relieves nerve pain by altering spinal cord and brain processes involved in the transmission of pain signals. Laser therapy is very effective for neuropathy and it is painless and noninvasive. Surgical decompression of nerves is also possible in the most resistant of cases.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment is another option. A low-voltage electrical current applied to your feet during the treatment reduces pain by blocking pain signals. If your condition is related to diabetes, getting your blood glucose level under control is an important step in preventing further damage.

Prompt treatment of peripheral neuropathy will help prevent your condition from worsening. If you have any of these symptoms, call Dr. Dershowitz and Dr. Plaskey, your Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, podiatrists, at (602) 340-8686 to schedule an appointment.

Have you resigned yourself to living with neuropathy pain? Dr. Michael Dershowitz and Dr. Nathan Plaskey, your Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale, AZ, podiatrists, share information on treatments that can make you more comfortable.

Treating neuropathy

Neuropathy is not only painful but can also affect your mobility. Although the condition can't be cured, your Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale foot doctor can offer treatments to slow the progression of the disease and relieve your symptoms. Treatments include:

• Pain Medication: When over-the-counter medication doesn't do enough to control your pain, it may be time to consider prescription medications, such as anti-seizure medications and antidepressants. You don't have to suffer from seizures or depression to benefit from these medications. Antidepressants interfere with brain and spinal cord processes that cause you to feel pain, while anti-seizure medication can be effective in decreasing nerve pain.
• Capsaicin Cream or Patches: Capsaicin is responsible for the burn when you eat a chili pepper. Scientists discovered that this ingredient could be helpful in blocking pain when it was added to over-the-counter creams or patches. The burning sensation can be a little intense initially, but if you continue to use the patches or cream containing the capsaicin, the burning and pain will lessen.
• Lidocaine Patches: If you can't tolerate capsaicin or it doesn't help, lidocaine patches may be a better option. The patches temporarily numb your feet, reducing pain and tingling.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): TENS systems use a very low-voltage electrical current to reduce pain. The treatment stimulates your nerves and nerve pathways and prevents pain signals from reaching your brain.
• Physical Therapy: If neuropathy has caused muscle weakness or affected your gait, your foot doctor may recommend physical therapy. During your sessions, you'll learn exercises that will strengthen your feet and leg muscles and improve your mobility.
• Braces: Braces or special shoes can make walking easier if you've lost feeling in your feet.
• Surgery: Nerve entrapment can sometimes occur when you develop neuropathy, particularly if you have diabetes. Surgery frees the trapped nerves and reduces your pain.

Are you tired of living with painful and unpleasant neuropathy symptoms? Dr. Dershowitz and Dr. Plaskey, your Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale, AZ, podiatrists, can offer helpful treatments. Call them at (602) 340-8686 to schedule an appointment.

Did you know that everyone is born with flat feet? Most people grow out of this flat-footed stage and go on to develop a normal arch. However, many people never develop their arch and continue having flat feet for their entire lives. Learn how to tell if you have flat feet and podiatrists treat this condition with Dr. Michael Dershowitz and Dr. Nathan Plaskey at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, AZ.

Do I have flat feet? 
You cannot necessarily glance at your feet and determine whether or not you have flat feet. However, there is a very simple, very basic test to determine if you have flat feet. Wet your feet, then step onto a surface which will obviously show wet and dry spots like dry concrete. If you see the outline of your entire foot, including the inside where the arch should be, you have flat feet. If you can make out the arch, you do not have flat feet.

Do flat feet cause everyday problems? 
Many people with flat feet do not notice any symptoms and never need to seek medical help for their condition. However, flat feet can cause numerous issues which you may not realize are related to your feet. Flat feet can trigger knee, leg, ankle or foot pain, as well as hip and low back pain making pinpointing the root cause of these conditions quite tricky. For this reason, if you experience leg, ankle, knee or foot pain or believe you have flat feet, you should see your podiatrist for an examination.

Treating Flat Feet in Phoenix, AZ 
The most common and easiest way to treat flat feet is with a customized insole, called an orthotic, worn inside of the shoe. These orthotics help distribute the body’s weight more naturally on the foot, helping to reduce pain and inflammation. Special exercises and physical therapy may help strengthen the foot’s connective tissues and help increase its range of motion. Severe cases of flat feet may require surgery.

For more information on flat feet or its treatments, please contact Dr. Dershowitz and Dr. Plaskey at Southwest Foot Institute in Phoenix, AZ. Call (602) 340-8686 to schedule your appointment today!