Anuradha Varanasi
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A persistent burning sensation in your leg is usually caused by nerve damage and is medically termed as neuropathy. Along with a burning sensation, patients also complain about feelings of numbness and a tingling sensation in their feet. The other term for burning feet is known as parethesia and can affect people from varying age groups. The symptoms of parethesia also include redness, swelling and increased sweating in the feet.
However, neuropathy is more common among people above 50 years old. Dr Amar Pazare, professor and head of medicine department at KEM hospital in Mumbai, says these are the eight most common causes of burning feet.
Not many people are aware of this, but vitamin B12 deficiency causes numbness and a tingling or burning sensation in the feet and hands. In fact, vitamin B12 deficiency could also cause difficulty in walking in some cases. These are the other symptoms of vitamin B deficiency you should know about.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy in older people. Diabetics can complain about an intense burning sensation in their feet. Here s what you need to know about diabetic neuropathy.
3. Alcoholism
Alcoholism is also a common cause of neuropathy as alcohol could damage nerve tissues. Alcoholics are known to suffer from alcoholic neuropathy that could last for long periods if the patient doesn t cut down on his alcohol consumption. These are the signs that a loved one might be an alcoholic.
4. Certain medications
In some cases, the main cause of burning feet could be the drugs used to treat certain diseases. Dr Pazare says anti-tuberculosis drugs, chemotherapy and other cancer drugs are known to having burning feet as a common side-effect.
Burning feet is one of the symptoms of chronic kidney disease and patients undergoing dialysis most commonly suffer from burning feet. In some cases, a chronic kidney disease patient could also suffer from restless leg syndrome.
6. HIV/AIDS
The HIV virus is known to cause tingling and a burning sensation in the hands and feet--also known as peripheral neuropathy. The other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include lack of coordination, muscle weakness, increased pain and burning sensation in the feet during night time and pin and needles.
7. Anemia
Doctors warn that other than vitamin B12 deficiency, even iron deficiency can be responsible for the burning sensation in your feet. A blood test can determine if you re anaemic following which your doctor will prescribe iron supplements. Here are easy ways to increase your iron intake.
8. Lyme disease
This disease is caused by insect bites, coming in direct contact with an infected animal or even from your pet s saliva. One of the symptoms of Lyme disease is a strong burning sensation in the hands and feet. However, don t panic if you have pets as Dr Pazare says that Lyme disease is not a very common cause of burning feet.
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