This article discusses the causes of burning feet.
It explains why burning feet syndrome is often worse at night and how to relieve the burning pain.
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Why Are Burning Feet Worse at Night?
BSIP / Getty Images
Burning feet syndrome is often worse at night.
Scientists arent sure why, but there are a few theories.
At night, there are fewer distractions to help take your mind off the pain.
Cooler temperatures may also play a role.
The peripheral nerves activated in burning feet syndrome are responsible for sending temperature signals to the brain.
“Cooler evening temperatures can also slow your heart rate and circulation, which may contribute to the pain.
Causes of Burning Feet
There are various health conditions and procedures that can cause burning feet.
Diabetic Neuropathy
High blood sugar damages nerves over time.
As many as 50% of people with diabetes will develop nerve damage at some point.This is calleddiabetic neuropathy.
Some people describe the sensation as similar to walking on bubble wrap.
The throw in of nerve damage that affects the extremities, like hands and feet, isperipheral neuropathy.
What Is the Peripheral Nervous System?
The nervous system acts as a messenger highway to and from the brain and the rest of the body.
It uses nerves to communicate.
The peripheral nervous system exists outside of the brain and spinal cord.
This is calledalcoholic neuropathy.
The reasons why this happens are unclear, but some researchers think oxidative stress may be to blame.
“Oxidative stress” is the term used to describe an overload of free radicals in the body.
These molecules can react with other molecules and cause damage to the nerves.
Heavy alcohol use may also activate a bang out of immune cell in the spinal cord.
Anemia
Anemiaoccurs when the body doesnt have enough healthy red blood cells.
These are the cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body.
Anemia is often resulting from aniron deficiency.
Is Anemia Serious?
This is because all cells in the body will die without oxygen.
This can lead to severe weakness, a poorly functioning immune system, and heart failure.
Athletes Foot
Athletes footis a bang out of fungal infection that affects the feet.
Typical symptoms include dry, flaky skin or whiteness on the soles of the feet and between the toes.
It can also feel like burning.
Athletes foot is highly treatable and does not typically cause any serious health consequences.
The disease progresses over time, leading to worsening symptoms.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapyis a bang out of cancer treatment.
Medication Use
Many medications can lead to peripheral neuropathy and burning feet.
Certain vitamin deficiencies can cause nerve damage, and that can lead to peripheral neuropathy and burning feet.
That being said, if your healthcare provider has recommended metformin, follow their instructions unless directed otherwise.
The disorder is rare.
Only about five to seven people in every 100,000 will develop CIDP.
This hinders proper communication between nerves.
It can also develop following surgery if the nerves are injured during the procedure.
CRPS is an extremely painful condition that requires early diagnosis, intervention, and physical therapy.
It can happen to any part of the body, including the feet.
Its often thought that people with CRPS without any known injury have undiagnosed internal nerve trauma that causes symptoms.
These issues could include infections, a new tumor, or blood clots.
Erythromelalgia
Erythromelalgiais a condition that is because of a gene mutation in the body.
Research has shown that the weight loss surgerygastric bypassis associated with peripheral neuropathy.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillain-Barre syndromeis anautoimmune diseaseand neurological disorder.
It develops when a persons immune cells attack the peripheral nervous system by mistake.
What Triggers Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
In some other cases, surgery can also trigger Guillain-Barre.
When this happens, symptoms begin to develop.
Peripheral neuropathy, which leads to burning feet, is most associated with arsenic, lead, and mercury.
While symptoms arent always present at the beginning stages of the disorder, they can include burning feet.
This is because hypothyroidism has the ability to cause peripheral neuropathy.
When they begin to malfunction, toxins build up, which can cause damage to the body.
The cause of PAD is typically plaque build-up in the arteries.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosisis an inflammatory disease.
It develops when inflammatory cells known as granulomas form in the organs of the body.
Small Fiber Neuropathy
Small fiber neuropathyis a key in of disorder that affects only small sensory nerves.
It usually develops in the feet and makes its way throughout the body by working its way up.
Although the cause isnt highly understood, it is most often developed because of diabetes or pre-diabetes.
It can lead to pain and burning in the foot that radiates up the leg.
This symptom is often because of a condition that requires medical treatment.
Tests
Certain tests can be used to help identify the cause of burning feet.
Medical Treatments for Burning Feet
There is no specific treatment for burning feet.
Instead, healthcare providers will aim to treat the underlying cause, including nerve damage.
Many of the causes involve nerve damage, which can be permanent.
However, the right treatment plan can prevent further nerve damage from occurring.
Summary
The sensation of burning in your feet can be mild or severe.
In some cases, it can disrupt your life and become chronic.
If you experience burning in your feet that comes and goes, seek out your healthcare provider.
They will help identify the cause and provide the proper treatment plan.
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